Geelong Cats vs Melbourne Demons

Geelong and Melbourne, the two oldest clubs in the AFL, meet for their Round 16 clash at 2:10 on Saturday afternoon, the traditional football time slot. After wins over premiership contenders Hawthorn and Fremantle in the past two weeks, the Cats will be confident they can carry their winning form into their contest with the Demons. Geelong have beaten Gold Coast and the Dockers in their two previous games at Kardinia Park, playing under the new lights at Simonds Stadium. The Cats will strive for victory to celebrate the 150 game milestone of captain Joel Selwood and maintain an unblemished home record this season. The team is bolstered by the return of Steve Johnson from suspension and the expected inclusion of Travis Varcoe and former Demon Jared Rivers. Melbourne have shown great improvement under caretaker coach Neil Craig and are not to be taken lightly, winning in Round 14 and challenging reigning premiers Sydney last week.

Last Time They Met
Round 6, Saturday 5th May, Simonds Stadium
Geelong Cats            17 - 17 - 119
Melbourne Demons   11 - 10 - 76

The Demons were far more competitive in their Round 6 contest with the Cats after suffering a record 186 point thumping in their previous trip to Geelong. The Cats lead by five points in a tight first quarter in which both teams score three goals each. Geelong were sloppy early in the second term, kicking six straight behinds before Jimmy Bartel scored back to back goals. Melbourne stayed in the contest through the second quarter but a Podsiadly goal on the half time siren put them behind by 28 points at the major break. The Demons started the term with a couple of goals but the Cats lifted their intensity and were rewarded on the scoreboard. Jesse Stringer, who kicked a game defining goal in the narrow victory over Hawthorn last week, scored the first goal of his AFL career in the third quarter and helped stretch Geelong’s lead beyond reach. Having battled hard early, Melbourne could not contain the Cats and were ultimately defeated by 43 points.

Players to Watch
JIMMY BARTEL vs JEREMY HOWE
Jimmy Bartel plays as a utility in the Geelong side, placed in whatever area of the ground he is most needed. He played much of his career as a genuine midfielder, winning the 2007 Brownlow Medal in that role, and boasts all the skills an elite on-baller must possess. Bartel has an excellent understanding of the game and his long, accurate kick,  contested marking ability and physical strength make him one of the most versatile players in the AFL. The contest between Bartel and Jeremy Howe will be of great interest not because the two men will spend the game side by side but because they have similar attributes and fulfil a similar role in their respective teams. Howe has played every game this season, his third in the AFL, and has been one of the few footballers in the Melbourne side to play at a consistently high standard this year. Howe is one of the most talented and exciting marking players in the competition, winning the 2012 Mark of the Year award after receiving eight nominations through the season. Melbourne has been criticised this year for not playing Howe exclusively in the forward line. He has excellent fitness and kicking ability and makes good decisions under pressure, so is used all over the ground. Both Bartel and Howe can influence the game wherever they play and the manner in which the two coaches employ their talented utilities will have an impact on the contest.

DAWSON SIMPSON vs JACK FITZPATRICK
Dawson Simpson has improved in every game he has played this season, growing in confidence on the back of three weeks consecutive selection. At 206cm and 109kg, the big ruckman has always had the physical attributes to compete at AFL level, but has taken time to develop his understanding of the game and the nuances of his position. His tap work has been excellent in the past three matches and his marking ability and contested efforts are beginning to have in influence. Simpson is mounting a case to be considered as Geelong’s first choice ruckman, a position for which there is great competition as finals approach. Trent West, Nathan Vardy and Mark Blicavs are all fit and equipped with match practice, so Simpson must maintain a high standard at senior level. Jack Fitzpatrick is at a similar stage in his development, playing the past five games for the Demons. He has tallied eight senior appearances and has overcome injury setbacks to play in the senior side this year, his fourth on the Melbourne list. Fitzpatrick was impressive last week against the Swans, collecting 17 disposals and taking eight marks, playing most of the game forward. He is quick and agile for a man his size, 200cm and 95kg, and his good kicking and decisiveness on field have been valuable attributes for the Demons in their last two games. The ruck selection at Geelong and Melbourne has been inconsistent this season, with both sides impacted by injuries to their big men. Saturday will provide another opportunity for both Fitzpatrick and Simpson to build on recent form and impress their respective coaches. Importantly for Simpson it provides a chance to perform against an inexperienced opponent and keep his name in the mix at the business end of the season.   

Did You Know?
Melbourne have won just one game at Kardinia Park in the last 25 years. In 2005 the Demons met Geelong in Round 20 and emerged victorious by the most slender of margins. They beat the Cats by one point on the back of a seven goal game from high flying forward Russell Robertson. Melbourne’s record in Geelong has been so poor that in recent seasons they have treated the trip down the highway as an interstate fixture, travelling to Geelong the day before a match and staying in a hotel together as a team.
Joel Selwood has been part of a victorious side in 123 of the 149 games he has played, giving him an incredible career winning record of 82.55%. Selwood was selected in Round 1 of 2007 and played 18 matches in his first home and away season. He went on to be a part of the Cats 2007 finals campaign and, ultimately, an AFL premiership. Selwood was awarded with the Ron Evans Medal after being voted the Rising Star in his debut season and has been one the first players selected in the Geelong side ever since.

Selwood is not the only Rising Star winner on the Geelong list. Jared Rivers, who was recruited from Melbourne, won the award in 2004. Selwood received 44 votes to win the honour, having displayed skill and maturity that belied his experience. Rivers trumped his captain, tallying 45 votes as a young defender who impressed with his aerial prowess and ability to compete against much bigger opponents.