VFL VFL: Geelong Season 2021

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I think you can break down the players from the first list into 4 categories.

Will play a fair few AFL games;
Jordan Clark, Sam Simpson, Quinton Narkle (if not injured), Tom Atkins

Will step in for an injury;
Esava Ratugolea, Zach Guthrie

Will get a token game or 2;
Josh Jenkins, Cooper Stephens, Nathan Kreuger

Stuck in the VFL all year;
Ben Jarvis, Sam De Koning, Charlie Constable, Oscar Brownless, Darcy Fort, Francis Evans
Don't think we would have signed Fort for 2 years or that he would have agreed to re-sign for 2 years considering apparent external interest, if he's going to be spending the season in the VFL

Would have to think that prior to the contract extension he would have wanted to know what sort of future he'd have at the club - if it was to be stuck in VFL, he surely would have been looking at options

Close is one who'd be likely to play a bit next year also - 8 games this year, and with the club prepared up elevate him to the senior list, don't see him stuck in the VFL

And considering how we've normally been happy to play our first selection early in their career, would think that means Stephens should get a good run next season. Think that what went against him this year was covid, and its impact on the season. Unless there's any injury concerns, he'll have a second full preseason under his belt and no reason he won't be pushing to be best 22
 
Don't think we would have signed Fort for 2 years or that he would have agreed to re-sign for 2 years considering apparent external interest, if he's going to be spending the season in the VFL

Would have to think that prior to the contract extension he would have wanted to know what sort of future he'd have at the club - if it was to be stuck in VFL, he surely would have been looking at options

Close is one who'd be likely to play a bit next year also - 8 games this year, and with the club prepared up elevate him to the senior list, don't see him stuck in the VFL

And considering how we've normally been happy to play our first selection early in their career, would think that means Stephens should get a good run next season. Think that what went against him this year was covid, and its impact on the season. Unless there's any injury concerns, he'll have a second full preseason under his belt and no reason he won't be pushing to be best 22

We signed Fort because decent mature rucks are thin on the ground and we need an injury backup for stanley as we have no other decent ruck depth. We wont play them both in the same side.

Close is very good imo but we have depth in his position he is 22-26 on the list at this stage which is good.

Stephens hopefully will debut next year.
 
May 8, 2006
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I think we might line up like this

AFL
Bews Blitz Kolo
Stewart Hendo MOC
Menegola Selwood Duncan
Higgins Cameron Dahl
Miers Hawkins Tuohy
Stanley Danger Guthrie
Smith Parfitt Henry Simpson

VFL
OB DEK Atkins
Clark Kreuger Zuthrie
Holmes Narkle Stevens
Evans Jenkins Rohan
Taheny Sav Close
Fort CC Stephens
Tsapa Neale Jarvis Okunbor

Would like to try and reinvent someone like Atkins as a small defender so we have experience down there. We at least have some height now its just a matter of what positions we put them in.
Really like the ‘shape’ of the list now - recruiting Neale and Tsapa has brought the right depth of specialist rucks ( with good balance of age/experience and development/potential), Holmes and Stevens as outside run off wing and half back.

I’m also a fan of trying Atkins at BP -his close down speed/tackling and possible line breaking agility could be handy. Think he’s actually a better kick than many give him credit. Kreuger likewise at CFB - hopefully he can stay fit. Wouldn’t be surprised if Taheny is half back a little longer but the club will be keen to see that potential at HF, hopefully for us or as good trade bait.
 
Sep 15, 2005
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I think we might line up like this

AFL
Bews Blitz Kolo
Stewart Hendo MOC
Menegola Selwood Duncan
Higgins Cameron Dahl
Miers Hawkins Tuohy
Stanley Danger Guthrie
Smith Parfitt Henry Simpson

VFL
OB DEK Atkins
Clark Kreuger Zuthrie
Holmes Narkle Stevens
Evans Jenkins Rohan
Taheny Sav Close
Fort CC Stephens
Tsapa Neale Jarvis Okunbor

Would like to try and reinvent someone like Atkins as a small defender so we have experience down there. We at least have some height now its just a matter of what positions we put them in.

