Geelong and the Steven King selection

[Partridge]

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.

I agree with pretty much everything you've said, with one proviso:

Blake is still a bit light for a ruckman, and he does get pushed off the ball a little easy at times. King's bigger frame and experience will mean that won't happen. I'm quite happy for him to come back for Blake, just not to have all 3.

I agree Thompson still has a fantasy about Ottens as a key forward, when we all know it won't work. He's useful, can take the odd great mark, but he will never make it as a key forward. And when he's such a good (and influential) tap ruckman I'm not sure why you'd even try. I'd rather leave inexperienced guys like Nathan Ablett or Hawkins there. Both have lots to learn, but offer way more. In Ablett's case a lot more ground mobility for a start.

I won't be disappointed if Ottens kicks a bag obviously (I'll be in shock anyway), but the sooner he's back in the centre square and Mooney and Ablett are left alone as key forwards the better.

 

[PowerOfThePussy]

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.

Ruckmen play as link-up men these days gathering plenty of possesions themselves.

I for one think it can work. We shall see.

Cheers
POTP

 

[The Zebra]

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

POTP

This pretty much sums it up for me:

I agree with pretty much everything you've said, with one proviso:

Blake is still a bit light for a ruckman, and he does get pushed off the ball a little easy at times. King's bigger frame and experience will mean that won't happen. I'm quite happy for him to come back for Blake, just not to have all 3.

I agree Thompson still has a fantasy about Ottens as a key forward, when we all know it won't work. He's useful, can take the odd great mark, but he will never make it as a key forward. And when he's such a good (and influential) tap ruckman I'm not sure why you'd even try. I'd rather leave inexperienced guys like Nathan Ablett or Hawkins there. Both have lots to learn, but offer way more. In Ablett's case a lot more ground mobility for a start.

I won't be disappointed if Ottens kicks a bag obviously (I'll be in shock anyway), but the sooner he's back in the centre square and Mooney and Ablett are left alone as key forwards the better.

However I think Blake is the better option. Besides his obvious defiency in the fact that he can't (and won't) kick, he runs and links up well and that suits your game plan. Geelong are all about running and moving the ball forward at every oppportunity. King has no doubt slowed and is a ruckman of a passed era - Blake is limited and will only ever be average/good but he is the athletic new generation ruck. He suits the way the Cats play and including him over a midfielder won't have the effect that including King over a midfielder will.

If I was a Cat I would much rather Blake in than King, but would absolutely prefer King over Blake than having all three and reducing Ottens rucking time - that has the potential to hrow a massive spanner into things.

 

[Partridge]

However I think Blake is the better option. Besides his obvious defiency in that fact that he can't (and won't) kick, he runs and links up well and that suits your game plan. Geelong are all about running and moving the ball forward at every oppportunity. King has no doubt slowed and is a ruckman of a passed era - Blake will only ever be average/good but he is the athletci new generation ruck.

If I was a Cat I would much rather Blake in than King, but would absolutely prefer King over Blake than having all three and reducing Ottens rucking time - that has the potential to hrow a massive spanner into things.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Budda 230]

I can't see both King and Blake playing in the same team when Chapman, Enright and Rooke come back. Who ever has the greatest impact in the coming games will play finals footy.

 

[cat in sydney]

This pretty much sums it up for me:

If I was a Cat I would much rather Blake in than King, but would absolutely prefer King over Blake than having all three and reducing Ottens rucking time - that has the potential to hrow a massive spanner into things.

Totally agree with you, but that doesn't mean that it is a bad move bringing King in for this game. We still don't know yet whether one of Blake or Ottens will be dropped, so it's not necessairly set in stone to have three ruckmen.
However, the reason they are bringing King in no doubt is to get some match fitness into him for the finals, whether he is considered part of the starting 22 or not.
He may be considered third ruck, and be on the emergency list each week.
Can you imagine if Blake or Ottens went down injured in the last round or first week of finals, and we had no backup except King who hasn't played seniors since Rd4 or so? The coaching staff would get crucified!
Therefore, they are doing the smart thing in getting Kingy out there for a few weeks. Then, in Rd21 and 22, the coaching staff will decide on the best combination, and use that for the run-up to the finals.

 

[Waverley73]

Just imagine if this is a good move. The match committee might know what they're doing. They just might. They might know better than dear 'ole Big Footy poster 'The Zebra'. Crazy I know.

Time will tell.

 

[ecleftic]

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!)

I'd say his grand plan is to win every game Kingy deserves the opportunity and I hope he has does well.


Go Cats!!

 

[JUBJUB]

Steven King has played three games this year.

They have lost all three.

Get your facts right

 

[Z_K]

King and Byrnes in the same side? Get Playfair back, and it looks like a girly old Geelong, not this annoying very good version.

