Blake and Varcoe - Finals Doubt

[snowycats]

I have always had reservations about Varcoe as a finals player. He is far too soft for the pressure cooker atmosphere. He shows time and again that he will notgo into the hard packs and often just gets rid of the ball too quickly as soon as he gets threatened. His strength of "pressure" on the forward line comes about as he is definitely fast and closes in on players running out of defence. But that is often because he is not first to the ball. A real liability for mine in the finals.

As For Blake, I like him and clearly the Geelong crowd love him. But he was so easily brushed aside by Lade and Brogan that I fear he is not the answer in a big final. That leaves King who is far more experienced and playing reasonably and will not get pushed off the ball.

Byrnes is also a problem in that he is very light and gets brushed aside too but he does get the ball a lot and is very fast - his kicking under pressure is the reason he does not make the best 22. I would keep Stokes and Chapman as the 2 small forwards.
Finals Side (based on all available)

Hunt Scarlett Harley
Milburn Egan Mackie
Corey Bartel Wojiinski
Chapman NAB S Johnson
Stokes Mooney Kelly
Ottens Ling GAB
King Enright Selwood Rooke
Emerg D Johnson Blake Byrnes

 

[Ling Sting]

Blake is clearly a better option then King.

To break apart what has been a winning combo of Blake and Ottens on yesterdays performance would be knee jerk at best.

 

[re cat]

I have always had reservations about Varcoe as a finals player. He is far too soft for the pressure cooker atmosphere. He shows time and again that he will notgo into the hard packs and often just gets rid of the ball too quickly as soon as he gets threatened. His strength of "pressure" on the forward line comes about as he is definitely fast and closes in on players running out of defence. But that is often because he is not first to the ball. A real liability for mine in the finals.

As For Blake, I like him and clearly the Geelong crowd love him. But he was so easily brushed aside by Lade and Brogan that I fear he is not the answer in a big final. That leaves King who is far more experienced and playing reasonably and will not get pushed off the ball.

Byrnes is also a problem in that he is very light and gets brushed aside too but he does get the ball a lot and is very fast - his kicking under pressure is the reason he does not make the best 22. I would keep Stokes and Chapman as the 2 small forwards.
Finals Side (based on all available)

Hunt Scarlett Harley
Milburn Egan Mackie
Corey Bartel Wojiinski
Chapman NAB S Johnson
Stokes Mooney Kelly
Ottens Ling GAB
King Enright Selwood Rooke
Emerg D Johnson Blake Byrnes

Purrfect

 

[Catdog]

Hunt Scarlett Harley
Milburn Egan Mackie
Corey Bartel Wojiinski
Chapman NAB S Johnson
Stokes Mooney Kelly
Ottens Ling GAB
King Enright Selwood Rooke
Emerg D Johnson Blake Byrnes[/quote]


Thats a pretty good side would be more than happy to see it run out

 

[cat_fanatic]

I agree. That would be the best side to take into the finals without a doubt.

Blake has excelled against poor opposition but King will be required against the ruck combos of Lade/Brogan - Cox/Seabe - Campbell/Taylor etc, due to his strength and experience.

Byrnes is not up to AFL standard in terms of disposal. FWIW, i think Varcoe played one of his best on the weekend.

Playfair will be delisted.

David Johnson should play until Rooke is fit and firing in the 2s.

 

[Bryceson]

Yep thats our best 22 right there.

 

[Partridge]

I have always had reservations about Varcoe as a finals player. He is far too soft for the pressure cooker atmosphere. He shows time and again that he will notgo into the hard packs and often just gets rid of the ball too quickly as soon as he gets threatened. His strength of "pressure" on the forward line comes about as he is definitely fast and closes in on players running out of defence. But that is often because he is not first to the ball. A real liability for mine in the finals.

As For Blake, I like him and clearly the Geelong crowd love him. But he was so easily brushed aside by Lade and Brogan that I fear he is not the answer in a big final. That leaves King who is far more experienced and playing reasonably and will not get pushed off the ball.

Byrnes is also a problem in that he is very light and gets brushed aside too but he does get the ball a lot and is very fast - his kicking under pressure is the reason he does not make the best 22. I would keep Stokes and Chapman as the 2 small forwards.
Finals Side (based on all available)

Hunt Scarlett Harley
Milburn Egan Mackie
Corey Bartel Wojiinski
Chapman NAB S Johnson
Stokes Mooney Kelly
Ottens Ling GAB
King Enright Selwood Rooke
Emerg D Johnson Blake Byrnes

Couldn't have put it better myself. Totally agree.

That I believe is our strongest possible 22. Hopefully we'll have that side together this week or the next.

 

[rizzo]

I agree, however i feel Hunt will miss because bomber is so determined to play varcoe.

 

[Partridge]

I agree, however i feel Hunt will miss because bomber is so determined to play varcoe.

On the evidence of the last couple of weeks there is no way that should happen. Hunt has been very solid the last 2 games. Has to stay in the team.

Especially when Playfair, Byrnes and Varcoe should all go before him.

 

[rizzo]

On the evidence of the last couple of weeks there is no way that should happen. Hunt has been very solid the last 2 games. Has to stay in the team.

Especially when Playfair, Byrnes and Varcoe should all go before him.

Not getting any arguements from me, however bomber has said many times he loves the way varcoe puts pressure on players.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Was Varcoe that bad? I didn't think he was terrible.

Hunt must stay. In great touch.

