JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
LAST year’s semi-final loss to North Melbourne has tough Cats midfielder Josh Caddy out for revenge at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.
“You never forget those losses and how disappointing it is, so I reckon there’s a little bit of that feeling that you want to beat those sides you’ve created a rivalry with,” Caddy said this week.
“Since I’ve been here they’ve beaten us a couple of times. They’ve been a hard side for us and they got us in that final.
“Some guys might not use that as motivation but I definitely do.”
Sharing 1-2 win-loss records this season, both sides will be desperate for a win.
“North are a quality side,” Caddy said.
“They’ve had a bit of a disappointing start to the season, as have we. If we can come out 2-2 from this week I don’t think it’s too bad considering who we’ve played.
“I look back to last year and Sydney were 1-3. If we can come out at 2-2 I think that’s a good result considering we haven’t played our best footy yet and our upside’s massive.”
Caddy said last Sunday’s narrow win over Gold Coast had been “massive” for the mood at the club.
“We were probably expected to win the game but early we lost Jimmy and then Stokesy and didn’t have Tom Lonergan for the last quarter.
“I think it was a really meaningful win, especially for the young guys that we had.”
Caddy praised young Cat Cory Gregson’s second half.
“These sort of wins, I reckon, can mean a lot to young guys and give them confidence.”
A prognosis for Stokes (achilles) and Lonergan (concussion) is yet to be released by the football department.
Jimmy Bartel was scheduled for surgery yesterday on a medial ligament tear, which has ruled him out for two months.
Caddy was confident the 274-game veteran would bounce back.
“He’ll come in and do everything right. We know he’s a professional and that’s why he’s had such a good career.
