Pre match: Changes for the Cats game? - All comments here...

[Magpie Since 1986]

BTW winner of this game would have to be the 'Best team in Victoria' right? I guess Melbourne could also be up there, but I get the feeling the winning of tonights game will go on to be the best performing team in Victoria this year.

[couragous cloke]

We agree twice in a row 1986. Although melbourne are flying quite high. and are a real danger side.

[jimbeam]

they will flood us hard, so we should have some free space up the ground to stop their rebounds. us by 40points if we can limit their ruck and dont let the game slow down going forward.

[Adz]

Big game for us. Win and we proove we are the real deal, lose and we are back with the pack.

[RudeBoy]

For those critical of Maxwell, I think it's worth noting that he has suffered from the fact that we've had two extra defenders in the side this year - Harry and Heater - which has meant that Maxy hasn't been able to slot in to his normal position. In fact he's been used up forward (not all that successfully) at least a couple of times. With Harry gone (for now), he should have more opportunities to re-establish himself as a key defender.

[katie_clokes_4eva]

finally cameron cloke is playing a game again..better not screw this up!

I hope rusling isd playing next week.. great player aye

[pietillidie]

Geelong isn't the fastest of teams - would like to see Johnno, Lones, Leon, Daisy and Heater get plenty of ball to hurt them going forward.

Mission pretty much the status quo this year: break even at the stoppages, carry the ball as much as possible through the skilled outside runners, hurt them forward, swamp them back.

Must admit to being worried about the side being physically flat after playing Subiaco - might be a good idea to run a few fresh legs through the middle early to ensure Geelong don't get an early jump.

It will be interesting to see if they use Bucks in the middle early as fresh legs or up forward as a target.

[lethal68]

Good call, pietillidie: Cats are a good, consistent side of hard-ad-it runners but don't have a heap of explosive pace. This is our chance to show that the Collingwood of 2006 are a faster, more exciting and punishing unit than in previous years.

[Snoop Dog]

The subiaco factor will be a defining piece of this game although that should largely be mitigated by the fact it is early in the season and it is a 7 day break!

Reality is the Cats are a bloody good side who have been playing average. Last weeks win will give them spirit and they are good when playing their style of footy.

Run them off their feet is the key, ala Bullies and Hawks beating them so the runners need to play well......

The worry is that Scarlett, Egan and Harley are capable of stopping our big blokes but equally ours are theirs. It will be fought out on the ground so big contested possession games required from Holland, Swan, Burns, Licca and the runners in Davis, Lonies, Didak, Shaw, OBree, JOhnsons, Lockyers to finish the work wtih good delivery.

50:50 for me.

Go Pies!

[MK]

any late changes?

[Mountains Magpie]

So looking forward to this game. If we belt 'em we're in with a big show for 2006 if we maintain focus. And thanks to Richmond, if we win we'll go top 2. A good place to be, to be sure.