By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
IT’S been a decade since Geelong lost three games in a row, a record that will be under siege when the Cats face GWS Giants on Saturday afternoon at home.
During that time Geelong lost the odd game here and there but never fell into the kind of slump it faces at the moment.
Coach Chris Scott has been honest in saying he is at a loss to fathom the reasons for the decline.
Goal kicking inaccuracy, too many drivers becoming passengers at the same time, and a revolving door of changes week to week could all have played a part.
Perhaps being saddled with flag favouritism crept under the player’s guard.
Geelong has a love-hate relationship with the momentum-fuelled burst type of football commonly played now.
The Cats can put on a burst at any time in the game but still have trouble stopping opposition momentum.
The damage on the ladder has been contained for now, with other contenders also suffering losses and keeping the upper echelons fairly even.
But a loss this week could see significant slippage, with the Cats facing a snake-like slide after its dogged efforts to climb the ladder.
At least the players will have no excuse for taking the Giants lightly, having already been knocked over by them once this season.
The mere motivation of reclaiming bragging rights from Cats export Steve Johnson should be sufficient, in addition to Scott’s usual exhortation to bring a professional level to every game.
While coach-in-waiting Johnson will no doubt be offering his match day notes to Leon Cameron, the blue print for taking down the Giants was published by Adelaide last week.
Statistically there is little between the two sides with Geelong holding a small advantage in marks taken inside 50.
It is the midfield that needs to bring a tougher edge to the game and create greater defensive pressure without the turnovers that bugged them against Carlton.
The Giants have a fleet of running players but still offer a weakness in running both ways which Geelong can exploit.
The clearances battle against Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie and Mitch Duncan will tell the tale.
Improved accuracy up forward wouldn’t go astray either, giving the midfield the motivation to keep pumping the ball in rather than facing repeated disappointment that their efforts are to no avail.
Adelaide’s forwards had a field day against a depleted Giants backline so this presents an opportunity for Tom Hawkins and co to get back on track.
