Oppo Camp Geelong

[Lach72]

Thought we might start a discussion each few days on our opposition for each game this year: prospects for the year, strengths, weaknesses, favourite players and in a blatant rip off from the Essendon board, the player from their team you'd love to have.
As we play the Cats first thought we might start with them.

Key Losses: Mooney, Ottens, Ling, Milburn. Aging but very good group. Ling in particular will be missed. He's been the tagger for so long, who else will they use? Menzel: this kid is gone for the year, showed every possibility of being the clone of Stevie J.
Nathan Vardy is coming back from multiple serious injuries. He could slot nicely in at FF, allowing Hawkins to dominate CHF.
Their rucks are solid even with Ottens gone. Trent West stepped up in the latter part of the year, and I think Dawson Simpson has some scary potential. At 206cm he's a big boy.

For mine, the Cats backs are the key. While they're aging, Enright, Scarlett and Hunt, to a lesser extent hold it together, with Mackie, Taylor and Lonergan, they are still the best back unit in the league.

Midfield they're still awesome, although Chapman and Wojo have a fair few K's on the clock. Bartel is the player Hase could have been: strong, hard, excellent overhead and durable. Selwood is the glue that holds it together and at 24 has his prime years to come...scary when you think about how good ge's been.

Their other smalls in Johnson, Varcoe, Stokes and Christensen give them zip up front and midfield depth with Varcoe in particular giving them flair and run from the to hf line, eg his goal in the GF.

For me they are still the team to beat this year, despite the loss of 5 key players due to injury or retirement.

I think we match up reasonably with their forwards, with Luke and Silvagni/Dawson giving us good option on their young KPF plus Podsiadly.
Their small forwards will cause us a lot of angst, perhaps Lee Spurr will help here?
I think we lack a bit in the midfield although with everyone fit, that gap is closing.
If I could take one player I'd go Selwood due to age and him being pretty much the perfect centreman to complement our hard runners.

Give us your thoughts?

 

[Righteo]

It's a shame Menzel is out, one of my favourite young players in the league and would have been a handful at Subi, good that we have one less threat to worry about though.

Would also take Selwood, young, big game player, skillful, knows where the goals are and plenty tough, can't go past him.

 

[Andy Brennan]

I think they'll slide a bit but will most likely still make the 8, still a really strong team on paper even with their retirements and injuries.

Definitely wouldn't go past Selwood, 2nd choice would be Bartel.

 

[magnus34]

I don't think they will slide at all. Those 5 are all covered IMO and such great young kids, they have an enviable position paired with a strong culture. Not that long ago Geelong was perceived as soft, goes to show how you can turn it around. I'd take Tomahawk, he was a confused hack but they persisted and persisted and IMO he came of age in that finals series. Think he may dominate now and be the Cloke of 2012. Pity we couldn't have had some more patience with Houghton (instead of Clancee).

 

[yakka man]

I think we'll have a good chance. I think their ruck is one of their weakest areas and provided Mundy and Fyfe are fit Sandi will give our mids first use of the ball. Pav will have to play forward because if he doesn't their backline will destroy us and rebound the ball as quickly as it goes in. It wil be a very good experience for Zac Clarke to play his first game in the forward line on some of the best competitions in the game.

 

[Rob]

I'm happy we're playing them first up.

While I think it's likely they'll slide, it wouldn't surprise to see them finish top 4 or even top 2. Unless they get badly hit by injuries they're finals certainties, which is why i'd rather play them early than when they've had the time to warm up.

 

[Bradesmaen]

I'd prefer to play them 2nd up. First game is a game they are going to go at hard to prove that they are still good.

 

[Patty_Moz]

A bad week to get them IMO cos if their old legs are gonna get tired and worn out it aint gonna be in round one. Milburn and Mooney were already replaced and Geelong have always known how to get by without Ottens, Ling is arguably their biggest loss but he was only a tagger so not the hardest position to replace, especially if Mundy and Fyfe arent fully fit. Their preseason also seems to be running smoothly.

Its still a long way off and perhaps we are being more cautious with our players but a big chunk of our midfield is still yet to train so I think we'll start the season pretty slowly. Unfortunately another loss at Subi I feel.

I'd take Selwood but if Chapman and Bartel were the same age it would be a very hard choice.

 

[Nickos66]

Good idea Lach.

They're going to be a tough team to match for the 1st game of the season but it shouldn't be forgotten that we should have a much stronger gameplan this year with the recruitment of Lyon. Selwood or Johnson would be the player i'd love to have. I wonder if we'll have any debutants in rd 1? My tip is Lee Spurr and/or Lachie Neal if he keeps up his preseason form.

 

[Nodgey]

I'm a big fan of Geelong and really like the way they play their footy, firstly under Thompson, and now under Scott. (And also under Blight for that matter!) Good attacking proper footy - they never fail to entertain.

The thing is, with their age and retirements and inevitable injuries (really feel for Menzel, he was looking the goods) Chris Scott possibly may never again reach the heights he reached in his first year. I hope he does.

Who would I take? Hate to say the name, but it would have to be Selwood due to his youth. If Bartel was younger I'd take him. Brilliant and fair footballer, can play anywhere and can consistently take a mark and kick a goal - something Selwood can't yet do.

 

[Mad props Freo]

Has everyone forgotten the last few years we've played Geelong in the first few rounds and done very well. I think we can and will win this one.

Just for something different, (because selwood and bartel are the obvious choices) i would pick Harry Taylor. Very good reader of the play ahead and defends strongly.

