Geelong v North Melbourne
Saturday, August 10, 3.45pm
GMHBA Stadium
North Melbourne travels down the highway to take on Geelong this Saturday afternoon.
GMHBA Stadium will host the Round 19 fixture, as the Roos look to continue their winning ways, following a memorable win over Box Hill.
Geelong is right in the finals mix with nine wins from 15 games, and looms as an almighty task for David Loader's team.
Talking points
- Dom Tyson is set to make his return from a calf injury, and will be vital in providing class through the North midfield. He may be eased in after a significant spell on the sidelines.
- Geelong boasts plenty of experience, with the likes of Lachie Henderson, Scott Selwood and Rhys Stanley leading the way. It means the Roos' youngsters will have a big challenge against the bigger-bodied Cats.
- The battle between Stanley and in-form Kangaroo Tom Campbell could go a long way towards deciding the result. The pair have both enjoyed considerable time at senior level, and are pushing their case for a call-up late in the season.
The teams
Geelong
B: 10. B. Jarvis, 25. L. Henderson, 43. S. Okunbor
HB: 39. Z. Guthrie, 48. A. Black, 41. J. Jones
C: 20. O. Brownless, 5. N. Cockatoo, 21. J. Kennerley
HF: 13. L. Fogarty, 12. W. Buzza, 16. S. Selwood
F: 15. N. Kreuger, 28. D. Fort, 37. S. Simpson
R: 1. R. Stanley, 18. C. Constable, 34. J. Parsons
Int: 45. R. Abbott, 79. P. Dowling, 47. D. Gore, 52. J. McLachlan, 56. B. Reid,
49. N. Rokahr, 36. B. Schlensog, 33. J. Tarca
23P: 54. C. Jones
In: L. Henderson, N. Rokahr, N. Kreuger, Z. Guthrie, S. Selwood
Out: Q. Narkle
North Melbourne
B: 36. J. Crocker, 40. T. Murphy, 24. S. Durdin
HB: 61. C. Jansen, 23. B. McKay, 72. D. Robinson
C: 8. N. Hrovat, 41. T. Wilkinson, 21. D. Tyson
HF: 75. C. Hodges, 38. T. Xerri, 74. B. McLaughlin
F: 45. R. Murphy, 46. L. Hosie, 56. B. Whitecross
R: 42. T. Campbell, 59. N. Holmes, 52. N. Rippon
Int: 64. L. Cunningham, 67. L. Davis, 51. T. Hotchin, 53. T. Leonardis,
68. Q. Montanaro, 79. R. Morrison, 71. M. Northe, 78. T. Stanton
23P: 76. J. Lohmann
In: D. Tyson, Q. Montanaro, S. Durdin, L. Davis, M. Northe, T. Stanton, T. Hotchin, J. Lohmann, B. Whitecross
Out: S. Wright, R. Verbi, D. Watson, C. Taylor, J. Anderson
Key players
Geelong
Nakia Cockatoo
The pacey on-baller/forward made a strong return last week, coming back from a PCL injury, and will need to be kept in close check.
His run and carry is a feature, with the familiar GMHBA deck sure to suit him as he aims for a senior recall.
North Melbourne
Ben McKay
The key-defender looms as a likely matchup for dangerous Cats' forward Wylie Buzza.
McKay will reunite with fellow tall Sam Durdin to provide a strong presence in the back half for North.
What the coach said
North Melbourne
"It was a really important weekend for our footy club. To come from five goals down at three quarter time when we’d only kicked five for the day was great to see.
"The win was really good, we showed some real Shinboner Spirit, I was really pleased with that. It was along the lines of us knowing that we had to play better this week." - David Loader on the win over Box Hill
