Round 21 - 7:50pm, Friday August 14 @ Etihad Stadium
Geelong endured a nail-biting encounter on Saturday night, holding off a fast finishing Fremantle to secure four valuable points. They have clinched several close games this year, including their last match against Carlton in round 12. At the halfway point of the season Geelong weren’t playing particularly well but still found ways to win. Their form in recent weeks has been far more promising and the Cats now sit comfortably in the top four with three rounds to play. Carlton currently occupy 13th place and cannot make finals. The Blues may have nothing to play for but they also have nothing to lose. Without the burden of September expectations they present an unpredictable threat if the Geelong aren’t on their guard.
KEY MATCH-UP
HARRY TAYLOR vs LEVI CASBOULT
Harry Taylor, by his own admission, had not met his usual high standards in the first half of the season. He never neglected his defensive responsibilities, but had to work hard to regain his rebounding influence. At his very best Taylor is one of the most influential players in the AFL. Against Fremantle he reminded the football world just what he is capable of, collecting 27 possessions and taking a career-high 19 marks. The best on ground performance capped of a fantastic five week period, during which he has averaged 24 disposals. Those statistics are impressive for an onballer, but for a key defender they are simply staggering. Taylor’s ability to win the ball stems from his confidence to mark the ball in a contest. He has the aerial prowess to take intercept marks against the best key forwards in the game, making him a difficult direct opponent and a devastating rebound defender.
Levi Casboult has enjoyed a break-out year and is the most exciting prospect on the Carlton list. Taken with pick 44 in the 2010 Rookie Draft and elevated in 2012, he entered the AFL system with relatively low expectations. In a controversial introduction to the Carlton football club, Casboult was, through no fault of his own, caught up in the public implosion of forward Brendan Fevola. The Blues have searched far and wide to find a fitting replacement for the tormented star and Casboult could well be it. He stands at 199cm tall, weighs 103kg and is beginning to benefit from continuity of selection, having played the last 16 games. He may have an unorthodox and unreliable kicking action, but Casboult can mark. He currently ranks 6th in the AFL for contested marks and has plenty of time to bring the rest of game up to a similar standard.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 12, 2014
Geelong 16.11 (107)
Carlton 15.12 (102)
Geelong returned from a confidence crushing clash against Sydney to take on the Blues at Etihad Stadium. Sensing their opponent was vulnerable, Carlton started the match strongly and led by 15 points when Robbie Warnock kicked the opening goal of the second quarter. The Cats responded with seven of the next 10 majors and had all the momentum at the half time break. The second half started in similar fashion but Carlton could not be quashed and came back to lead by 2 points at the final change. They held the lead for the next 29 minutes before Joel Selwood, who had been relatively ineffective up to that point, broke through congestion on the half-forward flank and kicked the Cats to victory.
DID YOU KNOW?
Much has been made of Geelong’s intimidating home ground record, winning 55 of the last 58 games played at Kardinia Park. The Docklands, in all its guises, has also been a happy hunting ground for the Cats, who have won 54 of their 81 games at the venue and boast a league best winning ratio of 66.7%.
David Mundy was not the only Docker with an opportunity to win the game last Saturday. Mathew Pavlich hit the post with a set shot just two minutes earlier and it wasn’t the first time he had been within a post width of victory against the Cats. With 30 seconds to play in an Anzac day clash back in 2008 Pavlich took a set shot to decide the match. He struck the woodwork and his team lost the game by one point.
