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

[Zouz Kitty]

Scott said quite emphatically in his presser today that ML's presence was NOT the reason he got frustrated.

Minutes later Lauren threw Matt's name out again, deliberately, to bait Scott but once again he said it has nothing to do with Matt.

Lauren is trying to twist the narrative of the real situation to make Scott look antagonistic towards a V.I person. Scott is a big meanie to disabled man!

Scott was also emphatic that the situation was reported incorrectly + misleadingly.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Too true. However I can think of a few other player nicknames that would be even less appropriate for grown men to come dressed as to the footy.

Well, you might be delighted to know that Catman, late 60s, has had his fangs restored

 

[Zouz Kitty]

When did the hatred for Geelong start over at Tigerland? Prior to 2017 you never really heard anything out of them. Then they won some flags, started spewing hatred, and a lot of that hatred was aimed at the Cats for some reason? They beat us in a Grand Final (albeit a Grand Final with an asterisk on it). Hard to know where the hatred came from.

I think it was because they lost every game to Geelong for 16 years, or 22 years

A very long time.

+ still, we live rent free in their heads

 

[dudusmaximus]

...
When you've won 13 flags since '61, everyone on this entire forum has a story unfortunately - regardless of age or their club of choice.

Hopefully Geelong can build something similar. We're twenty years in now, another 30-40 to go.

We can't compare their 60-odd year success (kudos on their 13 flags!) with our ongoing (20 years in; 40+ years to go) years. AFL Equalisation kicked in. A lot of ongoing recruitment-rule changes to hinder sustained success (F/S, Academy re-Zoning etc.).

The Hawks 60-odd year, 13 flag, success is a historical anomaly (they couldn't repeat it if we gave them regular all-stars; ask GWS). Like how the US was the only manufacturing standing, as the rest of the developed world came out of WW-II and needed finance/products to regrow. The Hawks of old benefited by being semi-professional while most the other clubs were rank amateurs or impoverished.

 

[callmeX]

Scott should be able to tell the gutter scum to fcuk auf, that presser was diabolic

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Those witches hats and their goal celebrations really trigger me.

Hopefully Poos+Wees play like witches’ hats

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Can't compare their 60-odd year success (kudos on their 13 flags!) with our ongoing (20 years in; 40+ years to go) years. AFL Equalisation kicked in. A lot of active recruitment rule changes to hinder sustained success (F/S, Academy re-Zoning etc.).

The Hawks 60-odd year, 13 flag, success is a historical anomaly. They couldn't repeat it we gave them all-stars. Ask GWS. Like how the US was the only manufacturing standing, as the rest of the developed world came out of WW-II and needed finance/products to regrow. The Hawks of old benefited by being semi-professional while most the other clubs were in amateurs.

No doubt there's an element of right place, right time.

There always is with dominance in sport, and it must be said, they've gotten a remarkable amount of soft kills (e.g clubs in their first ever GF, or first in a long time) over the journey.

To be fair though, they at least have the feather in their cap of AFL era dominance too.

I think the fallacy of their success that you're mentioning is better applied to the likes of Essendon and Carlton, who seemingly have no idea what they're doing in the salary cap/draft era. Much like Kodak, they had a market share that no longer exists as time and technology evolves.

Alternatively, Hawthorn seem to know what they're doing, and have proven they can win in different eras of football. It wasn't just the luck of zones, they've shown they can do it after that had been abolished.

Anyway, we're getting off track, and if I have to complement them again I'll probably throw up.

As always, f**k Hawthorn.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Chappy 2008 was a miss
SJ 2009 was a miss, but we covered him.
SJ 2011 was fit and his patella was taped and injected to perfection

He copped the Baker tag. The effectiveness of the tag combined with the injury kept him quiet. However, had he not played, that tag very well could have gone to someone else, such as Chapman, so all-in-all probably was for the best.

 

[Finknottle]

Half pleased and half concerned about the Clark selection l. He must be really showing something at training to earn this spot which is promising, but gosh he really hasn’t shown he is ready on the field.

Good luck to the kid. Scott normally has good instincts for this stuff.

Clark looks a bit lost at AFL level. I like Clohesy, he's been dominating at VFL level and has the body for finals. I'd be confident if he had to come on early for an injured player. Not so Clark.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Clark looks a bit lost at AFL level. I like Clohesy, he's been dominating at VFL level and has the body for finals. I'd be confident if he had to come on early for an injured player. Not so Clark.

If we're relying on either of them, we're already screwed.

The game is going to be won and lost on turnover, and that's going to come down to how Stewart, Smith, Holmes, PFD, Cameron, and the fleet of smalls can punish Hawthorn. It's typical finals footy.

That's our game, and whether we can outscore them from stoppage where they've been vulnerable at times this year, particularly in the forward line.

We do these two things, and we'll win comfortably. We don't, and it could be a long night.

I'm no Clark fan, but if he's the deciding factor, something has gone horribly wrong.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Hawks Turnover Game



In Finals almost 11 goals from turnovers

A big improvement





According to Montagna, Hawks have the smartest half forwards. Watson + Moore kick the ball forward, they create room + are efficient from turnovers. This is the threat to Geelong because we like straight line footy. The challenge for Geelong will be nullifying Hawks’ small forwards.


From First Crack

 

[Caminocat]

How many of us can actually visualise and imagine us knocking Hawks out of the finals? Never happened in my lifetime since 63. Really difficult to dsee it- not so long to wait now.
The ongoing media frenzy about the issues involving CS and Bailey Smith is pathetic.

