Geelong at the 'Cattery' has been the most difficult road trip in the game during their era of dominance. But, after eight seasons at the top, the mystique at Kardinia Park is beginning to dwindle. Fremantle dictated terms against Geelong on their own patch last Sunday, winning by 44 points in a commanding display. For years, matches on the Cats hallowed turf were feared. Their record of 46 wins from their last 51 games highlights Geelong’s supremacy at home. But, on Sunday afternoon, when the Gold Coast SUNS make the trip south to try and resuscitate their season, they will do so without the typical trepidation that’s associated with games in this part of the globe.

Both Geelong and Gold Coast have begun 2015 in a disappointing fashion. For the Cats, losses to Hawthorn and Fremantle are not appalling. But, the fact the once almighty have been swept aside by the Hawks and Dockers has seen some media experts claim that their period of brilliance is over. The SUNS underwhelming start to the Rodney Eade era has been widely documented across the football world. Losses to last season’s two bottom sides Melbourne and St Kilda have drawn the ire of the media and brought with it a forensic analysis of the football club.

Gary Ablett’s shoulder complications have amplified the poor performances in red and gold. His absence, along with revered leader Jarrod Harbrow, will mean an inexperienced side will head south. In the face of adversity, the opportunity for young leaders to step up has never been greater. Tom Lynch returned last weekend against the Saints and despite being below his best, he still impacted the scoreboard with three goals. Along with David Swallow and Dion Prestia, Eade will expect his young leaders to stand up this weekend.

It was the talk of the pre-season and with good reason, but it hasn’t quite clicked into gear during the opening two rounds of the season. The Tom Hawkins, Mitch Clark partnership could flourish into the most potent one-two in the game. It looked deadly at times during the NAB Challenge series, but in the opening two games the Cats have kicked just eight and nine goals. Admittedly, the delivery has been poor, but so has their cohesion. It will take time for Hawkins and Clark to develop an understanding of each other’s games and leading patterns. In the opening two weeks they have lacked separation and led to the same spots at times, attracting a small ensemble of opposition defenders to spoil their party.

There is still a collection of royalty left at Simonds Stadium. But, they are in the twilight stage with the end coming sooner rather than later. Their resumes are decadent and stand up alongside some of the current greats, but the opening two rounds have begun to highlight chinks in their armoury. James Kelly, Corey Enright, Steve Johnson, Matthew Stokes, Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan and Jimmy Bartel are all over the age of 30. There is no question regarding their class or brilliance, but as the weeks go by the more the media have begun to question whether or not they are slowing down.

Key Players

Along with Luke Hodge, he’s arguable the most revered leader in the game. Joel Selwood has been a part of Geelong since their dominance began in 2007 and has built a war chest of individual and team accolades. He was Geelong’s best performer against the Dockers with 27 possessions, eight tackles and seven clearances. But, Selwood hasn’t quite been at his game breaking best in the opening two weeks of the season, although he has been influential – leading the Cats for score involvements with 16, behind competition leaders Rory Sloane and Josh Kennedy (West Coast) on 22. The Cats had not lost their first two games of a season since 2004, before this year. You get the feeling Selwood will play an almighty role if they are to avenge their disappointing start to the season.

Steven Motlop was left out of last week’s side that lost to Fremantle after it emerged he was out drinking days before their opening game against Hawthorn. He was the Cats best player in their Easter Monday capitulation, gathering 32 disposals and six inside 50s. His kicking efficiency was below par, but his impact was profound. Expect a big response from the playmaker after enduring a week of scrutiny for his undisciplined behaviour that led some former Geelong greats to question whether he will fulfil his prodigious talent. With a handful of ageing champions past their prime, Motlop is expected to take his game to the next level in 2015 and become a consistent force capable of dictating games fortunes.

Fresh Faces

Nakia Cockatoo is rapidly accumulating a highlights reel to rival Cyril Rioli. His high-octane runs have generated plenty of excitement across the competition, with his individual effort in the NAB Challenge game against Adelaide one of the plays of the year to date. The teenager was drafted off one game last season after he missed the entire season before playing on Grand Final day in a breathtaking display that was enough to convince Stephen Wells and the Geelong recruiting team to bank their first top ten pick in years on him. He is yet to leave his mark on a home and away game, but you get the feeling it won’t be long before he grabs a game by the scruff of the neck and does some serious damage.

At 175cm, Cory Gregson packs a mean punch for his size with the small midfielder’s attack on the ball a feature of his first two AFL encounters. The South Australian gathered 10 touches and laid five tackles against the Dockers with his tenacity and endeavour standing out. His ability to hit targets under pressure in the opening two games of his career has also been impressive.

By season’s end he might be the best trade of the year. Mitch Clark’s pre-season form hasn’t quite transitioned into the premiership season, but it might just take a little bit of time. Although, his frustration was clear for all to see late in the game against the Dockers as he tangled with Luke McPharlin a couple of times behind the ball on the back of poor decision making by the former Melbourne and Brisbane mobile tall. He has kicked five straight goals in the first two weeks of the new chapter of his life and career, but despite showing patches of brilliance in small doses, Clark is yet to dominate like he did in stages across the NAB Challenge series. Rory Thompson and Steven May will have their work cut out for them on Sunday afternoon when they do battle with Clark and Hawkins at Simonds Stadium.

Rhys Stanley’s athleticism is his greatest asset, and on Sunday against the Dockers, the key forward slotted into the Cats forward line alongside Clark and Hawkins. He booted two goals and provided another target for Geelong inside forward 50, as well as spending time in the ruck where he supported Dawson Simpson with 10 hitouts. The former Saint will no doubt improve with more experience with his new teammates.

Key Match-Up

The arrival of Mitch Clark hasn’t quite resulted in the scoreboard impact many predicted during the pre-season. Having said that, we are only two weeks into a long season so it’s far too early to evaluate the success of Clark and Tom Hawkins as a combination. Hawkins is unquestionably one of the more dominant key forwards in the game. But, in the opening two weeks he hasn’t produced the bullocking dominance he is renowned for. Seven marks and four goals against the Hawks and Dockers demonstrate how he has been well held by two of the games stingiest defences. Steven May and Rory Thompson will spend time on both Hawkins and Clark on Sunday afternoon with the battle of the big men set to have a significant say in the game’s result.

Recent Results

Gold Coast : 0 wins, 2 losses
Rd1 – Loss. Gold Coast 13.11.89 vs. Melbourne 17.13.115 @ MCG
Rd2 – Loss. Gold Coast 10.16.76 vs. St.Kilda 16.8.104 @ Metricon Stadium

Geelong : 0 wins, 2 losses
Rd1 – Loss. Geelong 8.13.61 vs. Hawthorn 17.21.123 @ MCG
Rd2 – Loss. Geelong 9.6.60 vs. Fremantle 15.14.104 @ Simonds Stadium

Key Stats – Comparison

Clearances (diff.)
Gold Coast +12
Geelong -9

Contested Ball (diff.)
Gold Coast -3
Geelong -24

Tackles (For)
Gold Coast 53
Geelong 64

Inside 50’s (For)
Gold Coast 48.5
Geelong 41.5

Disposal Efficiency (For)
Gold Coast 70.0%
Geelong 72.5%

Geelong Team

B: Bews, Lonergan, Kelly
HB: Guthrie, Taylor, Enright
C: Bartel, Selwood, Blicavs
HF: Gregson, Clark, Lang
F: Caddy, Hawkins, Duncan
R: Stanley, Johnson, Motlop
INT: Cockatoo, Murdoch, Stokes, Thurlow