Preview 2012 Expectations

[Goggin Our Best]

Next Year Season 2012

You read about all these coaching changes for next year -like Sando is allready a hero at the Crows-what did he say -there will be an immediate upward Spike . Watters is going to rejuvinate the Saints-like Scott did with Geelong according to captain Nick. McCartney says the Dogs are going to be feared. Ross Lyon is going to give Freo that Hard edge which they have allways lacked. Ratten says the Blues will finish Top 4 minium. Bucks is going to Tinker with the game plan. Richmond are going to awake from their 30 year slumber -and it goes on and on and on and on.

Where does that leave us -Hopefully with a 4th flag in 6 years

But next season can a club do what we did when Blight was appointed in 1989 basically come from no where ( i think we were 33 to 1 in pre season betting) and nearly win the Premiership or is Football today to regimented and structured that a Club cant come from No where and win the Flag.

 

[Vdubs]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

From our star studded 2007 lineup, we have lost Abletts, King, Mooney, Milburn, Ling, Max Rooke, Egan, and we have just won a flag. We should be able to sit back with the fondest of memories of what this team has delivered. and just wait for the rest to catch us if they can
. We know that if they do, we have all the methods and structures to implement a fight back anyway. Happy days.

But I'll worry about every team once the season resumes

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

I seem to be joining in on most threads tonight

I reckon Geelong have more champions across every line than at any other club.
Look at the defensive line and take away the big names and you have Mackie, Wojcinski, Hunt, Lonergan. 4 players who would be a certain starter at Carlton, St Kilda, Bulldogs, Richmond or Fremantle.

Again take away the usual suspects and in the middle there is Christensen, Duncan who would now get a game at any other club apart from probably Collingwood.

In 2012 we'll introduce regulars like Guthrie, Cowan, Simpson, Vardy, Smedts and outsiders will be saying "who are these new kids", but we know they've been getting ready for the past couple of years already so it will be no surprise when they do start to make an impact during games next season.
Am sure opposition clubs have their own guns ready to come in but at Geelong, these new players have to earn their spot in one of the greatest teams in history in order to play football and that is what will separate us from most of the other top teams.
They haven't got the depth coming through to fall back on if injury hurts them which it will do at some point.
We lost Menzel and it didn't even effect us one little bit but you take away that type of player at any other club and they start to feel it as the game wears on.

 

[And_ROOS]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

I dont understand why ive heard people say we cant win next years flag. Once again we will be "too slow" but yet where will the drop off come from? Unless we have players drastically unfit ala 2006 i cant see this team, with the talent we have, being knocked far off the perch.

Cruise through the season, rotate wisely, finish top 4 with a home final, and let our superstars rise again. We have awesome kids coming through. The middle tier of players are on the brink of stardom, and our best players are up there with the best in the competition.

Saints are stuffed already, especially if the rumours of them having to offload players is true. The Dogs lack key forwards and defenders. Freo will NEVER be a top club despite having the potential to be.

And the less said about Richmond the better.

Our competition is a fit Hawthorn, a motivated Collingwood, and possibly an improving West Coast.

 

[betchsta]

So I don’t post here to often , But as we all know it's been an amazing 5 years to have been a Geelong supporter and witness our club achieve greatness, So I’m just wondering what everyone else thinks as to what will happen next season and what you expect from the club, Even with a few retirement’s I've got no doubt in my mind that we can be right up there and compete for a 4th flag in six year considering we seem to have the depth to cover the loss of players like mooney,ling,milburn, I think Well's has done fantastic on recruiting for a long time and definitely picked out a few gems among Vardy,Menzel,Duncan,Christensen,West etc, and all the player seem to love having Chris Scott as coach, Who do you think should be captain, I think Joel Selwood will be given the job and will be a great leader for the club, So providing we can keep a clean bill of health I’d say a top 4 finish is not of the question and challenge for the flag again,Your thoughts ????

 

[Saint]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

Geelong's become the hunted again, which always makes it more difficult.

