2nds 2011 VFL side

[SJ]

Good point. Didn't seem to make any difference to Jimmeh, J.S, the guy that left us, Boris, Chappy et al tho. So are you suggesting he can't quite cut it when he needs to step-up?

With all those playing well at the 'G I'm surprised we only won one from five against Collingwood and St Kilda.

 

[AM]

With all those playing well at the 'G I'm surprised we only won one from five against Collingwood and St Kilda.

Yeah! Bloody Pods always goes missing in the big 'uns. C'mon down PO

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Yeah! Bloody Pods always goes missing in the big 'uns. C'mon down PO

Well I have a feeling etihad is a fair way from the G and Pods averaged 4 goals a game there

Actually the real point, statistically and otherwise is that all of our forwards were down on their averages in their games at the g as compared to other venues (I have a feeling Stokes was the only one who bucked that trend although he didn't play all the games at the g), and not just our forwards, but a whole bunch of other players as well. It's not as if the team performed well and he was the weak link and showed he's no good against quality opposition. Rather, the problem was more deeper than that and ran across the whole team. Pods was merely one of many underperformers in those games, no worse than many others, but just gets more maligned because he's the new guy.

Anyway, back to original point, of course he has room for improvement, but had a pretty damn good 2010 and I'll back him in for 2011.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

For what its worth - I think that Pods will improve next season - even without as dominant mid-field. He will get some confidence from last season's results. Has good hands and many Cat's players will kick to him one out.

I just hope Kelly plays more mid-field as he is a very good player - and his talent would be better utilised.

And I agree with PO if Ottens does not get some form back we look weak in the ruck division. For me the only real glimmer of hope is Dawson Simpson. And I am not overly confident he will be ever near Ottens at his best.

We have a lot more possible players who can fill the flanks and wings - that could add to the side. But KP players we seem to have some concerns - as the pool is a little less in number and potential.

So if I had a few wishes it would be that Simpson and Brown - and maybe Vardy come good. WE need 3 tall players to come good soon for us to be competitive in the next 2-3 seasons. I am confident we can get a few very good flankers and wingers into the side over the same period of time.

Agree.

I saw the odds on Duncan and Menzel for the rising star yesterday and it reminded me how many good running options we have to come into the team, but we are a bit thin on the ground, both numerically and otherwise, if any of our talls go down, or just otherwise aren't up to it (ie ottens getting old)

 

[AM]

Well I have a feeling etihad is a fair way from the G and Pods averaged 4 goals a game there

Actually the real point, statistically and otherwise is that all of our forwards were down on their averages in their games at the g as compared to other venues (I have a feeling Stokes was the only one who bucked that trend although he didn't play all the games at the g), and not just our forwards, but a whole bunch of other players as well. It's not as if the team performed well and he was the weak link and showed he's no good against quality opposition. Rather, the problem was more deeper than that and ran across the whole team. Pods was merely one of many underperformers in those games, no worse than many others, but just gets more maligned because he's the new guy.

Anyway, back to original point, of course he has room for improvement, but had a pretty damn good 2010 and I'll back him in for 2011.

Lurve your passion (platonic of course) for Pods. SJ tossed up a slow loopy full toss which I couldn't resist whacking over the fence. Pods has been a success story. IMO there's a consistency issue though. His good is very good. But when he's "off" he's ordinary and those efforts have been mainly away from Skilled. More even performances in 2011 and I might join his fan club.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Lurve your passion (platonic of course) for Pods. SJ tossed up a slow loopy full toss which I couldn't resist whacking over the fence. Pods has been a success story. IMO there's a consistency issue though. His good is very good. But when he's "off" he's ordinary and those efforts have been mainly away from Skilled. More even performances in 2011 and I might join his fan club.

On all I can agree too. Although we ought not to mark too harshly a bloke who hadn't even seen the MCG before this year, he was massive for us in 2010 and I hope for an even better 2011 from him...right now he's our best option at FF and we'll see what happens next year, and hopefully he'll get more fan club members

 

[SJ]

Lurve your passion (platonic of course) for Pods. SJ tossed up a slow loopy full toss which I couldn't resist whacking over the fence. Pods has been a success story. IMO there's a consistency issue though. His good is very good. But when he's "off" he's ordinary and those efforts have been mainly away from Skilled. More even performances in 2011 and I might join his fan club.

My point was most players were down in games at the 'G this year, Podsiadly was not on his own there.

 

[AM]

My point was most players were down in games at the 'G this year, Podsiadly was not on his own there.

Yep! Got that SJ. But thought there was a jocular reposte just too inviting to pass up. Time of good cheer and all that.

 

[Belisarius]

For what it is worth - I think that Pods, Duncan, Menzel, THunt and Simpson will be better for us next season. Surely the games they played in the seniors indicated enough to believe they will be in contention for senior games at some stage of the year.

An extra pre-season will also benefit them as well.

That is why I think there will be at least 3 changes to our normal side by seasons end.

Simpson is the least likely of the 4 I have mentioned but is probably the most important given we are short on potential ruckman. Just not sure Blake or West can do the job we need to improve the side without a super star gone like Ablett and some aging stars like Mooney.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

For what it is worth - I think that Pods, Duncan, Menzel, THunt and Simpson will be better for us next season. Surely the games they played in the seniors indicated enough to believe they will be in contention for senior games at some stage of the year.

An extra pre-season will also benefit them as well.

That is why I think there will be at least 3 changes to our normal side by seasons end.

