Welcome Harley Bennell (To make long awaited Dockers Debut!)

[masai]

How does that circumstance affect the objectivity of this decision made by your club?

Its academic, Mr Newman.

 

[masai]

Eagles mob are just terrified because they know Bennell is going to tear them a new one.

" Jetta continues his wake up Jeff routine out on the wing ".

 

[leungtl]

Its academic, Mr Newman.

I'm still dirty on my school for performing so poorly the year before, they didn't invite us back.

Same with A*Mazing. I had those letter placement routes memorised and poured solid hours into Mario Kart training...

 

[Kram]

Eagles mob are just terrified because they know Bennell is going to tear them a new one.

Yep bloke is potentially an A grade weapon. I kinda like how we are flying under the radar and the people that have mentioned Freo have for the most part just written us off for next year

 

[Dump Truck]

Yep bloke is potentially an A grade weapon. I kinda like how we are flying under the radar and the people that have mentioned Freo have for the most part just written us off for next year

They write us off every year, which seems to suit us. Every year we're meant to win the friggin thing we do terribly (2007, 2011)

 

[Deathly]

Imagine if the warrior can somehow break into the leadership group end of the 16/17 year. Would say a lot about his character and how he's changed. Wouldn't be possible without the help of SonSon you'd think.

 

[E Shed]

Yep bloke is potentially an A grade weapon. I kinda like how we are flying under the radar and the people that have mentioned Freo have for the most part just written us off for next year

I can sort of understand it. It feels a bit like we've peaked with this group and that other teams have gone past us particularly those like The Eagles and Richmond who have followed Hawthorns lead in dismantling the Lyon game-plan.
Most people admit we have a great midfield and are always a difficult proposition but the sense is that without any key forwards beyond an ageing Pav and the Lyon focus on defence we will struggle to kick winning scores especially when the whips are cracking in September.
Its not an unreasonable position, hell I'll be surprised if we finish top 4 next year.

 

[XXRL]

Pretty sure the Squiggle has us finishing 10th!

With our draw and, I hope, improvements to our game and ball movement, I'd be disappointed if we don't finish top 4 next year, although I acknowledge it's a definite possibility.

 

[Kram]

I can sort of understand it. It feels a bit like we've peaked with this group and that other teams have gone past us particularly those like The Eagles and Richmond who have followed Hawthorns lead in dismantling the Lyon game-plan.
Most people admit we have a great midfield and are always a difficult proposition but the sense is that without any key forwards beyond an ageing Pav and the Lyon focus on defence we will struggle to kick winning scores especially when the whips are cracking in September.
Its not an unreasonable position, hell I'll be surprised if we finish top 4 next year.

That's it mate, under the radar

 

[Freeeoo]

I seriously think this guy is a game changer for us. With an even break as far as injuries go, I'll be really surprised if we don't nail top four.

 

[yakamoto]

Anything less than top4 would be a big fail unless it's the end result of a particularly horrific run with injury.
I don't believe the game plan is the problem. It's the kicking skills stupid (Not you E Shed ).

 

[AAACockburn]

I can sort of understand it. It feels a bit like we've peaked with this group and that other teams have gone past us particularly those like The Eagles and Richmond who have followed Hawthorns lead in dismantling the Lyon game-plan.
Most people admit we have a great midfield and are always a difficult proposition but the sense is that without any key forwards beyond an ageing Pav and the Lyon focus on defence we will struggle to kick winning scores especially when the whips are cracking in September.
Its not an unreasonable position, hell I'll be surprised if we finish top 4 next year.

Massive changes with the interchange and sub rule next year.
Will be interesting.

 

[Arcassius]

We've been recruiting players with a large tank for a while now - we won't be able to sustain the manic pressure like we did in 2013, but we'll still be running out games well.

 

[Shadow Man]

I think we need to stop stressing about the key forward we might not have and adapt a game plan to suit the cattle we have got. If he can get fit and show some form, I wouldn't be against playing Yarran at full-forward in a small, quick forward line.

If Tabs steps up, even better but I still think Apeness will be 12 months away.

 

[Jezzitizle]

I can sort of understand it. It feels a bit like we've peaked with this group and that other teams have gone past us particularly those like The Eagles and Richmond who have followed Hawthorns lead in dismantling the Lyon game-plan.
Most people admit we have a great midfield and are always a difficult proposition but the sense is that without any key forwards beyond an ageing Pav and the Lyon focus on defence we will struggle to kick winning scores especially when the whips are cracking in September.
Its not an unreasonable position, hell I'll be surprised if we finish top 4 next year.

We had a hard draw last year and finished on top of the ladder. Our midfield will be the best in the comp next year, we finally have access to hawks ip. We were one all against the tigers and eagles last year. I think we will be top two again. Ive got a feeling our forward line is going to be more dangerous.

 

[MadDocker]

I'm confident we'll improve as a team. It's how much the other teams improve that might be the difference.

 

[Mr Peabody]

We've been recruiting players with a large tank for a while now - we won't be able to sustain the manic pressure like we did in 2013, but we'll still be running out games well.

