Preview Prelim Final 25 - Geelong V Hawthorn Fri 19th Sept 2025 740pm @ MCG

[JPod_31]

There is rain forecasted for the Friday night. Does that suit us or Hawthorn better?

 

[Cataholic]

There is rain forecasted for the Friday night. Does that suit us or Hawthorn better?

How much rain?

A wet ground would slow us down a bit.

 

[JPod_31]

How much rain?

A wet ground would slow us down a bit.

Potentially light to moderate rain throughout the game. Hopefully it clears up between now and Friday

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

How much rain?

A wet ground would slow us down a bit.

90% chance 1-5mm

 

[Jumping Jack]

I’m not even sure the Scott matter can even be classed as an incident. From what I’m told he was direct and forthright (his usual style) in questioning the AFL staffer on whether a particular person should’ve been at the press conference.

The AFL staffer got the wobbles but there’s no suggestion the exchange was aggressive. On hearing that the AFL staffer was upset, Scott reached out to make sure she was ok and to reiterate why he’d questioned them.

I think the timing of the incident just stirred up the media as they scrambled to make it a story and draw a very questionable link to the Bailey Smith

3

Bailey Smith

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

matter. It happened on the Fri night and wasn’t raised for another 5-6 days until Smith flipped the bird.

Not sure why people naively swallow whatever the media serve up. Herd mentality

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

There’s been a number of suggested player match-ups and tags suggested and they all seem sensible but there is one match-up that should concern us more than any other. And that’s the match up in the coach's box. In much the same way that we took Brisbane’s strengths and came up with a plan to nullify them (and ofc carried out that plan on the field to perfection), Mitchell will be working with his assistants to curtail Geelong’s strengths and game plan.

No way will he allow Tom Stewart the freedom he had last week, or let Ollie Dempsey roam free as a bird all day. Holmesy will be receiving extra attention. They will be working on how to negate the almost certain Mullin tag on Newcombe. I don’t think many of us like Mitchell but he has to be acknowledged as one of the very best, based on what he has achieved in a short space of time since taking over from the over-rated Clarkson. And one of his tactics may be the well known Hawthorn one of ‘unsociable’ football, i.e. borderline physicality. I can imagine him planning this for players like Dempsey and Miers who aren’t big strong guys and look a bit susceptible to this tactic. And for Stewart, who can lose his cool sometimes.

Meanwhile, with Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

49

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

working just as hard on Hawthorn, I am a little worried that some of our coaching prowess might be diminished with the appointment of King to Melb coach. Sure, he doesn’t take over till the season ends, but he would not be human if his mind is not racing with thoughts and plans for when he takes on his most important job of his life, rather than our game. I hope it is not too distracting.

 

[Commando]

Did Dwayne Russell actually come out and say Bailey should be suspended and make a formal verbal apology?

Why are we turning into such a weak society? This is wild

Dwayne is a smart guy,
He was going really hard on this because he's been accused of going soft on Geelong issues in the past.
I suspect he went the full hard line stance to appease his callers who were digging into Bailey

 

[catsfootyfan89]

Dwayne is a smart guy,
He was going really hard on this because he's been accused of going soft on Geelong issues in the past.
I suspect he went the full hard line stance to appease his callers who were digging into Bailey

Anybody who suffered through his abysmal commentary during our 186 victory over Melbourne knows that we've already paid this man a terrible cost. Ugh footy media is just gross...

 

[frggr]

Would be interesting to have Stanley in to take the physicality of Meek early then sub him at half time so Blitz can run him off his tired legs in the second

 

[Cataholic]

Would be interesting to have Stanley in to take the physicality of Meek early then sub him at half time so Blitz can run him off his tired legs in the second

Would be nice but it seems unlikely we'll have that option unfortunately.

 

[you pick one]

There’s been a number of suggested player match-ups and tags suggested and they all seem sensible but there is one match-up that should concern us more than any other. And that’s the match up in the coach's box. In much the same way that we took Brisbane’s strengths and came up with a plan to nullify them (and ofc carried out that plan on the field to perfection), Mitchell will be working with his assistants to curtail Geelong’s strengths and game plan.

No way will he allow Tom Stewart the freedom he had last week, or let Ollie Dempsey roam free as a bird all day. Holmesy will be receiving extra attention. They will be working on how to negate the almost certain Mullin tag on Newcombe. I don’t think many of us like Mitchell but he has to be acknowledged as one of the very best, based on what he has achieved in a short space of time since taking over from the over-rated Clarkson. And one of his tactics may be the well known Hawthorn one of ‘unsociable’ football, i.e. borderline physicality. I can imagine him planning this for players like Dempsey and Miers who aren’t big strong guys and look a bit susceptible to this tactic. And for Stewart, who can lose his cool sometimes.

Meanwhile, with Chris Scott working just as hard on Hawthorn, I am a little worried that some of our coaching prowess might be diminished with the appointment of King to Melb coach. Sure, he doesn’t take over till the season ends, but he would not be human if his mind is not racing with thoughts and plans for when he takes on his most important job of his life, rather than our game. I hope it is not too distracting.

I've been waiting a while for a Hawks v Cats final where we are on fairly equal terms mouth watering prospect I'd have loved this to have been the GF.

 

[catsfootyfan89]

Sure, he doesn’t take over till the season ends, but he would not be human if his mind is not racing with thoughts and plans for when he takes on his most important job of his life, rather than our game. I hope it is not too distracting.

Completely agree with this. It's a worry. But I have to believe he's professional enough to keep his head in the game. He'd be desperate to get his team another flag regardless.

 

[Mr Meow]

Moore, Watson, ginnivan - Bews will play this week.

