BARTEL SEEMINGLY BACK FROM DEAD; CLEARED TO PLAY BOMBERS
Mark Heenan and AAP 14 April 2005

DON’T be surprised if Jimmy Bartel lines up for Geelong this weekend, that’s according to Cats coach Mark Thompson.

Thompson, excited at the prospect of the midfielder training today, after last Friday night’s horrible incident with former cat Brent Moloney, where Bartel laid unconscious and was subsequently taken to hospital.

“Jimmy has passed all the computer tests for concussion and everything else, but doctors want to let him have a physical work out, to see how he really pulls up,” he said.

“Look it’s completely up to the doctors, I don’t think coaches should be making decisions on concussion,” Thompson said.

Thompson says while he sympathises with Moloney, following his two-match ban after being cited for rough play, the AFL tribunal has to set a precedent with cases involving head contact.

“They (AFL) are making a pretty bold statement the head just not to be touched. I didn’t think there was much in it, there was nothing really malicious in what Brent (Moloney) did, in the end he has clipped someone on the scone, and the AFL tribunal are saying that part of the body is forbidden. And that’s fair enough too,” Thompson said.

Following its 48-point loss to the Demons, where the Cats kicked an abysmal 8.18 in front of goal, Geelong will be hoping for a much better display, when they line up against the Bombers on Saturday at the Telstra Dome.

While the spotlight may be on Kent Kingsley’s current kicking troubles, the last time the two sides met at the Telstra Dome, Kingsley virtually won the game off his own boot, with seven goals straight. “I suppose some players have sides they like to play against, and Essendon might be one for Kent.”

Thompson has confirmed Steve Johnson will be a definite starter, following his 7-goal effort against Tasmania in the VFL, while veteran Brenton Sanderson (calf) is likely to be sidelined for another couple of weeks yet.

Cameron Mooney, still remains in doubt with a buttock injury.

“Sanderson will be a couple of weeks yet, and Mooney (we will) probably lean on the side of no.”

Geelong has won three of its last four encounters against Essendon, by an average winning margin of 24 points.

The most recent match against the two sides was last year’s 1st semi-final, where the Cats eliminated Essendon from the finals race, with a 10-point victory at the MCG.