We can't over estimate the challenge this week.

Not only are the Cats travelling superbly but we get to play at that disgrace of a ground of theirs.

Consider this: 170 metres long (10 longer than the 'G) and 115 metres wide - that is 26 metres narrower.

It's not an oval. It's a tube. So it's no surprise we kick out on the full a couple of times whenever we play there.

Since the government redeveloped the place they should have made it conform to something like a regular ground. Instead it's a taxpayer underwritten homeground advantage.

That is a significant difference. But I don't think the result will be determined by dimensions.

This is a pressure free game in my eyes, I am expecting a big loss so if we get close I'll be happy. If we can restrict them to less than 100 points that would be a win in my eyes.

If we can restrict them to less than 100 points that would be a win in my eyes.

Is that a margin or their total?

Is that a margin or their total?

Their total score. I would like our defense to stand up well, I won't lose any sleep if we aren't able to score well against them because our forward line is mostly injured, but I rate our backline and expect them to hold their own against a good team.

If we are going to be a contender then we have to be able to win at any ground regardless of dimensions, and in any conditions. Personally, I would rather us playing at the cattery than at the dome where it is surprising far more serious injuries don't occur... it never ceases to amaze me how often we see players taking enormous divots out of the surface with their knees!!

I'm looking forward to this game more than any we have played in so far, because it will provide a very good indication of our progress so far this season. As a number of media pundits have already alluded to, the "new" Dees have a very similar game to the Cats, so hopefully it should be a very open, frenetic game... my only concern is that the conditions they had to play in last Saturday night may play a part in their ability to go the distance at such a pace... then again, is it possible that a solid workout like that may have increased their match fitness (provided they stick to a light workload this week)? All will be revealed on Saturday, so bring it on!

The other problem is getting tickets; I tried and could only get general admission which is not suitable for me because I was planning on taking my 6 year old grandson and can't expect him to enjoy a game where he probably won't even be able to see most of it.

The other problem is getting tickets; I tried and could only get general admission which is not suitable for me because I was planning on taking my 6 year old grandson and can't expect him to enjoy a game where he probably won't even be able to see most of it.

Put him on your shoulders ! He'll love it.

Put him on your shoulders ! He'll love it.

Would love to but I'm his grand father not his dad, bit too old for that. Anyway I had a shoulder op last year and I don't think the shoulder would hold up carrying the little bugger all day.

I'm looking forward to this game more than any we have played in so far, because it will provide a very good indication of our progress so far this season.

I'm looking forward more to the Blues game - they should be a couple of years ahead of us in development but I reckon we're not that far off them. And we play them at a better venue, the G, which does not so much give us an advantage as put us both on equal footing.

I agree we have to win at a range of grounds to be successful but K Park is so unlike anything else as to be a joke.

Just read in the Age that the players are going down to Geelong on Friday for a training session and will be staying there overnight.

Good idea it will cost the club $5,000 but it saves the players having to drive down on Saturday morning and I'm sure that's the last thing they would want to do before facing the Cats in the afternoon.

Just read in the Age that the players are going down to Geelong on Friday for a training session and will be staying there overnight.

Yes, Gerard mentioned that to Bomber Thompson last night. The Sheraton I think he said. No wonder it's $5K.

Just read in the Age that the players are going down to Geelong on Friday for a training session and will be staying there overnight.

Good idea it will cost the club $5,000 but it saves the players having to drive down on Saturday morning and I'm sure that's the last thing they would want to do before facing the Cats in the afternoon.

Good idea, treat it as an interstate game.

That's the way i perceive Geelong. B)

To be honest if we play well, I'm not overly fussed at the margin. I just want to see us really hit them hard and go for 4 quarters giving our all and trying to play our game against them.

Yes, Gerard mentioned that to Bomber Thompson last night. The Sheraton I think he said. No wonder it's $5K.

I remember when some greengrocer bloke had to help pay for us to stay in Sydney.

Now we're splashing to stay in Geelong, times they are a changin' for the better.

If we are going to be a contender then we have to be able to win at any ground regardless of dimensions, and in any conditions. Personally, I would rather us playing at the cattery than at the dome where it is surprising far more serious injuries don't occur... it never ceases to amaze me how often we see players taking enormous divots out of the surface with their knees!!