Your post and speculative teams throw up a lot for discussion imo PO - and so I shall!

Is Stanley capable of playing one-out in the ruck?
Is Blicavs capable of covering the best FF's in the comp whilst still giving Stanley a chop-out? (aerobically yes, no doubt, but practically?)

If the answer to the 2nd question is 'no' then who provides the coverage?

I see you've made the call on Rohan; fair enough too, his long-term Finals record renders his at-times exciting H&A contributions a bit irrelevant; 'what's the point?'
I suspect the club might persist for a little while longer though just to test how far they might be able to stretch defenses without sacrificing too much in the way of defensive pressure - Rohan was regularly asked to play 2nd banana to Hawkins whilst also running around like a headless chook defensively; in 2021 with Cameron on board he might find himself on lesser defenders than he faced this year. Overall though I'm with you; he'd not be in my Rd1 Best 22.

As to the VFL, in terms of development Ratugolea is one who interests me; do we try to settle him into a KF role with the VFL for 2021 or try to make him into a ruckman capable of complementing or even supplanting Stanley? It's really up to him, he has been given opportunities in the past, but with Jeremy Cameron now a walk-up start as a 2nd KF behind Hawkins, Ratugolea has his work cut out for him to earn any more.
I sense that there is a bit of mutual love between the club and player here, but I'm not sure we're currently the best fit for him.

Are you more bullish about Jarvis, or Taheny (who I believe I have read you hyping somewhat previously) as developing 3rd marking target forwards? Can either realistically play in other positions? When was the last time a player of their ilk was effective for us anyway? Menzel?

Narkle needs to use 2021 to really consolidate his career; he's got a big job to do that I reckon. Has to remain injury-free for starters, which has been an issue, and then has to start finding a bit more of the ball, and staying in games longer in terms of intensity.
I'm a fan of him at his best but there have only been rare sightings of it.

Constable and Stephens will duke it out in the VFL for the next-in-line centre square midfielders gig, but it's a decent queue, might be a nil-all draw.

I appreciated Close's contributions last year, and hope he keeps his head down and continues adding to his game with more experience; I think he should get more senior opportunities, has done very little wrong in his role to date.

The VFL team as you have listed it is a touch top-heavy, but that is always the way when it comes to listing ruckmen, as Neil Balme alluded to a few years ago. Will be interesting to see who initially plays 2nd fiddle to Fort in the VFL, Tsapatolis or Neale.

Francis Evans is quickly becoming my Matthew Hayball equivalent; almost a mythical player whose qualities I have barely observed yet I have extrapolated greatly. He could be pretty good; bit of a mixture of Shannon Byrnes and Matthew Stokes, maybe - very well balanced from the little I've seen.

DeKoning another who sounds an exciting player and yet I've still only really seen highlights of him.
 

Two Planks

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AFL

O'Connor Blicavs Henderson
Stewart Henry Bews
Smith C Guthrie Menegola
Higgins Cameron Dangerfield
Miers Hawkins Rohan
Fort Duncan Parfitt
Clark Selwood
Simpson Narkle

Atkins DeKoning Okunbor
Z Guthrie Kolo Touhy
Holmes Constable Close
Dalhaus Kreuger Evans
Jenkins Ratagolea Taheny
Stanley Stephens Brownless
Neale Greek
Stevens Jarvis


Now that Stanley is not required as a secondary forward, I would select Fort ahead of him as the number 1 ruckman.
 
