Opinion Who wins the Premiership? (Updated poll - Updated for Prelims))

[Dr Awkward]

Considering they lost Tim Kelly it's very impressive the Cats have improved as a side this year and made the granny. Amazing club that keeps going deep into seasons. I think they are getting more out of their depth players. Hard to read into their form, obviously playing really well but their past two opponents have been woeful, with no pressure in the midfield.

I think it will be tight, the one part of the ground I like our match ups is the forward line. Not sure how Geelong will go defending the two talls and then with Bolton, Edwards, Lambert, Rioli at their feet it's dangerous.

If I were Geelong I would bring in Esava. We have shown weakness against tall forward lines and athletic dudes.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Good stuff. Proving you are indeed kidding yourself. Stanley is our most valuable player and absolute bonafide #1 ruck. Savrat is a 2nd forward with a lot to learn who looked awful all year.

in our last game though you would have been worse with Stanley. You probably won the clearances anyway. 2 massive marks and goals by Ratogolea was worth 20 clearances that night

 

[Xtreme]

Geelong will win by 100 points

Ablett will get the Norm Smith medal

 

[The Casey Cat]

in our last game though you would have been worse with Stanley. You probably won the clearances anyway. 2 massive marks and goals by Ratogolea was worth 20 clearances that night

No chance we're worse with Stanley over Savrat. Was it enough to win then? No. Will it be this week? Not necessarily but we're much better. We're a 5-8 side without Stanley.

 

[Fadge]

Why do the majority of Richmond supporter post like they're sitting in an asylum?

They really are a special breed.

 

[Cdog71]

They really are a special breed.

Who have a long memory.
Any early predictions this year?

 

[Falconista]

Richmond deserve to go in favourites. Their body of work this year and the previous three has earnt them that. Such a complete team.

Geelong's best football this season is better than most teams -when the cats are hot, they are volcanic! Unfortunately for them, there is a gap between their best and worst so hard to get a read on which side turns up. Tom Hawkins is such a good player but doesn't get a hell of a lot of support- he and his opponent(s)could weirdly be the most important couple of players on the field.

Richmond meanwhile are consistency kings, even in their losses this year they've been competitive. They play their role and are proven finals performers with some of their players 'September(October) Specialists' (Houli/Martin/Edwards/Broad). Also, they are masterful in timing their run and getting better as the season progresses. Riewoldt's form is a worry but Lynch is such an asset right now giving the team life.

My tip: Cats to win....not sure why.

 

[Overhang]

in our last game though you would have been worse with Stanley. You probably won the clearances anyway. 2 massive marks and goals by Ratogolea was worth 20 clearances that night

The issue was it took 2 1/2 qtrs for Sav to respond to Nankervis dropping into our forward line filling the whole. Stanley like Ottens in 11 is a very important cog for us, he does the center square rucking and then heads into our forward line allowing Blitz to ruck around the ground, but Stanley is quite handy for a ruckman at the groundball to assist our clearances. Sav had a great little cameo against you guys last time but I would not rely on him to kick those set shots again, normally not a great kick.

 

[Vassp]

this is gong to be a tough game.

Look at the two games played this weekend.
One high pressure , high intensity, high octane. - -hard on Tigers and Port.
The other was a slack affair in comparison. - not so hard on Geelong cause Brissy were flat.

IF Richmond recover and show up to play then I cant see Geelong wining!

 

[Greggy]

Looks like it’s going to be a hot tropical night with showers forecast for the weekend, I know this suits Richmond but I’m not sure about Geelong’s possession game holding up in the wet? The rain will most likely keep the game relatively low scoring so may be a close one.

 

[Greggy]

this is gong to be a tough game.

Look at the two games played this weekend.
One high pressure , high intensity, high octane. - -hard on Tigers and Port.
The other was a slack affair in comparison. - not so hard on Geelong cause Brissy were flat.

IF Richmond recover and show up to play then I cant see Geelong wining!

