Changes Vs The Dogs

[Claude Balls]

Several came to the same conclusion about Prismall, that he was starved of opportunity, therefore, one or two games at a time isn't enough to get the experience and learning development.

Are we forgetting this when analysing Gamble's experiences?

I'm also worried about this.

Gamble's absence might not be so conspicuous now, but I feel he has the talent to develop into a strong midfielder with a bit of x-factor who can kick a goal. In 3 years time, when Corey, Chapman and Ling have slowed with age and are no longer productive options through the midfield, and Ablett and Bartel are nearing their twighlight years, we might find ourselves watching Gamble play great footy on the ball for another club, all because he searched elsewhere for greater opportunities.

Prismall is evidence enough that our midfield is incredibly hard to earn a spot in, but surely that experience has taught us something with regard to securing talent for the future...

I'd rue the loss of Gamble far more than I rued the loss of Prismall.

 

[Cats Eye]

You're not alone. I made a similarly-themed post a month or so ago in another thread, basically saying that Stokes is a most disappointing player at the moment because he can play so much better.

He seems to be going through the motions of being a footballer, without actually putting in the effort. Interestingly, Exhale You and thegerman made good points (in the thread about pulling faces during the song) about Stokes rarely celebrating/singing or even smiling - perhaps his current form could be a result of something personal happening off the field? Not saying he needs to be extroverted to be a good player, far from it - but he doesn't seem happy.

I miss 2007 Stokes too - there just haven't been enough Mooney-hug-moments in his game in recent months.

Agree 100%, its almost as though he does not want to be there. When you look back at 2007, after basically every goal he (or Mooney for that matter) kicked there was celebrations and smiles all round... so far this year there has been nothing from Stokes.
Even if Stokes does not want it, Mooney should just run up to him and give him a big bear hug.

 

[vealesy]

Just on SJ, last sunday on the footy show, Billy said the injury is not one that can be fixed by resting for a short period, its one that will need a couple of months to fully heal 100%, IIRC he also said the more SJ ran, the better it would get, short term in regards to a match. ie he will be stiff and sore before all matches, just has to run it out.

SJ will play out the season.

 

[Vegas.]

What elevated Stokes into the hearts of Cat fans was that magnificent 5-effort-play he put in on the wing in a game against Port at Skilled. He ran himself ragged and ended up benching himself through exhaustion. That is the Stokes we need.

And Claude - spot on mate. Every time I've watched Gamble in the two's, he reminds me of the way Gary Ablett Jnr used to seem a class above when he played seconds (which was only in his first year admittedly). He has a bucket load of talent, attitude may be a query - though perhaps more so 'mind set' than attitude. He does try to do too much some of the time, but I think this could be born out of a lack of opportunity to prove himself, and when given a shot he thinks he has to do everything.

 

[rizzo]

Just on SJ, last sunday on the footy show, Billy said the injury is not one that can be fixed by resting for a short period, its one that will need a couple of months to fully heal 100%, IIRC he also said the more SJ ran, the better it would get, short term in regards to a match. ie he will be stiff and sore before all matches, just has to run it out.

SJ will play out the season.

James Hird said the same thing last night on "On The Couch" said that Johnno will always be stiff and that once you are fully warmed up then you are right to go.

 

[fpm84]

James Hird said the same thing last night on "On The Couch" said that Johnno will always be stiff and that once you are fully warmed up then you are right to go.

Despite the terrible footage of him in the warm up when he could barely pick up the ball from the ground and was shuffling around the rooms grabbing his hip, I thought SJ moved pretty well during the match. His 'touch' was still a bit off - better than the Carlton game though - but I think this is an issue to do with match fitness/conditioning rather than his injury.

FWIW both Bomber and Balme have said post-Sydney match that they are very happy with SJ's physical state at the moment.

He'll be alright.

 

[thufrinthukutash]

I wonder if the coaches see it this way though. Bomber said of the Sydney game that Stokes kept Shaw to 12 disposals after quarter time, as if that was something to be proud of!!!

Whats the use of beating up a guy who is down on form - give him praise and confidence. If Bomber sees that his performance is down, but he is busting his gut to do the team things.....well it is worthy of praise instead of dropping the head and being selfish.

Suspect that is the reason Gamble continues not to get a game. Even in the twos on the weekend - he gets alot of the ball, but when he doesnt have it.....he doesnt seem to want to do those one percenters to assist his team mates.

 

[JUBJUB]

Suspect that is the reason Gamble continues not to get a game.

You do realise prior to saturday he'd been out for about 4 weeks with a hamstring injury,don't you ?

 

[hamG]

Varcoe out 3-4 weeks according to AFL web site.

Take your chance Gamble.

 

[vealesy]

Cats hold off on Ottens decision

August 18, 2009 - 3:14PM


http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/cats-hold-off-on-ottens-decision-20090818-eop0.html

Geelong could regain a litter of key players from injury for Friday night's round 21 AFL clash against the Western Bulldogs, but they're not sure if Brad Ottens will be one of them.
The Cats will decide this week whether to play Ottens against the Bulldogs or keep him in the VFL, where he has played three games since returning from a knee injury.
Coach Mark Thompson has to determine whether Ottens could ready himself for the finals by playing in the VFL or whether he needed to play in the top flight, either this weekend or in round 22 against Fremantle.
"We've got to discuss him tomorrow, whether we play him in another game in the VFL or in the AFL and I really haven't decided myself," Thompson said on Tuesday.
Thompson said at least three players - half-forwards Paul Chapman and Max Rooke and defender Darren Milburn - were definitely ready to return from injury, while several others were close.

