This is the week for Geelong’s headline players – led by Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and captain Joel Selwood – to prove they are still super stars if the Cats are to defeat Brisbane at the Gabba.
Although still league leaders the Cats have managed to win only four of their last eight games against the eight straight wins registered by the Lions.
While Dangerfield, despite having knee soreness, has been playing well it is time for he, Ablett, Selwood and others to really lift their games.
The win over North Melbourne was an improvement but the Cats are not performing at the level they did in winning 11 of their first 12 games, so coach Chris Scott really needs to rally his troops.
Another major problem Scott has going into the game is how to cope with the speed of brilliant Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron.
The Lions fans were enthralled with Cameron’s six goal performance as the side thrashed the Gold Coast in Round 21, which moved the club into second place on the ladder.
On face value the Cats don’t have a player who can counter Cameron’s pace, which means a lot will depend on the likes of Dangerfield, Ablett and Selwood lessening the opportunities the Brisbane forwards have.
Whatever happens an exciting clash before a sell-out crowd in sparkling sunshine seems assured.
It is shaping up as a particularly important round with various places in the finals to be decided.
Adelaide (ninth) and Collingwood (fifth) should be another thriller on Saturday while fourth-placed Richmond and West Coast, third, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday can be expected to attract around 80,000 spectators.
Last Week: 8
2019 Total: 108
Melbourne by 15pts
St. Kilda by 23pts
Geelong by 10pts
Adelaide by 12pts
Port Adelaide by 16pts
Fremantle by 28pts
Richmond by 20pts
Western Bulldogs by 16pts
Hawthorn by 32pts