Prediction 2024 Round 1 Team

[Gavin Excell]

That's a tough rule to hold to

Within reason of course

 

[CHAWKTS]

I'd probably be resting a couple of mature guys that don't need a second run in order to get a look at a few more less experienced types.

Guthrie's out and assuming Bews is outside the squad that leaves 29 who played last week. I'd like all of Clark, Dempsey, Knevitt, Mannagh, Neale and Mullin to get another shot. Maybe O'Sullivan too.

Not sure guys like Hawkins, Duncan, Close, Tuohy, etc need a second run before round 1. It's only the midfield I really want to see at its best given the challenge of missing Guthrie.

That is exactly what I would do. But I am not sure the club will. I reckon this year they are just as keen to get games into the experienced players early to make sure we get off to a good start. And there is 15 days from Essendon to Saints so no need for a rest (whoever doesnt play will have 23 days since last game where they played probably 50% game time)

A shame as I am with you, I see value in all of those guys getting another crack at it - but I think (not sure) Cats might play full strength

 

[CHAWKTS]

Within reason of course

Reason is not encouraged on BF!

 

[Phipppppa]

Thought id give it a go, havent looked at anyone elses yet. Heres my raw one off the top of my head.

B- Zuthrie, De Koning, Kolo
HB- Holmes, Henry, Stewart
C- Duncan, Danger, Blicavs
HF- Miers, Cameron, Close
F- Stengle, Hawkins, Chuckie
R- Stanley, Bruhn, Atkins
INT- Bowes, O.henry, MOC, Knevitt (smokey)

MED- Tuohy

Cam guth injured of course and O'Sullivan not ready yet
Dempsey very stiff, only cos of Chuckie AND Ollie

 

[catnutter]

The injury to Cam Guthrie really highlights Geelong's vulnerability in the midfield. I haven't seen any updates on Cam but it looked very serious based on how he reacted. I'm guessed 6 to 8 weeks, maybe more, maybe a lot more. Brandon Parfitt didn't even get a run in the main game. Unless he was being managed, it seems like he is well off it. This is a disaster as I have always had high hopes for Parf. Unfortunately the same probably applies to Hardie. The good news from the Carlon game was Jack Bowes. I thought he was our best and really added to our midfield. There were good signs from others, Dempsey obviously, also Clark and Mannagh. Mullin did not put himself in the team on that performance and neither did Kenivitt. But I would pick them both anyway. The need for speed and endurance strategy is something I really like. At the other end of the age spectrum, Mitch Duncan was terrific, and Tohey was okay. But I'm leaving both out although Duncan would be a great sub. I'm not picking the best 23 for round one but investing in youth to hope for good returns towards the end of the season. Having said this I believe Stanley plays based on Conway not having enough endurance to run the game out. But he will get plenty of games this year. Another thing I'd like to see include Shannon Neale getting games at least until Rowan is ready. With Neale in the team I want to see Cameron up the ground including in the square for centre bounces and Blitz running the opposition off their feet. Jez is a fantastic footballer and could help with the run and gun style we appear to be adapting. Overall selection will be really tough. My vote is speed and endurance first, especially if they are young and even if there are guys left out despite being better that their replacement.

The injury to Cam Guthrie really highlights Geelong's vulnerability in the midfield. I haven't seen any updates on Cam but it looked very serious based on how he reacted. I'm guessed 6 to 8 weeks, maybe more, maybe a lot more. Brandon Parfitt didn't even get a run in the main game. Unless he was being managed, it seems like he is well off it. This is a disaster as I have always had high hopes for Parf. Unfortunately the same probably applies to Hardie. The good news from the Carlon game was Jack Bowes. I thought he was our best and really added to our midfield. There were good signs from others, Dempsey obviously, also Clark and Mannagh. Mullin did not put himself in the team on that performance and neither did Kenivitt. But I would pick them both anyway. The need for speed and endurance strategy is something I really like. At the other end of the age spectrum, Mitch Duncan was terrific, and Tohey was okay. But I'm leaving both out although Duncan would be a great sub. I'm not picking the best 23 for round one but investing in youth to hope for good returns towards the end of the season. Having said this I believe Stanley plays based on Conway not having enough endurance to run the game out. But he will get plenty of games this year. Another thing I'd like to see include Shannon Neale getting games at least until Rowan is ready. With Neale in the team I want to see Cameron up the ground including in the square for centre bounces and Blitz running the opposition off their feet. Jez is a fantastic footballer and could help with the run and gun style we appear to be adapting. Overall selection will be really tough. My vote is speed and endurance first, especially if they are young and even if there are guys left out despite being better that their replacement.

