Cats coach Chris Scott expects an emotion-charged match when the Dogs play Geelong at Simonds Stadium this Friday night.
Scott acknowledged the excitement surrounding milestone games for Cat stars Corey Enright and Jimmy Bartel but believed the Dogs would also be “wound up” after two bad injuries last week.
Enright will set a games record for Geelong, in his 326th match for the Cats, while Bartel will play game 300.
“It’s fantastic in a way that two guys are sharing it (and) they’ve got some much shared experience,” Scott told Wednesday’s media conference.
“To enjoy so much success together (and) for the football world to acknowledge it on the same day is fitting.”
In contrast to the Geelong celebrations, the Bulldogs will be without young gun Mitch Wallis, who suffered a horrifically broken leg last weekend, or big forward Jack Redpath after he wrecked a knee for the third time.
Scott noted the likely emotional aspect of the match for both teams, although he expected “maximum effort every week”.
“Sometimes there is a risk that you get too emotionally wound up,” he said.
“But the Bulldogs have go challenges as well, so I would expect they’ll be wound up.
“Our priority (in this match) is that the season maintains momentum for us.”
Scott said the Cats were acutely aware of the psychological impact on teams from significant injuries, referring to plays like Daniel Menzel who “missed four years”.
“Players at AFL level are challenged daily. I imagine (the Bulldogs’) talk internally would be about being professional … to move on and play the best footy.”
Scott brushed off the Cats favourable recent history of nine straight wins against the Bulldogs, including a victory earlier this season.
“They’re got some outstanding talent … some real quality coming back into their team this week,” he said.
“This is a fresh challenge.”
Scott also have an encouraging assessment of an ankle injury that tall Nathan Vardy suffered in the VFL last weekend.
“It’s relatively good news because it looked terrible. He’s going to miss a number of weeks but it’s certainly not season-ending or close to.
“He’s had a fair bit of bad luck, the big fella, and deserves a break.”
Scott drew laughter from the assembled reporters when asked the nature of the injury, calling it “an ankle sprain”.
