Cats and Pies primed for MCG showdown

Cats defender Tom Stewart has excelled since being shifted to the midfield. Photo: MARCEL BERENS/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES

GEELONG has a chance to improve its top four aspirations with a win tonight (Friday, July 12) against reigning premiers Collingwood at the MCG.

The Cats have regained good form in the past fortnight with consecutive wins against Essendon and Hawthorn, and sit in fifth spot on the AFL ladder.

Geelong senior coach Chris Scott spoke following last week’s win over the Hawks, praising his team for how it composed itself in recent weeks but open to experimenting with the lineup.

“I’ve never been more of the mind that you’ve got to keep an open mind,” Scott said.

“The idea we’ll just find the formula and find the best team and not lose another game is not congruent with the modern game and the evenness of it all.

“Sydney and Carlton for example are in great form at the moment, but I’m sure in the next 10, 12, 15 weeks everything will be a little bit different – we just need to keep pushing.”

The Cats will need to ask whether the side will continue to play Tom Stewart in the midfield following another stellar individual performance against Hawthorn.

The vice-captain accumulated 26 disposals, 10 score involvements and a game-high three centre clearances.

Brad Close (four goals) and Shaun Mannagh (20 disposals and 14 tackles) were also proficient in a shorter forward 50 line-up, spearheaded by Tom Hawkins’ replacement in Shannon Neale.

“The forward group are gelling really well, it is great to see guys like Shannon Neale step in and play some good footy,” Close said.

“It was good to kick a few goals myself [against the Hawks], I got a bit closer to the big sticks and got on the end of a couple, which was nice.

“We are looking forward to getting some wins together, that is two in a row, and I think we still have our best footy ahead of us.”

Tonight’s clash will be the first time Geelong and Collingwood have met this year, but the latter came away with the four points following a 109-101 win in Round 22 last season.

The Cats and Magpies start the first game of Round 18 at 7.40pm.