Premier kings to reunite
GEELONG hopes up to 20 of its 22 drought-breaking premiership players will be part of the club’s motorcade tribute tonight at Simonds Stadium.
Gary and Nathan Ablett are the only two confirmed non-attendees for the 10year celebration of the record-breaking 2007 victory over Port Adelaide.
Not all of the other 20 players are locked in — the club was yesterday waiting on the final word from a couple — but the Cats hope the bulk of the 2007 team will attend, helped by the Thursday timeslot.
The motorcade will begin at 6.55pm and run for about 10 minutes before Mathew Stokes rings the Kardinia Park bell at 7.15pm.
“It was the first premiership in 43 years, it brought an unbelievable change to a lot of people’s lives at that time and it’s stored in the memories of so many different people,” Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said.
“The passion of the supporters — I think they’ll want to relive that.”
Premiership captain Tom Harley is expected to fly down for the occasion before returning to Sydney for the Friday night clash against Hawthorn at the SCG.
Steve Johnson’s GWS Giants travel to Perth to play West Coast on Sunday and James Kelly’s Bombers take on Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.
Gary Ablett may have been a chance to take part had Gold Coast not been scheduled to play Melbourne in Alice Springs on Saturday.
While Nathan Ablett is a confirmed no-show, Cats officials have told the organisers to keep a seat vacant just in case he turns up unexpectedly.
“There’s still a couple that we’re trying to get, some with club and media commitments, there’s still a couple we’re working through,” Cook said yesterday.
“We haven’t had any real knock backs, only two or three, so it’s going to be well-attended. Bomber (Thompson) is coming.”
Paul Chapman and Cameron Mooney will balance their game-day media commitments, while Channel 7 has relieved Cameron Ling of his commentary duties for the night.
The Cats were yesterday working out match-day logistics that would allow current assistant coaches Corey Enright and Matthew Scarlett to take part in the pre-game ceremony.