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/cats-hold-off-on-ottens-decision-20090818-eop0.html


Should find out about Otto...tomorrow..

 

[Premiers2007]

From http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82983/default.aspx

Paul Chapman (hamstring), Max Rooke (knee) and Darren Milburn (ankle) will all return, while James Kelly (hamstring) and David Wojcinski (ankle) are possibles.

That means there could be up to six changes this week!

Possbile Ins: Brad Ottens, Paul Chapman, Max Rooke, Darren Milburn, James Kelly and David Wojcinski.

Surely Kelly will have a run in the twos to get some touch.

 

[darrenmorgan]

It'd have to be tempting to bring them all in this week, even if they are underdone, this might not be such a bad game to drop to try and help nudge the Doggies up to third spot!

 

[Poetic Justice]

Re: Kelly if they want Brad to play AFL before finals they are going to want the same for Kelly... I suspect he will play.

What a list of inclusions!

 

[LankyCat]

Why would we choose to give a good team momentum and confidence against us going into the finals? Smash em and scare Collingwood a little. On the other hand I think playing the structure we want in the finals regardless of current match fitness is a good idea.

 

[rizzo]

From http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82983/default.aspx


That means there could be up to six changes this week!

Possbile Ins: Brad Ottens, Paul Chapman, Max Rooke, Darren Milburn, James Kelly and David Wojcinski.

Surely Kelly will have a run in the twos to get some touch.

Good luck finding the outs

IMHO:

Varcoe (Inj), Lonergan, Gillies, Hogan, Mumford

Wojak to miss. Gillies to stay in if Kelly plays VFL

 

[darrenmorgan]

what i mean is its time to get that structure in place; and if it means we lose this game because a number of them arent that match fit, then so be it, its not a big deal and could even be beneficial re: final ladder positions/first final.

 

[Belisarius]

Cannot see Ottens back before round 22. Needs a ton of work to get back in the ones and be useful. Thank goodness the twos will probably make the finals and allow players, like Ottens, to keep getting game time each week.

Kelly needs to play in the twos - to get touch and to monitor the hammy.

Chapman is just so important to any chance we have of kicking a winning score - that he is not worth risking unless he his perfectly ok. Play him against Freo the week later if there is any doubt.

Bring back Milburn and Wojo - and see how they play. Wojo has become so hit an miss over the past 2 seasons. Still think he can provide something to the Geelong side - on a good day. He needs the next few games to show some form - otherwise he is in the raffle with a group of players to be left out of the first final.

Bring in Gamble. Give the boy one last chance - he looked ok to me in the twos last week. Also bring in West in replace of Lonergan. Could be a really good move - if the right tall forward opponent can be found for him to match up on.

If you asked who should be in the final 22 if all players likely to be fit for the finals - there would be a heap of variations. Some conjecture would surround the selection of Gamble, Blake, Hogan, Wojo, DJ, Byrnes, Stokes, West, Lonergan and Gillies. And that is what concerns me - we are just such an unsettled unit - and have been for months. Hard to just turn it on sometimes when the team is constantly making changes to its line up.

 

[Glassjaw]

No idea what people are on about re: Gamble. Give him one last shot? He'll have all next year, and probably the year after to do something. He hasn't been given a run this year. He hasn't played more than 2 in a row. You can't expect to not give him a run and get great results. At least give him a god half a dozen on the trot before you can even talk about the possibility of him going.

 

[True Blue Cat]

No idea what people are on about re: Gamble. Give him one last shot? He'll have all next year, and probably the year after to do something. He hasn't been given a run this year. He hasn't played more than 2 in a row. You can't expect to not give him a run and get great results. At least give him a god half a dozen on the trot before you can even talk about the possibility of him going.

Not sure if you are talking about the posts about Gamble early in the thread or later on. The earlier posts were knocking Gamble but we moved on from that. We don't think the GFC would let him go because he doesn't play well we think he will go to another club as he isn't getting the game time he deserves at Geelong.

 

[catswhiskers]

Gamble is looking more and more like a midfielder. In the "Daisy" Thomas mode.

 

[Catman]

Gamble is looking more and more like a midfielder. In the "Daisy" Thomas mode.

So he's pretty much useless?

 

[JUBJUB]

So he's pretty much useless?

Does that mean Vegas also dyes the hair every few weeks like the Collingwood gayboy ?

 

[Vdubs]

Y all the talk about Ottens as if he will be our saviour? Even when fit in 08 GF, he didn't do anything useful, and his kicking for goal has been unreliable at best. He is limping and nowhere near fit. He should only come in surely if Mummy is in fact tired and needs a break.
Taking a chance on Gamble seems more relevant at this stage. After last years finals,playing anybody sus is out. Stokes, Chappy, Kelly all grossly underdone or injured 08 and we paid for it.
Ottens early form this year on the other hand was amazing, BUT it'll take probably a whole preseason to get that again. Really hope he has that special ability to defy the usual time issues, But??

 

[Vegas.]

I think most people realise he won't be our saviour Dubs, but we really have nothing to lose by trying him out.

 

[Vdubs]

I think most people realise he won't be our saviour Dubs, but we really have nothing to lose by trying him out.

we could damage ottens more if he tries heroics he's not capable of yet by playing under more pressure than what he's ready for, but you are probably right given we are#2 until finals