Are we far away?

[chapmanmagic35]

After a PF in 2004 and a SF in 2005, this year has been disappointing, without a doubt obviously. With high expectations, we have so far failed to live up to the hype that we created through previous peformances.

The question I pose is...are we far away from being a side that can seriously challenge again?

In 2006, three of our losses have been by a goal or less, so I was wondering how far you all think we are away from challenging once more.

Can we do it next year? Do we have what it takes?

 

[thegerman]

Can we do it next year? Do we have what it takes?[/quote]

Definitely we can.

1. Mooney hang onto your stupid actions/aggression. Channel it in the right direction.

2. Fitness levels increase without breaking players. Get a good pre-season behind Ottens, King, Woja, Henry, and NAblett. The rest of the team just needs to increase their overall fitness levels.

3. Keep Ottens at FF, and run Ablett, Chapman, SJ and Gamble at his feet. Stokes also fits in here, but I think Gamble is a surprise just waiting to burst. Give this kid some game time.

4. Gain better skills coaches, i.e. Hinkley and Lovett have to go. Our kicking for goal is very average, yet we still have a guy coaching the forwards on these poor skills. It obviously isn't working. Hinkley was a mediocre forward player, who often struggled with his kicking, why is he still there. Since Lovett joined the Cats, Kelly, Ling and Corey have depreciated in their skill levels. Like on Big Brother, it's time to go.

5. With an elevation of skills in the midfield, bring back KK. Look when he played the best, our midfield had better and more effective skills. Doesn't this say his form dropped off because of poor disposal to him.

6. Keep the core players and don't delist much. Keep Kourli and the likes, as he consistantly delivers in the seconds, giving others a good look at a professional player, who really tries to deliver even if he will never get a senior guernsey again.

 

[hyperswivel]

Hey, if James Hird reckons Essendon can - then why not Geelong?
Your window is probably larger than that of St Kilda, but it's closing.

 

[Shell]

After a PF in 2004 and a SF in 2005, this year has been disappointing, without a doubt obviously. With high expectations, we have so far failed to live up to the hype that we created through previous peformances.

The question I pose is...are we far away from being a side that can seriously challenge again?

In 2006, three of our losses have been by a goal or less, so I was wondering how far you all think we are away from challenging once more.

Can we do it next year? Do we have what it takes?

Yes, but be honest. We played pretty bad in those games.. as bad as you can losing by less than a goal anyway. Melbourne certainly deserved to win and we kicked a couple late goals against the Dogs.

Challenge next year?? Certainly!
NOT winning the pre-season flag would be a start!!
No more hype and no more premiership favouritsm would be good too...

 

[brett_go_cats]

we still have the second youngest side in the comp, only behind hawthorn, so i think there is time

 

[hyperswivel]

An honest question.

As a Hawks supporter, the last couple of years have been pretty tough going where going to the football you'd almost have to be mentally prepared for a loss and anything else was a bonus.
In this time, Geelong's win/loss ratio has been quite a bit better and I'm certain that when you go to games, you're hungry for and expecting a win.
So, with the expectation of making the finals and even contesting for a flag, does that make the lack of results more dissapointing, or is there still a sense of fulfillment in getting value wins for your membership dollars?

 

[Shell]

An honest question.

As a Hawks supporter, the last couple of years have been pretty tough going where going to the football you'd almost have to be mentally prepared for a loss and anything else was a bonus.
In this time, Geelong's win/loss ratio has been quite a bit better and I'm certain that when you go to games, you're hungry for and expecting a win.
So, with the expectation of making the finals and even contesting for a flag, does that make the lack of results more dissapointing, or is there still a sense of fulfillment in getting value wins for your membership dollars?

No.... now stop being a sarcastic p***k...

 

[cats2rise]

I am aiming for top 6 and making it to the semi's next year (we cannot expect a Grand Final.. drastic changes may take place and we need to get use to them next year) and then 2008 should be our year. I hope.

 

[Shell]

I am aiming for top 6 and making it to the semi's next year (we cannot expect a Grand Final.. drastic changes may take place and we need to get use to them next year) and then 2008 should be our year. I hope.

My main concern is that we dont make a Grand Final until we are absolutely, positively ready for it. Another runner up would rip the heart n soul out of the club, imo.

 

[LongBomb]

with the expectation of making the finals and even contesting for a flag, does that make the lack of results more dissapointing, or is there still a sense of fulfillment in getting value wins for your membership dollars?

Take a wild guess guess genius.

 

[jefffff34]

I am aiming for top 6 and making it to the semi's next year (we cannot expect a Grand Final.. drastic changes may take place and we need to get use to them next year) and then 2008 should be our year. I hope.

Why can't you make the Grand Final next year? 2001 Pies finished 9th, next year almost won it; last year we finished 15th, at the moment we are looking at a home elimination final.

Good run with injuries, a couple of nice additions - a fast midfielder especially, a top 10 draft pick and you are sweet.

Put it this way, I am happy that Geelong aren't in the finals to cause some grief because on your day, you can beat anyone.

 

[hyperswivel]

Why can't you make the Grand Final next year? 2001 Pies finished 9th, next year almost won it; last year we finished 15th, at the moment we are looking at a home elimination final.

Good run with injuries, a couple of nice additions - a fast midfielder especially, a top 10 draft pick and you are sweet.

Put it this way, I am happy that Geelong aren't in the finals to cause some grief because on your day, you can beat anyone.

Erm, that can be applied to any club.

 

[thehoff]

Why can't you make the Grand Final next year? 2001 Pies finished 9th, next year almost won it; last year we finished 15th, at the moment we are looking at a home elimination final.

