Geelong a better team without Ablett?

[The Casey Cat]

I think Geelong supporters should wait until they play a quality team before getting to excited.

They are still a bit injury hit but I reckon Freo are quality. But Swans next week definitely our toughest test so far. Jnr used to rip them to shreds every time too so will be interesting.

 

[krisholio14]

I don't think we are a better team without him. We could be equally as good, but not better.

 

[RUNVS]

They are still a bit injury hit but I reckon Freo are quality. But Swans next week definitely our toughest test so far. Jnr used to rip them to shreds every time too so will be interesting.

Our defence has been rather injury hit as well but fortunately Geelong's forward line isn't their strength so i don't think it will be as big a factor as it would be against a team like Hawthorn who have a very strong forward line.

The Swans have won 7 of the 8 games we played at the SCG last year so hopefully we can continue that record this year.

 

[bigfarter]

By no means are we better but it has meant players like Bartel and a rejuvenated Joel Corey are stepping up and the kids look good so far, though you'd expect them to tire at the end of the year. It's far too early to tell how our season will pan out and the next two weeks shall shed some light on where we really sit but, for now, we are 3-0 when we could have easily been 1-2 and I think that will count for a lot in the battle for the top 4 at the end of the year.

 

[magic_johnson!]

Given St Kilda's form this year i don't think beating them means much. I will give you that beating Fremantle at Subiaco is a accomplishment though as they seem to be either as good or almost as good as they were last year.

We just bet the Hawks in the opening round of 2009; they turned to shit and we didn't. I think (hope) the saints match may be in the same boat...

 

[Mitchemx]

Impossible to tell at this stage. They haven't played a top 8 team yet. Much like my own side, we've played witches hats the last 2 weeks. Sydney at the SCG will be a big test, as will playing us in two weeks time.

 

[Sttew]

For all those who jumped on this being the most ridiculous thread, it was a rhetorical question. Ablett was the No.1 player in the comp last year so of course losing him would hurt. BUT, the point I was making is that releasing Ablett has given several players, notably Selwood, Johnson and Duncan, a new lease of life in the midfield. I have no doubt Bartel sacrificed his game to an extent while Ablett was our premium midfielder. The other thing is that the team is playing as a cohesive unit out to prove there is life after Ablett.

 

[Mitchemx]

Freo?

The next 2 weeks should be good and I'd be happy if we win 1 of them. It's hard to beat Sydney at the SCG and it's always close between Geelong/Hawthorn.

I do think Geelong are a better team this year, but not because Ablett has gone.

- Ottens has had a pre-season without getting injured and looks to be playing how he was a couple of years ago.

- Injuries/a new coach have allowed Menzel/Duncan to break into the side and they will both stay there.

- Joel Corey is fit and also looks to be back playing the type of footy he was a couple of years ago.

- Bartel is playing as a midfielder again.

Fair point. Personally i'm not convinced about Fremantle but to each his own.

 

[ChubbMuff]

Pies should have a look at pissing off Dane Swan.

Thanks for the laugh - gold

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Are we a better team without Ablett? No.

Are we playing better without Ablett than people expected? Yes.

We have never been a one man outfit. Ablett was just the best of what was a very good group of players.

It's hard to tell, but I think we might be playing a little better this year. That isn't attributed to Ablett leaving, rather the inclusion of some fresh legs in Menzel, Duncan and Hunt as well as a return to form of guys like Ottens and Corey.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Now that I think about it, what team wouldn't be better without Gary Ablett?

Pies should have a look at pissing off Dane Swan.

Yep, let's face it .. it's the stars of the game that are just holding their clubs back.

Better without Ablett ... give me a break.

 

[mwalker]

Are we a better team without Ablett? No.

Are we playing better without Ablett than people expected? Yes.

We have never been a one man outfit. Ablett was just the best of what was a very good group of players.

It's hard to tell, but I think we might be playing a little better this year. That isn't attributed to Ablett leaving, rather the inclusion of some fresh legs in Menzel, Duncan and Hunt as well as a return to form of guys like Ottens and Corey.

You have just worded the OP's arguement a little better me thinks and seems a fair assessment 3 weeks in.

Interesting to see how the 2nd half of the year goes as the younger guys and the guys with increased midfield duties may tire....GAJ would not.