Last edited:
Aug 2, 2012
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AFL

O'Connor Blicavs Henderson
Stewart Henry Bews
Smith C Guthrie Menegola
Higgins Cameron Dangerfield
Miers Hawkins Rohan
Fort Duncan Parfitt
Clark Selwood
Simpson Narkle

Atkins DeKoning Okunbor
Z Guthrie Kolo Touhy
Holmes Constable Close
Dalhaus Kreuger Evans
Jenkins Ratagolea Taheny
Stanley Stephens
Neale Greek
Stevens Jarvis


Now that Stanley is not required as a secondary forward, I would select Fort ahead of him as the number 1 ruckman.
Don't think so :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
May 8, 2006
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AFL

O'Connor Blicavs Henderson
Stewart Henry Bews
Smith C Guthrie Menegola
Higgins Cameron Dangerfield
Miers Hawkins Rohan
Fort Duncan Parfitt
Clark Selwood
Simpson Narkle

Atkins DeKoning Okunbor
Z Guthrie Kolo Touhy
Holmes Constable Close
Dalhaus Kreuger Evans
Jenkins Ratagolea Taheny
Stanley Stephens
Neale Greek
Stevens Jarvis


Now that Stanley is not required as a secondary forward, I would select Fort ahead of him as the number 1 ruckman.
Brave call on Stanley. Not sure, but I will say that Fort is a lot better than many indicate and did pretty well in the bunch of matches (mostly against top rucks) last season- stats for HO and clearances were better than Stanley.
 
Like this...

Like to see Freddy playing in VFL forward however... get Jenkins out of there and play Freddy from the square or swap Freddy and Sav Rat and FF and HFF

GO Catters

I have big hopes for Freddy. A nice mobile tall with a lovely left foot.

He seems versatile enough to play in multiple roles.
 
So is there any chance that any of these games are live streamed?

There's a great deal to catch up on
I can only hope so.... but given the cash flow and budget situations..... highly unlikely.

GO Catters
 
What don't you think Frederick?
Can you elaborate?
I believe he's saying that Tuohy, Kolodjashnij, Dahlhaus & Stanley won't be finding themselves in the VFL
 
I believe he's saying that Tuohy, Kolodjashnij, Dahlhaus & Stanley won't be finding themselves in the VFL

Stanley wont.. the other three might depending on how much clark et al improve this year.
 
I believe he's saying that Tuohy, Kolodjashnij, Dahlhaus & Stanley won't be finding themselves in the VFL

I think that at least two young recruits need to replace some veterans if Geelong are to improve on the more competitive teams like Richmond, Lions and Port.
I have seen the predictions for the best 22 for 2021 and it is the same team plus our new veteran recruits via trading. I would like to see some young draftees push through and pressure, if not replace, some of the older players by playing AFL games.
 

Kitcat

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Your post and speculative teams throw up a lot for discussion imo PO - and so I shall!

Is Stanley capable of playing one-out in the ruck?
Is Blicavs capable of covering the best FF's in the comp whilst still giving Stanley a chop-out? (aerobically yes, no doubt, but practically?)

If the answer to the 2nd question is 'no' then who provides the coverage?

I see you've made the call on Rohan; fair enough too, his long-term Finals record renders his at-times exciting H&A contributions a bit irrelevant; 'what's the point?'
I suspect the club might persist for a little while longer though just to test how far they might be able to stretch defenses without sacrificing too much in the way of defensive pressure - Rohan was regularly asked to play 2nd banana to Hawkins whilst also running around like a headless chook defensively; in 2021 with Cameron on board he might find himself on lesser defenders than he faced this year. Overall though I'm with you; he'd not be in my Rd1 Best 22.

As to the VFL, in terms of development Ratugolea is one who interests me; do we try to settle him into a KF role with the VFL for 2021 or try to make him into a ruckman capable of complementing or even supplanting Stanley? It's really up to him, he has been given opportunities in the past, but with Jeremy Cameron now a walk-up start as a 2nd KF behind Hawkins, Ratugolea has his work cut out for him to earn any more.
I sense that there is a bit of mutual love between the club and player here, but I'm not sure we're currently the best fit for him.

