Geelong in 08'

haywood jablome

Premiership Player
Joined
Apr 6, 2007
Posts
3,943
Likes
8
Location
Jasusadghrh
AFL Club
Geelong
Thread starter #1
Surely the only thing stopping this team going back to back is injuries and mindset. If the team can manage to fire up and go through the whole "one game at a time" theory there is no reason why we shouldn't go back to back. Our list is basically peaking with some up and coming superstars yet to be thrown into the mix as well. Mooney and Ottens are fundamental to our success IMO. Will Geelong will have the mindset and drive to go back to back in 08?
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Cattery

Premiership Player
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Posts
3,262
Likes
2,574
Location
Australia
AFL Club
Geelong
#3
Will Geelong will have the mindset and drive to go back to back in 08?
I'd be stunned if they didn't, given what they achieved this year I'd expect them to be just as hungry in 08.

Took a lot of soul searching and damn hard work to reach where they're at now and I don't think they'll be satisfied with simply producing one great year but will want to carry it on.

Of course even if they do have the right mindset plus a reasonable run with injuries it doesn't guarantee another flag, but of the sixteen teams we're the best placed player wise to go all the way.
 

CF

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
May 11, 2006
Posts
16,609
Likes
4,001
Location
On the Outer
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
Chicago Bulls, Aussie Swim Team,
#4
We have the personnel, but as it has been pointed out it is very difficult to do (winning B2B). The great Essendon of 2000 which many called the best team ever, couldn't do it and there are other examples of great teams who couldn't do it as well. I am not saying we can't do it, but let's put the lid back on and not count our chickens before they hatch. It is a long road to September 2008.
 

catswhiskers

Premiership Player
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Posts
3,662
Likes
5,114
Location
Far North East
AFL Club
Geelong
#5
It will be a difficult task because

1. Injury and or loss of form and or loss of team cohesion can occur
(heaven forbid).
2. Other teams have the summer months to analyse what Geelong did and
have time to work out how they will try to combat this.

Bomber put into action a new way of approaching footy: Take risks, run from defence and use the corridor. Kick long to forwards in a one on one contest if necessary. All of which saw the forwards given their chance one on one. For quite a while now, flooding has seen forwards battling 1 on 2 or even 1 on 3.
Challengers will look hard at how to put more pressure on the running defenders and in particular how to fill (flood) the corridor.

Back to back is a good chance but all the cards have fall correctly again.


Whatever happens I think we can say the '08 season will see much more exhilarating footy from many of the teams who chose to go defensive in '04-'07.
 

Shell

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Posts
88,512
Likes
53,440
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Geelong
#6
We have the personnel, but as it has been pointed out it is very difficult to do (winning B2B). The great Essendon of 2000 which many called the best team ever, couldn't do it and there are other examples of great teams who couldn't do it as well. I am not saying we can't do it, but let's put the lid back on and not count our chickens before they hatch. It is a long road to September 2008.
While I'll be the first to always lay into Essendon, weren't they coming to the "end" of their era around that time anyway. They really should have won 99 (therefore going back to back), but they really ****ed it up. (And boy did I enjoy watching it happen :D)

And on the flip side there are not so great sides that do go back to back. Adelaide are the prime example that come to mind.

It will be tough and there's usually at least one team who makes a great improvement. (What's the stat.. one team from the bottom eight, will make the top 4?)

Anyway, I agree. Put the lid back on and lets just make it thru the pre-season first!
 

FoxC

Club Legend
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Posts
1,980
Likes
255
Location
Eastern ranges
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
Tottenham Hotspur
#7
It's been reported in the media in the last week that the coaching staff and the players have made a pact not to mention this year's triumph anymore and instead focus fully on 2008. Tom Harley said that the players have had a fantastic pre-Christmas training block which is in fact higher in intensity compared to the end of 2006, due to increased fitness this year.

Tom and a few others have mentioned that the team is determined to help guys like Egan, Blake and those who missed out on the grand final to achieve the same success in 2008. I wouldn't worry too much about lack of hunger and drive, but rather luck with injuries and an improved game plan to combat what other teams are going to throw at us.

But as CM says, let's keep a lid on it, there's a long way to go.
 

Shell

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Posts
88,512
Likes
53,440
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Geelong
#8
It's been reported in the media in the last week that the coaching staff and the players have made a pact not to mention this year's triumph anymore and instead focus fully on 2008. Tom Harley said that the players have had a fantastic pre-Christmas training block which is in fact higher in intensity compared to the end of 2006, due to increased fitness this year..
They went back to work on something like Tuesday or Wednesday after the GF, did they not?
I'd say they are definitely focused on next year. :thumbsu:
I also recall Tom being quoted in the paper that they will "really celebrate and look back on their success at reunions, after their careers are over, etc". :thumbsu:

But as CM says, let's keep a lid on it, there's a long way to go.
Boxing Day, 2007.

