Wet track gives Cats advantage over Eagles
Geelong's famed home-ground advantage could become even bigger tomorrow night following Victoria's wettest week since the end of last season.
The Cats are renowned for playing well in the wet, with Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson consistently producing match-winning performances.
Rain has fallen throughout Victoria all week and isn't expected to ease for several days.
Youngster George Horlin-Smith said the Cats were accustomed to training and playing in slippery conditions.
"Maybe it does help us a little bit that it is our home ground and it is wet today," Horlin-Smith said after training yesterday.
"But I'm sure they'll (West Coast) adapt pretty quickly and hopefully so will we. There are a few guys who like playing in the wet.
"I'm sure both teams will get used to the conditions pretty quickly."
Geelong, West Coast and Hawthorn are the only unbeaten teams this year, the winner tomorrow night putting some space between themselves and the chasing pack.
The Cats have an imposing record at home. Since winning the 2007 premiership, the Cats have won 44 of their past 46 matches at Simonds Stadium.
Their only defeat on home soil last year was at the hands of Fremantle in the second qualifying final.
The Eagles haven't won in Geelong since their dramatic come-from-behind effort in 2006 and haven't played at the venue since 2010 when they were comfortably beaten.
It will be West Coast's first game under lights in Geelong.
Horlin-Smith said the Cats relished playing at home but downplayed the advantage.
"It's exciting playing at home," Horlin-Smith said.
"You've got a home crowd and a lot of Geelong supporters.
"But I think most teams have played here in the last couple of years so they understand the ground dimensions and that sort of stuff.
"I'm not sure if it plays a huge role come game day."
West Coast ruckman Dean Cox breaks the club's games-played record at Simonds Stadium, but Horlin-Smith denied the achievement gave the Eagles an edge.
