Our best 22 coming into finals

[year of the cat]

I think it would depend on who we played and the conditions (rain/sunshine) on the day.

For the Hawks, I reckon we'd play both Bews and Ruggles and probably Menegola and SSelwood (toughness and Experience and tagging Mitchell - instead of Cockatoo.

See, I'd play Cockatoo for his outside speed (he's pretty tough as well). I might be one of the few but I think Cockatoo is quite an important player for us. Not in the top 10 but certainly one I'd want to have fit and in form coming into finals. If we can have Motlop and him up and running when the weather improves we'll look far more dangerous.

Btw who would else would miss aside from Cockatoo from your team for the Hawks?

 

[you pick one]

I understand your view with regards to an extra midfield rotation, but I really like what Kersten brings to the side and would be keen to see him reinstated.

Also, fwiw, Kersten kicked 4 in the VFL just a few weeks ago, which is better than the 1 you've credited him at 'any level' ...

I'll have to work on my obsession, I'd completely forgot he'd been dropped

 

[Cursed Cat]

I'll have to work on my obsession, I'd completely forgot he'd been dropped

twice in a few weeks - I have him in my best 22, not sure the MC see things the same way though!

 

[Footy Smarts]

Cocky and Linc are also interesting case studies. Neither of them racks up big stats but their pressure is important. Can we keep both of them in the side in the hope one kicks 2-3 goals in a final?

It's interesting with those two that they definitely don't impact games consistently but I think their tenacity in tackling is something few others give. Against Freo when we were coming off 2 losses and were looking down the barrel of a 3rd it was those 2 who gave us a brutal 5-10 minutes which got us going again. I think when we're being outplayed and need a lift in intensity it's these two that are the ones who normally spark us.

 

[you pick one]

It's interesting with those two that they definitely don't impact games consistently but I think their tenacity in tackling is something few others give. Against Freo when we were coming off 2 losses and were looking down the barrel of a 3rd it was those 2 who gave us a brutal 5-10 minutes which got us going again. I think when we're being outplayed and need a lift in intensity it's these two that are the ones who normally spark us.

That number 35 isn't bad at that.

 

[Turbocat]

See, I'd play Cockatoo for his outside speed (he's pretty tough as well). I might be one of the few but I think Cockatoo is quite an important player for us. Not in the top 10 but certainly one I'd want to have fit and in form coming into finals. If we can have Motlop and him up and running when the weather improves we'll look far more dangerous.

Btw who would else would miss aside from Cockatoo from your team for the Hawks?

Cockatoo for now and tomorrow is a must play for mine. Its unlikely that you get big numbers from him but he appears to me he will not get lost and shrink from the big moment or the big game.. and for even the experience it would be smart to have him in.. but he is worth more than that. In most games he "pops up" whether its a run or a mark or a goal or a tackle..especially the tackle as he is talent and tough , he could easily have a multiple scoreboard influence in a final.
Its why I said he was sort of our most important because of what he can bring , his up side is high and we really cant expect much. Its all bonus when he does something and he is capable of do something special.

 

[year of the cat]

Cockatoo for now and tomorrow is a must play for mine. Its unlikely that you get big numbers from him but he appears to me he will not get lost and shrink from the big moment or the big game.. and for even the experience it would be smart to have him in.. but he is worth more than that. In most games he "pops up" whether its a run or a mark or a goal or a tackle..especially the tackle as he is talent and tough , he could easily have a multiple scoreboard influence in a final.
Its why I said he was sort of our most important because of what he can bring , his up side is high and we really cant expect much. Its all bonus when he does something and he is capable of do something special.

He's surprisingly good overhead too. I don't want to see him competing with our taller players in marking contests (noticed this once on Friday when he was a bit over exuberant) but he will in time become a very good one on one player. Remember he announced himself on the 'G in that game as a junior? I just wonder whether on the big stage in a final on the 'G whether we may see some fireworks...The romantic in me certainly hopes so anyway.

