A Geelong team widely regarded as one of the greatest in AFL history has been lighting up the AFL for the last seven years.
Now a similar claim can finally be made on behalf of the club’s home ground.
Simonds Stadium has become the last regularly-used venue in the competition to be fitted out for night football – with the new $10 million light towers in use for the first time in match conditions on Saturday night when the Cats host improving Gold Coast.
The lights are part of the latest redevelopment of what is now arguably the best regional sporting venue in Australia, which boasts an increased capacity of 33,600.
The 73m high towers dominate the Geelong skyline, rising above the spire of nearby St Mary’s church.
The return of former club great Gary Ablett in the red and yellow of the Suns will only add to the sense of occasion before a sellout crowd.
Having succeeded the Brownlow medallist in the Cats’ No.29 guernsey, emerging defender Cameron Guthrie has something of a special link with Ablett, even though he was drafted by Geelong after the inaugural Suns skipper headed north.
“At the start I probably wouldn’t have chosen the number because he was such a great player but now I’m more than happy to have taken it on,” the 20-year-old Guthrie told AAP.
“Hopefully I can make it my own from now.
“He left the year before I got here so there’s not too much of a personal connection for me.
“But he’s one of the very best players in the comp, so the boys really like getting out there and comparing themselves to Gary.
“Everyone is really looking forward to it and there’s a real buzz around the club.”
After playing 18 senior games last year, Guthrie has continued to improve in 2013, with Saturday night’s clash against Gold Coast his sixth in a row at the top level in a powerhouse side boasting an 8-1 win-loss record.
Guthrie’s arrival at the Cattery coincided with that of coach Chris Scott, who is also mindful of how pivotal Ablett is to the Suns.
“Gary is a much loved figure in Geelong and certainly within out footy club we’ve got a lot of respect for the player he has been, not only as a Geelong person, and the levels he’s taken his game to since he left,” he said.
“We’re hoping we can somehow limit him this week. But it’s a big ask.”
Scott said every player on the Cats’ list was desperate to be part of Saturday night’s history-making match in a city so closely associated with its football club.
“Our players have a record of performing well on the big stage,” he said.
“This is a slightly different stage – but it’s big nonetheless.”