Steven King is a rubbish footballer.

 

[Waverley73]

King and Byrnes in the same side? Get Playfair back, and it looks like a girly old Geelong, not this annoying very good version.

Steven King is a rubbish footballer.

You're funny.

 

[Z_K]

You're funny.

Thanks. I'm right, too.

 

[Partridge]

King and Byrnes in the same side? Get Playfair back, and it looks like a girly old Geelong, not this annoying very good version.

Steven King is a rubbish footballer.

Firstly, Playfair won't be back. So forget that.

And while we don't know if King has what it takes anymore, he's spent time in the seconds, so he deserves a chance. If he can recapture form, he's at least as good as Blake, and he won't get pushed off the ball as Blake sometimes does. Either way he'll still be number 2 behind Ottens.

I said this earlier, my objection is having all 3 ruckmen playing at once, not King coming back. I've got no problems with him coming in for Blake.

And King mightn't be the player he was, but not too sure about rubbish. We'll see tomorrow.

 

[Cattery]

This pretty much sums it up for me:



However I think Blake is the better option. Besides his obvious defiency in the fact that he can't (and won't) kick, he runs and links up well and that suits your game plan. Geelong are all about running and moving the ball forward at every oppportunity. King has no doubt slowed and is a ruckman of a passed era - Blake is limited and will only ever be average/good but he is the athletic new generation ruck. He suits the way the Cats play and including him over a midfielder won't have the effect that including King over a midfielder will.

If I was a Cat I would much rather Blake in than King, but would absolutely prefer King over Blake than having all three and reducing Ottens rucking time - that has the potential to hrow a massive spanner into things.

Mate could you E-Mail this to the Geelong footy club, you've hit the nail squarely on the head.

The "only" consideration in choosing between the two of them is who is the better tap ruckman, and in my book it's clearly Blake.
The fact that King may get more possessions around the ground is completely immaterial, it's not like we're exactly struggling for players who can win plenty of the footy, plus as you point out Blake fits in superbly with our game plan which is all about keeping the ball moving at all costs, and he does this very well with quick and accurate handball, prefer ten possies from him then twenty from King any day.


Quote ...... "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." ........

A nightmare scenario actually, although I seriously doubt it's going to happen, but the second, albeit slightly less worrying aspect is that they'll go with king at the expense of Blake, which would be a backward step in my opinion.

 

[PHX]

Get your facts right

Is it two then, or four?

Either way you havent won this year when King has played.

Have to have something on our side.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

Blake will be dropped in a week or 2.

Not much better than Jamar or Ackland.

 

[Solstice Raver]

I don't want to compare the entire team or success between the two, simply a tactic that was sucessful for a premiership winning side.

Brisbane won 3 (almost 4) flags with a third ruck option who only played 5 games or so in the H&A season before playing every game in the finals.

If this is a luxury Geelong can afford they should try it as it has been a proven formula. The Cats are far from not requiring improvement and if Thompson is to trial tactics before the finals then now is the time.

I'd like to know now if King is going to be an option for September action rather than playing the trial and error game in September which would be doomed for failure.

Yes or no?

 

[Bobby Giovanni]

King and Byrnes in the same side? Get Playfair back, and it looks like a girly old Geelong, not this annoying very good version.

Steven King is a rubbish footballer.

We might re-draft Kouloriotis and bring in Charlie Gardiner as well.

Oh, and you forget Josh Hunt. He's rubbish as well, the big fat nonce.

 

[krisholio14]

No doubt this is an opportunity to have a look at Kingy and see if he can not just perform, but get thru 4 quarters of footy without getting injured.

And that last part is far from a given too.

 

[Cyclops]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If King has earned his spot, fair nuff. Cats have top spot locked in and changes to rest/refresh/reintroduce players make sense even if you're fighting tooth and nail.

If he's being picked as a reward for past service, the club is mental and headed for a fall.

Anyway I can't be too critical, we kept Guy Richards in the side.

 

[DanA]

I am not a big fan of screwing with a winning formula but if it is just a one week venture than I am all for it.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Steven King is a rubbish footballer.

Ruckman who made his AFL debut at 17, AA, multiple B&F, club captain;

Better than any current North ruckman

 

[Tas]

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.

You take these kinds of risks when you play a team that hasn't won many games, but I agree if a runner goes down early it will put a lot of strain on the bench.

 

[peternorth]

You could play 10 ruckmen against us it wouldnt matter.

the only thing is that if geelong win by a lot as expected, and king plays a servicable game, it could give some the idea that he's back! of course most would wait for a few more solid performances.

 

[Z_K]

Ruckman who made his AFL debut at 17, AA, multiple B&F, club captain;

That's exciting.

Steven King was once a good footballer. He is now rubbish.

Is that more accurate?