Difference Between Trial Matches in the Country to Wizard Cup

[Cap]

Apart from not getting to play on actual AFL ovals and get on telly and a bit of prize money

what's the difference ? - many posters say how pointless the Wizard cup is because they are only practice matches

even though its bloody annoying to lose a game of football has it really effected our preperation for round 1 in any way

 

[Stiffy_18]

I don't think our preparation has been affected THAT much. Teams are a bit more serious in the Wizard Cup than they are in Regional Challenge and thats evidenced by Craig's comments that we will rest some players this week and play more youngsters/second string players.

If you are in the wizard cup you play on best grounds in the country while in regional challenge you play on harder grounds and clubs tends to put their stars in cotton wool in these situations.

 

[The Toolman]

Whilst it is still a good hitout and most players will be fair dinkum, it is only a trial game and just may lack a smidgen of intensity. Apart from that, it will still be a good hitout between two AFL clubs on well prepared ovals.

 

[Jerome]

I cant imagine Geelong being too happy. Pouring rain in the ACT last week and probably 30 degree heat this weekend!

There might be a few Geelong boys out there taking it easy this weekend...

 

[Mad Dog]

If we had stayed in the comp we would have continued to set up for round 1 by playing near to our best combination........which was the way to go given our situation........but now we will be playing more youngsters...which is not a bad thing...just slightly less productive in terms of setting up for the season

 

[pext]

The most significant difference is that we don't get regional challenge matches on TV.

 

[Cap]

did anyone else read the article that bomber is sending his full side to Pt Lincoln to play ? a game against a prospective top 4 team at full strength will be more than useful considering we would have been playing a potential bottom 8 side in the roos - less travel at this point as well ! better for the supporter base in SA and also 5AA will be covbering it (anyone know the time ?)

 

[Stiffy_18]

Game starts at 1.45pm on saturday.

I don't know of playing top 4 side would do us a hell of a lot of good considering we could be going into this game with majority side made up of kids.

 

[Cap]

Game starts at 1.45pm on saturday.

I don't know of playing top 4 side would do us a hell of a lot of good considering we could be going into this game with majority side made up of kids.

thanks stiffy

but i'll still continue to build my arguement that we are really no worse off

playing the kids isn't all that bad considering our position -
maybe because of this the likes of kruger meesen etc get a chance early and impress giving them the chance to debut earlier, we could have just gone through the wizzer cup with our first 22 and they wouldnt have the chance to be played against actualy AFL players until they are thrown to the wolves like Jericho

 

[dA Crow]

Game starts at 1.45pm on saturday.

I don't know of playing top 4 side would do us a hell of a lot of good considering we could be going into this game with majority side made up of kids.

True, but you can practice and practice all you like, nothing beats the experience of playing a proper match, alot of these younger players have alot to prove; just about every spot come round 1 is up for grabs.

 

[Stiffy_18]

True, but you can practice and practice all you like, nothing beats the experience of playing a proper match, alot of these younger players have alot to prove; just about every spot come round 1 is up for grabs.

I agree with that whole-heartedly. As I said in one of the other threads, you can practice all you like but you still need to execute things under intense pressure. Sure its great to see some youngsters in action but it will be a big ask to play well and win with a young side against a potential top 4 side at full strength.