Cats look to stave off fourth-straight loss

GEELONG will be fighting to stave off a fourth consecutive loss tomorrow (Saturday, May 25) against Greater Western Sydney as the Cats’ hot start to 2024 is at risk of being completely cooled off.

A 64-point smashing of the Cats, courtesy of Gold Coast in Darwin on Thursday last week, saw Geelong slip to two games off the pace from the top of the AFL ladder.

Chris Scott’s men will now undoubtedly see Saturday’s clash at GMHBA Stadium as a must-win affair at the risk of descending into a lower form of confidence prior to next weekend’s clash against Richmond.

Scott said the Cats had not played or felt like themselves in recent weeks, evident by the 26.8 (164) to 15.10 (100) defeat, but said his side would always look at the positives.

“We’ve been aware probably for a good three weeks now, probably even in the last 15 minutes of the game before, we’ve been a little bit off and that was a culmination of that.

“We got beaten by good players around the ball and it was an unusual scoreline for us. To give up that many scores is unusual for us; all the stats didn’t get any better.

“We didn’t handle the conditions well enough, and Gold Coast was pretty hot as well.”

The Cats will welcome the return of Jeremy Cameron, Mitch Duncan, Sam De Koning and Tom Hawkins as Hawkins prepares to break Joel Selwood’s games record with his 356th appearance in the hoops in front of the home fans.

Saturday’s clash will also be a chance for defender Tom Stewart to bounce back from a dismal performance against the Suns.

Last week’s effort from Stewart marked the first time in his AFL career he failed to register a single mark, a by-product of Gold Coast’s relentless pressure in their forward 50.

Carlton, who sit in 10th spot on the ladder, are only one win behind Geelong heading into Round 11.

The Cats and Giants’ game at GMHBA Stadium begins at 4.35pm. Tickets can be bought at ticketmaster.com.au