Geelong plots fast to defeat Lions

THE breakdown of how Geelong plans to dismantle the Brisbane Lions midfield in the preliminary final began before the Lions had even won their semi-final.

Cats midfielder Cam Guthrie watched Brisbane overrun Melbourne on Friday night from the couch, but a contingent of Geelong coaches went along to the MCG to scout the game, with Guthrie straight on the phone to midfield coach Shaun Grigg as the game was playing out.

Even before the siren had sounded and Brisbane was through to the preliminary final, the Cats pair were deep in thought about how to take over stoppages come Friday.

“The coaches went along and I was messaging Shaun

Grigg at halftime, he was telling me what he was seeing,” Guthrie said. “Just stoppage set ups, that is probably where the game is won and lost. At least as a midfielder, that’s what I think. (The Lions) have been really good at it all year and they have some impressive midfielders so I think it will be a good battle.”

Guthrie got through the qualifying final win over Collingwood in typically tough fashion, after picking up a shoulder knock in round 23.

He admitted the timing “wasn’t ideal” but he was at full strength for the rest of the finals campaign.

“It wasn’t ideal, round 23 in a year that I have got through pretty much unscathed,” Guthrie said.

“It was bad timing but I guess that is footy. You can’t wrap yourself in cotton wool, but I am really good to go.”

Having had the pre-finals bye week off and another break after the qualifying final, the Cats run the risk of entering the cutthroat Lions clash underdone, but Guthrie said the training would see Geelong in good shape for Friday night.

“Our training has been really thorough, really solid, really organised,” he said.

“I think that week before finals has been a good one for us to refresh our bodies. (The extra time off) is not an issue, at least from my point of view.”