Geelong: 2014 Season Preview

[Jon Douglas]

Yep Daws to be there not Hamish.

SJ midfield for sure.

Now Vardy is gone Mitch Brown is likely.

I am a bit sus on THunt - and maybe Kersten.

However the best news that could come from all these injuries is Brown and Kersten get chances and prove to be the goods. This could apply to GHS as well.

 

[David the Cat]

Based on the Alice Springs game, THunt will play.

 

[Strangled Cat]

All my cousins are through my uncle.
That's what my aunt says anyway, and she's sticking to it.

LOL!

 

[Partridge]

Yep Daws to be there not Hamish.

SJ midfield for sure.

Now Vardy is gone Mitch Brown is likely.

I am a bit sus on THunt - and maybe Kersten.

However the best news that could come from all these injuries is Brown and Kersten get chances and prove to be the goods. This could apply to GHS as well.

Interesting quote from Chris Scott in the Geelong Addy today:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-unlikely-saviour-for-cats-forward-stocks/story-fnjuhrxq-1226843397918

Cats coach Chris Scott said Brown had done everything asked of him over the sixth pre-season of a career that has only produced 10 AFL matches.
“To be frank, even if Vardy were fit, we would have Mitch Brown in our best 22 right at the moment,” Scott said.
“That’s not a guarantee for Mitch for Round 1, but things are looking good."

Exactly what I would want a coach to say. Your place isn't set in stone, but while you continue to play as you are, you're in. Good recognition for obviously a good pre-season on the track, and now some good form on the field.

I'd say with McIntosh they may want more games under his belt. Reasonable strategy you'd think. Most encouraging thing was he hasn't forgotten how to play the game.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Interesting quote from Chris Scott in the Geelong Addy today:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/mitch-brown-unlikely-saviour-for-cats-forward-stocks/story-fnjuhrxq-1226843397918

Cats coach Chris Scott said Brown had done everything asked of him over the sixth pre-season of a career that has only produced 10 AFL matches.
“To be frank, even if Vardy were fit, we would have Mitch Brown in our best 22 right at the moment,” Scott said.
“That’s not a guarantee for Mitch for Round 1, but things are looking good."

Exactly what I would want a coach to say. Your place isn't set in stone, but while you continue to play as you are, you're in. Good recognition for obviously a good pre-season on the track, and now some good form on the field.

I'd say with McIntosh they may want more games under his belt. Reasonable strategy you'd think. Most encouraging thing was he hasn't forgotten how to play the game.

The coach's "best 22" is becoming an even bigger joke - and even more frustrating - than Balme's "1 to 2 weeks".

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

The coach's "best 22" is becoming an even bigger joke - and even more frustrating - than Balme's "1 to 2 weeks".

I'm not sure why. Brown has been one of Geelong's best 22 performers so far this preseason. He's probably been one of the best 15.

 

[Partridge]

I'm not sure why. Brown has been one of Geelong's best 22 performers so far this preseason. He's probably been one of the best 15.

Pretty much. Based on what we've seen in the 2 NAB Challenge matches, the first two forwards you would name would be Hawkins and Brown without a second's hesitation. If they continue the output of those games for the season, that's potentially 110 goals between. You think we'd take that? I reckon we might (I'm looking at 60 for Hawkins and 30 for Brown as far more reasonable, but you never know, the signs are encouraging).

The best 22 is September 2013 is very unlikely to still be the best 22 of March 2014. And right now there are already some definite alterations.

 

[vinum coupe]

The best 22 is September 2013 is very unlikely to still be the best 22 of March 2014. And right now there are already some definite alterations.

Yeah but that's easy

Pods, J Hunt, Corey, Vardy, Christensen, Motlop are all out

 

[Partridge]

Obviously looked way off the pace but I can't imagine he would play round 1, looks a couple months away from being able to run out a game so like they did on Friday night, get him in round 2 or 3, play him for only 40-50 minutes and then sub him out and continue to do so while clocking up his game time.
They may even manage him in the VFL sporadically during the first half of the season, the tempo and scrutiny is not like AFL so he could build on things there as well.

Either way, you'd imagine our goal is to have him running at top pace come August.

Something along those lines. I reckon play a fair chunk of the North game, then get 1-2 VFL games under his belt, then reassess. Of course we would and should give Simpson a break every 5th or 6th game depending on the opposition, so in those instances go in with McIntosh and Blicavs. Gives them all game time.

 

[Partridge]

Yeah but that's easy

Pods, J Hunt, Corey, Vardy, Christensen, Motlop are all out

The last 3 wouldn't be out, but the nice thing is at least a couple of others are forcing their way in.

 

[manboob]

I know I sound like a broken record but they will play Hamish for the first 3 quarters then sub him for some run and carry.

 

[Partridge]

I know I sound like a broken record but they will play Hamish for the first 3 quarters then sub him for some run and carry.

They might sub him for Simpson to go solo the last quarter too once his fitness is there. He looked good the other night too.

