Preview Rd24 Geelong vs Richmond Sat Aug 23 2025 415 pm @ MCG

[geelong_crazy26]

Yep, if it was round 15 I'd be more than happy to be debuting someone, but it's our last game pre-finals and we shouldn't be looking beyond the finals squad.

I'd say the only players who didn't play v Sydney and would be considered for senior selection are O Henry, Bews, Duncan (?), Knevitt and maybe Clark. Time has surely run out for Cam Guth or Kolo.

If Shannon misses, options could be a) play Ollie in his role, b) bring Bews in and play a defender (J Henry?) forward, c) Knevitt in as sub and Danger/Martin play almost solely inside 50 to cover the loss of Neale.

Part of me wants to give Duncan a run, or if we are being super aggressive and daring play guthrie as sub and bring him on for half a game if we are really wanting to experiment..

The argument for O Henry is that we are likely to get Brisbane first week and he matches up well against Brisbane. Almost dragged us over the line in that prelim.

So for me it’s either Henry or Duncan, and with an extreme risk guthrie

 

[Cursed Cat]

If the Neale suspension stands I’d love to see us give a game to Molier or Edwards. Have both shown good things in the vfl although Edwards has played more ruck. Molier reminds of Neale when he was in the vfl it’s be great experience for them to get a game at the mcg and reward for their effort during the vfl season.
I’m sure they’ll probably play Henry but I’d love to see the above.

Agree, would be strongly leaning to Edwards in this scenario; like-for-like in terms of height, give him a small taste of AFL footy before he knuckles down for the 2026 pre-season.

 

[cats_09]

Agree, would be strongly leaning to Edwards in this scenario; like-for-like in terms of height, give him a small taste of AFL footy before he knuckles down for the 2026 pre-season.

Speaking of Mitch...

#11 Mitch Edwards ​

23 disposals, 21 hit-outs (eight to advantage), 17 contested possessions, 11 clearances, three behinds, 129 SuperCoach points

It would be a risk to bring in the uncapped Edwards during the finals, but the second-year ruckman showed he is ready to step up if required following his best performance as a Cat. With Toby Conway injured, Edwards shouldered the ruck duties and dominated against fellow 2023 draftee Will Green. When the 206cm giant wasn’t grabbing the ball straight out of the ruck himself, he was tapping it down a teammate’s throat or following up at ground level. Around the ground Edwards showcased his athleticism with two intercept marks in the space of five minutes and on one occasion turned crumber with a gather and snap on goal that went through for a behind. Edwards was up against an undermanned ruck division but it was certainly a promising display for the future.

---

One way to not blood an uncapped player in finals to blood them in round 24 instead

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[fpm84]

 

[Munich]

Can't even find any vision of Neale bumping. Did the commentators even mention it?

Meh, club is probably doing the right thing not wasting energy on an appeal.

We are only playing Richmond.

 

[cats_09]

Can't even find any vision of Neale bumping. Did the commentators even mention it?

Meh, club is probably doing the right thing not wasting energy on an appeal.

We are only playing Richmond.

Not mentioned by anyone until Jon Ralph yesterday

 

[thegerman]

Cannot understand why we’d not contest this

 

[Tony Barber]

I'd actually play Bews.
He's just had a week off. He is one of those levers that you might need to pull in the finals.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Our ideal (realistic) ladder IMO.

Would take the Hawks winning (yuck, but it helps) and the Suns winning out and picking up the remaining percentage.

Unlikely, but a long way from impossible:

View attachment 2399647

We'd then play the Suns at the 'G.

There's no easy opponents in finals, but you'd have to say we'd rather play them than the Lions, Hawks, or Pies if given the option.

...And for good measure, the Giants and Lions will play each other, taking one of them out of the picture by proxy.

Because this is Geelong though, we'll probably lose to the Suns and then flog the Lions at the Gabba later on or something.

Expect the unexpected.

yes, Giants v Brisbane would take one of them out.
But our 2v3 QF is in their portion of the bracket which would make Suns/Pies a must win game.

