Date: 07-05-2011
Time: 14:10 AEST
Venue: Skilled Stadium, Geelong

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This match should be a walk in the park for the Cats. They are generally superior right across the field and providing the Roos up their game it could get ugly down at Skilled.

Geelong Cats

The Cats are coming off a big rest following they bye and will be desperate to remain unbeaten. This game sees them play their second match of the year at their spiritual home in Geelong and only they will prevent themselves from winning smoothly on the weekend.

In defence the flexibility was epitomised in their last fixture. Harry Taylor was getting towelled up by Buddy last week then Lonergan was switched onto him. Lonergan’s job was massive and could be one of the better jobs done all year. Other names include Mackie, Milburn and Hunt. These guys are the ones who give you 100 percent every week and that should be enough against a Roos attack that lacks substantial firepower.

Through the centre the names roll off the tongue and the class gap is clear for all to see. Bartel and Selwood are two class acts and are without doubt elite players. Their ability to win the hard ball and make smart decisions put them right up there as top-liners. Throw into the mix the consistency of Enright, the spark of Varcoe and the strength and all round quality of Paul Chapman and you have a formidable line up in anyone’s book.

In the forward line the Cats can be hot or cold but will always kick a score thanks to their midfield. I feel that Podsiadly is starting to find his feet after a slow start to the season and he loves Skilled Stadium so he could be one to watch for. The other blokes include Stevie J and Matty Stokes, between these two you have a couple of goal sneaks that can put on a show.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

The Roos are coming off a dominant display against the Power last week but the question is how well that form stacks up. Now they have to meet the Cats at Skilled, which is a hoodoo ground for visiting teams, not to mention a Cats team which has started the season as well as they have in the last 5 years, in which they have been the benchmark.

The Roos in defence will be a massive query against a Cats attack who can score from anywhere via any of the 18 men on the field. Nathan Grima and Michael Firrito will have their work cut out for them, but the smaller defender like Rawlings and Pratt will find it more difficult because of the sheer unpredictability of the Cats.

In the middle Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey add the class while Andrew Swallow provides the gut running and attack at the ball. These three are the key men for the Roos and without them having near perfect matches it will be a long day through the middle for the Roos. Wright and Speight will be two youngsters who need big days to give the Roos any sniff.

Up forward the Roos are an unusual team. Lachie Hansen and Drew Petrie are the pivotal figures for North but they are rarely consistent and they don’t really seem to have the ability to kick 7-8 between them every week, which is probably required for the Roos to push into the top 8.

The Verdict

The Cats win this one without any hassle after half time.

The Pick :

Geelong Cats 124- North Melbourne Kangas 77

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

80 %

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Cats to win by 40 or more points at 1.60 at Centrebet.