Preview 2012 Expectations

[David the Cat]

Forget Brown, Smedts even Guthrie. The young player that would give me the greatest smile if they played well would be Dawson Simpson.

If he fired it would probably make the biggest impact on the team success of any newbie next season IMO.

Won't be forgetting Smedts...neither will you after next year, but agree about Daws...if he makes it, it will be a boon for the Cats next year.


Also agree with meto on Vardy...if Daws and West work in tandem Vardy could well develop into a KPP...he looks like a very good player to me.

Got an inkling Wells will pull a smoky big man early on in this draft...lets see.

 

[Boxhead_31]

We pick Bourke in the draft

Not this year he is too young maybe next year if he keeps developing

 

[Vdubs]

We pick Bourke in the draft

Is he able to be picked this year? We can get him as father son next year, but can he get picked up this draft under our noses?

 

[dazbroncos]

Forget Brown, Smedts even Guthrie. The young player that would give me the greatest smile if they played well would be Dawson Simpson.

If he fired it would probably make the biggest impact on the team success of any newbie next season IMO.

Totally agree with the above....

Otto's shoes I feel will be the biggest to fill by a mile ( not understating any of the retirees efforts of course) but in terms of replacement i feel he is the toughest to cover.

Thus if Daws fires and reduces the loss of Otto, his presence will be the most felt.

Go Catters..

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Why is Dawson Simpson at the club if he's not ready for ruck duties now? He's had long enough (4yrs) and is mature enough, either play the guy or trade him, coze now's his time, he's our only natural ruckman just at the minute.

agree but I reckon it's because Ottens was taking his spot & deservedly so being the number 1 ruck but he finally get's his opportunity now

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Forget Brown, Smedts even Guthrie. The young player that would give me the greatest smile if they played well would be Dawson Simpson.

If he fired it would probably make the biggest impact on the team success of any newbie next season IMO.

wait till you see this boys ability in 2012 he's our next Bartel...takes contested high marks and is composed under immense pressure.
I reckon his talents could be wasted in the backline and would love to see him play forward of center.

The early 2010 game against Fremantle where Blake/Simpson were up against Sandilands/Johnson was a great indication of how good Simpson is going to be.
He was able to hold his own but it was his athleticism that really surprised me, was jumping and out running the bigger man and even in the ruck stoppages around the ground, he was able to hold his own but was eventually beaten in the hit outs department by a far more seasoned footballer.
I hope he continues to work on his jumping because you add the leaping into his size and it makes it impossible for other ruckman to stop.
Ottens from 5 years ago had a terrific spring which made so good when he went forward similar to West now so am sure he'll be training hard to strengthen the legs and backside for the regimented ruck role of AFL footy.

 

[Gogeelong]

Is he able to be picked this year? We can get him as father son next year, but can he get picked up this draft under our noses?[/quote
I understand Bourke is eligible next year. It is my / our expectation he would be picked up in 2012 as per title of thread.

I think the club would keep this in mind in this years draft.

Hawkins, Brown, Vardy, Bourke? all key forwards.

Therefore I think we will pick CHB and midfielders this year.
Also 1 mature ruck from onother league on our sup list which is imperative

 

[BotsMaster]

I think I'll go into 2012 with the same expectations as 2008/09 as someone put it post 2008 "...last year's expectations were a flag, this year will be no different." Now I can't remember where I read this or who said it (may have been winty ), but that's what I'm going with.

Also looking forward to seeing some of this year's draftees play as I'm sure they'll do well whether in the AFL or VFL and I hope our VFL team has a great year maybe even a premiership year

 

[CatFan73]

As we look forward to 2012 it's good to look back and with the benefit of hindsight, reflect on some of the feelings around this time last year when Chris Scott was appointed:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/chris-scott-new-cats-coach/story-e6frf9jf-1225939770009

Some of the comments that bring a smile include:

Lisa of Melbourne "Sanderson will be at collingwood by the end of next year!!" (yes, we all thought that!)

