Spots Up for Grabs

[forrrestGump]

given that scarlett and stokes will come into this squad
there is pressure on places in this squad

varcoe and prissa would be under threat
any thoughts

and prissa was ordinary tonight before the bandwagon begins

[someday-somehow]

given that scarlett and stokes will come into this squad
there is pressure on places in this squad

varcoe and prissa would be under threat
any thoughts

and prissa was ordinary tonight before the bandwagon begins

for once I agree with you gump. Prissa didn't have his best night (although kicked a nice goal) and I was thinking to myself he needed to get back to the 1%'s that may last weeks game so good but still like Varcoa and West and Byrnes this guys still need to get some games into them.
I thought Tommy Lonergan has shown a bit though considering he's only played a handfull of games.

[catempire]

They'll just keep rotating the 25-26 or so players in contention through the team until finals, depending on who's fit, who needs a rest and who needs to be given a chance.

Varcoe was very quiet tonight and would be the obvious one to go out for Stokes.

Prismall is on the fringe and had a quiet-ish night tonight (certainly not "ordinary") but there's no need to drop him at this stage.

I don't expect Taylor to play every game once Scarlett's right. It will come down to him and Hunt depending on how many talls the opponent of the week has.

[iameviljez]

given that scarlett and stokes will come into this squad
there is pressure on places in this squad


When scarlett returns, Harry Taylor will be the most unlucky man on the planet.

[someday-somehow]

When scarlett returns, Harry Taylor will be the most unlucky man on the planet.
I have to agree....I keep asking myself "how good is this guy", seriously good pickup.

[forrrestGump]

for once I agree with you gump. Prissa didn't have his best night (although kicked a nice goal) and I was thinking to myself he needed to get back to the 1%'s that may last weeks game so good but still like Varcoa and West and Byrnes this guys still need to get some games into them.
I thought Tommy Lonergan has shown a bit though considering he's only played a handfull of games.

tommy does, but his goal kicking is very ordinary
would like him, gamble and hawkins rolled into one

[someday-somehow]

tommy does, but his goal kicking is very ordinary
would like him, gamble and hawkins rolled into one

No...I reckon that's more nerves...he's actually a pretty good kick

[forrrestGump]

No...I reckon that's more nerves...he's actually a pretty good kick

agree, but they might try taylor up forward

[DanA]

I have to say Harry Taylor has very good footskills and is playing some good football but Scarlett and Stokes have to come in.

Personally I think two of;
Varcoe, Wojak, Prismall, Mackie and Taylor will be forced to make way. Personally I like what Varcoe brings to the table and Wojak and Mackie are locks for me, so I would probably drop Prismall and Taylor.

Very harsh on Prismall though

[Duskfire]

Taylor is a replacement for Egan. Him and Scarlett have played most of the season together to date; there is no reason that he would be automatically dropped once Scarlett comes back. The game against North where he was dropped showed how much we missed him.

Prismall out for Scarlett
Varcoe out for Stokes

Thats our best 22 right there - minus Egan of course and possibly Hawkins.

[Casey Cat]

given that scarlett and stokes will come into this squad
there is pressure on places in this squad

varcoe and prissa would be under threat
any thoughts

and prissa was ordinary tonight before the bandwagon begins

I wouldn't call 21 possessions and a goal "ordinary".

However, I do think Varcoe (10 possession, 2 goals, 8 tackles) and Prismall are in danger. Someone has to go out for Scarlett and Stokes would be an automatic selection these days, you'd think.

It's going to be very tough on someone.

[Ricketts]

Meh, there'll be little injuries all the time, so that's what will determine selection.

Scarlett in for Prismall would be the one i'd do.
Not omitting Varcoe, Stokes can either wait or hope there's an injury.

[forrrestGump]

although bartel could be rested
he seems like he has op

[DanA]

although bartel could be rested
he seems like he has op

I'd think we should definately consider giving Bartel some time off. He is not right at them moment and I'd like him at his best for the Dogs and Hawks games.

[Rubberducky]

I think Taylor stepped it up a bit tonight and doesn't need to step it up a little more to really cement a spot for himself.

