Can Chris Scott and his Cats salvage some finals respect?
Or will Collingwood keep their dream run alive?
Last time they met
Jordan De Goey starred with a bag of five as Collingwood got over the line 8.9.57 to 5.5.35. Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard impressed down back, whilst Adam Trealoar (34 disposals) and Scott Pendlebury (24 disposals) were crucial through the middle.
The Cats weren’t helped by a hamstring injury to Joel Selwood in the first quarter.
Team news
Both sides remain largely unchanged. Geelong have omitted Tom Atkins for Sam Simpson, whilst the Pies won’t be tinkering with a winning formula.
Why Geelong can win
The criticism of their finals record may be “lazy”, but the Cats will be hellbent on winning and changing that perception.
Why Collingwood can win
They completed mission impossible last week, now anything looks like a cakewalk in comparison. They’re high on belief, and winning comes much easier when that’s the case. Beat Geelong last time they met.
Players to watch
Mason Cox made the list last week, and it’d be simply impossible to take him off after he kicked Collingwood’s first three goals. His confidence is growing every week, and is he gets more lippy, he seems to clunk more and more marks. Watch out Cats.
Geelong’s leaders. The team is under siege, and it will go two ways. Dangerfield, Ablett, Selwood and co. will step up, or be held back by the mental demons their finals record brings.
When Scott Pendlebury and Patrick Dangerfield go head to head, it’s two of the league’s best and smoothest operators. Must watch.
What’s at stake?
Under the pump is an understatement for Geelong. Despite being the most consistent finals attendees, their record is becoming more abysmal. It now stands at 4-12 since 2012. They have to turn it around.
Collingwood celebrated an elimination final win hard. Rightfully so considering they were written off, but must back it up or the criticism will fly thick and fast.
Prediction
After a such huge upset last week, and big celebrations, it’s hard to see Collingwood backing that up. Similar to when a team peaks in the prelim, and can’t back it up on grand final day, a la GWS. Geelong will pick up the win, but the Pies thrive on proving people wrong