Hungry Cats satisfying

GEELONG set up a mouth-watering grand final match-up against St Kilda with an emphatic 73-point thrashing of Collingwood and delighted coach Mark Thompson with the hunger for the contest displayed throughout.

A relatively even first half gave way to a thoroughly lopsided second as the Cats tossed aside the Magpies like a toy. Thompson said the display augured well for next week's premiership decider.

"Our guys tonight were probably back to some of their best footy that they've played in a long time especially in that third quarter," Thompson said of the match played in slick conditions at the MCG.

"I think, in some part, we may have intimidated the Collingwood players a little bit in that third period and that helped set up that flow of goals that occurred."

The votes are already locked away for this year's Brownlow medal, but Geelong dynamo Gary Ablett showed why he is the deserved bookmakers' favourite heading into Monday's count with a pivotal 34-possession, two-goal performance.

"He was outstanding," Thompson said. "The thing about wet weather is sometimes you worry about the game being closer and messier, but it's amazing how the good players are still good players in the wet and sometimes become better players.

"He handled it outstandingly well."

Brad Ottens, Steve Johnson and Paul Chapman were also prominent after battling back from injuries that has seen all three out of action in recent times.

"We did have some severe problems in round 18, 19, 20 but I think that since then we've just done a lot right as far as the medical fitness and making brave decisions to play people at the right times.

"Credit to all the staff at the club to get those decisions right because they certainly helped us be a better team and they all played pretty well tonight."

Thompson felt it only fitting that the two teams that were clearly a cut above the rest all year had won the right to play off in the grand final.

He also predicted a very even game.

"We match up really well, we have a long rivalry, they're filled with talented players and so are we, they are a big, strong-bodied team, they play a physical game and so do we," he said.
  
"As a form guide, I think it's very even, it can go either way. They should respect us and we certainly respect them."

Mathew Stokes pulled out of Saturday night's team with groin soreness. Thompson applauded the small forward for putting the team first and hinted he may be rewarded with a grand final call-up.

"Stokesy is probably the one that deserves [a recall]," he said. "We think he's done the really selfless thing for the team and if he is right to play then he probably deserves to get a game, so there is one issue there.

"Ryan Gamble, Simon Hogan and Mumford have all made huge contributions during the year, but unless someone goes down ill or has back spasms it will probably be pretty unlikely they will play."