Best side in 2010

[Partridge]

Cheers.

I think Hunt is better than Wojak but yeah their are question marks about the knee. My money is on Hunt though. Maybe both red

West could sneak in for a green as suggested as can probably Lonergan as well. Can't see either of them getting much game time though.

Here goes nothing.....

B) Hunt Scarlett Milburn
HB) Enright Taylor Mackie
C) Corey Bartel Kelly
HF) Chapman Mooney Johnson
F) Rooke Hawkins Varcoe
R) Ottens Ling Ablett
I/C Blake Selwood Wocjinski Byrnes

If everyone is fit. The only way Lonergan will get a game is if Mooney or Hawkins is injured. Sorry to say it, but he's just not up to it.

Undoubtedly guys like Gillies will get a chance to stake a claim, and if Gamble and Stokes work hard enough they could force a way in. But I'd be pretty happy if this team runs out in round 1.

 

[winty]

Enright Scarlett Milburn
Mackie Taylor Kelly

Selwood Bartel Corey (<----WOAH)

Chapman Mooney Byrnes
Johnson Hawkins Rooke

Ottens Ablett Ling

Int (from): Blake, Varcoe, Hunt, Wojcinski, Drum, Stokes, Gillies, gamble, West, Hogan

How good is the depth!!

Like the look of that. I'd have Enright reprise the Harley role next season, and have Kelly do the role Enright has been doing. Enright's a good reader of the play, and Kelly is pretty effective by foot.

The only way Lonergan will get a game is if Mooney or Hawkins is injured. Sorry to say it, but he's just not up to it.

Definitely wouldn't play Lonergan as a key defender again. How many times did he get pinged for holding the man while playing on Fev or J.Brown this year?

 

[maximus steel]

The regulars is assuming they dont get injured, the rest are probably only going to come in with injuries

Regulars - Mackie, Scarlett, Milburn, Hunt, Taylor, Enright, Selwood, Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Ling, Ottens, Chapman, Johnson, Byrnes, Rooke, Kelly

Probable regulars who need to perform - Mooney, Hawkins, T. Varcoe, Wojinski,

Fighting for a spot - Blake, West, Gillies, Drum, Stokes, Hogan, Gamble

Make or break year for... T. Varcoe, Stokes, Djerkurra, Lonergan, Gamble, Blake, West

In 2010 expect Ling to venture forward more often and Corey/Rooke/Bartel to run with in short bursts. Ageing is a taggers worst enemy, and Ling is getting close to that age where they start to slow done and struggle against the premier midfielder's of the competition. The above players have proven they can do a job if requried, and Ling has shown he can be good down forward. Would also like to see gaz down there a bit more, hed even have scarlo shaking in his boots one on one in the goal square.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

fixed, still feel we really need to get some games into gillies next season.

also would like to see mitch brown get a full nab cup and roughly 5-11 games during the H/A season.

 

[Vdubs]

Geelong, closely followed by Saints, Brisbane, Crows, Pies, Dogs and Hawks

 

[Partridge]

The regulars is assuming they dont get injured, the rest are probably only going to come in with injuries

Regulars - Mackie, Scarlett, Milburn, Hunt, Taylor, Enright, Selwood, Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Ling, Ottens, Chapman, Johnson, Byrnes, Rooke, Kelly

Probable regulars who need to perform - Mooney, Hawkins, T. Varcoe, Wojinski,

Fighting for a spot - Blake, West, Gillies, Drum, Stokes, Hogan, Gamble

Make or break year for... T. Varcoe, Stokes, Djerkurra, Lonergan, Gamble, Blake, West

Pretty accurate summation of where they all stand to be honest. Some of the younger guys might get a run when injuries occur, otherwise it's a very tough and seasoned side. Will not (and should not) be easy to get selected.

 

[AcidFiend]

I'm really hoping for T Hawk to have a breakthrough year. Re-watching some of the games from last year (Rnd 17 Hawthorn etc), I realised again how much potential this guy has. One thing I'd love to see more is the leadership group supporting him, just going over after he takes a make and telling him to go back and kick the goal etc. You see them do that for Mooney and I think Hawkins needs the same. He needs to know thats what people want him to do. Anyways, the kid is massive and can take a great grab. If he starts kicking straight I reckon we're set for another flag. Anyways...

What do people think of Varcoe vs. Stokes? Personally I think Stokes was hard done by to miss the GF and has played better than Varcoe. He has proven to be a multiple goal scorer on occasion, something Varcoe has not. It'd be a shame if he sat on the sidelines in 2010. When Mooney is misfiring and Johnson is MIA this comes in handy.

Byrnes imo has done enough to earn a permanent spot.

 

[AlwaysOnTheBall]

FB: Mackie Scarlett Milburn

HB: Kelly Taylor Enright

C: Corey Bartel Ling

HF: Rooke Mooney Chapman

FF: Byrnes Hawkins Johnson

R: Ottens Selwood Ablett

I: Hunt Stokes Blake Varcoe

E: Hogan Wojinski Gillies Drum


Pretty solid squad!

