Preview 2013 AFL fixture released

[FredLeDeux]

If we played 4 weeks of Saturday afternoons, that would be 4 games in 22 days. It's not that bad.

The trip to Sydney shouldn't hold us in terror. We beat them there in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Second point first, it wasn't Sydney I was worried about, just that the trip added to the physical strain of the 3x6 day breaks.
It isn't my body being tested, so I have no personal yardstick; but the players and coaches and fixture-makers do all seem to think that the 6-day breaks are harder.

 

[dazbroncos]

That's good, I might move.

pie and sauce is a REALLY LONG WALK however....

Go Catters

 

[Partridge]

I think that the mid year GC, GWS, bye, BL run will be harder than it looks. Both GC and GWS will be better and BL will give us a harder run at it.

You think so? GC were meant to be better this year and were worse. GWS are going to be whipping boys for some time yet. If they aren't two big wins we're in trouble. Brisbane harder no doubt but we generally play pretty well up there.

 

[Partridge]

Second point first, it wasn't Sydney I was worried about, just that the trip added to the physical strain of the 3x6 day breaks.
It isn't my body being tested, so I have no personal yardstick; but the players and coaches and fixture-makers do all seem to think that the 6-day breaks are harder.

Yet more reason to promote the younger guys then, they'll be able to cope with it better than 32 year olds kept in the team for sentimental reasons.

 

[dazbroncos]

You think so? GC were meant to be better this year and were worse. GWS are going to be whipping boys for some time yet. If they aren't two big wins we're in trouble. Brisbane harder no doubt but we generally play pretty well up there.

GC troubled us in the first 1/2 both games and we had to push to get home - which in the end we did. Just not as automatic as people think. We can certainly beat them - just not a cake walk...

Go Catters

 

[FredLeDeux]

Yet more reason to promote the younger guys then, they'll be able to cope with it better than 32 year olds kept in the team for sentimental reasons.

What 32 year olds would they be then?

 

[footscore]

How is that a negative for us? They should be almost certain wins. Do we really care who we play at Geelong? I don't.

wouldn't it be great to play a genuine top side for a change at our newly developed ground though?
Think back to the 90's, some of those matches between Collingwood, Essendon and West Coast were sensational and we had over 33,000 crammed.
Port and Melb are just atrocious and the build-up to these matches is pretty dire (no disrespect to those team)

 

[Partridge]

Pretty good draw overall. Regarding the point above, it's a bit of a waste to have a bye after an easy run of games isn't it?

I'd prefer to have a bye after a Hawks game. We don't seem to do too well the week after those.

Since the start of 2009, if you limit it to home and away games the record is exactly 4 wins and 4 losses. Strangely enough, in premiership years we've won the following week every time (twice in 2009 and 2011), in non-premiership years we've lost the following week every time.

It seems to reflect the strength of the team quite well. When we're good, it doesn't bother us. When we're so-so (like this year), it does. No real shock.

 

[Partridge]

What 32 year olds would they be then?

Figure of speech, but I'll name Corey for starters - although I'm aware he isn't 32. Scarlett and Wocjinski have retired too, so there's a couple less veterans that need managing.

Either way the point is the same, the draw is what it is. There aren't any valid excuses for not being able to deal with it, considering with we've won premierships coming up against more or less the same scenarios.

 

[Partridge]

GC troubled us in the first 1/2 both games and we had to push to get home - which in the end we did. Just not as automatic as people think. We can certainly beat them - just not a cake walk...

Go Catters

If we're switched on and serious we'll slaughter them. If they just roll up not wanting to do the hard work (as we started both games against GWS and Gold Coast this year) then it will require some serious effort.

The second game in 2011 is a true indication of the difference between the sides when Geelong are properly focused.

