Matt PoyntingGrand Final Preview
September 24th 2008 05:54
Details: Geelong Cats vs. Hawthorn Hawks, Saturday 27th September 2008, 2pm.
Last time: Geelong 12.16.88 – Hawthorn 11.11.77, MCG/Rd 17, 2008.
Head to Head: Geelong: 73 Hawthorn: 66 – 1 draw.
Latest Finals Meeting: 2000 1st Elim. Final – Hawthorn 14.8.92 def Geelong 12.11.83
Hawks
Strengths: The Hawks have the most potent forward line in the league. Lance Franklin and Jaryd Roughhead both finished in the top five for the Coleman Medal with the former taking the prize after cracking the ton in the last H&A round. Add to this the brilliance of Cyril Rioli, the rookie who is already kicking the type of freakish goals one would only expect from a more seasoned player, and Mark Williams who kicked 5 against the Saints and you have a recipe for a prolific attacking weapon. The Hawks have also accounted for themselves in the midfield department. Two of the most lethal kicks in the game, Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge combine to clear the rucks and send the ball down to the danger forwards. Mitchell is a great organiser as well which is why he carries the mantle of Captain. Hodge can inspire a side to victory as he showed on Saturday night against St Kilda – playing the second half injured.
The Hawks’ defence generally suffices with players like Chance Bateman, Trent Croad and Brent Guerra covering most attacks.
Weaknesses: The Hawks main weakness was forgotten last week when Mark Williams kicked 5 goals. I’m referring to the occasional disappearance of Lance Franklin during a game. The Hawks dealt with this well on Saturday, taking advantage of the ‘on-fire’ Williams at the right stage and Roughhead helped, chipping in 4 of his own. The requirement of Franklin to kick goals was not desperate. The Hawks can not expect all of their forwards to be able to contribute on Saturday so Franklin will need to stand up and kick at least 4 I’d say. St Kilda bore no problem to Hawthorn on Saturday and they looked listless – as if they’d played their finals series already. Matching it physically with the Hawks is the key. The Cats are extremely capable of doing this so it may turn out to be a top-notch contest.
Cats
Strengths: Geelong have the extremely rare distinction of being strong all over the field. Their midfield is their best attribute with the likes of Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood all contributing prolific numbers on a good day. The intense pressure Geelong place on all the teams they play gives them about a 3 goal advantage even in a tied contest. Eventually other teams tire and fade away but the difference between a team that can really compete against the Cats and another ‘also-ran’ is the ability to return that pressure and somehow use it against them. Collingwood did it in round 9 (winning by 86) and Fremantle did it in round 5 eventually going down by only 2 points. Geelong’s defence is superb and rarely allows more than 80 points scored against it. Matthew Scarlett is considered by some to be one of the greatest defenders of all time and he is rarely beaten. He will most likely get the job on Franklin and it is my belief that the winner of that contest will receive a Premiership medallion.
Weaknesses: Pressure. Last week, the Bulldogs pressured Geelong and caused a few hiccups. Two things went wrong for the Dogs, their goalkicking and Geelong’s professionalism. The Dogs kicked 7.12 and with a better conversion rate, I could have been writing about them instead. If a team does not take these opportunities to rattle them, the Cats will make them pay. That is professionalism. Resilience and the ability to carry a lead to the final siren is something coach Mark Thompson has drilled his players on, and boy do they do it well. Hawthorn will need to play the game of their life in terms of pressure against Geelong. Not one Hawk should be left standing on that field after the final siren has sounded. They must run the Cats ragged.
X Factor
Hawks: It’s simply Lance Franklin. This team has so much depth, but without 102 regular season goals, where would they be? He must have a solid outing on Saturday to give his side a very good chance. Early impact will be the key – one or two goals in the first quarter will set him up for the game.
Cats: Gary Ablett. Many players say that individual honours mean very little to them, but it will be interesting to learn how affected, if at all, Ablett will be by missing out on the Brownlow for the second time in a row after going in favourite. Knowing the professionalism of Ablett Jr., he will bounce back and contribute greatly. But it will remain of interest until the first bounce.
Key Contests
Matthew Scarlett vs. Lance Franklin
One of the most interesting stories that will unfold throughout the course of the game. The Coleman Medallist and All-Australian full forward against the All-Australian fullback is a mouth-watering Grand Final prospect.
Cameron Ling vs. Sam Mitchell
The defender turned midfielder Ling may just get the job on the Hawks skipper and will need to do his best to hamper the impact of the number 5.
Chance Bateman vs. Gary Ablett
Bateman is a very reliable defender/midfielder. He may take on a more defensive role if he get's the job on the brilliant Ablett. If Bateman can defeat his opponent, it will be like cutting an artery to Geelong goals.
Prediction
The Cats returned with relative ease to the Grandest Stage of All with two defeats of quality sides by decent margins. They have done all this before and in fact many compare this side to last year’s and consider it more powerful. The Hawks also advanced through the finals with two big wins and it seems that this year’s clash is set to be the best of recent years. Both sides have a multitude of stars (Ablett, Bartel, Scarlett/Mitchell, Hodge, Franklin) and both appear capable of physically and mentally pressuring their opponents. Hawthorn have the edge in goal kicking prowess whereas Geelong’s defence is at times impenetrable. Both teams have equal midfields considered the best in the league. It is basically a stalemate. But on paper, this should go down as one of the great Grand Finals of the decade let alone all time. I believe that Geelong will just be a little too strong for the Hawks, who feature in the Big One for the first time since their 1991 triumph. One thing is for sure, this will be a good game.
