GEELONG V GOLD COAST MATCH PREVIEW
Willem van Denderen 30 April 2016

AFL ROUND 6 2016: GEELONG CATS V GOLD COAST SUNS
Tonight Geelong play in front of their home supporters for the second time in 2016, this time hosting a depleted yet stoic Gold Coast side. Geelong comfortably saw off the Brisbane Lions at home in round three, but the clash against the other club from Queensland is expected to prove slightly more difficult. Both sides sit within the top eight, the Cats in fourth with four wins the Suns in seventh with three. Geelong were exceptional after quarter-time last week disposing of a Port Adelaide team which seemed to burn itself out before the first interval. They will be looking to exert the same ruthlessness which saw them kick fifteen goals to three in the final three quarters. The Suns can be expected to provide a more consistent, sustained effort than the Power, but without three of their premier midfielders may find Geelong overwhelming.

THIS WEEK IN FOCUS: Geelong head into this clash still having yet to show their best football in 2016 however the group will be satisfied that they are continuing to show signs of improvement. They will look to again develop whilst also picking up the four points, something the side is making a habit of. It was the case last week their 48 point victory a result of weathering a barrage of pressure in the opening term before running over the top after quarter time. The round five win must be kept in perspective however given the recent form of the opposition. The Cats should again dominate the midfield with captain Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan in exceptional form. Along with big bodies Patrick Dangerfield and Josh Caddy it is hard to see the Cats losing in the contested possession count this week particularly given the Suns will head in undersized and undermanned. The Cats can also expect to continue their defensive dominance, their 332 points conceded this year the second-least in the competition. The defence will be further bolstered by the inclusions of Jed Bews and Lachie Henderson, meaning the Suns face a significant challenge to kick a winning score.

One player who is likely to challenge this notion is Tom Lynch. At 23 years of age and now in his sixth season Lynch has developed into one of the AFL's premier key forwards. He currently leads the Coleman medal with 22 goals and was this week touted by Hawthorn legend Peter Hudson as a player who could kick 100 goals in a season. Suns coach Rodney Eade lamented frequent turnovers around the ground last week against North and should they be able to tidy this area up expect them to provide plenty of service to Lynch. Another player currently enjoying superb form is midfielder Aaron Hall. Hall's switch from the forward line to the middle last season saw him transform from likely delistee to ball magnet. That he currently sits second in disposals for the league is testament to this. The Suns midfield depth will however be severely tested by the Cats. Aside from Hall and the impressive Jesse Lonergan they have not shown they can perform consistently and captain Gary Ablett and the returning Dion Prestia are under injury clouds. Furthermore, a shoulder injury will see Michael Rischitelli sidelined this week, an omission compounded by ongoing injuries to David Swallow and Jeager O'Meara.

TEAM NEWS: Chris Scott continues to chop and change with his side and has made two changes this week recalling two defenders. Tom Ruggles has been 'managed' following his three game introduction to the senior side and is replaced by a similar player in Jed Bews, who will play his first game for the season. Lachie Henderson also comes into the side having sat out last week's game against Port Adelaide at the expense of Cory Gregson who has been omitted for the second time this year. Intriguingly Gregson was initially named as an emergency for this week but has been excluded further with exciting yet injury-plagued big man Nathan Vardy coming into the match day squad.
The Cats have had the luxury of managing their side so far in 2016, but there has been no such fortune for the Gold Coast. As aforementioned Rischitelli will miss with a shoulder problem. Adam Saad, one of the side's most consistent performers, has also succumbed to injury suffering a hip complaint. Luke Russell and Callum Ah Chee have been dropped.
Into the side come Prestia and mature-age forward Ryan Davis. Highly touted defender Henry Schade also comes in, whilst 20 year old Mackenzie Willis will make his debut.

PREDICTION: Geelong should be too strong for the Suns, however are likely to need to work for the full four quarters to secure the points. Geelong are far more stable in terms of fitness and team balance given they have almost a full list to choose from. Coupled with a home-ground advantage, it is difficult to see a second loss for the year. The Suns should not be discounted however, and it would not surprise to see them dictate some periods of the match, and even win a quarter or two.

RESULT: Geelong by 30