Geelong could play Sydney at home in a grand final rematch in the first week of September, Cam Mooney writes

With a pinch of luck, two wins and other favourable results, we could see a grand final rematch in week one of September, Cam Mooney writes.

Geelong’s upcoming match against St Kilda this Saturday night is the definition of season-defining.

It could be the first step of the Cats’ surge towards a premiership defence.

With a bit of luck, obviously two wins and other favourable results, the Cats can jump from 11th to a home final in the first week of September.

And one scenario would be a grand final rematch at GMHBA Stadium with Sydney.

Wouldn’t that be something?

After last September’s 81-point grand final flogging, and a draw in round 16 this season, there will be plenty of fire burning in the bellies of the Swans.

Isaac Smith celebrates a goal in the 2022 AFL grand final. Picture: Mark Stewart

As I’ve said several times in recent weeks, we’re witnessing the greatest finish to an AFL season in recent memory.

We’re essentially getting an extra few weeks of finals before the finals.

So where does it leave the Cats?

At the moment, it looks like seven clubs – from sixth to 12th – are vying for three positions, with Carlton sewing up fifth spot.

They are the form team of the competition and have the Gold Coast Suns on the road and GWS Giants at Marvel to come.

Surely they win at least one of those.

Meanwhile, Geelong have arguably the easiest run home for all of the seven contenders.

They face the gettable Saints at Marvel and then should get the chocolates against a flaky Western Bulldogs outfit the following round at home.

As mentioned, one scenario has the Cats finishing sixth, and with some of their best returning from injury (Tom Hawkins, Mark Blicavs, Cam Guthrie) and Jeremy Cameron approaching peak form, all of a sudden we’re a chance of replicating the Dogs of 2016.

It’s a decent launching pad.

Crucially, Cameron has been building towards his best over the past few weeks without fully hitting the scoreboard.

Jeremy Cameron kicked seven goals against Collingwood in round 22. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

He was well and truly back last Friday night against the Pies with seven goals.

When he’s up and flying, Jezza is the best player in the competition.

So that’s a huge tick.

However, of all the possible contenders, Sydney concerns me the most.

They’ve turned their season around by winning the past five in succession.

That being said, they have a tough run home against the Crows in Adelaide and Melbourne at the SCG.

A few rungs below them, however, the Giants may have hit a wall.

They did tremendously well to win seven in a row but have dropped the past two on the bounce and have Essendon at home and Carlton at Marvel to come.

They’ll have to win both to give themselves a chance but nobody is beating Carlton at the moment.

The Dogs keep finding a way to frustrate their supporters and have made a habit of losing the close ones.

Sydney has won its past five in a row. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Since early July, the Dogs have lost four close games by an average of 5.5 points.

There are question marks about their mental strength and top eight credentials.

While facing the Eagles this weekend will provide some relief, I can’t see them beating the Cats in the final round.

The Bombers are unlikely to win again this season with the Giants and Collingwood to come.

However, an outside chance is Adelaide, who have the Swans at home and the Eagles over in Perth, albeit with a diminished defence.

That all being said, the Cats simply have to turn up this Saturday night and get the job done.

The last thing you want to be doing is relying on other results going your way to remain in the hunt.

But considering the topsy turvy nature of the season, I’m sure there will be a few more surprises over the final two rounds.

Strap yourself in.

Originally published as Geelong could play Sydney at home in a grand final rematch in the first week of September, Cam Mooney writes