But between him, Pris, Wojak and Varcoe there is going to be some real pressure for spots, even that next level will come under pressure but it can only be a good thing for the team...

I'd think players will miss games if they're not 100% but I also think we'll take 1 or 2 players into the big games against the Dogs and Hawks to really see what they can offer against the best competition.

I honestly think the 18th-26th best players at the club this year are head and shoulders better than in 2007, it's amazing what one year can do for a club.

[rizzo]

Surprised Mackie hasn't been mentioned. Harry wasn't affraid to run off his man today so i think he could play mackie's role in our team.

Out: Mackie + Trav
In: Scarlo + Stokes

[Scarlett Fever]

I'd give Stokesy 1 or 2 in the magoos. A very good player who deserves a game and will be in the side when it counts BUT seems to play his very best when fighting for his spot. Has dropped off marginally since securing his spot.

[CatmanForever]

we have a bye next week so let's not get ahead of ourselves in regards to ins/outs for the next game. We play adelaide at AAMI stadium in 2 weeks so I am sure they will pick a team that suits that game.

[Casey Cat]

Surprised Mackie hasn't been mentioned. Harry wasn't affraid to run off his man today so i think he could play mackie's role in our team.

Out: Mackie + Trav
In: Scarlo + Stokes

Mackie had 25 possessions and a goal. You thinking of someone else? :confused:

[crosby123]

Surprised Mackie hasn't been mentioned. Harry wasn't affraid to run off his man today so i think he could play mackie's role in our team.

Out: Mackie + Trav
In: Scarlo + Stokes
Mackie killed it today. Hansen barely touched it, while Mackie was able to run off at will. Was very good last week as well, not quite sure why you would even consider dropping him.

[Duskfire]

Mackie has been awesome the past couple of weeks. Why drop him?

It would be good to rest bartel, however as mentioned we do get the week break, and the Adelaide game is the sort of game Bartel would typically get heavily involved in and kick ass in. Not sure if that would be the right week to give him a rest. Maybe if he is still sore after the break,, a bit of a rest against the Dockers?

[BlueOyster]

although mackie annoys me a little by getting kicks smoothered, the last 2 weeks he has been in the best few players. last week against port he was probably best on ground. scarlett will come in for sure, stokes im not too sure about although it seems bomber has a lot of love for the little fella.

[catswhiskers]

Mackie is shaping up as a key player for mine. He is the one I feel has the goods to go with and hurt Franklin. His work on Hansen a hard running, mark on the lead player was outstanding last night. Hansen had had 3 weeks in the WAFL to work up match fitness but he was no match. Mackie was at every marking contest to spoil and continually got off him to get involved in forward moves.

Franklin plays the same game as Hansen (but is more talented). He is not a big pack mark. Mackie could go with him and make him pay because Franklin does not have a defensive side.

Mackie stays in.

[forrrestGump]

Surprised Mackie hasn't been mentioned. Harry wasn't affraid to run off his man today so i think he could play mackie's role in our team.

Out: Mackie + Trav
In: Scarlo + Stokes

my only problem with taylor is that he gets pushed off the ball too easily at times

and for the minute it seems like blake is trying to man up around the ground, good effort

[rizzo]

my only problem with taylor is that he gets pushed off the ball too easily at times

and for the minute it seems like blake is trying to man up around the ground, good effort

Was impressed with blake last night. He really needed to make a stand after what happened to him last time a subi. He just didn't let Cox do what he wanted, something the Blake has a tendency to do with other rucks.

In Regards to Mackie - Its not hard to stop a bloke when the ball comes in bugger all times. I wasn't saying that it will happen, or i want it to happen but it takes the conversation away from likely people to be dropped. Ie: Hunt, Varcoe, Prismall and Byrnes. It gets tiresome talking about the same players.

Also keep in mind Taylor had identical stats playing a different role to Mackie.

[Badtemperedbadger]

There is one thing I suspect and it was revealed by Stokesy himself in an interview earlier this year. he mentioned that in the euphoria of the grand Final win last year he missed an appointment with the surgeon to check his knee. He admitted he has had a couple of problems with it, which is not surprising when you consider the trauma done to it (i know as I have wrecked my own knee). Not suggesting his knee is in really bad shape but perhaps he needs more time or an arthroscope (miss a few weeks) to be right at the end of the season.