Speed Machine of Sale "Congratulations to Chris Scott! A true champion of the game! It goes to show you that with hard work, perseverance and dedication a successful career can be carved out! Well done Geelong for looking outside the square and trying to change the culture at a very successful club. Bring on the development of some of the young up and coming stars at Geelong and continue an era of dominance for the club! All the best Scotty - you are a true champion! We'll be sure watching your career with interest over the coming years."

Bert Brownless of Shepparton "Surely the Cats need a better guy than this,or is coaching now a marketing exercise for the clubs and the players can coach themselves? Maybe the Cats will sack him before they win another flag,as I doubt if they'll win one with him."

Millsy of Bris "Another untrired coach. What money for Geelong wooden spoon, coach sacked at end of year. $2.00 at sportsbet. Should have gone with Hinkley. Bad Bad Blue."

This one gave me a particular smile:

pies2010 of Frankston "Cannot wait to play the cats again now that they have a dud coach lol"

 

[Vdubs]

I thought we'd struggle a bit without Ablett, that we'd be past it for a flag, but was rapt to get Chris Scott as coach. He was my #1 choice. Got 1 out of 3 correct. Meatloaf got nil correct this year!

Will NOT write off any flag hopes next year, and while Lingy and Ottens are irreplaceable, we probably don't have to exactly replace them. CS has proven that the process surpasses individuals, and our process is simply the best.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

the upside to our side is enormous. I'm extremely encouraged by the likes of Guthrie, schroder and cowan taking the next steps and impressing on the senior level in the same way menzel, Duncan, Christensen, Vardy and Hunt and that's not even mentioning Brown who could just be the pick of the litter. Dawson Simpson is my man most likely this year...from what I have seen, when he steps into the seniors he just tries his absolute guts out, he is a big unit and when he gets that confidence he will be a weapon...along with the improvement in West and Vardy able to make a contribution we could again form a powerful big man unit.
I'm hoping that Hogan can take that next step too and look to replace Ling in that big bodied defensive midfielder....this will be important and I think Hogan has the ability, just not the confidence.
With these things in mind I am certain that we can improve on our efforts this year....we are certainly every chance to go back to back, such a great spread of youth and experience.

 

[vinum coupe]

I would say it's possible that we could have enormous upside. But we may be wrong and it could all come crashing down in a big heap.

Right now there's only Menzel, Christensen, T Hunt, and Duncan who look to have what it takes to play to a level of those they are replacing.


We can't yet say that about West, Brown, Simpson, Gillies, Guthrie, or Vardy.
Although I do think those last 2 will make the grade.

And we know nothing of Cowan, Smedts, and all the other new recruits taken this year and last.
(although I have said Cowan wont make it. Based on seeing him play 20 minutes of footy )


I do think they can win it in 2012. But they are going to have to keep with the program of 2011 where plenty of kids were given a look in. Because if we dont we will be shot when the core group of Kelly, Bartel, Chapman, Corey, Johnson, Enright and Scarlett call it a day.

Not just bottom of top 8 shot. I mean shot, shot.

 

[Belisarius]

I'm with you GB.

I look at the potential on the list from the up and comers - and then the stars we still have - and I can see us being a powerful unit next year. It also helps Scott has proven to be a good young coach - who will also have gained from the 2011 season.

However I also know how hard it is to go back to back - and that potential may not become reality. So I am not over confident but, I think, rightfully optimistic about next season.

It will depend on injuries and some of the potential of the young guys becoming a reality.

If Simpson can really stand up - and we get a good replacement for Ling - then we will surely will be up there.

I think we will be even in better shape in 2013 if Scarlett stays on for that season. As the young players we have will have had even longer to establish themselves at the highest level.

I am optimistic because we have so many potential young guns - and the odds are at least 2-3 will make it in the next 2 seasons.

I read really good things about Guthrie, Smedts, Cowan, Vardy and Brown. Then we have Menzel to come back - and we have back up in Byrnes and THunt.

So if someone like Hogan did come good - then we would be great shape next season.

We would have depth, a heap of stars and quite a few young guns making their way into the AFL ranks.

It seems to me that a fair bit depends on the rucks - who are quite inexperienced. Simpson just does not have the senior experience - nor West or Vardy or the Big O.

