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Two underrated Cats highlighted as potential keys to Cat’s crowning glory

The stars will come to play this weekend, but can a versatile pair be the deciding factor for Geelong?

Published by
Harry Playford

The the biggest day on the AFL calendar looms, with the grand final set to be an instant classic of all-time after a thrilling finals series.

Geelong enter the last weekend of September as red-hot favourites to extend their winning streak into a 16th game as they look to win their first premiership since 2011.

As excitement builds, Mitch Keating and Jake Benoiton have identified two players to watch out for in the big dance on Zero Hanger TV.

Despite the likes of Tom Stewart, Jeremy Cameron, Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins having brilliant years to date, the pair highlighted two less notorious players they believe the Cats can least afford to lose.

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Benoiton argued that Mitch Duncan's unique ability to control a game from start to finish with his wide skillset and poise makes him the player Geelong can least afford to lose.

"The game's always decided in the midfield really and these two midfields will hit hard all day, but what can go when the fatigue comes is the skills and the decision making," he stated.

"Mitch Duncan's don't. That's one thing he just holds supreme for four quarters.

"If he can do that it will go a long way to Geelong winning the game because he can dictate the game."

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Mitch Duncan of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round six AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at Simonds Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Benoiton further highlighted how Duncan can control the game from different positions around the ground.

"Whether he does that from the wing, whether he does that from half-back, he can control that football and he can dictate the tempo which I think is such an underrated skill that he has."

Keating, however, took a different approach and was bullish about how important the versatility of Mark Blicavs is to Geelong's structure.

"I think [the player Geelong can least afford to lose] is Mark Blicavs," he said

"He [Chris Scott] can really just give him a role and he'll play to that role."

"If you lose a [Sam] De Koning, if you lose a Stewart, you lose a [Jack] Henry, you've got a Mark Blicavs.

"You lose a Hawkins or a Cameron you've got a Mark Blicavs. If you lose [Rhys] Stanley you've got one.

"If you lose a Selwood or [Patrick] Dangerfield he's there, he's in the midfield, he can ruck, he can play down back."

Benoiton and Keating agreed that Blicavs will likely start the game in the middle although he may not have a specific stopping role at the first bounce.

WATCH: 2022 AFL Grand Final - Who wins and why?
WATCH: How disciplined Swans can restrict runaway Cats

Published by
Harry Playford