Thought id give it a go, havent looked at anyone elses yet. Heres my raw one off the top of my head.

B- Zuthrie, De Koning, Kolo
HB- Holmes, Henry, Stewart
C- Duncan, Danger, Blicavs
HF- Miers, Cameron, Close
F- Stengle, Hawkins, Chuckie
R- Stanley, Bruhn, Atkins
INT- Bowes, O.henry, MOC, Knevitt (smokey)

MED- Tuohy

Cam guth injured of course and O'Sullivan not ready yet
Dempsey very stiff, only cos of Chuckie AND Ollie

Clark or Mannagh for Knevitt, need a bit more mongrel.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Thought id give it a go, havent looked at anyone elses yet. Heres my raw one off the top of my head.

B- Zuthrie, De Koning, Kolo
HB- Holmes, Henry, Stewart
C- Duncan, Danger, Blicavs
HF- Miers, Cameron, Close
F- Stengle, Hawkins, Chuckie
R- Stanley, Bruhn, Atkins
INT- Bowes, O.henry, MOC, Knevitt (smokey)

MED- Tuohy

Cam guth injured of course and O'Sullivan not ready yet
Dempsey very stiff, only cos of Chuckie AND Ollie

I reckon you will be very close.

Pretty certain Rohan won’t play so you have that spot for Dempsey (or Neale or maybe Mannagh)

And I think they start the yeah with 2E (I wouldn’t) so you will have a sub spot for Clark/Mullin/Neale/Knevitte

 

[strauchnyy]

Assuming Guthrie is injured:

Fb. Stewart. Dekoning. Kolo
Hb. Zuthrie. J.Henry. Holmes
C. Duncan. Blicavs. Miers
Hf. Close. O.Henry. Cameron
Ff. Dempsey. Hawkins. Stengle
Foll. Stanley. Danger. Atkins
Int. Neale. Touhy. Bruhn. O’Connor.
S. Bowes

Emg. Clark. Mannagh. Conway

 

[Vdubs]

That is exactly what I would do. But I am not sure the club will. I reckon this year they are just as keen to get games into the experienced players early to make sure we get off to a good start. And there is 15 days from Essendon to Saints so no need for a rest (whoever doesnt play will have 23 days since last game where they played probably 50% game time)

A shame as I am with you, I see value in all of those guys getting another crack at it - but I think (not sure) Cats might play full strength

IMHO,
We must play full strength and try and bank early wins while we have the list as fit and fresh as it is. The time to manage players is when they need it, and once we can have runs on the board.
If however, we don't get those wins, and we are struggling, then play the kids.
I'm guessing we should start well.

 

[Vdubs]

Assuming Guthrie is injured:

Fb. Stewart. Dekoning. Kolo
Hb. Zuthrie. J.Henry. Holmes
C. Duncan. Blicavs. Miers
Hf. Close. O.Henry. Cameron
Ff. Dempsey. Hawkins. Stengle
Foll. Stanley. Danger. Atkins
Int. Neale. Touhy. Bruhn. Touhy.
S. Bowes

Emg. O’Connor. Clark. Mannagh

what gives you that impression?

 

[CHAWKTS]

Assuming Guthrie is injured:

Fb. Stewart. Dekoning. Kolo
Hb. Zuthrie. J.Henry. Holmes
C. Duncan. Blicavs. Miers
Hf. Close. O.Henry. Cameron
Ff. Dempsey. Hawkins. Stengle
Foll. Stanley. Danger. Atkins
Int. Neale. Touhy. Bruhn. O’Connor.
S. Bowes

Emg. Clark. Mannagh. Conway

That is almost exactly my choice too…great minds…or…

I probably just have positioning differences. Think they start with MOC on wing and Miers HF with Dempsey on bench

And I have Bowes in 22 and either 2E/Neale or Clark as sub


If the veterans fire this is a pretty good team. Sure we get beaten over a game in the midfield but if defence holds up and we then slingshot I think could move the ball well into a potent forward line. Plenty of premiership teams got beaten at clearances but won the turnover and transition game (Hawks, Richmond etc)

 

[PeasFC]

That is almost exactly my choice too…great minds…or…

I probably just have positioning differences. Think they start with MOC on wing and Miers HF with Dempsey on bench

And I have Bowes in 22 and either 2E/Neale or Clark as sub


If the veterans fire this is a pretty good team. Sure we get beaten over a game in the midfield but if defence holds up and we then slingshot I think could move the ball well into a potent forward line. Plenty of premiership teams got beaten at clearances but won the turnover and transition game (Hawks, Richmond etc)

Agree, Bowes has to play round 1 for me.
Guthrie's injury has opened a spot for him to play in his preferred position - we should give him that time to make it his. He is the perfect age, been earmarked as a leader and I think deserves his shot.

