Geelong and the Steven King selection

[The Zebra]

The first crack for a while has appeared for Geelong IMO.

This reeks of a selection based on rewarding loyalty and service rather than one based on team structure or picking best available.

I know King's VFL performances are good, but most veteran ruckman would perform well enough in the VFL, and Geelong have a current ruck combo that is owrking. Bringing in King will likely force Ottens forward - which is a huge mistake because he increased ruck role has been a major factor in Geelong becoming what they are. Having this third tall also diminishes their running options.

They will beat Richmond (though the odds look juicier) but I think we will look back at this at the end of the H & A as the move that halted their momentum.

Bad move.

 

[MarkT]

They probably want a trade return at the end of the year. In any case I can’t see any harm in seeing whether he can perform. Blake is no world beater.

 

[catempire]

Rubbish.

Now is the time to do this to give us the option of having 3 fit ruckman for the finals.

 

[Bloben]

Geelong has great momentum at the moment... One could argue that there is a need to make some changes to lessen the chance of becoming stagnant.

If by bringing in King, others know they must continue to perform or be dropped - especially when playing against a side like Richmond which would be hard for the players to lift for.

 

[Mr X]

What Blake gains over King as a tap ruckman, if physically and match fit, King more than gains over Blake in his around the ground work, feild and goal kicking ability.

It is always nice to have options, he has had a long run in at VFL level, and if you are ever going to give him another senior crack, now is the time.

Nice to have the depth to be having this debate!

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

Nothing to do with loyalty.

Three ruckman is a luxury we can afford at the moment and with 4 interchange, I think it's a great idea.

Only gives us more flexibility - doesn't take it away.

If Ottens isn't working up forward, we can try King there, or just put him on the bench. Ottens might dominate up forward and then we have more options again. Cannot see a single downside to be honest.

And as MarkT said, Blake is no world beater - we love him, but to have another option up our sleeves is very handy. And what if Ottens or Blake have an injury (touch wood it doesn't happen). Handy to have a backup ruckman waiting in the wings and actually senior match fit.

Cheers
POTP

 

[DavidInellaFanClub]

u jst worry bout when ur teams downfall happens zebra, because it is not far away....

 

[Duskfire]

Thompson merely wants to give King a run before the Finals - he has been playing quite well in the VFL for a bit now. King is an old AA ruckmen and if he can recapture some sort of form before the Finals, as much as I like Blake King has the ability to be a much better player at this time being. Not to mention Blake has been quietish...

Not to mention I really believe if Enright wasn't injured, Blake would have been dropped for King. As it stands there was a spot avaliable without needing to ditch anyone at all.

 

[The Zebra]

They probably want a trade return at the end of the year. In any case I can’t see any harm in seeing whether he can perform. Blake is no world beater.

If they are doing it as a one off for the Richmond game it could be OK, but Bomber loves him and I think it will be more than that. Bomber has also continually played Ottens forward too much prior to this year.

Blake isn't damaging around the ground, but is a good link up man and tap ruckman and has formed a good combo with Ottens.

If I was a Cats supporter, I would be scared about this working aganst rubbish opposition this week (with Ottens kicking a bag) and then the Cats persisiting with a similiar structure against the Crows and Roos.

 

[Catdog]

Good luck to the big guy, may become very handy come finals.

Geelong needs to no how he is going to perform at the highest level
and this is a perfect game to find out.

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

If they are doing it as a one off for the Richmond game it could be OK, but Bomber loves him and I think it will be more than that. Bomber has also continually played Ottens forward too much prior to this year.

Blake isn't damaging around the ground, but is a good link up man and tap ruckman and has formed a good combo with Ottens.

If I was a Cats supporter, I would be scared about this working aganst rubbish opposition this week (with Ottens kicking a bag) and then the Cats persisiting with a similiar structure against the Crows and Roos.

Lol - scared about something working out, I think not.

No cracks here mate, but keep digging.

POTP

 

[Duskfire]

f they are doing it as a one off for the Richmond game it could be OK, but Bomber loves him and I think it will be more than that. Bomber has also continually played Ottens forward too much prior to this year.

Bomber is not an idiot, people should start thinking about one. He has made some bad moves, but this yera has also made some brilliant moves. Everyone knows Ottens is a dodgy forward, and everyone knows how good a ruckmen is and our winning forumla. Thompson isn't going to completely change that for the Finals. However, there could be any number of reasons here - Ottens might be a bit tired, so they may rest him a bit up forward. Could be any number of reasons. This is just a good chance to see what King is made of while at the same time sticking with our current set-up.

