- Aug 17, 2006
- 24,461
- 23,878
- AFL Club
- Geelong
Re: Like a phoenix from the ashes - Geelong Board player review is back!
Brad Ottens
Turn the clock back ten years. The ‘6’ was a ‘5’ back then. He was wearing a yellow sash. And at the ripe old age of 21, he had announced himself as one of the next superstars of the league for the rest of the decade and beyond. About fifteen touches, seven marks, ten hitouts and a couple of goals a game. A spot in the All-Australian team as a forward who could play a bit of ruck. As a star key forward, it was the height of his career. Ongoing injury concerns and a debate of whether he was a ruckman or a forward combined to see the big guy stagnate, then start to go backwards.
Geelong looked on with interest. Post Gary Sr., the Cats had placed their faith in Derek Hall, Brett Spinks, David Mensch, Marcus Baldwin, Matt McCarthy, Jason Mooney, Mitchell White, Cameron Mooney and Kent Kingsley at different times, but for one reason or another, none had become the long-term solution in the forward line by the end of 2004. Despite his injury concerns, Ottens loomed as the final piece of the puzzle for a rising Cats team, who had already made a preliminary final without him. The value of Ottens to Geelong’s premiership aspirations was illustrated when the Cats parted ways with Brent Moloney, a promising young midfielder and their first round pick to Richmond to secure him.
With skipper and multiple B&F winner, Steven King, looking after the ruck as one of Geelong’s few annual All-Australian contenders, Ottens figured to find his niche in the goal square. Early on, the big guy struggled to find his place, leading to Mark Thompson delivering the now famous post game warning to the assembled media: “For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him. It’s just rubbish. You people, all of you, all of you, leave him alone!” While the outburst met with some derision from external parties (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185843 ), many Geelong supporters point to that as a turning point, when we finally accepted Bomba.
As King’s body and form began to betray him, Ottens finally hit his straps. After an excellent H&A 2007, he submitted an absolute masterpiece in the preliminary final against Collingwood, dominating around the ground and getting the Cats over the line in a nailbiter. It was here where the foundations for Ottens’ big game reputation were laid. It was just as well, because Ottens 2008-2010 period was a frustrating one on a personal level, missing 39 games over the three years and looking like a shadow of his former self by the end of 2010. Brad’s once automatic set-shot had deserted him. Word is he needed to be convinced to go on in 2011, with Mark Blake, Trent West, Dawson Simpson, Nathan Vardy and Tom Hawkins all considered potential options in the ruck.
Geelong fans could not have been happier with his season. The former high-flying Richmond phenom had completed his evolution into an old warrior, his titanic efforts against Sandilands and Mumford in the early rounds proving critical in Geelong victories. But, it was the qualifying final against Hawthorn where again he would step up and be the match-winner. 31 hitouts in the grand final to make it an even 500 for the season proved to be vital. He now has three premierships and turns 32 before Round 1, 2012. Perfect time for him to retire?
‘Management’ is the mantra. The two byes and some opportune chances for Otto to put his feet up were utilised to full effect by Chris Scott and his staff in 2011. How does Ottens’ management translate to a 23 round season, with four interstate trips and West, Simpsons and Vardy each looking capable at AFL level in his absence?
· Round 1 – Fremantle
· Round 5 – Brisbane
· Round 7 – Adelaide
· Round 13 – Sydney
· Round 15 – Gold Coast
· Round 20 – West Coast
We can remove Fremantle if Ottens is healthy, he should be good to go for Round 1 and we would be loath to go against Sandilands with the still-inexperienced West/Simpson/Vardy. With a reasonably easy start to 2012, he would be a good chance to travel to the Gabba in Round 5. Adelaide in Round 7 is probably Otto’s first break, as he takes it easy before the grand final replay in Round 8. Unlike 2011, the bye probably comes at a bad time for the Cats this year, directly before a three game sequence which includes interstate trips to Sydney and Gold Coast, with an expected mismatch against Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in between. All three of these games would be prime opportunities to rest the big fella, but will the Cats put him on an extended break? I have a hunch that the answer is ‘yes’, that Otto will be put on ice after the Round 11 game against Carlton and return in Round 16 against Collingwood. The run home will consist of four games on, another rest against West Coast in Round 20 and then three games in Victoria to run into finals.
Assuming no real injuries for Ottens, my blueprint gives him six weeks off during the season, five missed games, only two trips interstate (unless they have to travel for a final) and no more than six games without a break. The faith that the club is showing in Trent West has given Ottens a new lease of life and you can tell that Otto loves playing with Westy. That is why I think he will go on, get his 250th, 20-25 goals, 400 hitouts and be a vital cog in the Geelong engine in 2012.