 

[Partridge]

What do people think of Varcoe vs. Stokes? Personally I think Stokes was hard done by to miss the GF and has played better than Varcoe. He has proven to be a multiple goal scorer on occasion, something Varcoe has not. It'd be a shame if he sat on the sidelines in 2010. When Mooney is misfiring and Johnson is MIA this comes in handy.

Byrnes imo has done enough to earn a permanent spot.

It's funny how it's changed. In 2007 I thought the order was Stokes clearly first, then either Varcoe/Byrnes. Stokes as he was the best mark, a good shot for goal, and did everything else well. Varcoe certainly had the polish, but didn't get enough of the ball plus wasn't physical enough. Byrnes got plenty of the ball, but was too wasteful with his disposal.

Two plus years on, I think it's completely altered. Now I'd have Byrnes number one after his best ever season, Varcoe certainly second after more improvement, and Stokes to me would be the third choice. I don't know why, but to me it seems that got too comfortable and wasn't working hard enough. It's up to him to see if he can force his way back in. I certainly don't think there's room for all three in the team, it has to be only two to accommodate Steve Johnson, Chappy and Rooke.

 

[GoCattas]

FB: Hunt Scarlett Enright
HB: Kelly Taylor Mackie
C: Corey Selwood Chapman
HF: Rooke Mooney Byrnes
FF: Varcoe Hawkins Johnson
R: Ottens Ablett Bartel
IC: Ling Milburn Stokes Blake

Wojak, Gillies, Drum, Hogan, Menzel, Laidler, Taylor-Hunt, Djerkurra, Brown, Gamble.

Can't see any of the others getting a gig.

Black = Locks
Blue = Likely regulars
Red = 10+ games
Green = Likely to appear at least once

Pretty stable lineup but we'd really benefit a lot if one of the green could make the step up to a good regular player for the cats.

Change Milburn to a black, Byrnes to Blue, Drum down to a green and thats our best 22 for the year without any substantial injuries.

 

[DanA]

Change Milburn to a black, Byrnes to Blue, Drum down to a green and thats our best 22 for the year without any substantial injuries.

Only reason Milburn is red is because I think he will be nursed through the season and might only play 15 or 16 regular season games. He's not starting preseason until after Christmas either. He's still good enough but I think we'll be carefull with him.

Byrnes is red because despite great form last year he's still got to face stiff competition again this year in Stokes and Hogan. He'd have to be favourite but he could easily be squeezed out by either of the other two. Unless you're an AA it's tough to make a starting postion your own down at the Cattery.

 

[DanA]

It's funny how it's changed. In 2007 I thought the order was Stokes clearly first, then either Varcoe/Byrnes. Stokes as he was the best mark, a good shot for goal, and did everything else well. Varcoe certainly had the polish, but didn't get enough of the ball plus wasn't physical enough. Byrnes got plenty of the ball, but was too wasteful with his disposal.

Two plus years on, I think it's completely altered. Now I'd have Byrnes number one after his best ever season, Varcoe certainly second after more improvement, and Stokes to me would be the third choice. I don't know why, but to me it seems that got too comfortable and wasn't working hard enough. It's up to him to see if he can force his way back in. I certainly don't think there's room for all three in the team, it has to be only two to accommodate Steve Johnson, Chappy and Rooke.

I reckon that's pretty much spot on. If memory serves me correctly Stokes had an interupted preseason last year and had a lot of groin problems this year. I think his workrate was well down on previous years.

I'm looking for big improvement from him.

 

[iGNITER]

I will have a stab from an outsiders perspective.

B - Hunt Scarlett Milburn
HB - Mackie Taylor Enright
C - Kelly Selwood Corey
HF - Rooke Mooney Bartel
F - Chapman Hawkins Johnson
R - Ottens Ablett Ling

INT - West Varcoe Byrnes Gamble/Lonergan

Very strong team... I dont understand people that are saying Geelong are going to drop

 

[pinion]

I will have a stab from an outsiders perspective.

B - Hunt Scarlett Milburn
HB - Mackie Taylor Enright
C - Kelly Selwood Corey
HF - Rooke Mooney Bartel
F - Chapman Hawkins Johnson
R - Ottens Ablett Ling

INT - West Varcoe Byrnes Gamble/Lonergan

Very strong team... I dont understand people that are saying Geelong are going to drop

in one breath you say we're not going to drop ...... in the next you say lonergan's in our best 22????

 

[iGNITER]

in one breath you say we're not going to drop ...... in the next you say lonergan's in our best 22????

yeah you are right lol just thought a tall that could play at either end was needed.

