Preview Geelong v Melbourne Sat 30 March at GMHBA

[Turbocat]

I've just read the whole thread over the last hour (first time all week I've had the opportunity to actually read a bulk section of discussion).

Regarding discussion around our Rnd 3 team, I don't think people are talking about managing players as in trying to keep them fresh, but it's more around the fact we will be coming off a 5-day break from our match against the Demons before travelling interstate to play the Crows. There may be a need to ensure players pull up ok from Saturday nights matc, not taking a risk with some of the younger players, a veteran like Taylor or those who had interrupted pre-seasons and ensuring we put our best team on the park against the Crows.

Yes we need to reward those in form, and those doing the right things during matches - but we also need to be sensible & acknowledge that we don't need to run players into the ground after 3 rounds if we have suitable options waiting in the wings should a player from Saturday night not be 100% ahead of our Rnd 3 match.

I think let R3 take care itself when it comes... injuries form whatever may be looked at different after this round.

The great thing about having a slant to a younger group is they are probably more capable of bouncing back after a tough game ..this weeks game will give an insight into that.

 

[Turbocat]

Judging by Scott’s presser Guthrie and Tuohy will be available for selection this week but Narkle is “working on some things” in the VFL.

sounds like Narkle is not playing to instruction ...

 

[Turbocat]

A few things on this.

Melbourne will be ready for any physical tactics and will respond in kind. They thrive on that stuff more than us. We are undisciplined more than intimidating when this stuff kicks off.

People are underestimating the ability of Ryder and Lycett if they think that was only reason Gawn got turned over. Ryder when fit is probably a better player than Gawn.

Stanley’s game is not rough stuff, let him play his natural game.

Port outran Melbourne, not outfought them.

Since Stanley hit form last year he has had a more physical side to his game ..I feel that being more physically involved in the game has been good for him... but the last thing we should do is try to sen him out with a rough up mindset.

I do think after last week some melb players will be dialled up to be rough themselves.. and we should be ready for that being focused at our players like Joel just like they did in the final last year.

 

[Shadow89]

This bothers me. They're sure to come out in response to Gawn's treatment.

We're such a poor side in terms of physicality too across the board, or have been. It's driven me nuts for years now. Rohan & Dahlhaus are both harder than 3/4 of our list though, which is a +. The amount of soft tacklers we have is alarming... let alone those unwilling to crash and bash around the footy. We need some more unsociable behavior in the side. By that I don't mean soft, stupid reports (Hawkins), real toughness around the footy and aggression in-play. Think Scarlett, Milburn, Mooney, Chapman, Rooke, etc.

I think you're forgetting Atkins there - the second coming of Rooky

 

[winty]

Will be interesting to see if Melbourne target anyone physically this week after complaining to the AFL about Gawn's treatment last week. Will be a severe case of hypocrisy if they do.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Will be interesting to see if Melbourne target anyone physically this week after complaining to the AFL about Gawn's treatment last week. Will be a severe case of hypocrisy if they do.

After their coach made a public apology for the performance I'd say it's fairly likely. Umpires will get the whistles out early too.

 

[Vdubs]

I think you're forgetting Atkins there - the second coming of Ruggles?

 

[Cataholic]

Will be interesting to see if Melbourne target anyone physically this week after complaining to the AFL about Gawn's treatment last week. Will be a severe case of hypocrisy if they do.

I have absolutely no doubt they will.

They sought advice from the AFL about what's legal and what isn't and, quote, 'it'll work both ways there'.

To me, that implies they are focused on being physically aggressive and want to push the envelope whilst staying legal.

I reckon they're primed for a physical encounter and will really try to punish us this week.

 

[bulletproof]

Since Stanley hit form last year he has had a more physical side to his game ..I feel that being more physically involved in the game has been good for him... but the last thing we should do is try to sen him out with a rough up mindset.

I do think after last week some melb players will be dialled up to be rough themselves.. and we should be ready for that being focused at our players like Joel just like they did in the final last year.

Stanley's form has been outstanding. His injury last year was very costly, he doesn't go off against Hawthorn and we win that game and would have finished top 4. He is in our top 4-5 most important players at the moment.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I have absolutely no doubt they will.

They sought advice from the AFL about what's legal and what isn't and, quote, 'it'll work both ways there'.

To me, that implies they are focused on being physically aggressive and want to push the envelope whilst staying legal.

I reckon they're primed for a physical encounter and will really try to punish us this week.

I just wonder if they complained to the AFL when their players were giving Selwood unfair treatment last year.

 

[Cataholic]

After their coach made a public apology for the performance I'd say it's fairly likely. Umpires will get the whistles out early too.

I think it'll take the wind out of their sails completely if we utterly refuse to react or retaliate to any physically aggressive tactics they use, or employ them ourselves.

