When Geelong meets Melbourne on Sunday afternoon it will have been 456 days since the last time they played each other.
The game shapes as an important one. A victory for the Cats would move them to 2-2 for the year, a loss what see them fall to 1-3 and in a shortened season a finals berth could be a little trickier to achieve.
Advantage Dees
It is only been a small sample, but from the two games Melbourne have played this year they have shown their appetite for the contest.
They are ranked fifth for average disposals per game and it all starts in the middle with their star ruckman and captain Max Gawn.
Gawn has tallied 52 of Melbourne’s 53 hit-outs this year, while averaging 18 disposals per game and contributing seven clearances.
With the likes of Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Angus Brayshaw at his feet and wingman Ed Langdon and Adam Tomlinson on the outside – the Dees form a damaging midfield unit, who will look to use their advantage in the ruck to gain ascendancy on Sunday.
It could be Sav against Max this Sunday.
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) June 25, 2020
Advantage Cats
A strength for the Cats in the opening three rounds has been their spread of goal kickers.
Despite only recording one victory, the Cats have an equal competition high 15 individual goal kickers and are the number one scoring team in the competition.
Geelong’s midfielders have been influential pushing forward with Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Sam Menegola and Cam Guthrie contributing 11 goals.
Geelong’s small forward unit has been equally impressive. Gryan Miers has been a dead-eye in front of goal with five straight, while Gary Ablett, Tom Atkins and Luke Dahlhaus are also averaging at least a goal per game.
Key Matchups
Joel Selwood v Jack Viney
Two of the bravest and toughest players in the game, Selwood and Viney’s ability to influence and inspire their teammates sets them apart.
Viney has started the year in superb touch averaging 26 disposals and six clearances per game.
Meanwhile, Selwood has thrived playing more inside this season averaging 21 touches per game.
They will no doubt lock horns at some stage this weekend and it is matchup that could determine who wins the midfield battle.
Tom Hawkins v Steven May
After a relatively quiet start to the year by his lofty standards, Tom Hawkins is due for a big game.
In his three appearances this season he has kicked four goals and dished off six assists.
Hawkins has an excellent record against the Dees. In fact, he has kicked more goals against Melbourne than any other club with 50 from his 16 games.
He has also done well in the air taking 42 contested marks during the period, which ranks third against opposing sides faced.
He is likely to be marked by either Steven May or Jake Lever, but we are predicting May will get first crack.
Mitch Duncan v Ed Langdon
When a game is on the line, these are the two men whose hands you want the ball in. Both possess elite disposal and are the go-to men when putting the ball inside 50.
Langdon has started the year superbly for the Dees and gives them outside run they have craved in recent seasons. He has won more of the football than any other Melbourne player this season and is one to watch closely on Sunday.
Duncan has been in superb touch too averaging 22 disposals per game.
He is a prolific mark-taker, and once in position, his eyes never leave the football. He is also a very intelligent footballer and consistently kicks clutch goals for the Cats when needed the most.
When Duncan collected at least 24 disposals per game last year the Cats had a 80% success rate.
It will be interesting to see if that's the magic number this weekend.
