https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/dynamic-partnership-ready-to-take-on-the-world/3655136/ TOUCH FOOTBALL: Honoured and surprised, the Geiger clan is ready to take on the world. Talented duo Katie and Matt Geiger will pull on the green and gold for Australia at the 2019 World Cup in Malaysia this April, in what will be the former's first foray on the international stage. Katie will represent the 35 years women's side, while husband Matt will duke it out with the best over-35 men. "It was an honour to make the top 30, there's a lot of talented girls I've played against for years,” she said. Coming off a women's State of Origin appearance for Queensland, Katie said she was preparing for a highly physical tournament - particularly from their New Zealand counterparts.
She said the leniency of touches provided at the highest level would make controlling the speed of the ruck, in attack and defence, crucial to the team's success. "It's up to the attacker with the ball to really brace themselves and get into a better position not to be pushed off the ball as you try to control the roll ball and ruck area,” she said. "It all comes down to half a second, touch is so fast these days and your elite players are so quick - that's all it takes to be beaten.” Despite the high quality of opposition they will encounter, Geiger is confident the Australian side have what it takes to go deep in the tournament. Given her partner tasted success at the 2011 World Cup, Katie said there was no one better for her to bounce ideas off. The pair will be joined by fellow Mackay product Rob Vella, with the trio representing the rise of touch football in the region. Katie said the talent in the Sugar City was no longer an under-card to their Townsville and Rockhampton rivals. "I think (it's great) the confidence that Mackay have to say we are just as good,” she said. "Yes, we're a smaller competition but we've got some real weapons in Mackay and when we put our minds to it we can match it with anyone.”
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November 2019
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