EMOTIONAL FACTOR WON'T STOP CAT ATTACK
Justin Kremmer 6 July 2007

By Justin Kremmer AFL ROUND 14 ESSENDON V GEELONG TONIGHT at the Telstra Dome, Geelong are up against one of the proudest clubs in the AFL in Essendon, arguably the greatest coaching mind of all time in Kevin Sheedy, the
greatest player over the last decade and a half in James Hird's 250th game and a comeback an entire country can only sit back and admire, regardless of which sport you follow or what AFL team you support. The hype surrounding Adam Ramanauskas and his return to senior football since battling with cancer is enough to inspire anyone, however the Bombers will face the best team in the competition, Geelong, and a fairytale may be unlikely with the Essendon skipper, Matthew Lloyd in the stands due to suspension and will miss the blockbuster game.

Ramanauskas is set to return for his first game of senior football since Round 3, 2005 and there could be no more deserving of an opportunity to battle it out with the Cats. His trip to hell and back has seen a remarkable finish and he has stayed positive throughout the whole ordeal. With Rama?s courageous return as one reason for the Bombers to come out firing
then Hirdy's 250th will surely assist in helping the team feel motivated.

But Geelong are keeping their cool and understand the Bombers will come out strong but on top of the ladder and keen to extend their winning streak to nine games, the Cats could not be in a better position. Full-time ruckman Brad Ottens is treating this game as a mini-final and says the boys enjoy playing these sort of games.

The Cats have brought in youngster Tom Hawkins, who in his six games has booted a massive 11 goals, has been named at full forward while Kane Tenace gets another chance to cement a regular spot in the team. Max Rooke, hamstring, and Nathan Ablett, hip tightness, are out of the side.

Midfielder Jimmy Bartel has been named despite suffering concussion in last week's win over Sydney. Neil Balme said on SEN 1116 Radio that he expects to see the young star take to the field.

No matter what, the fight is going to tough from both sides, but the Cats won't let the emotional factor stop their chances of increasing their lead in the competition. Essendon, however, are not going home unsatisfied they didn't do everything they could to give former skipper and champion James Hird and much-loved cancer survivor Adam Ramanauskas a courageous battle.

TABsport Betting
Geelong $1.28
Essendon $3.55