 

[Partridge]

wouldn't it be great to play a genuine top side for a change at our newly developed ground though?
Think back to the 90's, some of those matches between Collingwood, Essendon and West Coast were sensational and we had over 33,000 crammed.
Port and Melb are just atrocious and the build-up to these matches is pretty dire (no disrespect to those team)

Until the ground capacity hits 40,000 it's never ever going to happen so not worth worrying about. West Coast still come down to Geelong now and again.

 

[AM]

At first glance it seems we're Etihad bound more next year.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Figure of speech, but I'll name Corey for starters - although I'm aware he isn't 32. Scarlett and Wocjinski have retired too, so there's a couple less veterans that need managing.

Either way the point is the same, the draw is what it is. There aren't any valid excuses for not being able to deal with it, considering with we've won premierships coming up against more or less the same scenarios.

Agreed, don't bplay anyone for sentimental reasons.
And, of course, doesn't matter what the draw is, you have to deal with it and, ultimately, beat everyone.

 

[dazbroncos]

If we're switched on and serious we'll slaughter them. If they just roll up not wanting to do the hard work (as we started both games against GWS and Gold Coast this year) then it will require some serious effort.

The second game in 2011 is a true indication of the difference between the sides when Geelong are properly focused.

Completely agree. Thing is, we weren't switched on and struggled for a bit. Can't have that approach this time, as they will have improved a little bit.

Go Catters

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I'm happy with the fixture. Four games under lights at Kardinia was a bit of a surprise. Three six day breaks after the first month doesn't seem too rough and we haven't been given too bad a run with the teams we play twice (Haw/Syd/PA/NM/BL) or our interstate trips (Both Syd/GWS/PA/Ade/BL/WC). But the first month is as critical as we always suspected. 3-1 and we're laughing for the rest of the year.

 

[James1970]

I'm sure the bean counters at the club would be miffed at having to re-work the budget now knowing we only get the Pies once, and an away game at that. Staggering, considering the recent past.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

I'm sure the bean counters at the club would be miffed at having to re-work the budget now knowing we only get the Pies once, and an away game at that. Staggering, considering the recent past.

Forget the exact number, but doesn't an MCG home game for us need to get about 80k to break even with what we get from any home game at KP?

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

GC troubled us in the first 1/2 both games and we had to push to get home - which in the end we did. Just not as automatic as people think. We can certainly beat them - just not a cake walk...

Go Catters

Mind you, Caddy kicked 3 against us that day so you know add that to our tally this year and take it off them

 

[Boxhead_31]

Forget the exact number, but doesn't an MCG home game for us need to get about 80k to break even with what we get from any home game at KP?

Think it is about 60k at the G to equal a KP game

 

[James1970]

Forget the exact number, but doesn't an MCG home game for us need to get about 80k to break even with what we get from any home game at KP?

Hazy memory tells me it's more around 55,000.

Just surprised we're pnly playing the Pies once - when was the last time that happened? Seems yonks.

 

[SuperCats9]

I'm looking forward to the Geelong v St. Kilda game at Simonds, something different.

 

[Conan Troutman]

How is that a negative for us? They should be almost certain wins. Do we really care who we play at Geelong? I don't.

I think "certain wins" is the point. It cuts out the home ground advantage.

It's not gonna happen, but it would be good to play some Vic finalists at KP, to get some benefit from of the home ground advantage.

 

[manboob]

Not a bad fixture, rewards us big time if we can navigate a tricky start to the season. And given we had the extra months rest anything is possible.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Don't know what we've all been worrying about:

This is a great fixture for our club and our supporters," acting chief executive Rob Threlfall said.

"We think overall it is a fair fixture. We have a good split of games at the various venues, the majority of games on Saturdays which our supporters like and a reasonable travel schedule."

 

[Kayaz]

Gee what is it with those Hawthorn flogs? i go over to their board and every single poster is sooking in every possible way, "AFL hate us" "they want us to fail" "its us Vs the AFL" just such immaturity they brag about how good they are, then they should cop it on the chin that they deservedly get a hard draw for it.