Chat to GFC official

[keen cats fella]

I spoke to a Geelong official yesterday, who came into work, and had a good 15 minute chat. Very nice guy!

My first question was about Mitch Brown and said that he was 2-3 weeks away; he'd started light jogging already and was very positive in general.

Next question was about Ranga, and he said he'll take a while for obvious reasons. Said he was a little overweight after such a long layoff, but the biggest thing out of the conversation was that he has extremely extremely bad confidence in his body now. For example, he's been benching himself in the games often at any sign of tightness in his strings or whatever, which is frustrating the coaches.... the point is, that this is a real set back for Ranga and he has very little confidence in himself (which is understandable).

The fellow also said that the VFL would be losing Simpson to the AFL very soon, hinting at this week.

Lastly, I asked about Menzel, and he said he's a gem. But he also said something interesting, that I wasn't aware of. Apparently every first year player at Geelong is now rested AT LEAST four times a year... so that was news to me!

Anyway, hope this has been handy (I was going to post this in the Mitch Brown thread but there's some other stuff of note).

 

[Whiskers]

Very interesting, so Duncan was rested from AFL duties?

Simpson, well i agree he could be a good ruck option, who goes out for him on top of the rest of the guys returning? Hawkins? Maybe i would drop him but i doubt that will happen. No one deserves to go.

 

[keen cats fella]

Very interesting, so Duncan was rested from AFL duties?

Simpson, well i agree he could be a good ruck option, who goes out for him on top of the rest of the guys returning? Hawkins? Maybe i would drop him but i doubt that will happen. No one deserves to go.

He didn't mention whether Duncan had been rested or not. But he sure did seem sure Simpson would be up in the seniors before long.

I also forgot to mention, but he did say the coaches saw Trent West as the best forward, and they were missing him incredibly. He'll be back this week.

 

[pinion]

Lastly, I asked about Menzel, and he said he's a gem. But he also said something interesting, that I wasn't aware of. Apparently every first year player at Geelong is now rested AT LEAST four times a year... so that was news to me!

yeah, i wasn't aware it was official policy, but i remember even Joel Selwood was rested a few times in his first year. It's a very, very good call

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He didn't mention whether Duncan had been rested or not. But he sure did seem sure Simpson would be up in the seniors before long.

I also forgot to mention, but he did say the coaches saw Trent West as the best forward, and they were missing him incredibly. He'll be back this week.

Trent should be back into the ones this week. But yes, he has been our best forward in the VFL.

Thanks for all the other info. I really hope we help Ranga's confidence by letting him know we're keeping him on for the long term, he's got real talent, but like someone who's had a knee reco, he needs a good 6 months at least to get real form and confidence back.

Like the resting policy, no need to burn out first year players.

 

[jim boy]

Trent should be back into the ones this week.

Surely you mean the twos

 

[ninjacat]

Yeah can't see how Simpson gets another game this year - we now have squeezed Pods in at FF, meaning THawk is more likely to back up as ruckman.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I don't think it means he won't get a game, I just think it means we'll mix and match some weeks compared to others so we aren't too top heavy/exposed by ruckmen at ground level.

For example, against Jolly/Wood I'd be happy to see Blake/Simpson, but I wouldn't be so happy to see it against Cox/Naitanui.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Surely you mean the twos

No I meant ones, but I should have phrased it better/more clearly.

"Trent should be back (from injury) this week, and I hope it'll be in the ones"

 

[winty]

No I meant ones, but I should have phrased it better/more clearly.

"Trent should be back (from injury) this week, and I hope it'll be in the ones"

In place of who?

 

[vinum coupe]

Surely West has to show form first?

 

[Catdog]

Coming back from injury would like Westy to have a hitout in the Magoo's first.
Would like to think his chance is coming, but he has to grab his opportunity when it happens.
Best of luck when its his turn

 

[GeeCats07]

yeah, i wasn't aware it was official policy, but i remember even Joel Selwood was rested a few times in his first year. It's a very, very good call

He missed rounds 4, 10, 11 and 21 in his first year, so there's his four. I wonder how they decided that four is the right number. I guess that is assuming that they would play every game if not for that, which I doubt Duncan would anyway.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

In place of who?

Well that's the issue which is why he probably won't play unless injury to someone opens up a spot.

But if we play a second ruckman I'd like to see him get a go, is all.

His VFL form before his injury was very good, in fact I'd say he's been our best player in the VFL this year (well Simpkin has been our best but he's on the VFL list).

 

[JUBJUB]

Jolly/Wood

Sounds like something you get after taking a little blue pill

 

[vinum coupe]

He missed rounds 4, 10, 11 and 21 in his first year, so there's his four. I wonder how they decided that four is the right number. I guess that is assuming that they would play every game if not for that, which I doubt Duncan would anyway.

In 07 the official line was "We don't want 1st year players playing more than 12 games" Selwoods form forced them to change their mind

 

[thegerman]

It is unfortunate as Duncan is a gun and is doing everything right. So now that Varcoe has come back in red-hot form, who do we drop to put Duncan (who hasn't done anything wrong), back into the lineup?

Then there is Stokes also?

 

[Reg Hickey]

Apparently every first year player at Geelong is now rested AT LEAST four times a year... so that was news to me!

Fair enough for the kids, but I assume this wouldn't apply to the jPod - he has a hardened 28yo body that has already been through 10+ seasons of senior footy.

 

[Reg Hickey]

It is unfortunate as Duncan is a gun and is doing everything right. So now that Varcoe has come back in red-hot form, who do we drop to put Duncan (who hasn't done anything wrong), back into the lineup?

Then there is Stokes also?

Its going to be very tough at the selection table this week ...

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Fair enough for the kids, but I assume this wouldn't apply to the jPod - he has a hardened 28yo body that has already been through 10+ seasons of senior footy.

Plus it's not like Pods has 10 seasons ahead of him, I'm sure he'll be happy to burn out after 2 or 3 seasons, maybe with a flag or two to show for it? (please?)

 

[thegerman]

Hope so!

 

[Partridge]

It is unfortunate as Duncan is a gun and is doing everything right. So now that Varcoe has come back in red-hot form, who do we drop to put Duncan (who hasn't done anything wrong), back into the lineup?

Then there is Stokes also?

I sincerely hope Duncan is back in the team as fast as possible. I can't remember seeing a first year player look so calm and composed at senior level (and that includes Selwood).

 

[keen cats fella]

Fair enough for the kids, but I assume this wouldn't apply to the jPod - he has a hardened 28yo body that has already been through 10+ seasons of senior footy.

Well perhaps he does count...

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Well perhaps he does count...

Maybe...he does have a hardened body but full time footy is harder on the body.