Saturday night’s AFL round 22 match of the week between Geelong and Hawthorn will be bolstered by the huge return of stars Jimmy Bartel and Jarryd Roughead.
Still reeling from last week’s 19-point loss to Fremantle, the Hawks have axed four players as the club prepares to push itself back into the league’s top two discussion.
Out are Ben McEvoy, Ryan Schoenmakers, Taylor Duryea and Tim O’Brien, replaced by Roughead, back after serving a one-week suspension for tripping, veteran midfielder Brad Sewell, ruckman Jonathon Ceglar and key position defender Matt Spangher.
The Cats are welcoming back Brownlow medallist Bartel after a one-week spell recuperating from a corked thigh while forward Jordan Murdoch also makes his senior return.
But Geelong look a lot different from the side that ran out 19-point winners over the Hawks in round 5; missing regulars Steve Johnson, Taylor Hunt and Dawson Simpson.
Hawthorn’s loss to the Dockers has left the club a game behind Geelong and Sydney in the race for a top two finish and have won just twice from the past 15 hit outs against the rival Cats.
Star midfielder Sam Mitchell said the Cats’ depth makes planning to target one of coach Chris Scott’s stars a dangerous proposition.
“That’s probably what makes Geelong a very good side … you shut down one [and] there’s always someone else that can bob up,” Mitchell told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.
“So we just have to shut down their whole system rather than just individual players.
“They’ve been a very good side for a very long time; very consistent.
“When someone gets injured or someone retires they always have a replacement who is a very strong player and comes in and plays their role.”
The two sides clash at the MCG at 7:40PM on Saturday.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