Collingwood and Hawthorn are the obvious threats. Hawthorn, if they can get a functioning backline particularly in key positions would just about be favourites for me.

Geelong should hope that Collingwood and Hawthorn emerge as clear favourites at the start of next year, to ease the pressure on the Cats.

Carlton still have major holes up front (like Geelong pre 2006) and West Coast's midfield, unless Kerr gets fit, just isn't premiership quality.

It will come down to who wins the Prelims and GFs between Cats, Pies and Hawks and a lot of that will be down to injuries and form at that time of year. All 3 have won flags recently so know what it takes.

Can't see the Dockers, Blues or Doggies doing much better than perhaps sneaking into the 4.

 

[cat in sydney]

Personally, I think we'll have enough to be up in the top 4 again.

I am thinking however that we may experience just that little bit of a drop off which will make it difficult to reach the pinnacle of a premiership again. Reasons why:

- Game plan will be analysed and worked out by other clubs. Can we tinker it enough without losing our ascendancy?
- Second year players often experience a tough year. Although guys like Duncan, Bundy and Menzel aren't strictly second-year players next year, 2011 was really their first year properly in the seniors. They may well struggle just like many others do and not have the 'surprise' factor and resultant influence on games.
- Injury lottery. Clubs get hit randomly by injuries. We did this year, but it wasn't anything major. If we experience the same as Hawthorn, we will really struggle. Can we be as lucky again this year?
- Leadership. While Selwood will be a great captain, losing the likes of Mooney, Milburn and Ling from around the club will have an impact. It may take a couple of years to work through that loss.
- Hunger. While we have an incredibly competitive group, will they have the hunger to go back-to-back? Many have been there for three premierships now, and are now rightly being debated as one of the greatest teams of all time. How much hunger do they have to go for a fourth?

Well, despite all these reasons, I'm a Geelong supporter, and I reckon we're good enough to win it again!

Go Cats!

 

[Gladbaqs]

The surprise packet could be the Saints. If Kosi, Riewoldt and Hayes are all fit they'll still be a tough team.

 

[cat in sydney]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

The surprise packet could be the Saints. If Kosi, Riewoldt and Hayes are all fit they'll still be a tough team.

I'd be surprised if they are a threat - they could be, but I'd be surprised.

Kosi, even when fit, has never been a consistent enough threat. He has good patches, but seriously fades out of seasons, often at critical times.
Riewoldt could well be finished. Has knee problems that are more than just a surgery fix. Don't think he'll ever get back to his best.
Hayes could well be disappointing in his return. He's 32 (?), and coming back from a knee reco is usually tough, and more often than not the player has a quiet first year in return. If he has a quiet year, and the Saints go poorly, I reckon he'd pull the pin on his career at the end of 2012.

I agree that if those three are fit and firing, they're a dangerous team. But I think the odds are very much stacked against them all being in that condition and form for enough of next year to be a contender.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

Saints having a new coach will help spark the veterans again but they really haven't got that much quality in the youth coming through unless they get a few good draft picks.
McEvoy is going to keep improving along with Steven but unless they make season 2012 a big year for change they are now going to be the oldest list in the competition as Geelong have shed a few oldies recently and a couple of other veterans will start fighting for their spots.

Riewoldt has never been a strong contested marking forward, he's always been a lead up forward like Mooney was for us but with a freakish running capacity. He has too many injuries and like so many champions in Pavlich, Chapman, Riewoldt, O'Keefe, Kerr to name a few...age is catching up.

I really believe the Bulldogs will be the likely improver in 2012 and they have a very good mix like us of youth and veterans although they still lack a genuine key forward but they do have a terrific midfield in Griffin, Cross, Boyd and Cooney.
If Higgins can have a break out season he has the ability to do what Mark LeCras can and boot over 60 goals a season for them.

 

[beckhamsam69]

Personally, I think we'll have enough to be up in the top 4 again.