Is this officially the earliest date we've brought this line back out? Or it has been quoted elsewhere earlier? :D
 

FoxC

Club Legend
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Posts
1,980
Likes
255
Location
Eastern ranges
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
Tottenham Hotspur
#9
They went back to work on something like Tuesday or Wednesday after the GF, did they not?
That's right, your memory is impeccable. Which reminds me never to tell a lie to you in case I forget what I had said.:p

I'd say they are definitely focused on next year. :thumbsu:
I also recall Tom being quoted in the paper that they will "really celebrate and look back on their success at reunions, after their careers are over, etc". :thumbsu:
Yeah, but he also said supporters cannot be denied the chance to still bask in the glory of this year, so we can still go out and celebrate. :thumbsu:

Boxing Day, 2007.

Is this officially the earliest date we've brought this line back out? Or it has been quoted elsewhere earlier? :D
Yeah I think it's an easier day to remember, although it may have been said elsewhere that I'm not aware of.

PS. By the way I am mightily impressed by how Santa delivered all that you wished for last Christmas. Did you ask him for back to back this Christmas?
 

Shell

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Posts
88,512
Likes
53,440
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Geelong
#10
That's right, your memory is impeccable. Which reminds me never to tell a lie to you in case I forget what I had said.:p
Imo, I have a pretty crap memory. I just remember reading it in the paper and being pretty surprised at the fact they were back to work so quickly.

Yeah, but he also said supporters cannot be denied the chance to still bask in the glory of this year, so we can still go out and celebrate. :thumbsu:?
Fair enough. Shall we have a party at Shmick or what? :D

PS. By the way I am mightily impressed by how Santa delivered all that you wished for last Christmas. Did you ask him for back to back this Christmas?
Are you talking about the poem? Well I didnt get everything. Ling is still ugly aint he? :p
 

FoxC

Club Legend
Joined
Oct 1, 2007
Posts
1,980
Likes
255
Location
Eastern ranges
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
Tottenham Hotspur
#11
Imo, I have a pretty crap memory. I just remember reading it in the paper and being pretty surprised at the fact they were back to work so quickly.
Yeah I was surprised too. Hopefully they've come up with a new game plan already. ;)

I think it's a sign of maturity in the club's culture. The book "Year of the Cat" by the Addy's Simon Townley touched on this quite a bit, it's a good read too - if you haven't read it I'd recommend it.

Fair enough. Shall we have a party at Shmick or what? :D
LOL let's do it. :D

Are you talking about the poem? Well I didnt get everything. Ling is still ugly aint he? :p
To be fair to Lingy if he wasn't a redhead he wouldn't be picked on like that. I reckon he's nowhere near as ugly as, say, Toby Thurstan of Port. :eek:
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Joined
Oct 20, 2007
Posts
10
Likes
0
Location
Darwin
AFL Club
Geelong
#21
One of the reasons we were able to get it into the forward 50m and give the KP Forwards the opportunities for 1 on 1's were the dummy leads, Nathan Ablett was great in this department, if he goes i feel we need to replace him with a quality lead up player, hopefully Hawkins and Mooney can re design our forward structures.

I believe our upside is greater than most clubs out there with what we have waiting in the wings and who missed out on the Grand Final.
Hawkins, Djekurra, Egan, Varcoe, Blake.

Brisbane were very solid in their 3 seasons at the top, very nearly 4 flags! there werent much players in and out of those sides and same with West Coast and Sydney. My point is very few changes are made to premiership sides. Who could be the changes for ours? :eek:
 
Joined
Mar 2, 2005
Posts
2,999
Likes
398
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
New England Patriots
#22
Other teams have the summer months to analyse what Geelong did and
have time to work out how they will try to combat this.
- I dont think it matters. To me football is still simple enough to say that 22 players will generally beat another 22 players if they are just better footballers. Currently our top 22 are just better than anybody elses.

Ablett could hurt us a lot more than people think. He would have contributed to around 70+ goals this year, counting the ones he assisted in. Hawkins could possible live up to him but they are different players.

We will see.
 
Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Posts
1,918
Likes
675
Location
NT
AFL Club
Geelong
Other Teams
Yurrampi
#25
We had the best 22 in 07 because we had alot of blokes having career best years. Hopefully they can maintain the rage but injuries and/or hubris could chip off 5% and then we are back with the pack. The key determinant is the hunger (of the things we can control). But let's think about it next year. Still a few more glorious days of 2007 to bask in. :thumbsu:.
 
Top Bottom