 

[PHX]

Steven King has played three games this year.

They have lost all three.

 

[The Zebra]

Lol - scared about something working out, I think not.

No cracks here mate, but keep digging.

POTP

I am not digging or trolling - I hate your red headed freak town but I like your team and watch more of them than anyone else apart from North.

But this was always going to happen. I am not saying it will derail your premiership, but I think it could have an effect on your streak if it is persisted with after the Tigers game.

If it is simply a hopeful experiment against a shit team - no harm.

 

[Duskfire]

If it is simply a hopeful experiment against a shit team - no harm.

Thats exactly what it is. Once Chapman and Enright are back and ready, either Blake or King will be dropped again.

 

[The Zebra]

Thats exactly what it is. Once Chapman and Enright are back and ready, either Blake or King will be dropped again.

We'll see.

Bomber is not an idiot but I think he still fantasises about Ottens ripping it up as a almost full time forward while King and Blake control the rucks.

He needs to let it go.

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

I am not digging or trolling - I hate your red headed freak town but I like your team and watch more of them than anyone else apart from North.

But this was always going to happen. I am not saying it will derail your premiership, but I think it could have an effect on your streak if it is persisted with after the Tigers game.

If it is simply a hopeful experiment against a shit team - no harm.

Fair enough, but when you say it's a crack opening up that just doesn't make any sense. Someone had to come in this week, King has been playing well in the two's, why not give him a go. Big men can be very influential in finals. Having options up our sleeve can only be a good thing IMO, but if you feel it is a crack opening up, that's you're perogative.

Oh and the bit about red-headed freak town is totally unneccessary.

Cheers
POTP

 

[jko'neal]

Take a look at recent games between the Tiges and the Cats, big guys like Ottens and Ben Graham have always kicked goals. This will be no different as the Cats look to be loading up big time with talls, and no doubt Wallace will play our biggest backmen(Polak) loose in defense while piss ants pick up the big forwards!!
Plus why not bring King back against Richmond, Simmonds is way off full fitness and Graham is making his debut, if he fails to dominate this game he may as well pull the pin!

 

[DBAH0]

King was brought in to get match fitness in case of an injury for finals. 3 ruckman are not in our best 22, I think everyone knows that, and I hope Bomber does as well, despite what he has said.

King should play next week against Adelaide, and then sent back to the VFL in round 20 when we take on the Kangaroos and can't afford to have any passengers.

I rate Blake higher than King right now because he's a better tap ruckman, and his linkword thru the middle is underrated because despite the fact he can't kick, he handballs well to advantage to the midfielders, which is what you want your ruckman to do.

 

[The Zebra]

King was brought in to get match fitness in case of an injury for finals. 3 ruckman are not in our best 22, I think everyone knows that, and I hope Bomber does as well, despite what he has said.

.

What has he said?

 

[passthebottle]

What has he said?

Bomber said a few weeks back that he would quite happily play three ruckman in the same side.
And as long as he doesn't try and play Otto full time in the forward line i will be happy.

But at the end of the day you would think the match committee would know what they are doing.

 

[The Zebra]

This is off the Geelong website from Monday (off Geelong board)

From the website :

Thompson said King, who last played in the Cats’ round five loss to the Kangaroos, was a certain starter.
“I told him last week he would be playing,” Thompson said.
“He’s in a really good head space and he’s in terrific form [in the VFL],” he said.
“We’ve always rushed him but this time we’ve wanted to get him match fit and then with his game [get him] into some reasonable form before playing him in the side.
“I think it’s perfect timing.”
Thompson hinted in-form ruckman Brad Ottens could be used more up forward this week, paving the way for King to share ruck duties with Mark Blake.

I'm telling you - it is his grand plan.

Let it go Bomber (or don't...actually - go with it! You were right all along! GO WITH IT!)

 

[viccles]

I don't know why they brought in Steven King, they were whipping teams without him!

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

This is off the Geelong website from Monday (off Geelong board)




I'm telling you - it is his grand plan.

Let it go Bomber (or don't...actually - go with it! You were right all along! GO WITH IT!)

What makes you think that 3 ruckmen won't work?

POTP

 

[DBAH0]

What makes you think that 3 ruckmen won't work?

POTP

Because you'd have 1 less midfielder to put into the rotations, which could be crucial for either injuries to players during the game, or fatigue at the end of it.