Like we did in the QF, Scott will pick a “horses for courses” team - that is why Clark was sub against Brisbanes midfield depth - he will want to counter hawks small forwards.

Bews will play.

Interesting idea.

I figured MOC, Zuthrie and Humphries would take those three. Humphries wing time does complicate that though.

 

[Cataholic]

Moore, Watson, ginnivan - Bews will play this week.

Like we did in the QF, Scott will pick a “horses for courses” team - that is why Clark was sub against Brisbanes midfield depth - he will want to counter hawks small forwards.

Bews will play.

What if Ginnivan doesn't get up?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Moore, Watson, ginnivan - Bews will play this week.

Like we did in the QF, Scott will pick a “horses for courses” team - that is why Clark was sub against Brisbanes midfield depth - he will want to counter hawks small forwards.

Bews will play.

Not sure about that. He has Moc and zuthrie for those jobs. He could play bews dor Clark and make Bowes sub but Bowes was very good last start.

 

[Cataholic]

Not sure about that. He has Moc and zuthrie for those jobs. He could play bews dor Clark and make Bowes sub but Bowes was very good last start.

Yeah I'd like to see Bowes out there from the first bounce.

 

[frggr]

What if Ginnivan doesn't get up?

Then my prayers have been answered

 

[frggr]

Not sure about that. He has Moc and zuthrie for those jobs. He could play bews dor Clark and make Bowes sub but Bowes was very good last start.

Bowes has to start. He's not always flashy, but he's reliable

 

[frggr]

There’s been a number of suggested player match-ups and tags suggested and they all seem sensible but there is one match-up that should concern us more than any other. And that’s the match up in the coach's box. In much the same way that we took Brisbane’s strengths and came up with a plan to nullify them (and ofc carried out that plan on the field to perfection), Mitchell will be working with his assistants to curtail Geelong’s strengths and game plan.

No way will he allow Tom Stewart the freedom he had last week, or let Ollie Dempsey roam free as a bird all day. Holmesy will be receiving extra attention. They will be working on how to negate the almost certain Mullin tag on Newcombe. I don’t think many of us like Mitchell but he has to be acknowledged as one of the very best, based on what he has achieved in a short space of time since taking over from the over-rated Clarkson. And one of his tactics may be the well known Hawthorn one of ‘unsociable’ football, i.e. borderline physicality. I can imagine him planning this for players like Dempsey and Miers who aren’t big strong guys and look a bit susceptible to this tactic. And for Stewart, who can lose his cool sometimes.

Meanwhile, with Chris Scott working just as hard on Hawthorn, I am a little worried that some of our coaching prowess might be diminished with the appointment of King to Melb coach. Sure, he doesn’t take over till the season ends, but he would not be human if his mind is not racing with thoughts and plans for when he takes on his most important job of his life, rather than our game. I hope it is not too distracting.

I agree with this, but think Geelong have more pieces that need locking down than Hawthorn do.

Lock down on Holmes and release Smith. Lock down on Smith and release Holmes. Lock down Dangerfield and release both etc.

Who is Hawthorn's Mullin? Who's their O'Connor?

Lock down on Newcombe and Ward might get free, or Amon might slip the noose.

But I don't see Hawthorn having the weaponry to break us

 

[Munich]

Then my prayers have been answered

I'm not worried about Ginnivan. When was the last time he played well against us?

I do remember watching Chol mark everything either this year or last though.

 

[frggr]

I'm not worried about Ginnivan. When was the last time he played well against us?

I do remember watching Chol mark everything either this year or last though.

Every bad game Ginnivan plays against us is a game closer to playing a good one.

He's a good player - it's only a matter of time

 

[dazbroncos]

Of course it had to be ****ing Hawthorn....

Mitchell will come up with something to test us.... maybe it works... maybe it doesnt.

We just have to make sure we don't out test ourselves.... and by that I mean lets just deal with what they throw at us and not beat ourselves.

We dont have the biggest of mid fields and Finals pressure and wet weather can really show that difference.
We arent the Chappy, SJ, Rooke, Smithy, Kelly MF anymore... and thats ok... but Miers, Smith, Holmes, Demspey et al best work is often outside. Wet weather and a slippery ball will curtail some of that outside skill.

We just need to effect there pluses in the contest - take away their best elements and dont get beaten by what we already know.
Weddle, Newcombe, Worpel all bigger types.

Gunstun will need a leash and Chol could get 3 touches or kick 6... just never know.

What we cant do is give them a sniff. If they transition fast and get their little bastards running forward of the ball we'll have an issue. Cant let them get all cheating forward.

Good thing we have a really good team that's mostly fit and the best coach in the gig right now that have already outthought me and are on it as we speak.

Ill let them figure out ways but you just know CS will have a few wrinkles of his own.

We'll take this if we dont beat ourselves.

GO Catters

 

[Del216647]

I'm not worried about Ginnivan. When was the last time he played well against us?

I do remember watching Chol mark everything either this year or last though.

From memory, he was actually dropped for the Easter Monday game.

 

[MacStradbroke]

I agree with this, but think Geelong have more pieces that need locking down than Hawthorn do.

Lock down on Holmes and release Smith. Lock down on Smith and release Holmes. Lock down Dangerfield and release both etc.

Who is Hawthorn's Mullin? Who's their O'Connor?

Lock down on Newcombe and Ward might get free, or Amon might slip the noose.

But I don't see Hawthorn having the weaponry to break us

Agree, Hawks’ only real negating type player is Connor Nash and he isn’t really suited to Bailey Smith or Max Holmes. Not sure where he goes after them two.

 

[cats_09]

What if Ginnivan doesn't get up?

I think he's named, but the question could be about what impact will be have