Simpson is the least likely of the 4 I have mentioned but is probably the most important given we are short on potential ruckman. Just not sure Blake or West can do the job we need to improve the side without a super star gone like Ablett and some aging stars like Mooney.

Agree on the first four, and really hope they become even better next year.

I just hope Duncan and Menzel aren't hindered by having to be the sub too often because they are so versatile.

I actually have more confidence in West than I do Simpson, and I think we'll really see Scott have an open mind about the ruck setup for 2011.

 

[Belisarius]

A few posters see a future for West. I have only seen him play a few games in the seniors. He seems quite mobile and has a bit of grunt about him - and is just tall enough to play second ruck and still be able to have the flexibility to go down forward and compete.

However I just have not seen him the twos where he has played some good games that would bring more confidence to me in him actually being a player for us.

However I suppose GFC saw something in him to give him another year contract.

Simpson however is the right height for a ruckman and also has some grunt about him - and again I have not seen enough of him to know if he has any real prospects going forward. Buy his height appeals to me. Hard to keep jumping over a near Sandilands height all day as an opposition ruckman. If he can take over head marks could also be a danger down forward.

All maybe's - and I think Geelong has got Ottens, Blake, West and Simpson - and just hope that one or two will be good next season.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

A few posters see a future for West. I have only seen him play a few games in the seniors. He seems quite mobile and has a bit of grunt about him - and is just tall enough to play second ruck and still be able to have the flexibility to go down forward and compete.

However I just have not seen him the twos where he has played some good games that would bring more confidence to me in him actually being a player for us.

However I suppose GFC saw something in him to give him another year contract.

Simpson however is the right height for a ruckman and also has some grunt about him - and again I have not seen enough of him to know if he has any real prospects going forward. Buy his height appeals to me. Hard to keep jumping over a near Sandilands height all day as an opposition ruckman. If he can take over head marks could also be a danger down forward.

All maybe's - and I think Geelong has got Ottens, Blake, West and Simpson - and just hope that one or two will be good next season.

Actually I have seen him play some very good games in the 2's, finished top 10 B & F this year and was one of our very consistent performers. Played well against Stephenson who is a very good ruckman. Personally if I was picking the round 1 side I'd pick West first based on the VFL form of the three, where he's clearly been the standout. The new rule will help him immensely and I think he'll progress this year

Dawson's been ok in the VFL but I'm not as bullish about him. While his height is admittedly a good thing, and what everybody loves, and his actual tap work is quite good, he needs to improve his marking and body work for forward play, which is his major present weakness, as well as use his big frame more and throw it around-I nicknamed him baby giraffe this year because for such a big boy he's not nearly as aggressive as he could be (while a lot smaller, West actually throws his body around and will shepherd and crash packs and so forth). There's a bit there to work with but I think West definitely is the better option for seniors atm IMO.

 

[AM]

The speculation is interesting but it's obviously way too early to make assessments. Who knows, Chris might find something in Blakey that hitherto has been missing.

 

[Belisarius]

Actually I have seen him play some very good games in the 2's, finished top 10 B & F this year and was one of our very consistent performers. Played well against Stephenson who is a very good ruckman. Personally if I was picking the round 1 side I'd pick West first based on the VFL form of the three, where he's clearly been the standout. The new rule will help him immensely and I think he'll progress this year

Dawson's been ok in the VFL but I'm not as bullish about him. While his height is admittedly a good thing, and what everybody loves, and his actual tap work is quite good, he needs to improve his marking and body work for forward play, which is his major present weakness, as well as use his big frame more and throw it around-I nicknamed him baby giraffe this year because for such a big boy he's not nearly as aggressive as he could be (while a lot smaller, West actually throws his body around and will shepherd and crash packs and so forth). There's a bit there to work with but I think West definitely is the better option for seniors atm IMO.

This would be great if West came good for us in the seniors. He does not need to be a stand out - just super competitive would be enough for me at this stage. Just make sure he is not dominated - makes good position, receives and dishes out a few handballs, makes a few tackles, spoils the opposition ruckman in marking contests and takes a few marks himself.

Just enough stats to see him a worthwhile contributor. But please no duck eggs.

 

[CatTricks]

I remember a few VFL games where West was played as a mobile CHB and was pretty good..

 

[Belisarius]

Would be happy to see West play a game or two at CHB and see if he is as good as option as Lonergan for the bigger forwards that Taylor is a bit under sized for a good match up.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Agree on the first four, and really hope they become even better next year.

I just hope Duncan and Menzel aren't hindered by having to be the sub too often because they are so versatile.

I actually have more confidence in West than I do Simpson, and I think we'll really see Scott have an open mind about the ruck setup for 2011.

Simpson must be 2-3 pre-seasons behind West?
If so he's coming along nicely............

 

[AM]

Simpson must be 2-3 pre-seasons behind West?
If so he's coming along nicely............

You can just never be sure. While we all thought Mummy was going to be a player, I don't reckon even the Swans figured he'd have the break out year he did last year.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Simpson must be 2-3 pre-seasons behind West?
If so he's coming along nicely............

Yeah he's coming along ok. My point was just I think that if the club had known the interchange rule was coming in, they'd have spent a lot of time training him in forward play in 2010 because that's a string he'll need to his bow and it's his weak area currently. But we couldn't have known that. As for Dawson overall, time will tell. It's his fourth year so he does need to make some inroads.

I remember a few VFL games where West was played as a mobile CHB and was pretty good..

Ah yes that was 09, and he was pretty good. Played more mobile CHF this year and also made a good go of it.