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Port Melbourne v Geelong Sunday 23rd April TEAC Oval at 2.00pm [b]Port Melbourne[/b] B Obst Pinwill Morrison HB Cotchett Milhuissen McMahon C Nahas Lawrence Shaw HF Bloomfield M. Smith Hooker F Becker Pitt Alexander R W. Carlyle Hazell Nayna Int Cheevers Cain Evans Peel McGlynn Monteath Johnstone Pleming [b]Geelong[/b] B Sheringham S. Hunt Cook HB Clarke Spencer Trenfield C Riccardi Byrne Mackie HF Rudd McCarthy Gamble F Grima West Owen R Blake Stokes Prismall Int N. Butler Torney Hillier Cheep Lovick Davenport Forbes R. Butler [b]From the Geelong website[/b]: http://gfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=vfl&spg=display&articleid=258797 [quote]Bendigo Bank Cats face Port 2:33:41 PM Wed 19 April, 2006 Nick Wade gfc.com.au The Bendigo Bank Cats head into their round three clash with Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Sunday determined to replicate the winning form that last weekend saw them kick-start their season with a morale-boosting win over Coburg. Added incentive for the Cats is the tantalising prospect that a convincing win on Sunday would see them propelled from ninth place to potential top eight entrenchment - the first time in over a season. They take on a Port Melbourne side who has dismembered itself from any AFL entity – desperately seeking to open its account in 2006, after its campaign all but stalled on the starting grid following two successive losses in the first two rounds, including an eleven goal loss to Sandringham in round one. After last week surging back from a sizable third quarter deficit to lose by seven points against the Casey Scorpions, it seems the only thing preventing Port Melbourne from making a solid fist of the match against the Cats is its inexperienced list. With a Port Melbourne backline that is susceptible to pressure and experience, Tom Lonergan, who has heralded his football capabilities on the field in emphatic style over the opening weeks, could continue on his scintillating form as he pushes for a senior’s recall. Throw into the mix the presence of AFL-rookie Todd Grima, the uncanny abilities of Nathan Ablett and the meticulous work rate of diminutive forward Matthew Stokes, and the forward line prowess appears formidable. The Cats’ defenders, however, will have their work cut out for them nullifying the dangerous forward line contingent of Tim Hazell and David Pitt, who last week combined to snare nine of Port Melbourne’s seventeen goals. Through the engine room, the Cats will be again looking to the admirable service of Brent Prismall and captain James Byrne to give drive out of the middle and around the ground. The ramifications of the AFL side’s loss at the weekend, in particular the question marks over player availability due to injury, will mean that some VFL match winners may find themselves lining up on Saturday at the Telstra Dome against the Bulldogs. It opens the door for Leigh Tudor and his men to throw some of the club’s latest talent on the supplementary list into the heat of battle, as they attempt to forge their reputation as classy VFL footballers for the Geelong Football Club. Josh Rudd will be out to make an impact against his old side, playing an instinctive brand of football that has endeared him to plaudits over the preseason. Rob Hillier, who foreshadowed his talent in the practice matches with some impressive football, will be looked upon to prove his worth in a match that could ultimately define the Cats’ fate in 2006. Long serving VFL-veteran Adam Cook, rapidly approaching his 50th VFL match, will be looking to launch his season with a bang after relatively quiet performances by his lofty standards so far this year. The action for this round three encounter between Port Melbourne and the Bendigo Bank Cats gets under way at 2.00pm at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne on Sunday.[/quote]