 

[free at last]

I'm stoked we get to play the cats at the start of the season compared to later on.With the players that retired this year and the injury to Menzel, the cats will battle to stay in the top four IMO.

We will take care of business round one, no worries at all.

As others have mentioned, selwood is the player you'd love at FREO.

 

[greatgatsby]

I think they'll stay strong for a bit yet even if there are no more flags. Unlike the Brisbane side of ten years ago they have some good young players.

I like playing them first up - they'll be rusty like they were first 2 rounds of 2011. But we'll have to be ready and its sounds like it will take us a while to work into our own season. Could be a scrappy game. Let's get the 4 points any way we can and wait for the idiots to complain about Lyon's 'boring' game plan!

Yeah, I'd take Selwood, Harry, Jimmy, Stevie, or just about anyone from this strong culture. This playing goup (and Lingy) will likely throw up 3 or 4 future senior coaches.

 

[Dr2Sheds]

50/50 prospect at best - IMO their backs are ahead, better small forwards that will cause all opposition clubs headaches and an elite midfield. That said, we might click come round 1.

Harry Taylor or Selwood would be my choice.

 

[Freodoc]

Both our teams are relatively unknown quantities.. Geelong with retirements, however, they seem to have good depth to cover their losses. They also have a damned good coach in Chris Scott who knows Subi very well They also may not hitting their straps come round 1 ( personal opinion only)

Freo have numerous players in various stages of recovery, hopefully, returning; possible draftee or two who may get a game Round one, and a new coach and game plan!!

Hate to say it, but I think 50/50 is as good as it gets at the time of posting

Would absolutely just about sell the kids to have Jimmy Bartel in my side..

 

[rgauci]

Since 2009 they've lost:

Tom Harley
Matthew Egan
Shane Mumford
Gary Ablett
Max Rooke
Cameron Ling
Brad Ottens
Cameron Mooney
Darren Milburn

But they keep on coming. Only Ottens and Ling from the premiership lineup of 2011. Amazing. But a late start to the preseason and a hot summer's day should get us over the line.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

I think they'll slide a couple of spots and may not make top four, but their quality is still even across the board. they're too well organised and resourced to fall too far. Chris Scott is a coach without many weaknesses in his organisation, who won't let complacency slip in. it'll be interesting to see what he does with the game plan, if anything, as I think he was smart to work with the cats existing one. I don't think he would move too far from it, though, unless through necessity.

The biggest question mark is over their defence. Hunt already showed signs of age in 2011 and Scarlett shouldn't be too far off. Without Scarlett, I don't know that guys like Mackie and Taylor are as effective as Scarlett's leadership is as important to their defence as Judd's to Carlton's midfield. One of Lonergan or Taylor will need to step up.

Bartel is my favourite Cat's player. Great grab, plays awesome in the wet and if someone is needed to kick the match winning goal from the boundary line after the siren, you throw the ball to him. Great big game, pressure player.

But I'd take Selwood. He's exactly what we need most.

 

[Clay Davis]

Since 2009 they've lost:

Tom Harley
Matthew Egan
Shane Mumford
Gary Ablett
Max Rooke
Cameron Ling
Brad Ottens
Cameron Mooney
Darren Milburn

But they keep on coming. Only Ottens and Ling from the premiership lineup of 2011. Amazing. But a late start to the preseason and a hot summer's day should get us over the line.

That's some fair talent. I think that loss of senior hardness has accumulated to the point where it will begin to affect them. They could 'slide', but if slide means not finishing 1st/2nd but 4th/5th, that's still impressive. I doubt we'll see the kind of slide seen at the Brisbane Lions after 2004, not until their most 2001 draft group has left at least.

Ottens and Ling both had a fantastic 2011. I think last year Geelong got the most out of Ottens since 2007, which I think was a big reason for their amazing season. Bigger loss than Ablett, maybe?

Looking at the game last year, they'll probably have Menzel, Milburn, Ling and Ottens missing - but most likely regain Selwood and Scarlett. The only player we've lost is Palmer - we'll probably gain Barlow and Silvagni, possibly Dawson. Clarke sounds like he might be in the team, if not Griffin also. Looks like a fair matchup - we'll have the edge in the ruck, their midfield will still be quality, but I think elsewhere we can match them.

 

[Boppo]

I can see us killing their midfield actually. Ling is a huge out. Glad to get them early.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

No better time than Rd1 . Geelong won't have a good idea of FReo's new style.

We will be close to full strength as well, barring any unforeseen injuries .

I see Geelong as top 3 with Freo there also .

Stevie J would be on my wish list followed by Harry T.

 

[yakamoto]

Fred, do you think by Round 1 that Freo will have any idea of Freo's new style?

 

[greatgatsby]

Fred, do you think by Round 1 that Freo will have any idea of Freo's new style?

That's why it might be a scrappy game!

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Fred, do you think by Round 1 that Freo will have any idea of Freo's new style?

That's my point.
If we don't know what it is how will Geelong ?

But seriously , we should be coming to grips with the new game plan by Rd 1 and of course Geelong wouldn't have seen it in action.

Last year they knew our game plan because there wasn't one. It went to Geelong.

 

[Clay Davis]

Fred, do you think by Round 1 that Freo will have any idea of Freo's new style?

Did Freo have any idea of Freo's style in 2011?

 

[tacopavlich]

Fred, do you think by Round 1 that Freo will have any idea of Freo's new style?

But then Lyon should have a good handle on Geelongs style. We should come in better prepared. I would rate a R1 scrappy game plan from Lyon more so than anything Harvey came up with in 2011 anyway.