ROUND 6 PREVIEW: CATS TAKE ON GORILLAS
The Cats head up the M1 for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, this time against Wilston Grange at Hickey Park.
After a late withdrawal last week, the Cats welcome back Brandon “Hawk” CHADWICK for what will be his 99th senior appearance in the hoops and Sharks utility and 2020 Cats Grand final player Ryan GILMORE. 2019 Best and Fairest winner Jackson FISHER and the classy Sam WEDDELL also return to the lineup. X MCMAHON and Darcy IRWIN are away this week, Michael SELSBY has been rewarded for excellent form and will make his VFL debut with the Sharks and Daniel GROSE is also a non-starter. Broadbeach junior Cody HARRINGTON has retained his spot in a teem containing 5 teenagers, after being a late inclusion debutant last week and encouragingly held his own.
Coach O’Brien, whilst overall being pleased with the unbeaten first month of the season believes that there is a lot of improvement in the group and is hoping for cleaner disposal this week after at times wasteful forward entries last week in tricky conditions against Surfers. The players have had a good week on the track and are looking to remain unbeaten leading into the bye later this month.
Whilst favored in this encounter, several observers of Grange’s matchup last week against PBC would note that the Gorillas have shown significant improvement in 2021. Players such as the highly skilled Aspley- listed Erin Wasley-Black and young gun Hugh Fidler are definitely capable of good footy. In 2018, the Cats (who made the grand final that year) went down to wooden spoon fancies in the corresponding match that year. No doubt the coaching staff will be looking for a strong start this time around.
Matt LITTLE and Cody GRANT returning from injuries sustained in the first quarter of the season against Labrador provide a boost for the development side, who will be looking to bounce back from a couple of losses recently. However, unfortunately we will need to wait until after the bye to see boom recruit Jacob WELSH again, after he succumbed to a calf strain last week. Our Colts are looking to make it a hat trick of wins against a strong opponent.
Our women’s teams have the bye, but are pleased to be in newly refurbished change rooms which look great.
Good luck to all teams.