I am thinking however that we may experience just that little bit of a drop off which will make it difficult to reach the pinnacle of a premiership again. Reasons why:

- Game plan will be analysed and worked out by other clubs. Can we tinker it enough without losing our ascendancy?
- Second year players often experience a tough year. Although guys like Duncan, Bundy and Menzel aren't strictly second-year players next year, 2011 was really their first year properly in the seniors. They may well struggle just like many others do and not have the 'surprise' factor and resultant influence on games.
- Injury lottery. Clubs get hit randomly by injuries. We did this year, but it wasn't anything major. If we experience the same as Hawthorn, we will really struggle. Can we be as lucky again this year?
- Leadership. While Selwood will be a great captain, losing the likes of Mooney, Milburn and Ling from around the club will have an impact. It may take a couple of years to work through that loss.
- Hunger. While we have an incredibly competitive group, will they have the hunger to go back-to-back? Many have been there for three premierships now, and are now rightly being debated as one of the greatest teams of all time. How much hunger do they have to go for a fourth?

Well, despite all these reasons, I'm a Geelong supporter, and I reckon we're good enough to win it again!

Go Cats!

Never underestimate Geelong's hunger to win. I have no doubt that they will be hungry for 2012 like any other year, back to back is about the only thing this team hasn't achieved.

 

[CatTricks]

Scarlo wants to win another flag before he hangs up the boots.

I think you will see a very focused and determined group trying to send him out on the high he deserves.

 

[Grizzly_82]

As long as we don't have a Hawk 2009 season I'll be happy, but really want B2B but gee it's going to be hard

 

[candiehappy]

Scarlo wants to win another flag before he hangs up the boots.

I think you will see a very focused and determined group trying to send him out on the high he deserves.

you won't get a more motivated bloke than Scarlo - except Chappy!! And Selwood will IMO be pumped as Captain and want a flag in his first year in that role.

What ever problems we may face next year I don't rate motivation as one.

Nor do I feel that the game plan will be one either, I think that in Scott we have aquired an incredibly astute football brain.

I am so over the off season already, bring it on !!

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Pretty much the same as last year... if we have a good run of injuries and form coming into finals, we will compete - and we will be the team other teams don't want to play , regardless of form.

I probably have higher subconscious hope for next year, than I did for this year though... As I didn't think we would be as dominant as we were given all factors (ageing, Ablett, new coach). So I'm more hopeful and optimistic for next year having seen what we did this year.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Agree with those saying the same as last year. As soon as the fixture is released, the focus goes to working out how best to manage our vets. Priorities should be placed on getting games into kids (without them being gifted) and winning every game we play in Geelong. With GWS entering the league, it means several teams will have five games against PA/GC/GWS, with none of these teams looking capable of making a great move up the ladder. What all this means is it may be another year where 16/17 wins could be required for a top four spot. We can't afford to lose any at the cattery.

It's hard to say without seeing the fixture, but it would be great to be entrenched in the top two from very early in the season, so we can cruise into the final month or so of the season. That's been the winning formula in both 2009 and 2011 and I think it's important for our older bodies to be cherry ripe coming into the finals.

So, ultimately, my goals would be:

Not losing at Simonds Stadium.
Getting sufficient rest into our 29+ brigade
Putting faith in our younger players, with plenty of opportunities for our U23s.
2-4 Rising Star nominations.
Top 4/MCG QF.

From there, we will reassess when the time comes.

 

[Partridge]

- Game plan will be analysed and worked out by other clubs. Can we tinker it enough without losing our ascendancy?
- Second year players often experience a tough year. Although guys like Duncan, Bundy and Menzel aren't strictly second-year players next year, 2011 was really their first year properly in the seniors. They may well struggle just like many others do and not have the 'surprise' factor and resultant influence on games.
- Injury lottery. Clubs get hit randomly by injuries. We did this year, but it wasn't anything major. If we experience the same as Hawthorn, we will really struggle. Can we be as lucky again this year?
- Leadership. While Selwood will be a great captain, losing the likes of Mooney, Milburn and Ling from around the club will have an impact. It may take a couple of years to work through that loss.
- Hunger. While we have an incredibly competitive group, will they have the hunger to go back-to-back? Many have been there for three premierships now, and are now rightly being debated as one of the greatest teams of all time. How much hunger do they have to go for a fourth?