I obviously want us to blood some youth, but I have no problem with Conway, Knevitt, Clark, Dempsey, COS, Mullin and co getting games together in the two's. Play them in their preferred positions and let them learn, build chemistry and knock the door down. Our two's should be much stronger this year with Hardie, Mannagh (maybe), Touhy (occassionally), Jeka and alike.

 

[Gee Class Loco]

Bugger... Cam Guthrie will miss the first 5-6 games due to a Quad tendon injury.
8-10 weeks is what has come out of the club minutes ago.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Assuming Guthrie is injured:

Fb. Stewart. Dekoning. Kolo
Hb. Zuthrie. J.Henry. Holmes
C. Duncan. Blicavs. Miers
Hf. Close. O.Henry. Cameron
Ff. Dempsey. Hawkins. Stengle
Foll. Stanley. Danger. Atkins
Int. Neale. Touhy. Bruhn. O’Connor.
S. Bowes

Emg. Clark. Mannagh. Conway

I love the inclusion of Neale into that forward line.

Who would Conway replace if we played two rucks against the St Kilda giant ?

Could Mannagh start ahead of Dempsey or Stengle ?

Oisin for Kolo ?

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I love the inclusion of Neale into that forward line.

Who would Conway replace if we played two rucks against the St Kilda giant ?

Could Mannagh start ahead of Dempsey or Stengle ?

Oisin for Kolo ?

I can't see Stengle being replaced as of right now.

For all the talk about his downfall, he still kicked 27 goals last year.

It's not elite, and nowhere near his 2023 self...but Lachie Shultz kicked 33, and is being regarded as the second coming of christ in the media right now.

If we get to round 5 or 6 and he's still struggling, there's a conversation to be had.

But until then, he deserves a chance to prove that his fall from grace was indicative of the team as a whole. He was hardly alone in not living up to his 2022 standard.

 

[Mr Meow]

I can't see Stengle being replaced as of right now.

For all the talk about his downfall, he still kicked 27 goals last year.

It's not elite, and nowhere near his 2023 self...but Lachie Shultz kicked 33, and is being regarded as the second coming of christ in the media right now.

If we get to round 5 or 6 and he's still struggling, there's a conversation to be had.

But until then, he deserves a chance to prove that his fall from grace was indicative of the team as a whole. He was hardly alone in not living up to his 2022 standard.

Stengle's scoring metrics were fine last year. People acted as if he fell off a cliff in his primary duties as a forward: kicking and creating goals. A step down from his AA calibre season but he missed a few games and our forward line wasn't serviced that well by the rest of the team either.

Where I thought he dropped off was his general involvement in play i.e moving up the field and getting involved in transition. And then also in his pressure work against opposition defenders. A bit similar for Close. Overall it made us a bit stagnant with ball movement and lax on stopping opposition rebound.

It was only obvious because those areas were such elite PODs for us in 2022, so I'm hoping it's an area of focus.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Bound to have left someone out but here we go :

B Mullin SDK JH
HB Stewart Kolo Zuthrie
C Holmes Bowes Blitz
HF Miers Jezza Close
F OH Hawk Neale
Foll Stanley Danger Bruhn
INT Atkins Stengle Duncan Dempsey Tuohy
EM MOC Mannagh Clark

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

I can't see Stengle being replaced as of right now.

For all the talk about his downfall, he still kicked 27 goals last year.

It's not elite, and nowhere near his 2023 self...but Lachie Shultz kicked 33, and is being regarded as the second coming of christ in the media right now.

If we get to round 5 or 6 and he's still struggling, there's a conversation to be had.

But until then, he deserves a chance to prove that his fall from grace was indicative of the team as a whole. He was hardly alone in not living up to his 2022 standard.

I agree his 23 season was ok, but also think Mannagh is the type of player who could push him out.

