‘Sick in the stomach’: Ling on Cats-Hawks clash

Geelong great Cameron Ling says he’s “sick in the stomach but excited” as the Geelong vs Hawthorn preliminary final looms large this Friday night.

Speaking from his old primary school in Geelong, where the AFL Premiership Cup stopped as part of its national tour, the three-time premiership skipper opened up on his nerves and his confidence in the Cats.

“It had to be Geelong-Hawthorn, just to make me nervous as hell,” Ling said.

“But the Cats were ultra impressive against Brisbane. I still think they’ll get up and go all the way.”

Ling also praised the Hawks’ dominant performance over Adelaide, calling it “a high-intensity finals type brand of footy”. But he believes Geelong’s leadership, depth and finals experience give them the edge.

“They’ve brilliantly coached, really well led and built to stand up to the heat of finals football,” he said.

Reflecting on his own finals success, Ling said his favourite Premiership Cup moment was Geelong’s drought-breaking 2007 win.

“I was a Cats fan growing up. I went to all four of those losing Grand Finals – 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995,” he said.

“To finally have this piece of silverware back at Geelong… it was so special. I didn’t really want to let it go on the day.”

With the community already buzzing, Ling said the Geelong vs Hawthorn preliminary final had reignited old rivalries.

“You’ll see the blue and white scarves come out. Everyone just wants to talk footy,” he said.