Peter Jackson VFL – Round 12
Northern Blues vs Geelong Cats
Sunday 29 June 2014, 1pm
Preston City Oval, Preston
LAST TIME THEY MET
R9, 2013: Geelong 15. 13. (103) defeated Northern Blues 5. 15. (45) at Simonds Stadium
Head-to-Head
Played 19
Northern Blues 11 Geelong 8
Two finals hopefuls in the Northern Blues and Geelong Cats reach a crossroad in their season when they square off against one another at Preston City Oval this Sunday.
Sitting eighth and eleventh respectively after the first eleven rounds, both sides will be aiming to stay in touch with the VFL’s upper echelon of teams with a win this weekend.
The Blues will need to change their recent form against the Cats in the contest, losing both of their head-to-head encounters over the last two seasons by over 50 points.
In their only contest in 2013 – a 58-point Geelong win at Simonds Stadium – Jordan Schroeder was the most influential player on the ground with 26 disposals and two goals.
Despite that result though, a different Geelong outfit is set to face the Blues in 2014 with less than half of the Cat’s extended squad playing in last seasons round 9 clash.
The reigning grand-finalists have slowly adjusted to their new-look squad this season, with an even five wins and five losses so far including a nine-point loss to Werribee last weekend.
The Blues have been equally inconsistent in their start to the year, fighting off the winless Bendigo Gold last weekend with a goal in the dying moments to register their sixth win in ten matches.
Northern have made a habit of winning the close games this year with five of their six victories coming by under three goals, comprising of three by less than a goal.
Historically, the Cats have been able to constrict their opponent’s scoring using their renowned corridor football.
This method has been particularly effective against the Blues who have scored a combined seven goals against Geelong in their last two contests.
In order to combat this, Northern will be reliant on effective ball use coming from defence to instigate their high-possession style.
Midfield accumulators Nick Graham and Tom Bell – who is set to return from injury – will be integral links from defence and vital to getting first use of the ball from stoppages.
For the Cats, forward Jackson Hollmer has been a shining-light in a sub-par month of football with 17 goals for the season.
The likes of Geelong-listed group Taylor Hunt, Billy Smedts, Jake Stringer and Josh Walker demonstrate the quality of the Cats group, while Northern will need to be weary of joint 2013 Liston winner Jordan Schroeder without the assistance of strong-bodied on-baller Jaryd Cachia in the side.
Player Watch
Tom Bell: The returning midfielder faces a tough challenge in his return to action against a tough Geelong midfield. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Bell go head to head against Jordan Schroeder at the stoppages.
Nick Holman: Holman kicked the match-winning goal in the dying stages against Bendigo and will be looking to ride that momentum into this round 12 clash. The utility is developing his game as he gathers more senior experience.
Jack Anthony: Anthony was a late omission for the game against Bendigo and has now missed two consecutive weeks of football. Coach Luke Webster will be desperate to get the experienced swingman back into the line-up.
Northern Blues Selected Side
B M. Watson Reynolds Holman
HB McInnes Anthony Sheehan
C Graham Lucas Byrne
HF T. Thomas Henderson Temay
F Wilkinson Waite Wilson
R Wood Bell Garlett
Int Dufficy, Coulson, Totevski, J. Gleeson, Dirago, Cattapan, McDonald*, D. Watson, Bolger
* Denotes 23rd man
NB: Please note there are four to be ommitted