Are you more bullish about Jarvis, or Taheny (who I believe I have read you hyping somewhat previously) as developing 3rd marking target forwards? Can either realistically play in other positions? When was the last time a player of their ilk was effective for us anyway? Menzel?

Narkle needs to use 2021 to really consolidate his career; he's got a big job to do that I reckon. Has to remain injury-free for starters, which has been an issue, and then has to start finding a bit more of the ball, and staying in games longer in terms of intensity.
I'm a fan of him at his best but there have only been rare sightings of it.

Constable and Stephens will duke it out in the VFL for the next-in-line centre square midfielders gig, but it's a decent queue, might be a nil-all draw.

I appreciated Close's contributions last year, and hope he keeps his head down and continues adding to his game with more experience; I think he should get more senior opportunities, has done very little wrong in his role to date.

The VFL team as you have listed it is a touch top-heavy, but that is always the way when it comes to listing ruckmen, as Neil Balme alluded to a few years ago. Will be interesting to see who initially plays 2nd fiddle to Fort in the VFL, Tsapatolis or Neale.

Francis Evans is quickly becoming my Matthew Hayball equivalent; almost a mythical player whose qualities I have barely observed yet I have extrapolated greatly. He could be pretty good; bit of a mixture of Shannon Byrnes and Matthew Stokes, maybe - very well balanced from the little I've seen.

DeKoning another who sounds an exciting player and yet I've still only really seen highlights of him.
I don't know what they intend doing with the ruck next season. Can we play with Esava, Hawkins and Cameron flying for marks? Can we play with one ruck helped by Hawkins (who is very good at it) taking the forward duties and Blicavs doing the backline work? An injury to the one ruckman during a game would disrupt the team balance.
Chris Scott made statements during the year about the benefits of resting players but that was in a compressed fixture setting. I would like to see a team selection rotation for Stanley and Fort to keep them fresh during the season, as Stanley in particular picks up injuries. It also offers a good comparison.
 
Aug 2, 2012
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What don't you think Frederick?
Can you elaborate?
Kolo is a straight-up regular in our 7-man defensive team. We won't be the only side in the AFL going in with just 6 defenders.

The recruitment of Cameron, Higgins and Smith presage a more attacking game plan; this makes it more likely that attacking players like Stanley and Tuohy will play, rather than less, and that Dahlhaus will be released from his forward defence role to play the attacking role he successfully played at Footscray.
 

Shadow89

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This is how I reckon we go into 2021 for both VFL and AFL:

AFL -

B: O'Connor, Blics, Stewart
HB: Bews, Hendo, Clark
C: I. Smith, Guth, Menegola
FO: Stanley, Danger, Parf
HF: S. Higgins, J. Cameron, Dunc
F: Miers, Hawkins, Rohan
INT: Sel, Simpson, Henry, Tuohy

EMG: Kolo, Dahl, C. Stephens, Rata

******************************

VFL -

B: Okunbor, SDK, Zuthrie
HB: N. Stevens, Kolo, Jarvis
C: Holmes, Constable, Narkle
FO: Fort, C. Stephens, Atkins
HF: Dahl, Rata, Kreuger
F: Evans, Jenkins, Close
INT: Taheny, Tsapatolis, Brownless, Neale

*******************************

Kolo, Dahl, C. Stephens and Rata will all get a fair amount of games - but will be rotated through with others (as was hinted at by Cook in his interview). For example"

Kolo in for Hendo/Henry
Dahl in for Rohan/Tuohy/Simpson
C. Stephens in for Sel/Simpson/Tuohy (mainly Selwood, given I reckon he plays about half of the season, and allows Coop to get his eye in)
Rata in for Stanley/Rohan, dependent on needs/team balance and if he's actually doing well as a sole ruck when Stanley inevitably gets injured/is needed as a backup ruck when Stanley isn't injured

Reckon all of Close, Okunbor, N. Stevens, Jarvis, Atkins, Taheny, Narkle, Kreuger, Evans and SDK all in contention to get a game or two at one point or another
 
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