Damn straight. We must learn to win at the cattery. We must learn to win interstate. We will do it more and more as we get harder and more settled.

But this weekend will, I fear, be more valuable for education rather than premiership points. In future years however .....

Just read in the Age that the players are going down to Geelong on Friday for a training session and will be staying there overnight.

Good idea it will cost the club $5,000 but it saves the players having to drive down on Saturday morning and I'm sure that's the last thing they would want to do before facing the Cats in the afternoon.

Yeah, KB and that other twit from the Australian were having a good old laugh about it this morning on SEN. (my radio was broken and there was no other option, I swear I swear).

Couldn't understand that a team of footballers would have to go down to Geelong a night early, considering the drive these days is about 45 min.

But then again, KB doesnt really understand much.

Yeah, KB and that other twit from the Australian were having a good old laugh about it this morning on SEN. (my radio was broken and there was no other option, I swear I swear).

Couldn't understand that a team of footballers would have to go down to Geelong a night early, considering the drive these days is about 45 min.

But then again, KB doesnt really understand much.

KB has about 30 cups of tea a day, and in all has 2 sugars. So it is easy to now understand why he is such a strange little man!!

It's a smart move to have a run on the ground on Friday.

I've lived in the region for over 30 years and know a bit about the ground.

Even with the new stands the eastern or Moorabool side of the ground is very hard to score from.

The Cats continually attack from the western side, and constantly 'over-defend' that side when the opposition is kicking in.

Wouldn't it be nice if the dees tackled hard and pumped this side in their little cattery world.

Geelong relies on huge possesion of the ball. Collingwood robbed them of that chance 2 years ago and beat them easily by relentles tackling pressure.

If nothing else it would be great to see a close game with the dees applying pressure and sticking to their running game. The Dees can beat this side at the Cattery and they will in time. I just hope its sooner than later.

Go Dees Attack.

KB has about 30 cups of tea a day, and in all has 2 sugars. So it is easy to now understand why he is such a strange little man!!

KB has the small man syndrome going on that is all.

KB has the small man syndrome going on that is all.

he has 60 teaspoons of sugar each day as well!!

Yeah, KB and that other twit from the Australian were having a good old laugh about it this morning on SEN. (my radio was broken and there was no other option, I swear I swear).

Couldn't understand that a team of footballers would have to go down to Geelong a night early, considering the drive these days is about 45 min.

But then again, KB doesnt really understand much.

He is a nasty self-opinionated, self-serving man who holds grudges for far too long (way past anyone else that cares).

Did anyone see the news last night and notice that Geelong are having some trouble with the drainage down at Kardinia at the moment. There were a number of groundsmen out on the paddock with water measuring devices trying to 'mop up' the water after the recent heavy rains.

The news skimmed over that part of the story pretty quickly and then went to the standard, "Is Gary Ablett going to the GC" story.

However, I wonder if there is any chance this game might be moved if we can somehow crack a rain dance and get the gods to open up and flood the joint. I know it sounds a little crazy but sill, it was mentioned in all seriousness, that Geelong had 'concerns' over the state of the surface down at Kardinia Park.

Would love to have this one moved.

But then again, KB doesnt really understand much.

That is right. His Tiger counterparts could do well to take a leaf out of Melbourne's book with regard to team bonding. It might improve things and keep their team from being eroded by GC & GWS.

I reckon that if we can play anywhere near the potential we have shown this year and bring the ball through the middle quickly then the narrow dimensions should actually suit us. Now, if the cats lets us play that way is another thing but as far as I am concerned Bailey has our boys playing Geelong like footy....the only difference just now is that we can fumble and miss targets, something the cats rarely do.

Once we have the FULL confidence in each other our footy is going to be very exciting to watch......who knows maybe Bomber and the Cats might want to take us on through the middle...why wouldn't they back themselves to beat us at their own game? But for mine this is what may give us the best chance to get a good result....a win? Perhaps not but at least within a few goals and keeping them to a lowly score another feather in the cap of what is fast becoming one of the better defences in the game.

The Dees have opened at -47.5 pts......at $1.91, I really like these odds and will be disappointed if we cant get within that margin.