 

[Herbs]

I was always worried about geelong losing ablett, but i was just as worried about them losing gamble. It seem one has been good and the other not so good. Losing gamble has obviously effected the geelong structure of having a stay at home forward, they have been forced to find other options apart from the 'kick it to gamble mindset'. Now without gamble they have found multiple goal kicker across the board. Gambles attack on the ball is second to none however the geelong forwards have realised they needed to step up without there leader and it has showed 10 fold. Menzel has been praised as the second coming of gamble but lets me serious thats a bit to much pressure to put on the kid. Ablett hasnt had as much of an effect on the team. I feel geelong did well in moving on with life after gamble.

Say what? Ryan Gamble couldn't get a game with Geelong.

 

[magic_johnson!]

And even though port are shit, we kept them to their lowest score against us ever while having 13 individual goal kickers ourselves, despite 5 posters.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Are we a better team without Ablett? No.

Are we playing better without Ablett than people expected? Yes.

We have never been a one man outfit. Ablett was just the best of what was a very good group of players.

It's hard to tell, but I think we might be playing a little better this year. That isn't attributed to Ablett leaving, rather the inclusion of some fresh legs in Menzel, Duncan and Hunt as well as a return to form of guys like Ottens and Corey.

This.. Of course we are better with Ablett in the side.. I think new coach and injection of talent means we are still there abouts.. not on a slide just yet...

 

[Rack Watts]

Not sure.. if serious?

 

[HFF]

Of course, they are much better without arguably the best player in the comp at the peak of his powers playing for them.

 

[Barnzy]

No they aren't, silly thread.

Although I think people were too quick to write Geelong off. Players like Menzel, Duncan and Hunt have slotted in nicely. They will still be up there this year.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

God no.

 

[JUBJUB]

I was always worried about geelong losing ablett, but i was just as worried about them losing gamble. It seem one has been good and the other not so good. Losing gamble has obviously effected the geelong structure of having a stay at home forward, they have been forced to find other options apart from the 'kick it to gamble mindset'. Now without gamble they have found multiple goal kicker across the board. Gambles attack on the ball is second to none however the geelong forwards have realised they needed to step up without there leader and it has showed 10 fold. Menzel has been praised as the second coming of gamble but lets me serious thats a bit to much pressure to put on the kid. Ablett hasnt had as much of an effect on the team. I feel geelong did well in moving on with life after gamble.

Are you performing at the Melbourne Comedy festival ?

 

[Selective Retention]

Better team without Ablett? No.

Better team without Thompson? You bet. Chris Scott coming in and refreshing the message was the single best thing that could have happened. If Bomber had have stayed on I could quite easily see us being in a similiar mental fatigue rut that the Saints find themselves in. The older players under Scott have started the season with a second wind and he has backed a number of the young kids in and they have stepped up to the plate. Long may it continue

 

[KanineLupus]

Ridiculous thread

+1

No team is the sum of one player, and each player should bring something of value to the mix... might just be that now other players don't have a superstar to hide behind and now have to actually show their own worth for a place

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

I think Geelong supporters should wait until they play a quality team before getting to excited.

Let me guess, we have to beat the Swans first?

Yep, thought so.

Don't think Freo will lose too many games at Subi this year.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

I was always worried about geelong losing ablett, but i was just as worried about them losing gamble. It seem one has been good and the other not so good. Losing gamble has obviously effected the geelong structure of having a stay at home forward, they have been forced to find other options apart from the 'kick it to gamble mindset'. Now without gamble they have found multiple goal kicker across the board. Gambles attack on the ball is second to none however the geelong forwards have realised they needed to step up without there leader and it has showed 10 fold. Menzel has been praised as the second coming of gamble but lets me serious thats a bit to much pressure to put on the kid. Ablett hasnt had as much of an effect on the team. I feel geelong did well in moving on with life after gamble.

Top post. Heard they were going to change the local paper to the Gambletiser, not sure why that didn't eventuate.

 

[dazza68]

Better team without Ablett? No.

Better team without Thompson? You bet. Chris Scott coming in and refreshing the message was the single best thing that could have happened. If Bomber had have stayed on I could quite easily see us being in a similiar mental fatigue rut that the Saints find themselves in. The older players under Scott have started the season with a second wind and he has backed a number of the young kids in and they have stepped up to the plate. Long may it continue

Quoted for the most intelligent reply in this thread.