 

[DanA]

I wouldn't drop Cockatoo, think he's well in our best 22 but I'm a big believer in attack on the footy and toughness in finals. It took me a long time to warm to Mackie for instance but I loved Rooke from the first time he stepped on the field. Cockatoo is that sort of tough player that's worth more than his stats show.

 

[Turbocat]

He's surprisingly good overhead too. I don't want to see him competing with our taller players in marking contests (noticed this once on Friday when he was a bit over exuberant) but he will in time become a very good one on one player. Remember he announced himself on the 'G in that game as a junior? I just wonder whether on the big stage in a final on the 'G whether we may see some fireworks...The romantic in me certainly hopes so anyway.

Agree noticed that too , but then later he took a mark doing similar. He is still learning how to play when its not just see ball get ball.. it will come.
Fireworks..go back a couple of years on GF day..it was the fireworks that got him drafted. The sooner we get him to 60 games the better for us

 

[Footy Smarts]

That number 35 isn't bad at that.

While you're right that he lifts his intensity when he needs it there are some times when I think it can in fact hinder the team. He's so intent on winning the ball that he sometimes leaves defensive holes. I think against Collingwood and Carlton that happened a bit where he was so intent on winning the ball and giving us a lift that when he didn't win it we were caught out defensively.

My go to move if we're on the back foot would be to put him in the goalsquare for 5 minutes. Go a bit more defensive in midfield with Blicavs taking his spot, get Cockatoo off a wing and McCarthy coming in from half forward. Then just tackle the living suitcase out of the opposition for 5 minutes and hopefully Dangerfield can produce some magic up forward. Worst case we ruffle them and hopefully disrupt their flow. Best case, like against Freo, we get on a bit of a roll and Danger goes to work deep forward. He's also then rested up to shift back to midfield.

 

[Rosso]

In these comming weeks I'd love to see the some of the lesser likes lift their output. 10 or 12 touches in a game wont cut it in finals so that needs to lift now. I personally think that Cocky, Linc and Lang are battling it out for one or two spots up forward and while the tackling and pressure acts are great we still need a lift in output in other areas. Goals is what will give them the right to play finals.

Duncan, Caddy, Guthrie and Mots need a few 30 plus games leading up to finals. Motlop especially seems to be a bloke that just keeps getting better with confidence.

If Scott Selwood comes in then he too needs to show he can do more than just run with roles. Will the lack of game time hurt him or will it be a blessing in disguise? A lack of being bruised and battered at this stage of the season isn't a bad thing.

Finally I want to see more goals from our forwards. Some big bags from Hawk and a repeat from Stanley would hold us in good stead heading into September .

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I wouldn't drop Cockatoo, think he's well in our best 22 but I'm a big believer in attack on the footy and toughness in finals. It took me a long time to warm to Mackie for instance but I loved Rooke from the first time he stepped on the field. Cockatoo is that sort of tough player that's worth more than his stats show.

Agree with that. We need finesse players like Duncan, and we need hardnuts like Cocky. Plus he can play a bit.

 

[00VicWard001]

See, I'd play Cockatoo for his outside speed (he's pretty tough as well). I might be one of the few but I think Cockatoo is quite an important player for us. Not in the top 10 but certainly one I'd want to have fit and in form coming into finals. If we can have Motlop and him up and running when the weather improves we'll look far more dangerous.

Btw who would else would miss aside from Cockatoo from your team for the Hawks?

I don't want Cockatoo to miss at all, but I'm thinking more about composure - and Bews and Ruggles are showing me they have it. Both are tough and hard players (in a different way to Cockatoo).

I would potentially only have one ruckman too for that game and get Blitz to be a link-up. Kolo or Lonergan to miss as well, with Harry on Gunston, Henderson on Sicily. Enright, Mackie on Breust.

Scott Selwood on Mitchell. Bartell plays a tough game on Hodge. Danger and Selwood on Sheil and Lewis - should bring it in our favour. Menegola to accumulate. Hawkins vs Frawley, Kersten on Gibson, unless Stanley has got his form red hot. Mots and Duncs vs Smith and Hill. Obviously Bews and Ruggles on Cyril and Puopolo. Guthrie wherever necessary. Menzel vs Stratton.