[sammy the cat]

No chance Mackie will be dropped, he is able to play both an attacking half back option and has shown with scarlo out that he can to a certain degree play key back. Last time we played Hawthorn, Mackie played on buddy and did a farely good job he'll be given first crack in round 17.

IN Scarlett and Stokes

OUT Varcoe and depending on opposition Taylor or Prismall

[The rabbi]

although mackie annoys me a little by getting kicks smoothered, the last 2 weeks he has been in the best few players. last week against port he was probably best on ground. scarlett will come in for sure, stokes im not too sure about although it seems bomber has a lot of love for the little fella.


If Bomber does love him it is not without good reason. Stokes works hard for the ball and is prepared to get in and under. Varcoe should never be in the side at Stokes expense. Varcoe does not win enough of his own ball in my opinion.

[Duskfire]

If Bomber does love him it is not without good reason. Stokes works hard for the ball and is prepared to get in and under. Varcoe should never be in the side at Stokes expense. Varcoe does not win enough of his own ball in my opinion.

Completely agree. Varcoe has the potential to be good, but is probably a year or two away from being a truly good player. Stokes on the other hand has proven himself time and time again. Has had a quiet couple of weks true, but will hit his straps again when we need him the most. A forward line with Mooney, Chapman, Rooke and Stokes would have every defender quaking in their boots; thats alot of hard hitting bodies.

[Brasil2007]

Completely agree. Varcoe has the potential to be good, but is probably a year or two away from being a truly good player. Stokes on the other hand has proven himself time and time again. Has had a quiet couple of weks true, but will hit his straps again when we need him the most. A forward line with Mooney, Chapman, Rooke and Stokes would have every defender quaking in their boots; thats alot of hard hitting bodies.

I agree too - Trav spectates at times. When the ball is on the ground Varcoe tends to wait for someone else to get it - not something you could accuse Stokesy of. I've never seen a little guy go in as hard as Stokes.

[Reg Hickey]

tommy does, but his goal kicking is very ordinary

Lonergan is the best kick for goal on our list.

Has shown some nerves last couple of weeks, but over time will be Ling-like in his conversion, especially from set shots inside 50.

[My5t3r10u5]

I wasn't saying that it will happen, or i want it to happen but it takes the conversation away from likely people to be dropped. Ie: Hunt, Varcoe, Prismall and Byrnes. It gets tiresome talking about the same players.

Ok, I suggest we drop Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.:rolleyes:

Isn't the whole point about who is likely to be dropped? What is the point talking about people that are not going to be dropped? If you want to discuss how Mackie is going then by all means start a thread on that but don't suggest he's going to be dropped on a thread that is trying to discuss legitimate contenders to make way for Scarlett and Stokes.

[rizzo]

Ok, I suggest we drop Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.:rolleyes:

Isn't the whole point about who is likely to be dropped? What is the point talking about people that are not going to be dropped? If you want to discuss how Mackie is going then by all means start a thread on that but don't suggest he's going to be dropped on a thread that is trying to discuss legitimate contenders to make way for Scarlett and Stokes.

Because there is no one likely to be dropped. Going on current form no one should be from our 22. Mackie is just as legitimate to be dropped as players like Hunt (Career best form) and Taylor.

just suggesting if we were to drop/rest mackie harry could easily cover him in the same role mackie plays..

[Glassjaw]

Mackie has been awesome the past couple of weeks. Why drop him?

Whilst I don't think he should be dropped, he's had some shocking turnovers this year.

I wouldn't call 21 possessions and a goal "ordinary".

Stats wise it looks like a decent game, but you have to bear in mind 17 of those 21 disposals plus that goal were accumulated AFTER we were already up by 100 points. So that was 4 touches in 2 and half quarters, then plenty more when the game was dead and buried.

[catempire]

Stats wise it looks like a decent game, but you have to bear in mind 17 of those 21 disposals plus that goal were accumulated AFTER we were already up by 100 points. So that was 4 touches in 2 and half quarters, then plenty more when the game was dead and buried.

