Geelong’s Fab Four has the ability to destroy every rival but Mick Malthouse sees one vulnerability

REMEMBER Brisbane’s Fab Four? No other AFL club has had a midfield so rich in talent since. Until now. On Easter Monday, Geelong unleashes its own Awesome Foursome.

Geelong's Fab Four will be unleashed for the first time.

THE Fab Four, remember them?

I’m not talking about the Beatles (although they were good, too) I’m talking about the Brisbane Lions’ premiership midfield stars of 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Brownlow Medallists Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, and four-time All-Australian Nigel Lappin.

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Together, they were unstoppable.

No other AFL club has had a midfield so rich in talent since. Until now.

Against Hawthorn, Geelong unleashes its own brilliant Fab Four; Brownlow Medallists Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett, six-time All-Australian Joel Selwood, and I’m including Mitch Duncan because, as a hugely talented 160-game player, he can’t be overlooked.

Brisbane’s Fab Four Nigel Lappin, Jason Akermanis, Simon Black and Michael Voss. Picture: David Kapernick

Chris Scott would be rubbing his hands together as he prepares for Monday’s clash, at the potential this group holds to cause all sorts of damage.

That’s if — yes there is an “if” — they all play out their roles as instructed.

Hawthorn is not out of this game, not by a long shot.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Joel Selwood is the heart and soul of this Geelong team.

He wills his teammates over the line, while using every reserve in his own tank to play out the game. He is the man for Hawthorn to stop.

When Selwood is successfully tagged, Geelong suffers.

Liam Shiels could be the player the Hawks use through the midfield as a run with on the Geelong captain.

If Selwood is out of the match, it’s up to Patrick Dangerfield to win the game.

Patrick Dangerfield. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong captain Joel Selwood.

Not only does he dominate in the centre and at the stoppages, if he is tagged, Dangerfield goes forward and puts pressure on the backline playing one-on-one out of the goalsquare.

In Round 17 last year against Hawthorn he kicked five goals doing just that.

I suspect Dangerfield will be the X-factor in this match, pushing up the ground.

Without Dangerfield (sidelined with injury) Geelong didn’t get the ball in their front 50 near enough last week, and Melbourne on balance did everything except win the game - 64 inside 50m to 41.

The Cats looked out of it but stayed in the game because of Selwood, and in the end were lucky that Max Gawn did not hit the target with his last kick.

Ablett will be better for a game under his belt - 39 possessions and a goal against the Demons was a good return.

But he looked rusty at times, and getting caught behind on one occasion made him seem tentative, perhaps because of his recent hamstring injury.

But an Ablett in any team spells danger, whether he rotates through the centre or goes forward where he is a recognised goalkicker.

Gary Ablett. Picture: Michael Klein

But the Demons were able to run off him too easily last week, and the Hawks run the ball very well out of the backline, so I see him spending more time in the middle.

Then there’s Duncan, a potential All-Australian who pops up just when you think you have the stars covered.

Among the top four ballgetters for the Cats in Round 1, alongside another young kid I like the look of in Tim Kelly, Duncan will need to back up Selwood and Ablett through the middle to deliver the ball inside 50m more, on their own terms.

The Geelong Fab Four has the talent to smash Hawthorn - and for that matter, any team - in the clearances, and going forward, but that doesn’t take into account the opposition.

Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell claimed an AFL-high 54 possessions last week, appearing to run around without anyone on him.

He’s proven time and again he is not to be underestimated, with a neat kick and his ability to bring his teammates into the game.

I think the Cats, with the Fab Four, can counter his influence though, and a tag wont be necessary.

Jaeger O’Meara has made some giant leaps in his football since overcoming a knee injury.

He was steady against Collingwood last week, and I expect he’ll again rack up the possessions.

If Hawthorn can tidy up its field kicking, he, like Mitchell, will become a danger player for the Hawks.

Tom Mitchell had 54 touches last week.

Jaeger O’Meara is improving at Hawthorn.

An interesting battle will be in the ruck. Ben McEvoy, with big stamina and a big heart, could have the edge over Rhys Stanley.

When Gawn went forward last week Zac Smith couldn’t stay with him, so Stanley will need to get on his bike to keep up with McEvoy every time he floats forward.

With Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson out, Geelong’s backline is still adequate to take on the small Hawthorn forward line, but it will be under pressure.

Jarryd Roughead is lacking half a yard at the moment, but the jewel for the Hawks is the return to form of Jack Gunston and Luke Breust.

The Cats’ backs will need to be on their game to cover them, especially if Cyril Rioli joins them in a form turnaround.

At the other end James Frawley needs a big game.

Oscar McDonald held Tom Hawkins goalless last week, so the big Cat will be fired up.

Hawkins, like the rest of the Geelong forward line, needs to lift in defensive pressure.

But with Daniel Menzel on song, and Dangerfield lurking near the goalsquare, the pressure will be right back on the Hawks backs.

Like every Geelong-Hawthorn clash, Monday’s battle will be epic. It will be fierce, it will be fast, and it will be close.

While only half of the supporters will be happy with the end result, I have a feeling no one will be disappointed by the efforts of the new Fab Four.