Brad Ottens
Turn the clock back ten years. The ‘6’ was a ‘5’ back then. He was wearing a yellow sash. And at the ripe old age of 21, he had announced himself as one of the next superstars of the league for the rest of the decade and beyond. About fifteen touches, seven marks, ten hitouts and a couple of goals a game. A spot in the All-Australian team as a forward who could play a bit of ruck. As a star key forward, it was the height of his career. Ongoing injury concerns and a debate of whether he was a ruckman or a forward combined to see the big guy stagnate, then start to go backwards.
Geelong looked on with interest. Post Gary Sr., the Cats had placed their faith in Derek Hall, Brett Spinks, David Mensch, Marcus Baldwin, Matt McCarthy, Jason Mooney, Mitchell White, Cameron Mooney and Kent Kingsley at different times, but for one reason or another, none had become the long-term solution in the forward line by the end of 2004. Despite his injury concerns, Ottens loomed as the final piece of the puzzle for a rising Cats team, who had already made a preliminary final without him. The value of Ottens to Geelong’s premiership aspirations was illustrated when the Cats parted ways with Brent Moloney, a promising young midfielder and their first round pick to Richmond to secure him.
With skipper and multiple B&F winner, Steven King, looking after the ruck as one of Geelong’s few annual All-Australian contenders, Ottens figured to find his niche in the goal square. Early on, the big guy struggled to find his place, leading to Mark Thompson delivering the now famous post game warning to the assembled media: “For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him. It’s just rubbish. You people, all of you, all of you, leave him alone!” While the outburst met with some derision from external parties (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185843 ), many Geelong supporters point to that as a turning point, when we finally accepted Bomba.
As King’s body and form began to betray him, Ottens finally hit his straps. After an excellent H&A 2007, he submitted an absolute masterpiece in the preliminary final against Collingwood, dominating around the ground and getting the Cats over the line in a nailbiter. It was here where the foundations for Ottens’ big game reputation were laid. It was just as well, because Ottens 2008-2010 period was a frustrating one on a personal level, missing 39 games over the three years and looking like a shadow of his former self by the end of 2010. Brad’s once automatic set-shot had deserted him. Word is he needed to be convinced to go on in 2011, with Mark Blake, Trent West, Dawson Simpson, Nathan Vardy and Tom Hawkins all considered potential options in the ruck.
Geelong fans could not have been happier with his season. The former high-flying Richmond phenom had completed his evolution into an old warrior, his titanic efforts against Sandilands and Mumford in the early rounds proving critical in Geelong victories. But, it was the qualifying final against Hawthorn where again he would step up and be the match-winner. 31 hitouts in the grand final to make it an even 500 for the season proved to be vital. He now has three premierships and turns 32 before Round 1, 2012. Perfect time for him to retire?
‘Management’ is the mantra. The two byes and some opportune chances for Otto to put his feet up were utilised to full effect by Chris Scott and his staff in 2011. How does Ottens’ management translate to a 23 round season, with four interstate trips and West, Simpsons and Vardy each looking capable at AFL level in his absence?
· Round 1 – Fremantle
· Round 5 – Brisbane
· Round 7 – Adelaide
· Round 13 – Sydney
· Round 15 – Gold Coast
· Round 20 – West Coast
We can remove Fremantle if Ottens is healthy, he should be good to go for Round 1 and we would be loath to go against Sandilands with the still-inexperienced West/Simpson/Vardy. With a reasonably easy start to 2012, he would be a good chance to travel to the Gabba in Round 5. Adelaide in Round 7 is probably Otto’s first break, as he takes it easy before the grand final replay in Round 8. Unlike 2011, the bye probably comes at a bad time for the Cats this year, directly before a three game sequence which includes interstate trips to Sydney and Gold Coast, with an expected mismatch against Port Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in between. All three of these games would be prime opportunities to rest the big fella, but will the Cats put him on an extended break? I have a hunch that the answer is ‘yes’, that Otto will be put on ice after the Round 11 game against Carlton and return in Round 16 against Collingwood. The run home will consist of four games on, another rest against West Coast in Round 20 and then three games in Victoria to run into finals.
Assuming no real injuries for Ottens, my blueprint gives him six weeks off during the season, five missed games, only two trips interstate (unless they have to travel for a final) and no more than six games without a break. The faith that the club is showing in Trent West has given Ottens a new lease of life and you can tell that Otto loves playing with Westy. That is why I think he will go on, get his 250th, 20-25 goals, 400 hitouts and be a vital cog in the Geelong engine in 2012.