However if we can manufacture a good ruck combination we will be in the box seat next season I feel.

I have a have a good feeling about West as the second ruckman - and Dawson has looked ok to me in the VFL. And the insurance policy, the Big O, seems like a very astute recruiting move to me - gven the ruck position could have been an achillies heel for us next season.

Quietly confident we can therefore make the finals, perform well and have a real shot to go back to back - 4 Premierships in 6 seasons. The dream lives on.

 

[kimodgers]

If next week was Round 1, 2012....
My 22 would be, given current injuries..

JHunt Scarlett Wojo
Guthrie Taylor Enright
Mackie Bartel Kelly
Johnson Pods Chapman
Christiansen Hawkins Stokes

West Corey Selwood

Simpson Lonergan Varcoe Duncan

I know this thread is about expections and, given the above, my expectations for 2012 is min. top4

 

[The rabbi]

If next week was Round 1, 2012....
My 22 would be, given current injuries..

JHunt Scarlett Wojo
Guthrie Taylor Enright
Mackie Bartel Kelly
Johnson Pods Chapman
Christiansen Hawkins Stokes

West Corey Selwood

Simpson Lonergan Varcoe Duncan

I know this thread is about expections and, given the above, my expectations for 2012 is min. top4

I think that within the minds of many Geelong fans Lonergan is unfairly forced to carry baggage from when he played forward. He should be in the starting 18.

How many goals did he concede in the 2011 grand final again?

 

[catswhiskers]

And we know nothing of Cowan, Smedts, and all the other new recruits taken this year and last.
(although I have said Cowan wont make it. Based on seeing him play 20 minutes of footy )

Cups half full on Cowan eh!
I watched him in that NAB cup at Princes park last year against that well credentialed Carlton mid field. When he was brought into the game and asked to start in the centre square against Judd etc he was instrumental in the cats over running Carlton in the last. Can read it, can win contested ball, can gut run.

May not be a Bartel or Ablett or Selwood but will be a good replacement for Corey or Kelly when the time comes.

 

[winty]

I'm going to be interested to see who steps up over the course of the season and cements themselves in our best 22 come finals time. Last year we saw Duncan, Christensen and West all step up. I'm hoping the likes of Gillies, Simpson, Taylor Hunt and Hogan are the ones who step up and put their names up to be regular senior players.

I'm guessing this year we'll probably blood another half a dozen first gamers also. Orren Stephenson is an obvious debutant, but I can also see Schroder, Smedts, Horlin-Smith, Kersten and Murdoch debut.

I'm also interested to see how much we can get out of Vardy, Brown and Menzel for next season. If they were fully fit, I could see Menzel definitely playing a part in our best 22, and Vardy battling with West, Stephenson and Simpson to be one of the two ruckmen come the business end of the season. Brown for me needs some more time in the gym, unless we can use him as a floating tall.

In summary, I wouldn't mind at all that come the first week of the finals when we hopefully run out fpr a qualifying final, our side looks like this:

B: Scarlett Lonergan T.Hunt
HB: Enright Taylor Mackie
C: Varcoe Corey Bartel
HF: Duncan Hawkins Chapman
F: Johnson Podsiadly Stokes
Foll: Simpson Kelly Selwood
Int: Christensen West Menzel
Sub: Hogan
Emerg: Gillies J.Hunt Smedts

Changes from 2011 Premiership side:

In: T.Hunt Simpson Menzel Hogan
Out: J.Hunt Ottens Ling Wojcinski

 

[Vdubs]

I'm going to be interested to see who steps up over the course of the season and cements themselves in our best 22 come finals time. Last year we saw Duncan, Christensen and West all step up. I'm hoping the likes of Gillies, Simpson, Taylor Hunt and Hogan are the ones who step up and put their names up to be regular senior players.

I'm guessing this year we'll probably blood another half a dozen first gamers also. Orren Stephenson is an obvious debutant, but I can also see Schroder, Smedts, Horlin-Smith, Kersten and Murdoch debut.

