In this week’s finals edition of Argue the Toss, AFL journalist Adam McNicol dissects the crucial battleground, the midfield, and where the Cats can beat the Hawks and silence critics.
Following some impressive form of late, young midfielder Josh Caddy could provide the all-important ‘x factor’ for the Cats on Friday night.
“Caddy was sensational on the weekend, kicked three goals, won a heap of the ball against the Lions – he’s in red hot form,” McNicol told Cats TV.
Caddy has had 24 and 26 disposals in the last two rounds, with a career-high 28 three weeks ago in a best on ground performance.
“A real attacking weapon, (Caddy) can win clearances, so he wins the ball on the inside and on the outside and puts a score on the board.
“(Caddy’s) a very, very good player and he’s in career-best form right now – he’s super fit, he’s young, he is absolutely a real weapon for the Cats,” McNicol said.
Young wingmen Isaac Smith and Bradley Hill provide the Hawks with plenty of run and the Cats will need to shut them down in order to slow their attack.
“What we don’t usually see from Geelong is hard tags.
“Don’t expect (Geelong) to really sit on Hill and Smith, expect them to try and control the footy themselves and take them out of the game that way,” McNicol said.
Geelong will likely look to counterattack Hawthorn’s run so winning the contested ball through the middle is crucial.
“The Cats tend to try and break even, or better, with (midfield match ups) so they’ll take them on,” McNicol said.
McNicol also highlighted the integral attacking-defensive role Travis Varcoe will play whilst Cam Guthrie looks set to line up against Lewis in what is another key midfield battle.
To hear more from this week’s Argue the Toss, click on the video above.
