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

View the original article here

Lions already looking to 2012

Posted June 15, 2011 12:00:00

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown says the Lions need to finish a bleak season well to give them a springboard into an improved 2012.

One obvious target is avoiding the wooden spoon, while another is to grasp something tangible in the second half of the year, starting against Richmond at the Gabba on Saturday.

Brown, who only returned from a serious facial injury a month ago, says he has been as frustrated on the field as he was sitting on the sideline for two months.

"It's been nothing special (my form), but it's been solid enough without setting the world on fire, that's for sure," Brown said.

"I wouldn't mind a few more opportunities but we will work on that."

After 11 matches, the Lions are sitting 15th by virtue of a superior percentage over Port Adelaide and Gold Coast, who have all won two matches.

With September action ruled out and only pride to play for, Brown has cast his gaze ahead towards next year.

"Clearly we are not going to play finals so we are not working on that," Brown said.

"We have to have the big picture in mind having a good season next year.

"We have to finish with wins and playing a more complete brand of footy.

"I'm not sure it's a goal (avoiding the wooden spoon), it probably goes without saying."

The Lions' fight for respect and their coach Michael Voss' fight for survival will be tested against the Tigers at the Gabba on Saturday night.

At their best, both sides are of similar ability, but the Tigers have a seemingly brighter future.

They are 11th with four wins and a draw and will start favourites against the Lions although they have had an unusual preparation.

The Tigers were forced to hire a coach to get home from Sydney last weekend after their return flight was cancelled because of the volcanic ash drama.

"Our week has been disrupted as well," said Brown after the Lions' flight home from Melbourne last weekend was delayed by a day.

"We're playing on our home deck and we have to make that our home advantage.

"They've had two travels in a row, which is always difficult.

"They're similar to us, they're an up and coming side and they are going to be hungry."

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, brisbane-4000

View the original article here

Hardwick looking for holes in Pies

Updated April 15, 2011 08:26:00

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says AFL juggernaut Collingwood is beatable - but it is a statement made with fine print and a mighty large asterisk.

"Every side's got their weak spots," Hardwick said ahead of his side's clash with the premiers at the MCG tonight.

"We think there's a couple of areas that we can exploit them, but we need everything going right for us to get that going.

"The great thing about our guys is they never give up every week.

"Three times this year we've kicked seven goals in a quarter.

"We're capable of kicking a winning score and defensively we're capable of competing."

For Hardwick, Collingwood is a developmental measuring stick.

Beating the Magpies may well be beyond the Tigers right now, as the coach readily admits.

But Hardwick wants to see his side getting closer.

He pinpoints two key areas - contested possessions and tackling - as pivotal to seeing where Richmond sits in relation to the competition's best.

"They're a great side - well-disciplined and well-coached," Hardwick said.

"They're something we aspire to be, but we're a fair way behind development-wise.

"They've been playing together for five or six years - we're in year two.

"It's a great challenge for our guys and we think we can put it up to the Pies."

Collingwood is unbeaten in three matches and looking ominous in its pursuit of back-to-back flags.

Richmond stretched last year's grand finalist St Kilda a fortnight ago and probably deserved a win before having to settle for a draw.

But the Tigers were smashed by 63 points by Hawthorn in the rain last weekend and more wet weather beckons on Friday night.

Former Melbourne tall utility Brad Miller will play his first game for the Tigers, while Mitch Morton was dropped and Daniel Connors has a leg injury.

Tall defender Will Thursfield has also been named to aid youngster Dylan Grimes, after missing the loss to Hawthorn with an ankle problem.

The pair will have to contend with in-form power-forwards Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke and effective pinch-hitter Leigh Brown.

In just his second senior game, Grimes was forced to battle solo against the might of Hawthorn's Lance Franklin last weekend.

"They've got some key talls down there and we'll have our hands full again," Hardwick said.

Two-time premiership ruckman Darren Jolly is out of Collingwood's side because of illness.

-AAP

View the original article here