Weary Cats looking to bounce back

Updated July 8, 2011 09:31:00

Ladder-leading Geelong will attempt to shake off the effects of back-to-back six-day breaks and a taxing trip to Perth when it takes on emerging AFL power West Coast at Subiaco Oval tonight.

The Cats' perfect record under new coach Chris Scott was shattered last Saturday in a shock four-point loss to eighth-placed Essendon.

Geelong's usually-slick running game seemed unusually flat against the Bombers, but forward Mitch Duncan believed the result was an aberration rather than a sign the squad was starting to fatigue.

"We came off a six-day break last week and have another six-day break this week, along with flying to Perth," Duncan said.

"But I think everyone's coping pretty well.

"We're a pretty fit side at the moment and the boys are doing well."

Fifth-placed West Coast (9-4) proved its top-four credentials were more than just a mere pipe dream in its recent win over Carlton in Melbourne.

Geelong has won eight of its past nine clashes in Perth, but Duncan said playing West Coast on its home turf was now one of the toughest challenges in the competition.

"What do they call it, the House of Pain? It's definitely a big challenge for us," Duncan said.

"They're definitely playing like a top-four team. They've got a whole new game style.

"Their ruckmen (Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui) are a big danger to us with their ability to get their hands on the ball.

"And although we have a lot of big, tall backs, their big forwards are in good form at the moment, so we have to stop them."

Duncan, who was snared with pick number 28 in the 2009 national draft, said he was content at the Cats and harboured no plans of moving back to Perth.

The Cats have been bolstered by the return of smooth movers Travis Varcoe, Joel Corey and Taylor Hunt, but Andrew Mackie (soreness) and Mitch Brown (shoulder) were ruled out through injury and Tom Gillies was dropped.

The Eagles resisted the urge to rush back vice-captain Beau Waters after just one WAFL hit-out, instead opting for tagger Patrick McGinnity and midfielder Koby Stevens to replace suspended forward Quinten Lynch and injured defender Sam Butler (quad).

The loss of Lynch will be particularly felt by the Eagles, who have relied heavily on the 2006 premiership forward's contested marking prowess and long kicking this season.

West Coast coach John Worsfold said 19-year-old forward Jack Darling would be asked to play a bigger role to fill the void left by Lynch.

"Jack Darling has shown that he can take marks leading up the ground," Worsfold said.

"I'm sure he can fill the role adequately if we decide to go that way."

Worsfold highlighted Geelong's ability to rebound from defence as a key area to shut down and said forward Steve Johnson, who was kept quiet last week before booting three late goals, also loomed as a danger.

"He's a match-up that's always a bit of a challenge but we've been really pleased with the way our young defenders have been going," Worsfold said.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, geelong-3220, wa, perth-6000

First posted July 8, 2011 07:39:00

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Blues bounce away from Port

Updated June 5, 2011 19:45:00

Carlton arrested a sluggish first half performance to show its class with a 62-point belting of Port Adelaide at Football Park on Sunday evening.

The Blues trailed by three points at the long break before holding the Power to just one goal in the second half to skip to a convincing 16.15 (111) to 7.7 (49) victory.

Andrew Walker booted a career-best six goal straight as Carlton consolidated fourth position on the ladder.

Walker was a constant attacking threat while small forward Jeff Gartlett booted four majors as Carlton kicked 11 goals after half-time to steamroll Port.

The struggling Power slumped to their ninth loss from 11 matches after their crafty utility Justin Westhoff kicked three goals in the first term to give his side an early advantage.

But Walker bettered that feat, keeping the visitors in the contest and kicking his fourth goal just 17 minutes into the second term.

"If he wasn't playing tonight I don't think we would have scored in the first half," Carlton's Bryce Gibbs told Grandstand.

"He has such a great work rate and he really runs his opponents off their legs... He is a great asset for us up in the forward line."

Gibbs also credited the work of Carlton's small forward in Garlett and Eddie Betts after a quiet start to the game.

"They only need a couple of opportunities to make the most of it, they do that very well," he said.

"They work well together and when they are running around doing their flashy things it's pretty special to watch."

Chris Yarran also had another influential game running off half-back and Gibbs said he is learning to deal with added attention from oppositions who recognise his impact.

"He is learning all the time and he is starting to get tagged back there and is working out how to get off his stage and get the footy," he said.

"He is another one - when it is in his hand you know something special is going to happen.

"He gives us great run and drive and it was great to see him kick a goal at the end to pay off for all his hard work."

Carlton kicked just five goals in a grinding first half, but a late Betts major pulled the visitors within three points of the fast starting Port at the main break.

Port's half-time lead was heartening for the Power, in a week when the AFL became the club's financial master due to a cash crisis.

But their on-field woes continued when outclassed by Carlton in the third term.

The Blues, sparked by prolific ball winners Marc Murphy and Heath Scotland, who were both superb all game, booted four goals to one for a 16-point buffer at the last change.

The burst seemingly sapped Port's spirit and the home side remained scoreless in the last quarter as a clinical Carlton sealed its their seventh win of the season.

Blues: 16.16 (111) - A Walker 6, J Garlett 4, E Betts 2, C Yarran, D Ellard, M Murphy, M Robinson.

Power: 7.7 (49) - J Westhoff 3, D Motlop, J Schulz, M Broadbent, T Boak.

-ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, sa, port-adelaide-5015, vic, carlton-3053

First posted June 5, 2011 19:22:00

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