By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
ON THE face of it, 14th placed Geelong is confronted by a huge challenge meeting second placed Collingwood on Friday night at the G.
There’s quite a spread between their respective percentages, courtesy of a couple of thumping wins the Pies have had.
But the bookies have the two at identical odds and line spread, with an eye on teams the two sides have met so far this season.
Geelong has encountered tough opposition in Hawthorn, Fremantle and North Melbourne, while beating the lowly Suns and a struggling Richmond.
Collingwood thumped St Kilda and Carlton, held off winless Brisbane and lost to Adelaide. It’s most meritorious win was over a strangely quiet Essendon.
If the quality of the opposition is any bearing, Geelong’s harder games should stand it in good stead.
Coach Chris Scott, as ever, was taking a more cautious approach, while welcoming the opportunity to shine in a showpiece game.
“Friday night footy is fantastic, our players enjoy playing on the big stage,” Scott said.
“Collingwood is playing so well, we have to raise our game to their level. They’ve been pretty impressive.
“Playing good opposition, it’s where young players can start building their reputations.”
The win over Richmond, albeit by nine points, added to the buzz around the Cattery, Scott admitted.
“You would prefer to say honestly that it doesn’t but the momentum is improved around the place when you win.
“In some respects its validation, even subconsciously, that some of the things you are working on you are making progress with.
“We’re a bit more positive. We’re still realistic with where we are at. We think we’re behind the best teams in the competition.
“I’m not even sure who the best teams in the competition are. You’ve got the top three or four and then there’s a big group of 10 sides. I’m not sure who the best of them are.
“I look at draw and look further ahead and stop looking.”
But it’s the middle of the AFL bell curve that means Geelong is still well in contention despite its tough start to the season.
A couple of wins in the next three rounds could solidify the young Cats’ fledgling confidence.
The only fly in Geelong’s footy ointment could be injuries, with reliable James Kelly joining Jimmy Bartel on the veteran’s injury list for at least a month.
Scott hoped Rhys Stanley and Mitch Clark would be available, with premiership stars Andrew Mackie and Matthew Stokes getting closer to comebacks.
But imported ruckman Hamish McIntosh suffered another leg injury and Billy Smedts, playing for his football life this season, faces eight weeks on the sidelines with a broken collarbone.
But the Cats will want to do right by underrated defender Tom Lonergan, rated by Scott as in the top half dozen key defenders over the last few years, playing his 150th game.
