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Acknowledgment of Country
Blogging from the land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people tonight.
The game tonight is played on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Geelong on the park
Joel Selwood has lead out the Cats out, alongside Tom Stewart.
Geelong have their game faces on, running through their banner reading, which read ‘We’re the real thing’.
Well, time will tell tonight.
We’re almost on now.
Lions have run out
Brisbane have made their way on the ground, running through the banner and now continuing to warm up in front of a growing crowd.
Not long now, just over 16 minutes till first bounce.
North win in the AFLW
Earlier this evening, North Melbourne claimed a 12-point win over Geelong at UTAS Stadium in Launceston, keeping the Roos undefeated in Tassie.
North Melbourne beat Geelong.Credit:Getty
It was soggy conditions, the wet weather turning the ground to mud by the end of the four quarters.
It was North Melbourne who handled the conditions better, able to gain territory and do damage in front of goals early. Jasmine Garner was particularly impressive and finished the night on 25 disposals.
The Kangaroos next play the undefeated Western Bulldogs, while the Cats will next play St Kilda.
Last time they met
The last time Geelong and Brisbane went head-to-head was in round four, where the Cats claimed a 10-point victory after a captivating contest.
Brisbane Lions: flying high.Credit:AFL Photos via Getty Images
The game saw some momentum swings and it was a nail biter until the end – the one-two punch of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron just getting Geelong over the line.
Hawkins was the match hero after booting five goals and Patrick Dangerfield went to work in the mid, making up for the absence of skipper Joel Selwood.
For the Lions, Daniel McStay and Joe Daniher were lively in front of goal, each finishing with three majors, and Lachie Neale was prolific at the coalface with 30 disposals.
Gardiner to go to Cameron first: Fagan
By Roy Ward
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan plans to give Darcy Gardiner the first go at Geelong star forward Jeremy Cameron tonight.
Fagan was quizzed on who he was considering for Cameron and he revealed Gardiner would get first go.
Jeremy Cameron.Credit:AFL Photos
Fagan also said he expected Geelong’s stoppage work would lift against his side’s midfield and the Lions would have to win a large share of the footy if they want a chance to make the grand final.
“I’ve always found with Geelong they try to rise a level with their stoppage work against us,” Fagan told Fox Footy.
“I think they go to work on it during the week. If we can win our share of the ball, I think our ball movement over the years has troubled them.”
Warming up on the MCG
The players are out on the ’G warming up.
It might be a cold night in Melbourne but things are starting to heat up here…
Jeremy Cameron warming upCredit:Getty
Joe Daniher warming up at the MCGCredit:Getty
‘Blank canvas’: Why the Cats are one game away from the grand final
By Jon Pierik
Geelong veteran Mitch Duncan has credited a “blank canvas” approach as a major reason why the Cats have improved this season, and are one game away from a grand final.
The disappointment of last year’s losing preliminary final, and the winds of change which arrived under new chief executive Steve Hocking, prompting fresh assistants for coach Chris Scott, also led to a rethink of the game plan and how players were used.
Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan have key roles to play against the Brisbane Lions on Friday.Credit:AFL Photos
Whether it be veterans, including Joel Selwood or Patrick Dangerfield, or star recruit Jeremy Cameron, or redefining Tom Atkins from a forward and defender into a starting midfielder, the need for greater variety, or “licence” as Cameron has put it, has seen the Cats have greater positional flexibility.
Ben Rutten joins Richmond’s coaching staff
Former Essendon coach Ben Rutten has re-joined Richmond as an assistant coach for 2023.
Rutten was an assistant coach with the Tigers between 2015 and 2018 including as the team’s defensive coach in its 2017 premiership season.
Jack Riewoldt shows his respect for Ben Rutten after the Bombers’ last game of 2022Credit:Getty Images
“Richmond is a great club, and I am still very familiar with a majority of the playing list and staff which makes me excited about 2023 already,” he said.
“I am looking forward to this fresh opportunity and the challenge of helping the club return to the top of the ladder.”
Neale will get ‘close attention’ from Cats
By Roy Ward
Geelong coach Chris Scott wouldn’t reveal who will man up on Brisbane star Lachie Neale but confirmed the Brownlow Medallist will get some “close attention”.
Scott said pre-game that his side won’t let Neale run free.
Lachie Neale.Credit:Getty Images
“It’s easier to talk about what you can’t do – you can’t just let him do what he wants,” Scott told Fox Footy.
“In that Richmond game, he basically kept them in it, around the stoppages in particular.
“He is going to get the ball, you have to think about where you don’t want him to get it.
“We will send a variety of different players to him. He will get close attention.”
Scott said veterans like Joel Selwood had enjoyed playing just one game in 27 days due to winning the qualifying final and the pre-finals bye.
“The last 27 days was something we always thought was a possibility and got some work into guys who needed it,” Scott said.
“We still had a few guys who the freshen-up did them the world of good. The program for someone like Joel Selwood has been pretty much perfect.
“We go in confident our preparation has been good.”
