Preview JLT1: Geelong V West Coast 4:10 pm AWST @Leederville Oval

[Daniel McL]

As everyone has said, the backline is very tall but I’m okay with that considering it’s a JLT game.

As long as the coaches realise that if they want the best balance in defence that they can only pick two of Blicavs, Taylor, Henderson & Kolodjashnij. As I’ve got Henry 3rd defender + Stewart can play tall as well if need be.

Like the squad, hope they go well. Looking forward to seeing Ratugolea back + how Rohan & Dahlhaus fit in. Hopefully lots of midfield time for Parfitt too.

 

[Turbocat]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...t/news-story/cb9954385f098d969de7cea97d09c0f1

Luke Dahlhaus opens up on his Western Bulldogs exit and why a move to Geelong was important
..

Dahlhaus freely admits he made mistakes following the premiership year.

“I wasn’t mentally going too well and probably made a couple of bad decisions,” he said.

“And I own that 100 per cent … it’s behind me now.”

Dahlhaus is content to be home, regularly visiting his parents and brother in Anglesea and ensconced in west Geelong, near his old school St Joseph’s College.

Cats coach Chris Scott has told him not to worry about racking up big numbers and instead getting back to being a tackling machine.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...t/news-story/cb9954385f098d969de7cea97d09c0f1


Its a hard to read article.. not the words but the sentiment...but maybe thats just the way Dahl expresses himself.

I get the feel he could litterally be one our best recruits for a long time , right age , right experience ..and right need or he could come home for a more calm off field life which then delivers us a happier but perhaps relaxed but not outstanding player.

He does reference mental health , it seems to be plague proportions but I wonder if the whole party scene post GF win just went a little too long and he a few other really could not get back on the bandwagon. For some its harder to stay at the top of the mountain than to climb it.

I find the comment about CS and tackling interesting. Forget the stats and give me tackles. Things sure have changed since the old Barrassi days.. where he famously said to GHealy (I think) "..give me stats and I'll shut up.." I doubt he meant tackles it was possessions , kicks , handballs etc... now its forget racking up big pos numbers and just give me tackles. Add Atkins and a fit SS and one can see what CS wants more of. And in a way it probably fits in with GA moving forward... one can almost hear... " Gaz , Im not that impress with big numbers... give me 10 to 20 p each week and ave 2 goals a game and the MC will be a lot more impressed with your contribution.

So it many be worth watching who is laying tackle in the WC game , and if Atkins does what he is reputed to do like a machine then he could be a serous best 22 option.

For Dahl the proof is in the pudding I guess. Lets see what he produces cause at his age and experience , he should be someone he is stepping to the fore.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...t/news-story/cb9954385f098d969de7cea97d09c0f1

 

[STPer18]

Corresponding game last year we got done by the Gold Coast to the tune of a lazy 56 points. Will be interesting to see how much we've improved since that dark day at Tony Ireland Stadium 12 months ago.

 

[yeah_nah_yeah]

I find the comment about CS and tackling interesting. Forget the stats and give me tackles.

I certainly see that as a positive. Pressure is something we have lacked in the past and any attempt at increasing pressure around the ground is welcomed!

 

[FredLeDeux]

Corresponding game last year we got done by the Gold Coast to the tune of a lazy 56 points. Will be interesting to see how much we've improved since that dark day at Tony Ireland Stadium 12 months ago.

I am very surprised that people in the Anti-Scott Thread have not brought up the appalling record of "Scott" in pissant practice matches.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

The structure of backline is fine if Tuohy comes in for 1 of Kolo, Henderson or Taylor.

Not sure where that leaves Henry though. I hope his versatility and athleticism doesn’t see him plug holes ala Blicavs for a few years.

So Taylor.
Henderson is far less cooked the Harry and Kolo is a lock

 

[catempire]

Just popping in for some too tall melts.

*inhales deeply*

 

[Landgraft]

Corresponding game last year we got done by the Gold Coast to the tune of a lazy 56 points. Will be interesting to see how much we've improved since that dark day at Tony Ireland Stadium 12 months ago.

We sent such a weird team up there. Looked to me like they didn't want to risk any of the senior guys playing in the worst of the heat.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I am very surprised that people in the Anti-Scott Thread have not brought up the appalling record of "Scott" in pissant practice matches.

Hard to blame him when some think he hasn’t even returned to the club yet

Boy oh boy was that an overblown gripe.

P.S. before some negative nellie responds the first part isn’t to be taken literally.

 

[foodles05]

Too heavy down back with Henry on wing. Hopefully that won’t be the case and they are brave and add some spark and change . Good luck to Clark on pre season debut.

We will certainly have to see how he goes tonight but I have a feeling Clark is firming for round 1. Speed and ball use from the back half!! If he is ready just must play. Maybe even take Touhy's spot and force someone else out when he comes back.