 

[Vdubs]

The problem for OH though is that at the moment he doesn't look like a marking forward and he really does look down on confidence

Molier clunked 10 marks on the weekend, Polk 6 and Henry just the 4 having dropped a fair number more than that

Henry's first 10 rounds last season was the best his looked in the hoops and he looked ready to take that next step, but he hasn't looked close to that player since, and not sure he's "big game form" really extends beyond a single match - no doubting his performance in the prelim last year but that really is an outlier for his last 18 months

Prior to his omission this season he had played in 6 of our losses, kicked just 3 goals in those 6 matches & subbed out on 3 occasions


I don't know anyone who wouldn't love to see him take a game by the scruff of the neck & just dominate, but he doesn't look like that player at the moment - we've got players in the VFL who've shown much better form over an extended period that I'd feel would comfortable with what they'd contribute this weekend

Hard to argue those points..
Hypothetically, and near impossible, but if he kicked 6-7 this week, in the firsts, would he get a finals spot?

 

[Cataholic]

Cannot understand why we’d not contest this

I can only assume they decided the distraction wasn't worth it.

 

[winty]

Fun fact:

Richmond have scored 195 goals for the season.
Cameron, Neale, Stengle, Dempsey and Mannagh have kicked 202 combined.

 

[Vdubs]

Cannot understand why we’d not contest this

because he chose to bump.

 

[kcattatac]

If Scratch is to miss, it has to be Ollie Henry or Mitch Knevitt that come in. These are the 2 that would come in if we have and injury in the finals. No room for sentimental send off games. The players understand that.

Without neale we need to play blitz permanently forward to ruck there then Stanley and sdk set up behind ball. That means knevitt plays blitz wing role

 

[cats_09]

I can only assume they decided the distraction wasn't worth it.

Maybe he's ankle from earlier in the season isn't 100% and this gives an excuse to allow him a couple of weeks off to get it right

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Henry for neale obviously.
Possible farewell game for bews but otherwise id probably not make any changes.

 

[foxdog50]

I know this won't happen..
But I wouldnt mind resting Stanley and play Edwards for 1 game..

 

[The Casey Cat]

I know this won't happen..
But I wouldnt mind resting Stanley and play Edwards for 1 game..

Very much should happen. Stanley should be in full protection mode as we have nothing else really - well besides Edwards which is another reason for him to get a run.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Fun fact:

Richmond have scored 195 goals for the season.
Cameron, Neale, Stengle, Dempsey and Mannagh have kicked 202 combined.

Loved the two they managed in their entire game against GWS.

 

[allrighty]

I don't get the whole fascination with these so called farewell games.

We're up to our necks in it this year with a chance to win another flag. Romance goes out the window unless you're a club not in finals contention. Personally I think guys like Bews / Duncan / Guthrie etc have been great servants of our club, but you're either best 22 or you're not.

Back in the old days they'd give them a lap of honour if they weren't playing. That would be my go this week, however there is certainly merit in giving Jed a run for insurance.

 

[Cataholic]

because he chose to bump.

Bumping the shoulder isn't allowed anymore??!

 

[allrighty]

If Neale gets a pre-finals rest, is it Ollie that gets a reprieve or do we give a late late season debut to Polk or Molier?

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/taylor-walker-and-ollie-wines-facing-mro-scrutiny-after-push-bump-on-saturday/news-story/cca0860a66e61823a3997ce581331eb4

Give Ollie a rev up and a run

 

[allrighty]

This man...

150 games in the Hoops


View attachment 2399277



That's all

My boy

 

[foxdog50]

Very much should happen. Stanley should be in full protection mode as we have nothing else really - well besides Edwards which is another reason for him to get a run.

I agree to... because just in case ( touch wood it doesn't happen) if Stanley is injured 1st final, we need someone to come in and that could be Edwards

 

[allrighty]

One disadvantage of playing Richmond in the last game of the year.. The hate will continue unabated on Socials until the start of next season.

Coming soon to a forum near you.. The Real Rubes of Richmond. Rated R18+

It's ok, chill. At the moment they are an irrelevant rabble.