Was he standing around scratching his arse in the first half or was he on the bench for most of it? :rolleyes:

[Cattery]

Was he standing around scratching his arse in the first half or was he on the bench for most of it? :rolleyes:

73% of game time on the field according to the Sun, so that's at least a full quarter on the pine, think even Gaz would find it hard to get many possessions from outside the boundary.

[catempire]

73% of game time on the field according to the Sun, so that's at least a full quarter on the pine, think even Gaz would find it hard to get many possessions from outside the boundary.

Exactly. Aside from Ottens and Blake who alternated with each other, Prismall had the least TOG of any player.

He wasn't outstanding but he was fine in the time that he was on the ground.

[forrrestGump]

Costa aims to retain chief Cook
Caroline Wilson | June 24, 2008

GEELONG president Frank Costa has urged his long-time lieutenant Brian Cook not to quit the Cats for the new Gold Coast team, despite strong entreaties from the AFL, and revealed last night he would take his case to the league should Cook choose to take over the 17th club.

Costa said that the Geelong board had summoned Cook to a special meeting at Skilled Stadium after the round 12 Port Adelaide game nine days ago in a bid to convince the respected club chief executive to commit to the club for a further three years.

"I love the AFL but I worship the Geelong Football Club," Costa said.

"Brian asked for my permission to speak to the AFL and I didn't stand in his way. I would have been disappointed if they had ignored him but I don't want them to get him either.

"I've given Brian up until mid-July to make up his mind, I didn't want to step across Cookie's path but if he did talk about leaving I will go to the AFL because they face great challenges with this new Gold Coast team, but we have got an equally big challenge down here."

The Cats' board will meet again tomorrow night to discuss its strategy to retain Cook, which Costa described as "probably the club's No. 1 priority in 2008".

Cook, who has been attending his grandfather's funeral in Scotland, returns home on Thursday and will meet Costa and his directors before the weekend.

Cook is understood to have been approached by the AFL to consider the chief executive's role on the Gold Coast and he is a leading candidate on a list of potential chief executives the AFL wants to take over the team by the end of 2008.

Although the club will not make its AFL debut until 2011, a teenage team is expected to play in the TAC competition next year. Costa, who is serving the final term of his presidency, employed Cook from West Coast in the early days of rebuilding the club and took Cook aboard in early 1999.

Despite having eradicated a $5 million debt, overseeing a historic premiership last year and placed Geelong as a regional force in the expanded league with an enviable stadium deal, Costa said the Cats' future was far from secure.

The president pointed to the $30 million construction of the second stage of the Skilled Stadium redevelopment, scheduled to start in October and not completed until April 2010.

This is in addition to the Cats' soon-to-be-built convention centre at Point Cook, which begins construction at the end of July and is due to be finished by May 2009.

The Point Cook project will cost an estimated $13 million and once those two jobs have been completed, Costa has asked Cook to stay on to oversee the rebuilding of the northern side of Skilled Stadium, starting in 2011, which will increase the ground's capacity to 36,000.

"He's been with us for 10 years and I'm quietly confident we'll keep him," Costa said. "I say this in the best interests of the Geelong Football Club and in the best interests of Brian. As I explained to Cookie, we've got the right team and we need to keep it together."

Costa also stressed he was fighting to retain Cook's No. 2 Stuart Fox who was recently promoted by the club after missing out on the chief executive's position with Melbourne.

"I don't want to put any pressure on Brian and if it were not to go the way that we want we would accept it because we owe this man so much," Costa said.

"Everyone at the club has made Brian aware of how we feel. All I can say is that may the best organisation win and I've got a funny feeling it might just be the pussycats."


should have its own thread, but i have been carded

[Hinkley29]

my only problem with taylor is that he gets pushed off the ball too easily at times

and for the minute it seems like blake is trying to man up around the ground, good effort

Are you feeling ok forrrest? That comment must have hurt.

[stokes_magic]

taylor will stay in the 22, but not sure who gets dropped for scarlett and stokes.
properly prismal for stokes.

[forrrestGump]

Are you feeling ok forrrest? That comment must have hurt.
that was trying, didnt say he was successful:D

[ant0s]

Byrnes should never ever ever ever ever get a game ever again in the geelong colours... no arguments, hes ____in shit