What do you think? I'm looking at matchups not the best players.

 

[00VicWard001]

While you're right that he lifts his intensity when he needs it there are some times when I think it can in fact hinder the team. He's so intent on winning the ball that he sometimes leaves defensive holes. I think against Collingwood and Carlton that happened a bit where he was so intent on winning the ball and giving us a lift that when he didn't win it we were caught out defensively.

My go to move if we're on the back foot would be to put him in the goalsquare for 5 minutes. Go a bit more defensive in midfield with Blicavs taking his spot, get Cockatoo off a wing and McCarthy coming in from half forward. Then just tackle the living suitcase out of the opposition for 5 minutes and hopefully Dangerfield can produce some magic up forward. Worst case we ruffle them and hopefully disrupt their flow. Best case, like against Freo, we get on a bit of a roll and Danger goes to work deep forward. He's also then rested up to shift back to midfield.

He learned from that. He's a smart player and he tackles bloody hard going the other way.

 

[00VicWard001]

It's interesting with those two that they definitely don't impact games consistently but I think their tenacity in tackling is something few others give. Against Freo when we were coming off 2 losses and were looking down the barrel of a 3rd it was those 2 who gave us a brutal 5-10 minutes which got us going again. I think when we're being outplayed and need a lift in intensity it's these two that are the ones who normally spark us.

Selwood, Menzel, Danger, Cocky, McCarthy, Ruggles and Henderson for mine. They just take on the load on their shoulders when we need that spark.

 

[year of the cat]

I don't want Cockatoo to miss at all, but I'm thinking more about composure - and Bews and Ruggles are showing me they have it. Both are tough and hard players (in a different way to Cockatoo).

I would potentially only have one ruckman too for that game and get Blitz to be a link-up. Kolo or Lonergan to miss as well, with Harry on Gunston, Henderson on Sicily. Enright, Mackie on Breust.

Scott Selwood on Mitchell. Bartell plays a tough game on Hodge. Danger and Selwood on Sheil and Lewis - should bring it in our favour. Menegola to accumulate. Hawkins vs Frawley, Kersten on Gibson, unless Stanley has got his form red hot. Mots and Duncs vs Smith and Hill. Obviously Bews and Ruggles on Cyril and Puopolo. Guthrie wherever necessary. Menzel vs Stratton.

What do you think? I'm looking at matchups not the best players.

Interesting discussion point - maintaining a tried and tested combination versus picking a team purely based on suitable matchups.

I'd be pretty surprised to see Lonergan left out during this finals series regardless of who we are playing. For one he can take the resting ruckman against the Hawks - Ceglar or McEvoy. Secondly his form is solid and he has a great understanding with Enright, Mackie and Taylor in particular. Can't see him being dropped. More likely is that Kolodjashnij misses.

I'd look at exploiting the Hawks small backline with both Hawkins and Stanley up forward. Smith moving forward at every opportunity. Blicavs plays.

Your other matchups look fair. Bews has played well on Betts twice now. Perhaps he gets first go at Cyril? For some reason prefer him to Ruggles on Cyril and Ruggles on Puopolo. Means that one of S.Selwood or Menegola miss though I think if both Bews and Ruggles play. Kersten, I'm not sure about. But time has to be put into Gibson to make him accountable. Perhaps Bartel on him?

 

[Bobby_]

Rioli will cut us apart yotc.
He's smack bang in his prime. Top of his game as Ablett was in 1989.
I always felt as though we had his measure. Enright consistently shut him down but something happened to Rioli the last couple of years. I fear he will have a major say in a final if we face them.
Perhaps it is imperative we drop the Kolodjashnij experiment of playing on nothing but smalls and actually start focusing on explosive smalls such as Bews matching up the oppositions best small forwards?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Rioli will cut us apart yotc.