 

[cat_fanatic]

Vs Brisbane

In: Ling, Selwood, King
Out: Byrnes, Playfair, Blake

- Blake did not have a good game
- Byrnes was hopeless
- Playfair.

- Ling will hopefully be over his hammy tightness
- Selwood said he’s fine apparently
- King played well and will be the 2nd ruckman in the finals IMO

Possible inclusions:

In: Rooke (probably needs another run in the seconds – at least), Bartel (apparently is feeling good but it would be highly unlikely for him to be risked)
Out: D. Johnson (was pretty good in his role), Varcoe (very unlucky but Rooke would add more)

 

[Partridge]

Was Varcoe that bad? I didn't think he was terrible.

Hunt must stay. In great touch.

Varcoe got the ball a few times, and frustratingly looks so smooth when in possession. But he was ducking away from packs worse then ever, and simply will not put his body on the line.

A huge, huge factor in our turnaround is the fact that most of our players attack the ball with insane ferocity - Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Chapman, Milburn, Scarlett, Enright, Ottens even. When it's their turn they put their head down and go in hard. Varcoe doesn't. He's only young and needs to get bigger but right now I don't think we can afford that. Finals are 2 weeks away and the pressure isn't going to slacken off. Against quality sides like West Coast, Port etc one player not going in could be the difference between winning and losing.

I'd rather win.

So for now, Varcoe out and bring in say Rooke. We've already got Stokes as a small forward, we simply rotate Kelly, Chapman and Gary junior through there also. All are capable of kicking goals. They may not generate a squeal in the crowd when they nearly catch someone, but they are a million times more physical, bigger, can all tackle and will all get more than 7 disposals.

 

[Rustybugles]

I agree, however i feel Hunt will miss because bomber is so determined to play varcoe.

Good point. That would be an absolute travesty to see the hard working Hunt out for the occasional 'magic' of Varcoe.

 

[GeeCat]

Regarding Varcoe, I'd say it's almost entirely dependent on how integral the coaching staff see his role to be toward the overall gameplan come September.

I mean, from the coaching viewpoint (which is reality, really), Varcoe's on his own in the role he plays - a permanent small forward to apply pressure (defense) and contribute a goal or two a game (offense). Guys like Chappy, Kelly, Stokes and even Byrnes (when he plays) aren't exact 'replacements' for Travis, because of the varying natures of their own games. Whilst all are capable of pressuring the opposition, they are also all more lead-up players, and are required (to varying degrees) to push further up the ground, be link-men, and even bolster the engine room through rotations.

Personally, I think we can still successfully run a gameplan which relies on forward pressure as a key without the Varcoe role, but given the direction the club has leaned all season (in Varcoe's favour), it's hardly as simple a decision for them as, arguably, it should be.

The concerns regarding Varcoe raised in the original post are fair though. It's something I've noted myself watching him play.

 

[rizzo]

Regarding Varcoe, I'd say it's almost entirely dependent on how integral the coaching staff see his role to be toward the overall gameplan come September.

I mean, from the coaching viewpoint (which is reality, really), Varcoe's on his own in the role he plays - a permanent small forward to apply pressure (defense) and contribute a goal or two a game (offense). Guys like Chappy, Kelly, Stokes and even Byrnes (when he plays) aren't exact 'replacements' for Travis, because of the varying natures of their own games. Whilst all are capable of pressuring the opposition, they are also all more lead-up players, and are required (to varying degrees) to push further up the ground, be link-men, and even bolster the engine room through rotations.

Personally, I think we can still successfully run a gameplan which relies on forward pressure as a key without the Varcoe role, but given the direction the club has leaned all season (in Varcoe's favour), it's hardly as simple a decision for them as, arguably, it should be.

The concerns regarding Varcoe raised in the original post are fair though. It's something I've noted myself watching him play.

Great post. Totally agee. Trav seems tired, really tired. However i think bomber really likes him and i can't see him going out anytime soon. Not when we have other players who can replace joshy

 

[Just do something]

Regarding Varcoe, I'd say it's almost entirely dependent on how integral the coaching staff see his role to be toward the overall gameplan come September.

I mean, from the coaching viewpoint (which is reality, really), Varcoe's on his own in the role he plays - a permanent small forward to apply pressure (defense) and contribute a goal or two a game (offense). Guys like Chappy, Kelly, Stokes and even Byrnes (when he plays) aren't exact 'replacements' for Travis, because of the varying natures of their own games. Whilst all are capable of pressuring the opposition, they are also all more lead-up players, and are required (to varying degrees) to push further up the ground, be link-men, and even bolster the engine room through rotations.

Personally, I think we can still successfully run a gameplan which relies on forward pressure as a key without the Varcoe role, but given the direction the club has leaned all season (in Varcoe's favour), it's hardly as simple a decision for them as, arguably, it should be.

The concerns regarding Varcoe raised in the original post are fair though. It's something I've noted myself watching him play.

Im the same with Varcoe on him getting rid of the ball so quickly once he has uit he still doesnt relize how much time he actually has but the one concern i do have is will we lack leg speed if we drop Varcoe.

 

[PUSSIES_07_FLAG]

King will play finals, Blake will NOT.

The difference in their stats is minute.

Kings presence and tackling is better. Blake's time will come, but let us give Kingy a flag.

 

[The rabbi]

Stuff Kingy.

"I" want a flag. I was screaming for the Cats before kingy was a sperm cell and a glint in his old man's eye.

 

[rizzo]

King is the best option. Blake while he has been good this year, is becoming tired.