That's an interesting point as it has been a stark change. I think you're suggesting it's a fitness change to enable us to run games out better. Seems to also be a tweak in the game plan to me as we're not as hell bent on pressuring the ball carrier these days but more focussed on defending the next recipient and thereby keeping more numbers behind the ball. More defensive in the flooding sense if so.

As an example, in the Hawks final, Mitchell had space to move and create which allowed them to retain possession and run us ragged in the second quarter. Not sure if we took the attitude to just allow it to happen or whether the Hawks manufactured the space but they got on top at that point. In 2013, we'd have gone all out to shut that down with a tag and team pressure on the ball carrier. It nearly worked back then...

 

[Van_Dyke]

We've been recruiting players with a large tank for a while now - we won't be able to sustain the manic pressure like we did in 2013, but we'll still be running out games well.

The cap really hurt us with that

They write us off every year, which seems to suit us. Every year we're meant to win the friggin thing we do terribly (2007, 2011)

2014 as well to an extent

 

[se17enteen]

Bennell will be the recruit of the year not Dangerfield, bookmark it.

 

[Inveigh Slang]

Imagine if the warrior can somehow break into the leadership group end of the 16/17 year. Would say a lot about his character and how he's changed. Wouldn't be possible without the help of SonSon you'd think.

I would hope that Son Son is in the leadership group before Harley Bennell. Son Son is a natural leader and I've seen it first hand. But yeah Bennell if he makes it in to the leadership group at some stage would be a great story and I'd be very happy for him.

 

[Purpletown]

Bennell will be the recruit of the year not Dangerfield, bookmark it.

Agree 100%. Danger is a great player and will remain a great player and while he will add a lot to Geelong he is now at the peak of his powers. I doubt many will be saying in 2016 that he has played better than they thought he could. Geelong are on the slide and for mine they have lost a few too many good players in the past couple of years to fully utilise Dangers talents to challenge for a flag.

Bennell on the other hand has a lot more unrealised upside as a player. If (and I believe he will) Bennell realises his potential in 2016 plenty of people will be saying he is a better player than they thought. He is giving every indication he has something to prove and seems highly motivated and disciplined so far. Freo finished on top of the ladder in 2015 and have only lost a few good players. Freo are within touching distance of challenging for a flag and Bennell at the peak of his powers will make that dream closer to realisation. Just dreaming here but.....pull that off with plenty from Bennell and he will be in the running for recruit of the decade.

I am not saying that Bennell will become a better player than Danger but Bennell at Freo will become a better player than Bennell at the Suns. He is dynamic enough to add some serious grunt around the ball and around the goals, add those two things to Freo and we should become a better team.

Bennell was a bargain compared to Danger and that must be part of the equation when judging the recruit of the year too.

 

[Mockcockpit]

I would hope that Son Son is in the leadership group before Harley Bennell. Son Son is a natural leader and I've seen it first hand. But yeah Bennell if he makes it in to the leadership group at some stage would be a great story and I'd be very happy for him.

If SonSon isn't in the leadership group for the 2016 season then the already dubious concept of having a leadership group will cease to have any meaning whatsoever.

 

[DMan 11]

Agree 100%. Danger is a great player and will remain a great player and while he will add a lot to Geelong he is now at the peak of his powers. I doubt many will be saying in 2016 that he has played better than they thought he could. Geelong are on the slide and for mine they have lost a few too many good players in the past couple of years to fully utilise Dangers talents to challenge for a flag.

Bennell on the other hand has a lot more unrealised upside as a player. If (and I believe he will) Bennell realises his potential in 2016 plenty of people will be saying he is a better player than they thought. He is giving every indication he has something to prove and seems highly motivated and disciplined so far. Freo finished on top of the ladder in 2015 and have only lost a few good players. Freo are within touching distance of challenging for a flag and Bennell at the peak of his powers will make that dream closer to realisation. Just dreaming here but.....pull that off with plenty from Bennell and he will be in the running for recruit of the decade.

I am not saying that Bennell will become a better player than Danger but Bennell at Freo will become a better player than Bennell at the Suns. He is dynamic enough to add some serious grunt around the ball and around the goals, add those two things to Freo and we should become a better team.

Bennell was a bargain compared to Danger and that must be part of the equation when judging the recruit of the year too.

Great post.
For mine, Bennell will be helped with Fyfe, Neale, Barlow and Mundy feeding him from stoppages.
He should have great service from our mids and a game plan designed to get him into space like we do with Hill, I think that will allow him to play more consistently at a high level, more so than the when he was at the Suns

 

[Inveigh Slang]

If SonSon isn't in the leadership group for the 2016 season then the already dubious concept of having a leadership group will cease to have any meaning whatsoever.

Do you have to nominate yourself for players to vote for you?

I hope Son Son replaces de Boer. Not that I have anything against Matt but he is fringe 22 IMO.

 

[Belnakor]

I hope Son Son replaces de Boer. Not that I have anything against Matt but he is fringe 22 IMO.

poor pose, average kick and not that quick. If we're going to be challenging for a flag, your bottom 6 is the key, and unfortunately MDB is right in the bottom 6. He either needs to improve or get chopped.