Good run with injuries, a couple of nice additions - a fast midfielder especially, a top 10 draft pick and you are sweet.

Put it this way, I am happy that Geelong aren't in the finals to cause some grief because on your day, you can beat anyone.

That makes it worse for me because i know we are better than other teams in the 8.

We'll play finals next year, however, i knew from early on we were in strive this year.

Thanks for the thoughts though.

 

[Rosella]

we still have the second youngest side in the comp, only behind hawthorn, so i think there is time

And just retired the eldest.

 

[Rosella]

At the coaches night Brian Cook said that the window for Geelong isn't just this year but for up to 4 years due the the age of the club.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

That makes it worse for me because i know we are better than other teams in the 8.

We'll play finals next year, however, i knew from early on we were in strive this year.

Thanks for the thoughts though.

Which teams do you think you're better than.
Serious question.

 

[Partridge]

In this time, Geelong's win/loss ratio has been quite a bit better and I'm certain that when you go to games, you're hungry for and expecting a win.
So, with the expectation of making the finals and even contesting for a flag, does that make the lack of results more dissapointing, or is there still a sense of fulfillment in getting value wins for your membership dollars?

I hate every loss with a violent passion, in any circumstance. Whether we're at home, or away, or interstate, or carrying injuries, or playing the reigning premiers, or any other reason you can think of. Losing to me is always unacceptable.

Now take a wild guess at how we feel. Happy? Guess again.

 

[cat in sydney]

At the coaches night Brian Cook said that the window for Geelong isn't just this year but for up to 4 years due the the age of the club.

Wow... 4 flags in a row! This forum would have a different flavour if that happened wouldn't it!?
Poor renegade wouldn't have much to whinge about if that happened. Although, he could probably think of something...

 

[cat in sydney]

Which teams do you think you're better than.
Serious question.

Seriously??
Um... West Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne, Fremantle, St.Kilda, Sydney, Bulldogs, Collingwood.

Listen to the song... "We are Geelong, the greatest team of all..." Pretty much says it all!

 

[Big Nasty]

Which teams do you think you're better than.
Serious question.

Umm, Melbourne thats for sure.

 

[Renegade]

If Franky boy is going to honour Thompsons final year then 2007 is on the scrap heap. 2008 we'll start talking about what we can do as a club.
Next year will be the most miserable year for awhile....and we've had some misery. But it's the Geelong culture to accept crap so no doubt next year you'll all be excited about a possible premiership that is obviously not even close. Don't worry, i'll be here to tell you 'I told you so'.

 

[Partridge]

Next year will be the most miserable year for awhile....and we've had some misery. But it's the Geelong culture to accept crap so no doubt next year you'll all be excited about a possible premiership that is obviously not even close. Don't worry, i'll be here to tell you 'I told you so'.

The frustrating thing is the core of the playing group is very good. The right coaching and improvement in a couple of areas and we'd be a strong side. I firmly believe that. But I don't believe it will happen under knucklehead.

I'll go down a slightly different path than Renegade, I'll start predicting Thompson's excuses after losses next year. We'll get:

1. "We lost, but the opposition were great"
2. "The flu has gone through the playing group"
3. "We're getting closer to winning interstate"
4. "The players are underdone"
5. "We've got senior players injured, without them we're fragile"

And the old favourite......

6. "To see a performance like that was disappointing".

 

[catempire]

A team that can belt bottom 8 teams is not far away (see Brisbane R1, Kangaroos R2, Carlton R14, Essendon R11)

A team that loses 3 games by a goal or under to top 8 teams is not far away (see Melbourne R6, West Coast R10 and Bulldogs R4)

A team that gets 54 points in front of West Coast during the 3rd quarter is not far away

A team that flogs Fremantle at Subi is not far away

A team that convincingly beats Sydney by playing hard, accountable football is not far away

HOWEVER…

A team that gets belted by 90+ points twice in a season lacks some key ingredients

A team that can throw away a 9 goal lead lacks some key ingredients

A team that simply goes missing in key games against Hawthorn, Kangaroos and St Kilda, is severely mentally deficient.

SO…

The issue isn’t whether or not we are “far away”. Clearly we’re not far away in terms of possessing the potential to win against quality opposition.

The issue is that we lack key ingredients that successful sides have that enable them to get “there”. At this time the key problems are the coach, followed by the skills of the playing group followed by a lack of leadership.

 

[grantyc77]

Well said CAT EMPIRE, spot on...

 

[chapmanmagic35]

A team that can belt bottom 8 teams is not far away (see Brisbane R1, Kangaroos R2, Carlton R14, Essendon R11)

A team that loses 3 games by a goal or under to top 8 teams is not far away (see Melbourne R6, West Coast R10 and Bulldogs R4)

A team that gets 54 points in front of West Coast during the 3rd quarter is not far away

A team that flogs Fremantle at Subi is not far away

A team that convincingly beats Sydney by playing hard, accountable football is not far away

HOWEVER…

A team that gets belted by 90+ points twice in a season lacks some key ingredients

A team that can throw away a 9 goal lead lacks some key ingredients

A team that simply goes missing in key games against Hawthorn, Kangaroos and St Kilda, is severely mentally deficient.

SO…

The issue isn’t whether or not we are “far away”. Clearly we’re not far away in terms of possessing the potential to win against quality opposition.

The issue is that we lack key ingredients that successful sides have that enable them to get “there”. At this time the key problems are the coach, followed by the skills of the playing group followed by a lack of leadership.

Very nice post!