Doing so will give them the trigger, the motivation they desperately seek, whereas if we just focus on playing footy it'll force them to do the same and throw them off balance, because strangely enough I don't think the footy is their primary focus this week.

 

[Cataholic]

I just wonder if they complained to the AFL when their players were giving Selwood unfair treatment last year.

Hell no, and as I suggested earlier I reckon they'll go after him again, and our youngsters.

They've got their clarification to go after the man.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Hell no, and as I suggested earlier I reckon they'll go after him again, and our youngsters.

They've got their clarification to go after the man.

I don't think it'll worry Geelong. And I think Geelong will be happy given they're focusing on players rather than their own game.

 

[Cataholic]

I don't think it'll worry Geelong.

As long as they just stay focused on the ball they should be fine

 

[Spazz Cat]

Looking forward to seeing how Cunstable goes against the young inside Melbourne mids.
Will be really interesting.
I reckon Selwood may go forward a lot if targeted.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Looking forward to seeing how Cunstable goes against the young inside Melbourne mids.
Will be really interesting.
I reckon Selwood may go forward a lot if targeted.

Selwood has been targeted his whole career.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Selwood has been targeted his whole career.

True. But we look to have a promising big inside player now, Kelly is on fire, and Gaz can go in too.
Not as vital to keep him in there.

 

[Turbocat]

Stanley's form has been outstanding. His injury last year was very costly, he doesn't go off against Hawthorn and we win that game and would have finished top 4. He is in our top 4-5 most important players at the moment.

Swings and round abouts .... the amount retrospective analysis and rear vision critique that has been talked about since getting in Stanley with the Bundy pick. In truth , he should at this stage of his career be ready to play more consistent footy .Mature body 28 year old 116 games (57 at geelong)...if he can stay in our best handful of players for a year or two get to 100 games it sort of gives that choice a big tick.

 

[winty]

Swings and round abouts .... the amount retrospective analysis and rear vision critique that has been talked about since getting in Stanley with the Bundy pick. In truth , he should at this stage of his career be ready to play more consistent footy .Mature body 28 year old 116 games (57 at geelong)...if he can stay in our best handful of players for a year or two get to 100 games it sort of gives that choice a big tick.

Would've thought we were starting to get that consistency out of Stanley last season before he succumbed to injury late.

 

[Sparkle]

Will be interesting to see if Melbourne target anyone physically this week after complaining to the AFL about Gawn's treatment last week. Will be a severe case of hypocrisy if they do.

If they come out firing and want to start getting stuck into us to make up for last week, and we come out trying to rough them up like Port did (Scott said we won't, but I have my doubts on how true that is) then it could be pretty spiteful.

Dangerwoodlett would be the three they target, but I can't see anyone in our team (especially Hawkins, Stewart or Dahlhaus) letting them cop all the niggles from the Dees.

It could be very physical Saturday night. Last time we played in a physical game we fired up after the melee and completed an 80-point turnaround (Round 5 2016 vs Port)

 

[David Puddy]

Hope you blokes go out and absolutely give it to Goodwin and his bunch of pansies.

Surely you're gonna rough up Gawn again? Scott saying you won't in the media just mind games?

 

[winty]

Hope you blokes go out and absolutely give it to Goodwin and his bunch of pansies.

Surely you're gonna rough up Gawn again? Scott saying you won't in the media just mind games?

Like I said earlier in the thread, I'd like to see us work him over by running him off his feet and making him defend a player rather than just sit in the hole in defensive 50. With Stanley and Sav we have one of the most mobile and athletic ruck divisions. We need to use that advantage.

But I find it extremely hypocritical to complain to the AFL about Gawn's treatment when two Melbourne players were roughing Selwood up 100m off the ball when he was just trying to get to the bench in last year's elimination final. Surely that was worse than any of the treatment Gawn got last weekend.

 

[you pick one]

Maybe Melbourne's effort last week across the board is where they are at in preparation,they may have trouble getting to the Cats after half time to apply jack shit,Gawn isn't at the level he was last year at the moment on last week effort.

 

[Sparkle]

Hope you blokes go out and absolutely give it to Goodwin and his bunch of pansies.

Surely you're gonna rough up Gawn again? Scott saying you won't in the media just mind games?

I have a feeling Scott's talking it up in the media. We'll still come out hard on them. Even if Scott says we won't, I have a feeling the players will band together and hatch a plan like Port did to rough up both Gawn and the whole team.

I don't mind the idea of starting Ratugolea in the ruck, his body size can knock Gawn over early and shake them up. First contest, give him a fair knock in the ruck, just like Ottens did to Jolly at the start of the 2011 GF. And they won't be expecting Sav in the middle early either, they'll be tipping Stanley to start, which throws their pre-game plans

 

[Max Milburn]

Ruggles was a trier. I hope Atkins is more than that.