BIG NIGHT AHEAD FOR SMITH
Murphy to get their team going at stoppages, so it would be surprising to see Selwood not stand the South Australian for significant periods of the match.
The Mark Blicavs injury means both Smith and Selwood will need to carry a greater workload given the 198cm utility has chipped in as both a ruckman and a tagger throughout 2017.
Blicavs would have been the perfect foil to counter Kreuzer’s ability to cover the ground and provide an aerial presence, so Smith must get on his bike and ensure that the Blues’ big man is not free to take uncontested marks in dangerous areas.
Carlton is well aware that Kreuzer holds the key to its chances against the Cats, with assistant Dale Amos saying the winner of the clearance battle will have a significant advantage during the night.
“The shining light for us through there — and obviously Gibbsy has had a fantastic year and Marc Murphy as well — but Matthew Kreuzer’s form gives us a level of confidence that we’ll at least get a bit of a look around the stoppages,” Amos said.
“But we understand their depth with two really solid ruckmen as well as their midfield depth with Dangerfield, Selwood, Mitch Duncan and (Sam) Menegola.
“There are a lot of guys who rotate through there so we’re fully aware of that and that is going to be a key part of the game.”
If Smith can give first use of the ball to his midfielders, and help reverse the clearance count in his team’s favour, Geelong will be in the box seat to claim its 12th win for the year and maintain its place in the top two of the AFL ladder. EMG: TV RADIO IN OUT NEW MILESTONE