That means we might actually be competitive in hitouts for the entire match. That would be a novelty.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I know I sound like a broken record but they will play Hamish for the first 3 quarters then sub him for some run and carry.

That could be the general plan for the season (and would make Blicavs even more vital), but I think McIntosh still has a long way to go to even get to that level of match fitness.

It was great to see him working to his advantages in the centre: cutting off Spencer's run at the ball on occasions, holding his ground and getting an easy flat footed hitout, while Spencer flew harmlessly early and got nowhere near it on others...promising signs.

 

[vinum coupe]

Obviously looked way off the pace but I can't imagine he would play round 1, looks a couple months away from being able to run out a game so like they did on Friday night, get him in round 2 or 3, play him for only 40-50 minutes and then sub him out and continue to do so while clocking up his game time.
They may even manage him in the VFL sporadically during the first half of the season, the tempo and scrutiny is not like AFL so he could build on things there as well.

Either way, you'd imagine our goal is to have him running at top pace come August.

There's always the VFL practice matches too.

Plenty of opportunities to get him fit.
As long as the body holds up of course !

 

[vinum coupe]

It has to be a mental thing Bobby.
I've got no doubt that Menzel has considered retiring.

And if he was at the club 10 years ago I reckon he would have.

 

[Partridge]

It has to be a mental thing Bobby.
I've got no doubt that Menzel has considered retiring.

And if he was at the club 10 years ago I reckon he would have.

I was pleasantly surprised at how he looked. Rusty sure but still knew to go to the right places and involved himself well at times. A very encouraging thing I noticed was the other players are more than happy to give both him and Simpson the ball. Anyone who plays a team sport knows if your teammates have doubts about you, you won't get the ball. Simpson in particular to me is remarkably agile for a guy that size.

 

[manboob]

He looks skinner than I remember him. At a guess it's to help reduce injuries and keep his pace up - he's no good to us a slow lumbering type. Like you Bobby I can't wait to see how they go when they've blown the cobwebs out.

 

[witsend]

Interesting thoughts from CS on Ballroom. We often discuss in here the merits and perils of having Daws, Macintosh and Blicavs in the one team as being too top heavy, but CS says Ballroom is 6'8" and the best runner at the club (possibly the AFL), so it's really not so much of a problem. Maybe they play both rucks and sub one out for a mid at 3/4 time, leaving Blicavs on the wing to pinch hit in the ruck late when all the other rucks are knackered?

 

[manboob]

Will be interesting to see if they sub him on at 3/4 time as some mad cap running ruckman in the last.
He's also great at 3rd ups.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Will be interesting to see if they sub him on at 3/4 time as some mad cap running ruckman in the last.
He's also great at 3rd ups.

I still think he's got work to do to justify his spot before they sub a ruckman out though.

 

[manboob]

I still think he's got work to do to justify his spot before they sub a ruckman out though.

No doubt - that's partly the MC's problem though they need to decide where he's best suited. I quite like him on the way floating between the 50's taking marks down back and up forward where required.

 

[Partridge]

Interesting thoughts from CS on Ballroom. We often discuss in here the merits and perils of having Daws, Macintosh and Blicavs in the one team as being too top heavy, but CS says Ballroom is 6'8" and the best runner at the club (possibly the AFL), so it's really not so much of a problem. Maybe they play both rucks and sub one out for a mid at 3/4 time, leaving Blicavs on the wing to pinch hit in the ruck late when all the other rucks are knackered?

The problem is the praise is focused a lot on his stamina - and that's fair enough - but he needs to justify his position on football ability too. If he's not playing in the ruck (and he wouldn't be until very late in the game if both Simpson and McIntosh are playing), he's going to need to get a lot more than 10 touches a game. If he is a ruckman, he's going to need to be much more competitive in hitouts.

 

[Partridge]

No doubt - that's partly the MC problem though they need to decide where he's best suited. I quite like him on the way floating between the 50's taking marks down back and up forward where required.

He took 2 marks against Collingwood and 0 against Melbourne. The big problem is which midfielders do you prefer him to? Because if he's in the 22 you're keeping a genuine midfielder out.

 

[radiojake]

Got my ticket for the Round 1 clash against your mob and looking forward to it - Never been to Kardinia Park before so I'm sure I'll enjoy the experience whichever way the game goes. Hopefully it's a close one, with J-Pod kicking a sealer late in the 4th Quarter

Good luck this season and see some of you in 17 days - I'll be the clown wearing an old Crows jumper up the top in the Ablett stand

 

[witsend]

The problem is the praise is focused a lot on his stamina - and that's fair enough - but he needs to justify his position on football ability too. If he's not playing in the ruck (and he wouldn't be until very late in the game if both Simpson and McIntosh are playing), he's going to need to get a lot more than 10 touches a game. If he is a ruckman, he's going to need to be much more competitive in hitouts.

Mind you his disposal efficiency and agility is amazing for someone still learning the game. As he finds his role I expect he will be a mid-teens possession winner, pinch-hitting in the ruck. It means HMac can afford to drift forward more and not have to work back so hard.