I'm also interested to see how much we can get out of Vardy, Brown and Menzel for next season. If they were fully fit, I could see Menzel definitely playing a part in our best 22, and Vardy battling with West, Stephenson and Simpson to be one of the two ruckmen come the business end of the season. Brown for me needs some more time in the gym, unless we can use him as a floating tall.

In summary, I wouldn't mind at all that come the first week of the finals when we hopefully run out fpr a qualifying final, our side looks like this:

B: Scarlett Lonergan T.Hunt
HB: Enright Taylor Mackie
C: Varcoe Corey Bartel
HF: Duncan Hawkins Chapman
F: Johnson Podsiadly Stokes
Foll: Simpson Kelly Selwood
Int: Christensen West Menzel
Sub: Hogan
Emerg: Gillies J.Hunt Smedts

Changes from 2011 Premiership side:

In: T.Hunt Simpson Menzel Hogan
Out: J.Hunt Ottens Ling Wojcinski

Are you SAVING Wojo for week 2, or is he injured?

He is on our list for a reason, and that reason is FINALS, specially GRAND FINALS. If he is on our list, is a MUST START player, IMHO

 

[David the Cat]

Are you SAVING Wojo for week 2, or is he injured?

He is on our list for a reason, and that reason is FINALS, specially GRAND FINALS. If he is on our list, is a MUST START player.

Can't see Wojo missing......he's a must... as you say VD.

Just goes to show how hard it is to pick our 22....wouldn't be surprised to see Smedts included btw....

 

[Goggin Our Best]

One interesting aspect for next year and the following 3 or 4 years as to how we go is Hawkins . That last quarter of the GF which ive watched at least 15 times -he was outstanding -plus the guy is a man mountain -huge . Does he go right on with it -if he does god help opposition teams . I wouldnt mind in the 1st 3 or 4 games next year-position and play him just like the GF -Just have him as the one big forward -predominantly from the goal square -but with the freedom to move up the ground (a bit like Carey actually) and see if the guy can dominate like he did in the GF

 

[you pick one]

Think Menzel is in no mans land,wait and see If he gets back next year.

 

[geelong_boy]

Think Menzel is in no mans land,wait and see If he gets back next year.

From what I've heard he's training the house down but yeah even if he does make it back for some games in the later part of the year he won't be back to his best until he has a full pre-season and game confidence in his knee.

 

[winty]

Are you SAVING Wojo for week 2, or is he injured?

He is on our list for a reason, and that reason is FINALS, specially GRAND FINALS. If he is on our list, is a MUST START player, IMHO

I knew I'd leave somebody out. I always do.

I guess I was just emphasising the point that I hope another handful of youngsters will force their way into the side by season's end. I understand your point about him but if Wojo's fit by season's end and a youngster has forced him out of the side by playing well, then surely that would augur well for our future I would've thought.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Wojack just seems to get better with age, his finals series was superb this year and I love the way he is actually sticking a few overhead marks. His pace is as quick as ever....hopefully both he and Taylor hunt can form a half back duo.

Whatever the case we are going to have enormous growth from a number of areas with second and third year players leading the charge. We have some potential superstars in Brown, Vardy and Menzel, but we are going to have to remain patient there....those three could be absolutely anything.

 

[year of the cat]

It 's pretty hard to make a case at the moment for more than just the 2 compulsory changes to our grand final team. So if I was picking a team for "tomorrow" then it would be:

B: Scarlett Lonergan J.Hunt
HB: Enright Taylor Mackie
C: Varcoe Corey Bartel
HF: Duncan Hawkins Chapman
F: Johnson Podsiadly Stokes
Foll: Simpson Kelly Selwood
Int: Christensen West Wojcinski
Sub: Guthrie
Emerg: Hogan, T.Hunt, Smedts

This is of course assuming Menzel is still unavailable.

I have a feeling though that by years end we could see any of Stephensen, Smedts, Vardy, Menzel, T.Hunt or even Kersten fighting there way into the team. My vulnerable players (for reasons of possible injury or form) would be Corey, Chapman, J.Hunt, Simpson, Stokes and Pods.