The last time Geelong met Sydney the night ended in pandemonium and Buddy-mania.
Young Geelong key defender Jack Henry played a pivotal role that night: tasked with playing on Lance Franklin, he was the opposition player standing on the mark when one of the all-time great forwards kicked his 1000th goal.
Jack Henry played on Lance Franklin the last time the teams met.Credit:AFL Photos
It was back in round two at the SCG, when the Swans claimed a 30-point victory, and fans swarmed the ground in an evening now etched into Australian football’s history books.
“I played on him last time. That was a tough night,” Henry told The Age.
“He was speeding around. I got swarmed that day. It was a pretty incredible moment to be a part of I guess – more so for them.”
This time Henry says it’ll be a group effort to try and nullify the four-time Coleman medallist and prevent Sydney from claiming another victory off the boot of the superstar.
“We haven’t spoken too much about it yet, but I am sure it is going to be a bit of a collective job,” Henry said.
“That’s the approach we have taken in the past few weeks. [It] could be Kolo [Jake Kolodjashnij] as well.”
Also playing a significant role in Geelong’s backline will be emerging young defender Sam De Koning, who didn’t face the Swans last time – the only game this season he missed due to concussion protocols.
The 21-year-old had a breakout year. He was a contender for the Rising Star award taken out by Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, and asserted himself as a key component of the Cats’ defensive structure.
The 204-centimetre defender, who has fast become known for his aerial ability, said this year he’s tried to put his “best foot forward”, including trying to “develop quickly” by spending a lot of time in the gym.
“I got swarmed that day. It was a pretty incredible moment to be a part of I guess – more so for them.”
Jack Henry on Geelong’s most recent clash with Geelong, when Lance Franklin slotted his 1000th goal.
“I was just trying to develop my game and work with players like Harry Taylor and Blitz [Mark Blicavs] and players like that to fast-track my development and try to go into this pre-season [and] just put my best foot forward, and I am happy and grateful to get my opportunity this year,” De Koning said.
De Koning has shut down some of the best forwards in the game this year, including the Western Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton – who he kept to one goal – and St Kilda’s Max King.
However, he’s yet to come up against Sydney or Franklin, who present another challenge entirely. But it’s one he said he would embrace if it was to present itself.
“If that did happen it would be a great opportunity. He is a legend of the game and one of the greatest. [I’ll] just go in prepared and try to take it on if I do have to play on him,” De Koning said.
De Koning was just four years old when Franklin made his debut and says he’s looking forward to facing him on the biggest stage.
“Watching Buddy – he is one of the legends,” De Koning said. “I always liked watching him play, he has obviously been great for a long, long time and since I was a kid.”
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