Selwood said they were all buggered at the Brownlow. I guess there are 2 different recoveries happening, Richmond from the collision and Geelong from the heavy running they did, add the Brownlow distraction on their most important recovery day it will most likely have no impact.

I don’t think fatigue is really an issue for these clubs, it’s really only round 22 of actual football with 20% less game time. I’m not sure how many games Geelong’s players have missed games but we’ve had 5 key players just really start their season in Houli, Edwards, Prestia, Astbury and Nankervis.

 

[Vassp]

Selwood said they were all buggered at the Brownlow. I guess there are 2 different recoveries happening, Richmond from the collision and Geelong from the heavy running they did, add the Brownlow distraction on their most important recovery day it will most likely have no impact.

I don’t think fatigue is really an issue for these clubs, it’s really only round 22 of actual football with 20% less game time. I’m not sure how many games Geelong’s players have missed games but we’ve had 5 key players just really start their season in Houli, Edwards, Prestia, Astbury and Nankervis.

thats why I said its going to be tough. I know a lot of our players had ice packs strapped to them after the game, an unusual amount.
Its not an excuse but an observation. Yes we have a few players that have played a handful of games this year. Are their bodies hardened to keep going? i'm not sure on that, im sure that this season is the weirdest ever.

 

[Thrillhouse!]

Will be a good game. Good ins for both teams. We were a player down at HT then lost lynch in the 3rd which allowed the cats to get closer in the last than they probably should of been.
We didn't let Geelong get there game going at all last game, they seem In better form this time. I'm tipping it will be close.

On SM-N960F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Wojcinski]

Will be a good game. Good ins for both teams. We were a player down at HT then lost lynch in the 3rd which allowed the cats to get closer in the last than they probably should of been.
We didn't let Geelong get there game going at all last game, they seem In better form this time. I'm tipping it will be close.

On SM-N960F using BigFooty.com mobile app

One of the big issues we had last time was getting the ball to a target inside 50 and a lot of that had to do with Grimes work double teaming Hawkins or whoever the target was for the i50 and it was likely because he was playing on (or should I say off) Ben Jarvis in his first game. Both teams are stronger on paper than they were in that game so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

Cats in better form heading in but we have a system that they seem to struggle with a bit. Will be a very good game.

This. But then again everyone struggles with it.
Should be a cracker.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Tipping the Tigers but I reckon it will be close. Could be a great GF.

 

[theyellowsash]

Looks like it’s going to be a hot tropical night with showers forecast for the weekend, I know this suits Richmond but I’m not sure about Geelong’s possession game holding up in the wet? The rain will most likely keep the game relatively low scoring so may be a close one.

hot weather wont suit a manic 100% effort game though. it could see us fading late in quarters or at the end of the game.

 

[BruceTempany14]

You forgot Selwood and Simpson, chief.

who is Simpson ?

 

[Xtreme]

who is Simpson ?

Simpson ehh?

 

[JPetro83]

Last I looked we traveled from arsehole to breakfast this year & don't have a home GF looming my wooden spoon friend.

Happy Monday

 

[JimmyBC]

Happy Monday

Zing mate, how's the spoon?

 

[JPetro83]

Zing mate, how's the spoon?

I do not care about the "spoon". i am looking forward to the draft/trade period and a summer of silence knowing port blew it! top all year and to lose a home prelim that they were favorites in is just pure gold.

 

[JimmyBC]

I do not care about the "spoon". i am looking forward to the draft/trade period and a summer of silence knowing port blew it! top all year and to lose a home prelim that they were favorites in is just pure gold.

Summer of silence? poor thing maybe you could get a life over summer.

 

[blckcaviar]

Lots of media tipping Geelong, I don't know if its just wishful thinking

 

[juss]

[/QUOTE]

Looks like it’s going to be a hot tropical night with showers forecast for the weekend, I know this suits Richmond but I’m not sure about Geelong’s possession game holding up in the wet? The rain will most likely keep the game relatively low scoring so may be a close one.

Its not the Eagles, even if Cats have a control first approach they've also got a lot of seasoned big, hard bodies. The wet shouldn't phase the Cats.