Based on what? Enright bitch slaps him repeatedly and Guthrie has done a job on him too.

Of all the Hawks Cyril is the last of our concerns. Casper seldom plays well against us.

 

[Cezz The Catter]

Rioli will cut us apart yotc.
He's smack bang in his prime. Top of his game as Ablett was in 1989.
I always felt as though we had his measure. Enright consistently shut him down but something happened to Rioli the last couple of years. I fear he will have a major say in a final if we face them.
Perhaps it is imperative we drop the Kolodjashnij experiment of playing on nothing but smalls and actually start focusing on explosive smalls such as Bews matching up the oppositions best small forwards?

Honestly I'd back Bews on his day to give Rioli donuts.

 

[year of the cat]

Rioli will cut us apart yotc.
He's smack bang in his prime. Top of his game as Ablett was in 1989.
I always felt as though we had his measure. Enright consistently shut him down but something happened to Rioli the last couple of years. I fear he will have a major say in a final if we face them.
Perhaps it is imperative we drop the Kolodjashnij experiment of playing on nothing but smalls and actually start focusing on explosive smalls such as Bews matching up the oppositions best small forwards?

Rioli has really only cut us up once - last year when he kicked 6 on us. Prior to that, going back to 2011, he has kicked a maximum of 2 goals in the other 11 appearances. He really has struggled big time against us. Not that we should take him lightly. But history would suggest he's not our greatest concern. I think Bews should start on him. Not sure that Bews has the smarts but he probably deserves first go based on his recent form (assuming that continues). Who played on him in round one?

 

[vinum coupe]

Based on what? Enright bitch slaps him repeatedly and Guthrie has done a job on him too.

Of all the Hawks Cyril is the last of our concerns. Casper seldom plays well against us.

The one time he got us Clarkson actually got us.
All their talls led up. Ball went out the back, Rioli gets 6.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

The one time he got us Clarkson actually got us.
All their talls led up. Ball went out the back, Rioli gets 6.

I was there that night. We did push up very high. The biggest problem was we kept turning the ball over further afield and Enright and Taylor as the last defender were constantly caught out of position. Cyril revelled in our lack of organisation and structure on turnover.

Apart from that game I can't recall a game under Scott where he's played well. Should we meet them in September Boris/Guthrie to Cyril and Mackie to Breust. That should shut down two of their dangerous forward avenues.

 

[00VicWard001]

Rioli will cut us apart yotc.
He's smack bang in his prime. Top of his game as Ablett was in 1989.
I always felt as though we had his measure. Enright consistently shut him down but something happened to Rioli the last couple of years. I fear he will have a major say in a final if we face them.
Perhaps it is imperative we drop the Kolodjashnij experiment of playing on nothing but smalls and actually start focusing on explosive smalls such as Bews matching up the oppositions best small forwards?

I definitely agree that something has happened with Cyril. He has became an amazing talent who just turns a game. He's recently doing things that make it look like time slows down for him. I watched him the other day and he was slapping the ball into space to team mates, or moving to where the ball was going to be way before the opposition even knew what was happening. He has moments where he plays like Michael Jordan. It's f*cking annoying me, because I want to bag him as a flash in the pan.

And you just know that he will turn up for a game against us, let's just hope the damage is limited, he goes missing AND we can have a few players step up equivalently. To a degree, Danger is our version of Cyril, but does a lot more damage consistently.

The Kolodjashnij situation is interesting. I like him, and like Cockatoo, he will be better in a few years. He isn't someone I would have as in the best team or as an ideal matchup. Yeah, I don't know with him. If we want to flat out win the premiership then I would get Bews and Ruggles in the team playing a lot of games with the rest of back group for cohesion.

 

[00VicWard001]

Honestly I'd back Bews on his day to give Rioli donuts.

In a grand final, you'd want Bews to crunch his ribs and finish him for the day.

 

[Partridge]

In a grand final, you'd want Bews to crunch his ribs and finish him for the day.

Can't see any Geelong player doing that to be honest.