Game plan I'm not bothered too much by to be honest. The most important attribute they need to have is to be intelligent footballers. Which we are stocked to the gills with. Whatever gameplans come up, I'm confident they can find ways to overcome them. The fundamentals don't change.

Not worried about our second and third year players at all. If they aren't up to it I'm sure there will be others ready to take their spot. The side must continually evolve. We should be fervently hoping that Ottens can't get a game next September because West and Simpson are keeping him out. I'm serious too.

Injuries you can't control, no point worrying about it. Main thing is being conservative with bringing guys back from injury, and ensuring they have sufficient time. We are very good at this already.

Leadership? Not in doubt. I think we'd have 6 captains ready to go if necessary. They are a very driven and focused group. That leads to hunger, which I don't think is remotely satisfied yet.

Doesn't mean we will win the premiership, but I'm confident they'll prepare themselves for a shot very nicely.

 

[donbooger]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

Saints were only ever our equal because of Lyon and the gameplan. Lyon has fled and the gameplan ineffectual, they are a good side but will need the emergence of a few more young stars to hop back into the premiership window.

Geelong, Hawks and Pies all look the goods for next year. Will have to wait to see how the cards fall to seperate them.

 

[you pick one]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

I'll get back to you when I see how badly we get shafted in the fixture.

 

[catters05]

IMO the Hawks will be the "It" team next year i feel, with everyone saying "Too old, too slow" Cats again. I think they will be pretty fired up after going down in the Preliminary final like they did.

I am not so sure about the Pies, Malthouse could be such a massive loss that could derail them a bit and who knows how FIGJAM will go.

 

[Varcoe2Chapman]

Re: Next Year Season 2012

Should be the same top 4 as 2011. By seasons end we were 6-7 goals better than West Coast, 5 goals better than Hawthorn, and 6 goals better than Collingwood. I can't see any clubs outside of those getting close to overtaking us. Carlton need to pull something out of their backside to have a genuine shot at getting near a GF. Sides like Sydney, Essendon, Fremantle, North aren't quite there yet. Every year there is a bolter, my prediction for 2012 is Freo :s

Having said all of that i expect us to be top 4 but it will be anyones from there. Will be tough but as long as we don't depart the finals disgracefully.

 

[Turbocat]

To be top 4 , I believe we will need to continue on the path we started this year. Add 3-4 new kids to the regular mix , and have 4-5 players >50 games become best 22 by the seasons end.

Duncan, Bundy is there. Menzel injured. Lets say Hunt , Guthrie, are capable lets add another two or three. Maybe Smedts, Motlop , Gillies

 

[bulletproof]

I expect the AFL to manipulate the draw, to reduce the number of blowouts. We will play Collingwood, Hawthorn, Carlton, St Kilda and probably Essendon twice.

They will placate these tier one sides above by reducing the number of interstate trips. Good for the finances but will make top two more difficult. Though our tough draw worked in our favour last year.

 

[Pie eyed]

I just wanted to pop onto your board and congratulate your lads on a great win in the GF.
Even from a Pies supporters PoV it was an very good game, although the good was coming from the wrong team.

Best of luck next season.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Thanks Pie eyed, really good of you.

Back on OP, I do think we can challenge again next year although we'll need a good run with injuries, the retirements don't take much out of our best 22 (other than the skipper of course) considering Mooney and Milburn weren't in it come finals time, but they do hurt our depth a bit so a good run with injuries and good management of the older player will be crucial, as will some kids becoming best 22 players. My tip would be Hunt and Guthrie most likely for that, and hopefully Motlop and Gillies also make progress.

Certainly think we can win enough games to make top 4, and from there it's anyone's.