I can. I was at the 1963 Grand Final and saw it happen. Have faith, we have done it before and we can do it again.

 

[Cat Woman]

Listened to Scottie’s press conference. He did talk around in circles re the media with him and Bailey. He could have summed it all up in five minutes. Not important it though, main thing is we win.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Adelaide booing, Brisbane players flopping, and potentially Hawthorn arrogance/smugness.....

I feel dirty at the prospect of almost barracking for Collingwood all finals series.....

Impey flopped when he banged his head into the ball being held by Bazlenka

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Listened to Scottie’s press conference. He did talk around in circles re the media with him and Bailey. He could have summed it all up in five minutes. Not important it though, main thing is we win.

I think it was pretty clear he wasn't able to discuss his true feelings and reasons for the incidents, whether that's due to the AFL gagging him, or he's just fearful of a fine.

We're talking about a league here who will fine you $40,000 for daring to question the standard of umpiring.

He's not going to outwardly discuss his qualms with them, particularly in this circumstance where the majority of people want his head on a spike already, hence the politician esque talking in circles.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Did Stokes go into 2008 injured?

Yes dont remind me

 

[Play it Sam]

If we're relying on either of them, we're already screwed.

The game is going to be won and lost on turnover, and that's going to come down to how Stewart, Smith, Holmes, PFD, Cameron, and the fleet of smalls can punish Hawthorn. It's typical finals footy.

That's our game, and whether we can outscore them from stoppage where they've been vulnerable at times this year, particularly in the forward line.

We do these two things, and we'll win comfortably. We don't, and it could be a long night.

I'm no Clark fan, but if he's the deciding factor, something has gone horribly wrong.

Clark had less than two minutes and managed to jag a point assist, before that call up was slaying in the ressies.
We were doing well enough and injury free, so not needed, although could have been when Paddy went down the race (but reappeared)
So I don't think we can really judge or deny, but they must have the belief that he could hold his own then, as now.
With the exception of Stanley, we are extremely blessed to have this team (injury free unlike other years) on deck tonight, with a good little runner and tackler on the pine. He'll do alright, but the less we see of him augers better, no one being beaten or injured..

 

[joe444]

Hawks Turnover Game

View attachment 2429820

In Finals almost 11 goals from turnovers

Meh.

Last 10 games:
Hawthorn ranked 3rd for most turnovers
Geelong ranked 18th.

Last 5 games
Hawthorn ranked 5th for most turnovers
Geelong ranked 18th

PS: in their two finals they played the #1 team for turnovers (Adelaide) and the number 6 (GWS). The Crows match was always going to be turnoverfest, so no wonder the Hawks scores from that source went through the roof.

That ain't us. Among many reasons why I think we win, this is one of the biggies. They give the ball back; we don't.

 

[joe444]

Courtesy wheelo ratings:

 

[Footy Smarts]

Clark looks a bit lost at AFL level. I like Clohesy, he's been dominating at VFL level and has the body for finals. I'd be confident if he had to come on early for an injured player. Not so Clark.

I'm the complete opposite. I don't see it at all with Clohesy.

Both absolutely throw their body in 100% so you can't question their commitment.

But Clohesy to me shows irrational desperation where he goes for the ball when the right thing to do for the team is to hold his position. Clark is much smarter about when to attack the ball and when to cover a man.

Disposal is also chalk and cheese. Both are still adjusting to the pace of the game so make some poor decisions but Clark steadies himself before kicking, his technique is good and generally hits it well. He's also an elite handballer.

Clohesy's standard kicks undercut the ball so lack penetration. And under pressure he slams the ball on the boot when off balance meaning it can go anywhere. When that happens multiple times a game at VFL level it's likely to be a major issue at AFL level.

I'm a bit surprised by Clark over Knevitt. Clark over Clohesy looks pretty obvious to me though.

 

[joe444]

Your game day reasons for optimism (bear with me, I was right about Brisbane) aka Hawthorn's Brown and fools' Gold

Adelaide & GWS are high turnover, low pressure teams.
(Ade #1 for turnovers, #7 for pressure)
(GWS #6 for turnovers, #14 for pressure)

Geelong are THE ULTIMATE low turnover (#18), high pressure (#1) team

Hawthorn are a high turnover team (#3)
We lead the league in scoring from turnover.

No excuses; now is the time; they have what it takes.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Hawks Turnover Game

View attachment 2429820

In Finals almost 11 goals from turnovers

A big improvement

View attachment 2429824

View attachment 2429825

According to Montagna, Hawks have the smartest half forwards. Watson + Moore kick the ball forward, they create room + are efficient from turnovers. This is the threat to Geelong because we like straight line footy. The challenge for Geelong will be nullifying Hawks’ small forwards.


From First Crack

You could completely rewrite that article to be about how bad both gws and the crows were in giving away the ball and it would be no less accurate

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I have never been worried about beating hawthorn the team. I am worried about a bad start and being out of touch after one proper game since Sydney.

We are a better team but better teams sometimes lose.

 

[Johanpetro]

Shes bloody windy outside

 

[barmy44]

My brother is over there too- keep an eye out for him- Cats man...but seriously, what a place to be in to recall a possible historical win.

Good to see you still contributing

Fairly nerve wracking day ahead... hope you and your brother can enjoy the game on opposit sides of the world!