Optus Stadium will play host to Friday's AFL game between Geelong Cats and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The game kicks off at 7:50 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs. Greater Western Sydney Giants game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday September 3, 2021 at 7:50 pm
Where: Optus Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Geelong Cats vs Greater Western Sydney Giants Odds
Geelong Cats vs Greater Western Sydney Giants Preview
The Cats will board the plane to Perth with plenty to reflect on following a fifth consecutive Qualifying loss to Port Adelaide last week.
Geelong found themselves on the back foot very early as the Power kicked four goals in the opening term, paving the way for a disheartening 43-point loss that leaves Chris Scott’s side with questions to answer.
Fortunately for the Cats, they have one less problem to worry about this week with Toby Greene unlikely to play after his run-in with an umpire.
GWS should be full of confidence after defeating the Swans in their one-point thriller, but the fact the Giants surrendered a healthy 23-point lead at half-time is an obvious call for concern.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise to find the Cats as short-priced favourites given how they typically respond with their season on the line.
Geelong advanced to the Prelim with a blowout victory over Collingwood in last year’s Semi-Final, and you have to believe their star-studded forward line will respond to being shut down by Aliir Aliir and the rest of the Port defence last week.
In terms of recent history, the Giants have won three straight over the Cats, including an impressive 19-point victory in Geelong three weeks ago.
Greene was enormous that night kicking a four-goal bag, and although his absence is significant, it’s worth noting the Giants have still played to a 3-2 record without him in the lineup this year.
Guys like Harry Himmelberg and Jesse Hogan are more than capable of filling the Greene void, especially against a Cats team that struggled big time on Orazio Fantasia last week.
With Geelong really struggling to move the ball forward and establish clean inside 50 entries, the Giants are a much better bet than the current line suggests.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Geelong Cats to win at $1.31 odds.
First Goal Scorer
First Goal Scorer: Tom Hawkins at $9.00.
Geelong Cats vs Greater Western Sydney Giants Teams
CATS
B: J.Henry, L.Henderson, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: Z.Tuohy, M.Blicavs, T.Atkins
C: C.Guthrie, M.Duncan, I.Smith
HF: E.Ratugolea, J.Cameron, G.Rohan
F: B.Close, T.Hawkins, G.Miers
FOLL: R.Stanley, J.Selwood, P.Dangerfield
I/C: J.Bews, M.Holmes, S.Menegola, B.Parfitt
EMG: S.Higgins, S.Simpson, D.Fort, Z.Guthrie
IN: Z.Tuohy, E.Ratugolea, M.Holmes
OUT: S.Simpson, L.Dahlhaus (both omitted), M.O’Connor (injured), S.Higgins (managed)
GIANTS
B: J.Stein, S.Taylor, I.Cumming
HB: L.Ash, N.Haynes, L.Whitfield
C: J.Kelly, S.Coniglio, H.Perryman
HF: T.Taranto, H.Himmelberg, D.Lloyd
F: Z.Sproule, J.Hogan, M.de Boer
FOLL: S.Mumford, J.Hopper, C.Ward
I/C: T.Bruhn, B.Hill, C.Stone, C.Idun
EMG: J.Riccardi, K.Briggs, P.Davis, J.Peatling
IN: B.Hill, C.Stone
OUT: S.Reid, T.Green (both injured), T.Greene (suspended)