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

Man i'm so excited about Neale and OH after the match simulation.

Just generally stoked about the squad we have. If we can find some way to compete in the MF this year we're shots for premiers.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Man i'm so excited about Neale and OH after the match simulation.

Just generally stoked about the squad we have. If we can find some way to compete in the MF this year we're shots for premiers.

The more time goes on the more desperate I get to see these kids tested. I really want to see Humphries in action

 

[Kobe Gryant]

The more time goes on the more desperate I get to see these kids tested. I really want to see Humphries in action

He could be our answer to Kiddy Coleman.

Those players who are elite on both feet off half back are worth their weight in gold. Most underutilized skill in footy.

Coleman was drafted in 2019, and took until 2023 to really cement his spot, so we might see similar with Humphries.

Although, by all reports he's already standing out at training and in the VFL practice match, so he could be an asset quicker than we think.

 

[Catastrophe!]

He could be our answer to Kiddy Coleman.

Those players who are elite on both feet off half back are worth their weight in gold. Most underutilized skill in footy.

Coleman was drafted in 2019, and took until 2023 to really cement his spot, so we might see similar with Humphries.

Although, by all reports he's already standing out at training and in the VFL practice match, so he could be an asset quicker than we think.

Lawson is mature age and ready to go, so I reckon he'd take a lot less time than Coleman to reach his apex IMO

 

[CatToTheFuture]

He could be our answer to Kiddy Coleman.

Those players who are elite on both feet off half back are worth their weight in gold. Most underutilized skill in footy.

Coleman was drafted in 2019, and took until 2023 to really cement his spot, so we might see similar with Humphries.

Although, by all reports he's already standing out at training and in the VFL practice match, so he could be an asset quicker than we think.

Well 2020 was Humphries draft year so he'll want to making the level quickly.

I'd also love it if he turned out to be great just to show that in 2020, the year west coast got TK from us, they could have continued to develop their own talent but walked away.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Lawson is mature age and ready to go, so I reckon he'd take a lot less time than Coleman to reach his apex IMO

So give him a couple of years. Coleman has been a professional footballer since Humphries was in high school

 

[terry_bright]

Lawson is mature age and ready to go, so I reckon he'd take a lot less time than Coleman to reach his apex IMO

He’s still only 20 and by the looks of him, he’s never set foot in a gym.
Even if it takes him a couple of years to develop, he could still be a 10 year player.
Love him to make an impact early as we need creative, dynamic ball users in the back half, but I can’t see it happening.

 

[year of the cat]

Finished watching the game. Few observations -

• Holmes and Bruhn both look fit and in good form. Ready to take the next step.
• Neale presented well and looks to have further developed over the pre season. Whilst he will never be a replacement for Hawkins (no one would), he’s ready to play senior footy if either H or Cameron need a rest.
• Mannagh looks ready to go. Think he’ll play round 1.
• Conway is ready too. I see this year as an opportunity for him to share the load with Stanley - possibly play 15 games - assume it outright in 2025.
• Dempsey is a player and should be played. With O.Henry they’d be a nightmare matchup for most teams.
• Knevitt worries me. Struggles to find the footy at this level. Still a way away.
• Thought Clark was ok. Disposal was iffy but his endeavour was terrific. Some very good interceptions where he read the play well. He’ll play.
• O’Sullivan will be a player but will take time. Think SDK in his first year.
• Mullin needs to stop hand balling to the closest teammate and look for one in space. think Bews is still ahead.
• Biggest highlight was Bowes game.

My round one team -

B: Bews, SDK, J.Henry
HB: Stewart, Kolo, Z.Guthrie
C: Holmes, Bruhn, Mannagh
HF: Close, Cameron, Miers
F: Stengle, Hawkins, O.Henry

Foll: Conway, Dangerfield, Bowes

Int: Duncan, Blicavs, Clark, Atkins

Sub: Dempsey

Ps: tempted to play Dempsey over Close but Close has the runs on the board. Was poor last season though.

Couple of changes. Stanley and Dempsey come in for Conway and Kolo.

B: Bews, SDK, Z.Guthrie
HB: Duncan, J.Henry, Stewart
C: Holmes, Bruhn, Mannagh
HF: Close, Cameron, Miers
F: Stengle, Hawkins, O.Henry

Foll: Stanley, Dangerfield, Bowes

Int: Blicavs, Clark, Atkins, Dempsey

Sub: Tuohy