Can Geelong do the impossible?

[Fadge]

I never thought I'd see it done, winning the flag after finishing outside the top four, but I also never thought I'd see a handicapping system introduced for the fixturing the way it has been this year.

In 2012, we will enter a finals series where the three or four most realistic contenders aren't actually the top four teams on the ladder.

Geelong are coming good at the business end (again) and it really would not surprise if they go all the way.

What a miraculous story it would be if they eeked yet another flag out of their aging warriors. If Collingwood aren't able to go all the way, this is the team I'd next like to see do it.

Well over the odds at $11 (available on Betfair) for mine.

Discuss.

 

[Snoochems]

Didnt Adelaid win from 6th in 97?

 

[cfc4life]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/geelong-the-dark-horse.963057/

A thread from 3 weeks ago that's discussing the same thing

 

[Fadge]

Didnt Adelaid win from 6th in 97?

They did it from fifth, and even managed to lose their first final by 8 goals.

Very different finals system.

 

[WeetBixKid]

yes

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

If the end up meeting Adelaide or Sydney in week two a PF beckons.

So yes.

 

[Whiskers]

Best performed teams have (will) make top 4. We haven't done enough but can in September.

We have played all top 4 teams twice, had less home games (7) than anyone this year and the most free kicks against. I'm just happy we will make finals and from here anything is possible.

 

[TARANTULA]

If the end up meeting Adelaide or Sydney in week two a PF beckons.

So yes.

We beat them by 10 goals at home so I doubt that would be a gimme win for Geelong.

 

[Blacky]

If the end up meeting Hawthorn in week two a PF beckons.

So yes.

EFA

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Would be tough ask I think. One of the things is Giving the week off for the old brigade. But we are still resting and managing them now like last year.

Would need Hawkins form to conitune and the young guys not to tire playing 4 weeks strait (also Sydney in the last round) would be a mommoth ask.

Then again if any team would do it, would be the Cats.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Best performed teams have (will) make top 4. We haven't done enough but can in September.

We have played all top 4 teams twice, had less home games (7) than anyone this year and the most free kicks against. I'm just happy we will make finals and from here anything is possible.

You were doing well until you started complaing about your alleged lack of home games

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Nup, I don't think they'll even make the GF. They'll give us grief if we come up against them, but every year we see a side that started poorly then stormed home but didn't make top 4 and then ran out of puff in the finals.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Oh yeah, they're also too old and too slow.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Nup, I don't think they'll even make the GF. They'll give us grief if we come up against them, but every year we see a side that started poorly then stormed home but didn't make top 4 and then ran out of puff in the finals.

Theirs going to be an exception to the rule one day. Geelong could be it. That said they might have nothing left on GF Day. In the old final five the two biggest winning margins were wintessed in 1980 and 1988 when teams came from fourth or fifth.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

I think you will see a new approach to finals footy from the Cats this year.

We have significant depth and outside of GWS and GC have played more people and debutants than any other club. It would not suprise me to see a few finals Cameo's if we are fortunate to get up in first final. I believe that we will rotate the likes of Guthrie, Varcoe, Orren Stephensen, Murdoch, and Wojack throughout the finals and not settle on a best 22 until GF day. This will be a new approach designed to rest the likes of Enright, Corey, Chapman, Scarlett and possibly one or two others.

I think we will have to go down this line to get up, but I believe it is well and truly possible given that we do have significant depth.

 

[HFF]

The only team that can win from outside the top 4 are the Cats. The only other two teams that could do it are Collingwood and Hawthorn but they are likely to stay inside the top 4.

Back to the Cats, so many battle hardened soldiers, a lot of pride, know how to get it done when it matters most. This experience is invaluable. Still have an abundance of quality all over the park.

You would hate to draw the Cats in week 2 of finals.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I think you will see a new approach to finals footy from the Cats this year.

We have significant depth and outside of GWS and GC have played more people and debutants than any other club. It would not suprise me to see a few finals Cameo's if we are fortunate to get up in first final. I believe that we will rotate the likes of Guthrie, Varcoe, Orren Stephensen, Murdoch, and Wojack throughout the finals and not settle on a best 22 until GF day. This will be a new approach designed to rest the likes of Enright, Corey, Chapman, Scarlett and possibly one or two others.

I think we will have to go down this line to get up, but I believe it is well and truly possible given that we do have significant depth.

Those debutants have been great but I think in finals where you need 22 people contributing at a high and ferocious level the younger, less experienced guys might let you down.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I wouldn't think so. There is such a proven bias for the top 4 in this current system. However, I reckon nobody would want to play this team in the first 3 weeks of the finals.

And the Hawks would have nightmares if they got us in the GF. lol

Can't see us winning 4 in a row, though.

 

[Rioli magic]

I think you will see a new approach to finals footy from the Cats this year.

We have significant depth and outside of GWS and GC have played more people and debutants than any other club. It would not suprise me to see a few finals Cameo's if we are fortunate to get up in first final. I believe that we will rotate the likes of Guthrie, Varcoe, Orren Stephensen, Murdoch, and Wojack throughout the finals and not settle on a best 22 until GF day. This will be a new approach designed to rest the likes of Enright, Corey, Chapman, Scarlett and possibly one or two others.

I think we will have to go down this line to get up, but I believe it is well and truly possible given that we do have significant depth.

Delusional.

 

[funk44]

I've said all year that Geelong will win 1 final then bow out admirably, i still see that happening this year. Anything above that would be an amazing result

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Those debutants have been great but I think in finals where you need 22 people contributing at a high and ferocious level the younger, less experienced guys might let you down.

Smedts played great against your team. He is one, I think the finals will not affect him. You are right, though. You can only afford a few youngsters. Motlop looks a goer, too.

 

[Whiskers]

You were doing well until you started complaing about your alleged lack of home games

Yeah I'm aware it looks like complaining and probably is but do we not have less home games than everyone else just so people can see their teams?

Our home game against Collingwood is......where?
Hawthorn.......where?
Last nights home game........where?
Essendon.......where?

Why can't we play at our home ground? Coz the AFL wants $$$. I don't care that our opposition fans can't see a game. I can't get to Perth for an away game either.
Not those teams above fault but I'm curious as to how that's not a disadvantage.

 

[SuperSub17]

Crows won from 4th in 97 and 5th in 98

 

[SuperSub17]

Yeah I'm aware it looks like complaining and probably is but do we not have less home games than everyone else just so people can see their teams?

Our home game against Collingwood is......where?
Hawthorn.......where?
Last nights home game........where?
Essendon.......where?

Why can't we play at our home ground? Coz the AFL wants $$$. I don't care that our opposition fans can't see a game. I can't get to Perth for an away game either.
Not those teams above fault but I'm curious as to how that's not a disadvantage.

You won 3 of those 4 (who are all good teams), hardly a grossly unfair disadvantage

 

[Rob]

If the end up meeting Adelaide or Sydney in week two a PF beckons.

So yes.

Their record interstate is pretty shit this year. Fell over the line against the Suns, flogged Brisbane, and 4 losses.

They wouldn't even go in as favourites for an away final.