Cats purpose to make use of Dees win to arrange AFL finals assault

Reigning premiers Geelong are primed to construct on their stirring win over AFL flag fancies Melbourne as they eye a cost in the direction of September, Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij says.

Chris Scott’s aspect could possibly be bolstered by the return of captain Patrick Dangerfield for Friday evening’s high-stakes conflict with Sydney on the SCG.

However they are going to be with out key ahead Jeremy Cameron, who’s in concussion protocols after copping a brutal head knock in a collision with teammate Gary Rohan.

The unintended conflict got here early within the Cats’ 15-point conquer Melbourne on Thursday evening, which squared their season report at 7-7 and put them on the sting of the highest eight.

“We might prefer to be slightly bit higher positioned on the ladder however it’s what it’s,” premiership defender Kolodjashnij informed AAP.

“We have been a bit unlucky, we appear to get guys again and another person goes down. It was Patty (Dangerfield) final week and Jez (Cameron) this week.

“It is simply the way in which the season has been enjoying out, however that is alright.

“We have got nice depth and we have some extra guys on the mend who will hopefully get wholesome quickly.

“Hopefully we will discover some kind within the again half of the 12 months on the again of this efficiency.”

No.1 ruckman Rhys Stanley impressed on his comeback from an eye fixed socket damage towards Melbourne, whereas midfield gun Cam Guthrie (toe) and versatile tall Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) are set to return in coming weeks.

Geelong have destroyed Sydney of their two most up-to-date conferences – an 81-point annihilation in final 12 months’s grand closing and a 93-point thrashing in spherical six.

However they have been crushed by 30 factors on their final journey to Sydney, in spherical two final season, on an evening when Swans famous person Lance Franklin kicked his one thousandth profession aim.

“It appears like each week’s a giant recreation for us particularly due to the place we’re positioned,” Kolodjashnij mentioned.

“We’re wanting ahead to that problem they usually’ll be fired up little doubt to get some payback for the final time we performed them down right here (in Geelong).

“We had a pleasant convincing win however they’re all the time robust to play up there and we’ll must carry our greatest footy as soon as once more, however hopefully off the again of this win (over Melbourne) we will try this.”

Dangerfield was desperate to play towards Melbourne final Thursday evening – every week after struggling a cracked rib and {a partially} collapsed lung – however was overruled by membership medical workers.

The midfield famous person has performed only one recreation since spherical eight, when he sustained a hamstring damage, and is but to be given the inexperienced mild to return towards Sydney.

“I do know he’ll be placing his hand up,” Kolodjashnij mentioned.

“It is only a matter of whether or not the medical workforce are assured he is proper to go and he is not placing himself at an excessive amount of threat.”

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