Premier, 2008: Geelong by 9 points
Norm Smith Medallist: Matthew Scarlett
Last time: Geelong 12.16.88 – Hawthorn 11.11.77, MCG/Rd 17, 2008.
Head to Head: Geelong: 73 Hawthorn: 66 – 1 draw.
Latest Finals Meeting: 2000 1st Elim. Final – Hawthorn 14.8.92 def Geelong 12.11.83
Hawks
Strengths: The Hawks have the most potent forward line in the league. Lance Franklin and Jaryd Roughhead both finished in the top five for the Coleman Medal with the former taking the prize after cracking the ton in the last H&A round. Add to this the brilliance of Cyril Rioli, the rookie who is already kicking the type of freakish goals one would only expect from a more seasoned player, and Mark Williams who kicked 5 against the Saints and you have a recipe for a prolific attacking weapon. The Hawks have also accounted for themselves in the midfield department. Two of the most lethal kicks in the game, Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge combine to clear the rucks and send the ball down to the danger forwards. Mitchell is a great organiser as well which is why he carries the mantle of Captain. Hodge can inspire a side to victory as he showed on Saturday night against St Kilda – playing the second half injured.
Weaknesses: The Hawks main weakness was forgotten last week when Mark Williams kicked 5 goals. I’m referring to the occasional disappearance of Lance Franklin during a game. The Hawks dealt with this well on Saturday, taking advantage of the ‘on-fire’ Williams at the right stage and Roughhead helped, chipping in 4 of his own. The requirement of Franklin to kick goals was not desperate. The Hawks can not expect all of their forwards to be able to contribute on Saturday so Franklin will need to stand up and kick at least 4 I’d say. St Kilda bore no problem to Hawthorn on Saturday and they looked listless – as if they’d played their finals series already. Matching it physically with the Hawks is the key. The Cats are extremely capable of doing this so it may turn out to be a top-notch contest.
Cats
Strengths: Geelong have the extremely rare distinction of being strong all over the field. Their midfield is their best attribute with the likes of Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood all contributing prolific numbers on a good day. The intense pressure Geelong place on all the teams they play gives them about a 3 goal advantage even in a tied contest. Eventually other teams tire and fade away but the difference between a team that can really compete against the Cats and another ‘also-ran’ is the ability to return that pressure and somehow use it against them. Collingwood did it in round 9 (winning by 86) and Fremantle did it in round 5 eventually going down by only 2 points. Geelong’s defence is superb and rarely allows more than 80 points scored against it. Matthew Scarlett is considered by some to be one of the greatest defenders of all time and he is rarely beaten. He will most likely get the job on Franklin and it is my belief that the winner of that contest will receive a Premiership medallion.
Weaknesses: Pressure. Last week, the Bulldogs pressured Geelong and caused a few hiccups. Two things went wrong for the Dogs, their goalkicking and Geelong’s professionalism. The Dogs kicked 7.12 and with a better conversion rate, I could have been writing about them instead. If a team does not take these opportunities to rattle them, the Cats will make them pay. That is professionalism. Resilience and the ability to carry a lead to the final siren is something coach Mark Thompson has drilled his players on, and boy do they do it well. Hawthorn will need to play the game of their life in terms of pressure against Geelong. Not one Hawk should be left standing on that field after the final siren has sounded. They must run the Cats ragged.
X Factor
Hawks: It’s simply Lance Franklin. This team has so much depth, but without 102 regular season goals, where would they be? He must have a solid outing on Saturday to give his side a very good chance. Early impact will be the key – one or two goals in the first quarter will set him up for the game.
Cats: Gary Ablett. Many players say that individual honours mean very little to them, but it will be interesting to learn how affected, if at all, Ablett will be by missing out on the Brownlow for the second time in a row after going in favourite. Knowing the professionalism of Ablett Jr., he will bounce back and contribute greatly. But it will remain of interest until the first bounce.
Key Contests
Matthew Scarlett vs. Lance Franklin
One of the most interesting stories that will unfold throughout the course of the game. The Coleman Medallist and All-Australian full forward against the All-Australian fullback is a mouth-watering Grand Final prospect.
Cameron Ling vs. Sam Mitchell
The defender turned midfielder Ling may just get the job on the Hawks skipper and will need to do his best to hamper the impact of the number 5.
Chance Bateman vs. Gary Ablett
Bateman is a very reliable defender/midfielder. He may take on a more defensive role if he get's the job on the brilliant Ablett. If Bateman can defeat his opponent, it will be like cutting an artery to Geelong goals.
Prediction
The Cats returned with relative ease to the Grandest Stage of All with two defeats of quality sides by decent margins. They have done all this before and in fact many compare this side to last year’s and consider it more powerful. The Hawks also advanced through the finals with two big wins and it seems that this year’s clash is set to be the best of recent years. Both sides have a multitude of stars (Ablett, Bartel, Scarlett/Mitchell, Hodge, Franklin) and both appear capable of physically and mentally pressuring their opponents. Hawthorn have the edge in goal kicking prowess whereas Geelong’s defence is at times impenetrable. Both teams have equal midfields considered the best in the league. It is basically a stalemate. But on paper, this should go down as one of the great Grand Finals of the decade let alone all time. I believe that Geelong will just be a little too strong for the Hawks, who feature in the Big One for the first time since their 1991 triumph. One thing is for sure, this will be a good game.
Premier, 2008: Geelong by 9 points
Norm Smith Medallist: Matthew Scarlett
| 31 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