 

[pinion]

it's a nice thought. unfortunately he's the guy that proves the gulf between VFL and AFL standard. his game in the 2007 VFL grand final was as good as i've ever seen anyone play. but he just can't do it at AFL level. since he can't take a contested mark, i used to think we could make a key defender out of him, but when he was used there last year he wasn't good enough

rooke seems to be becomming our 'swing man' though

 

[iGNITER]

it's a nice thought. unfortunately he's the guy that proves the gulf between VFL and AFL standard. his game in the 2007 VFL grand final was as good as i've ever seen anyone play. but he just can't do it at AFL level. since he can't take a contested mark, i used to think we could make a key defender out of him, but when he was used there last year he wasn't good enough

rooke seems to be becomming our 'swing man' though

Agree with you.

Rooke is a very important player to the Geelong side...

That must be why they sent him to Germany to get his hammy's fixed

 

[CF]

B: Hunt - Scarlett - Enright (Gillies)

HB: Mackie - Taylor - Kelly (Drum)

C: Corey - Bartel - Selwood (Djerrkura)

HF: Rooke - Mooney - Chapman (Gamble)

F: Johnson - Hawkins - Varcoe (Stokes)

R: Ottens - Ablett - Ling (Hogan, West)

I: Blake - Milburn - Byrnes - Wocjinski

I agree with this.

question is how many rounds into 2010 will Ottens last before he is injured?

There will be the usual jostling for spots. Hopefully we will see more of Laidler, Djerrkura, Gillies, West, & Hogan this year.

 

[southfremantle]

Im a big fan of Mitch Duncan what chance does he have of getting a game in 2010.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I agree with this.

question is how many rounds into 2010 will Ottens last before he is injured?

There will be the usual jostling for spots. Hopefully we will see more of Laidler, Djerrkura, Gillies, West, & Hogan this year.

Agreed....to see the panic here (and admittedly also in my head) when Otten went down this week, reminds how important the Otto is.

I have been chewing on this all week, and while I'm not normally a fan of resting players unless they're injured, I'd like to see Otto rested in certain games and managed through the season (I recognise it wouldn't guarantee he won't get injured, but it would reduce the risk). We need him going at the pointy end to win another flag, and it also wouldn't be a bad thing to find out now whether West or Dawson (West in particular as it's probably his last year otherwise) can really play, over a few games.

 

[NEMINI]

Geelong, closely followed by Saints, Brisbane, Crows, Pies, Dogs and Hawks

Saints are overrated. no way they have such a perfect run with injuries next year. I rekon they'll make finals but not top 4.

 

[Vdubs]

Saints are overrated. no way they have such a perfect run with injuries next year. I rekon they'll make finals but not top 4.

How overrated are they, winning all but 2 h&a games, pushing us all the way in the gf, and having topped up their list? Even with key injuries they have a lot of depth, except Riewoldt. With their hunger, I'm expecting more of the same for Saints next year, and expect us to be up to it again, just??

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Saints are overrated. no way they have such a perfect run with injuries next year. I rekon they'll make finals but not top 4.

Disagree.

They may have injuries but they have a lot of depth on the list, which I think is their strength actually.

 

[Partridge]

How overrated are they, winning all but 2 h&a games, pushing us all the way in the gf, and having topped up their list? Even with key injuries they have a lot of depth, except Riewoldt. With their hunger, I'm expecting more of the same for Saints next year, and expect us to be up to it again, just??

Totally disagree with that. I think St.Kilda have an excellent gameplan, that allows their best 6-8 to flourish and keeps the rest to effective roles in the team. Don't forget that they had virtually no injuries all season, so we don't know what their depth is like. King and Gardiner (who both had poor Grand Finals, King's was at least as bad as Blake's in 2008) are both another year older, and both have historically been pretty injury prone.

We also saw Grand Final day what happens when their two tall forwards aren't dominating - they struggle to score (especially in the last quarter). There are more than enough crap teams to ensure they should be up there, and I would expect a top 4 finish. But I'm not prepared to hand them the cup just yet.

I don't know about anyone else, but I think way too much importance is being placed on the word "hunger". Just because they're hungry to atone doesn't mean they will. A motivated crap player is still a crap player. Put a "hungry" Steven Milne next to Ablett and tell them to get the ball. I know who I'd back, hunger or not.

 

[Partridge]

Agreed....to see the panic here (and admittedly also in my head) when Otten went down this week, reminds how important the Otto is.

I have been chewing on this all week, and while I'm not normally a fan of resting players unless they're injured, I'd like to see Otto rested in certain games and managed through the season (I recognise it wouldn't guarantee he won't get injured, but it would reduce the risk). We need him going at the pointy end to win another flag, and it also wouldn't be a bad thing to find out now whether West or Dawson (West in particular as it's probably his last year otherwise) can really play, over a few games.

Yeah, but we have to win enough games to get there first. And as 2009 showed, once a big guy gets injured, a 2 week injury can turn into 8 before you know it.

If he's fit, he plays. If he gets injured bad luck. It's the risk you take.