 

[Max Milburn]

Leederville Oval, for those interested...

 

[foodles05]

Wasn't an issue last year (nor years prior to that) ... defensively we were very good ... problem was with the mids not getting back to assist.

The only thing I would say to that is there is a big difference between defence and quality transition from defence! The numbers may well make a complete fool of me but I would not have thought we would have been very good transitioning coast to coast last year. If we were I would say it was more about game style and seeking to turn the ball over more than win it at the coal face and not pressing as high as other teams so it was the main way we would score apart from clearances.

 

[Ratcat]

View attachment 627452

Leederville Oval, for those interested...

Gee that looks just great!
Thanks West Coast.

 

[winty]

Glad it's about 15 degrees cooler in Perth today than it is on the other side of the continent.

 

[Max Milburn]

Glad it's about 15 degrees cooler in Perth today than it is on the other side of the continent.

It's the only JLT game not affected by the heat policy.

 

[Drunkcat]

I don't care if that backline plays all match..I am only interested in having a look at the new players and if the young guy's have improved.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Gee that looks just great!
Thanks West Coast.

Actually Ratcat it's not as bad as it looks
The ground is a good size and the surface is very good ( at least it was 3 years ago) - not a lot of seating but the terraces on the other side of the photo are tiered so you get good vision from just about everywhere. One of the better WAFL grounds with some very good eateries close by

 

[catswhiskers]

Actually Ratcat it's not as bad as it looks
The ground is a good size and the surface is very good ( at least it was 3 years ago) - not a lot of seating but the terraces on the other side of the photo are tiered so you get good vision from just about everywhere. One of the better WAFL grounds with some very good eateries close by

Watched West Perth go round there when we lived in WA.

Nice relaxed atmosphere.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Corresponding game last year we got done by the Gold Coast to the tune of a lazy 56 points. Will be interesting to see how much we've improved since that dark day at Tony Ireland Stadium 12 months ago.

But how much basis can you put on it

This time last year - in the 1st game of this - Fremantle ( looked a million $s) and flogged W/Coast by about 10 goals

Ross Lyon said it was a significant performance - however the Eagles won the flag - and Freo were hopeless ( 23 goals in a row)

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

It has to be said every year, but I want you all to remember this is just a preseason game. That means we probably won't see the players going at it hard or playing full tilt. We may see patches, but not the whole game. These games are often about building fitness for round 1, not about going all out for the win. So don't go losing your shit over the result and thinking what you see in the JLT series is what the Cat's are going to be like this year. Every year some people get despondent based on preseason games, and its dumb.

 

[Landgraft]

It has to be said every year, but I want you all to remember this is just a preseason game. That means we probably won't see the players going at it hard or playing full tilt. We may see patches, but not the whole game. These games are often about building fitness for round 1, not about going all out for the win. So don't go losing your shit over the result and thinking what you see in the JLT series is what the Cat's are going to be like this year. Every year some people get despondent based on preseason games, and its dumb.

The opposite could also happen... JLT form is not enough to launch a hype train from but I'm sure it can and will happen for someone.

Don't be that someone. Temper your excitement!

 

[Ray Donovan]

This is another fine mess you've gotten us into, Stanley.

Hold the Fort

 

[Ray Donovan]

But how much basis can you put on it

This time last year - in the 1st game of this - Fremantle ( looked a million $s) and flogged W/Coast by about 10 goals

Ross Lyon said it was a significant performance - however the Eagles won the flag - and Freo were hopeless ( 23 goals in a row)

Zero pre-season and west coast going so deep in september will be back in prep. Carlton rolled essendon. Most likely we will see the best 22 in first half then mass ratings of selwood, Hawkins, Taylor and co in the 2nd half.

 

[Ray Donovan]

You may be accurate on some of those.
I'm in hospital in pain so excuse any inaccuracies. It was the idea of playing all the newbies to see what they can offer

Brownless could be a smokie to play a senior game this season

 

[Ratcat]

Actually Ratcat it's not as bad as it looks
The ground is a good size and the surface is very good ( at least it was 3 years ago) - not a lot of seating but the terraces on the other side of the photo are tiered so you get good vision from just about everywhere. One of the better WAFL grounds with some very good eateries close by

Only kidding F2G.
The fringe players always crack in and so they should this close to rd 1.
l believe Walsh had 28 possessions for the Blues yesterday and Michael Gibbons also starred, not doing their chances any harm.
So I'll take it as a big tick if Miers or Atkins etc perform well against last seasons premiers.
They still won't want to lose in front of their own after winning the flag last year.
That wouldn't be in the script with the usual back to back hype that follows a flag win.
I think it'll be quite a solid hitout for all, hope no injuries.