Cats v Roos: 10 things to look out for

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BRING BACK BAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!

Holding the ball is one of the great rules of our game.

The crowd loves it, the umpires love it and the laws of the game committee should love it for its ability to reduce congestion.

However, last week it was nowhere to be seen.

On countless occasions in the Melbourne and Richmond game players were caught red-handed, failed to dispose of the ball properly and play on was the call.

It seems that if the ball spills — no matter how the player gets rid of it — then the call is play on.

We expect a tightening of this interpretation tonight.

Also, watch out for a new tactic players are using to avoid being pinged from diving on the ball when on the bottom of a stack of players. Superfooty understands players are being coached to roll onto their backs and push the ball away from them to force a ball up. Clever.

Former steeplechaser Mark Blicavs could be matched with Majak Daw. Source: News Limited

IN THE FAST LANE

WHO can forget the 2012 Grand Final when Swans speedster Lewis Jetta showed Hawk Cyril Rioli a clean pair of heels on the outer wing at the MCG?

Here's hoping the Simonds Stadium faithful get to see a similar match race between two of the league's most intriguing prospects.

We know big Roo Majak Daw, if given the space, is not one to shy away from taking on an opponent, let's hope it's Cat steeplechaser-turned-ruckman Mark Blicavs in the pursuit.

The 23-year-olds are evenly matched with Blicavs having the height edge (198cm-195cm) while Daw two kilograms heavier (97kg-95kg).

Jetta burns away from Rioli in the 2012 Grand Final. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

TIME TO FARM MCDONALD?

The next few games are crucial to Luke McDonald's future in more than 106,000 SuperCoach teams.

He's been a loyal defender since making his debut in Round 1, earning $108,900 for those who have held onto him and is coming off his second best score for the season (90).

His breakeven this week is just 70, however as the season progresses and premium defenders become available most are waiting for the right time to trade.

Is McDonald on the way up or has he hit a plateau? He hasn't looked a natural ball winner yet, tonight's game could be decisive.

There isn't a plethora of quality SuperCoach defenders, so another 90 plus game could secure his future for another few weeks at least.

Hamish McIntosh is excited about coming up against his old side. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

H-MAC IN ROOS' SIGHTS

EXPECT Brent Harvey to be champing at the bit to attend the opening bounce, not only for the chance to win the first clearance, but to give former teammate Hamish McIntosh heaps of stick.

McIntosh spent 10 years at Arden St before losing his position as the no. 1 big man due to injuries and the emergence of Todd Goldstein.

With best mate and Kangaroos defender Nathan Grima out injured, Harvey, Michael Firrito and Lachie Hansen will be left to shoulder the trash-talk load. Game on!

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HISTORY NOT ON DREW'S SIDE

LIKE many big key forwards, Drew Petrie has struggled to hit the scoreboard in 2014. Petrie has kicked just seven goals in eight games this season and resorted to stealing from a teammate to beef up his tally against Brisbane last week.

Petrie will be hoping to get his season back on track with a big bag under lights tonight; however his form against the Cats doesn't bode well for a big night out.

Since 2005 Petrie has kicked just 15 goals in 12 games against Geelong.

THOMMO NO SCAREDY CAT

AT the other end of the ground Tom Hawkins looks back to his best after overcoming a chronic back injury that plagued his 2013 season.

Tomahawk will earn every goal he kicks against All-Australian full back Scott Thompson tonight in what is sure to be a very physical match up.

The points are split in their previous four encounters with Hawkins kicking bags of three and four while Thompson has held to a single major twice.

Thompson has earned a reputation for inciting his opponents, no matter what their size, so he won't have any issues inciting the Tomahawk.

Geelong tagger Cam Guthrie keeping Nat Fyfe in check. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

GUTHRIE v BOOMER

GEELONG tagger Cam Guthrie is building a reputation as one of the best stoppers in the business behind Fremantle's Ryan Crowley.

Tonight, the 21-year-old has a golden opportunity to get one-up on the Docker pest by stopping Boomer Harvey in his tracks.

But it's not going to be easy, Harvey, fresh off his game-high 39 disposals last week, is averaging 25 possessions and a goal a game in his 19th season.

For what it's worth, Harvey piled on 29 disposals — 10 contested — on Crowley in Round 6.

WILL SPUD HEAR THE WHISTLE?

LUCKY North's not playing at Adelaide Oval because Michael Firrito would have no chance of hearing the umpire's whistle.

The veteran defender gets his chance to make amends tonight after giving up a 50m penalty to complete Geelong's come-from-behind win over North in Round 2 last year.

The Cats clawed their way back from a seven-goal deficit to win by four points after Firrito kicked the ball out of a stoppage situation.

Unfortunately for Firrito and North Melbourne, the umpire had already blown his whistle paying an in-the-back free kick to Jimmy Bartel.

Bartel, like he has done so many times before, made no mistake from close range.

Cats coach Chris Scott will be looking over his shoulder for twin brother Brad. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

TWIN ENVY

BLOOD is thicker than water and this is certainly the case for coaching twins, Brad and Chris Scott.

But, there might be a little bit of extra needle between the two when their sides meet tonight with Chris elevated to the Brisbane Lions hall of fame during the week and Brad overlooked.

The ledger is two apiece since Chris started coaching Geelong in 2011 and after the two sides have shared pre-season training sessions over the past few years, they know each other extremely well.

PERTH HANGOVER?

CAN Geelong buck the trend and join Gold Coast (twice) and Port Adelaide as the only teams to win the week after playing in Perth?

At least history is on the side of the Cats, having won 50 of their past 54 games at Simonds Stadium.

The Cats are coming off a tough loss to Fremantle, while North benefits from its soft win over embattled Brisbane.

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