Geelongs weaknesses

[DanA]

According to the AFL prospectus Geelongs three biggest weaknesses are:
* Center Clerances
* Midfeilder Goals
* Goals from Stopages

I am curious as to how you guys think the team could/should address these. Personally I think:

Center Clerances: Removing Ling and playing Ablett/Chapman/Wojcinski/J.Hunt at center bounces. Unlike most here I still think Ling has a place on the team but Bartel & Corey are better extractors and the third man should be a player that can carry the ball out of the middle. I think the guys I listed are the best men for the job.

Midfeilder goals: Againvery similar to above I think Ablett is the best man to improve at this but I also think that Mackie and particularly J.Hunt could be good at creating goals from the midfeild.

Goals from stoppages: This seems like something we should be No.1 in the league at with Ottens rucking to Chapman, Ablett & S.J. I don't think you could ask for a better setup. It's not that complicated, the team should be running a block to get Chappy, Ablett or S.J free. There is no excuse for the coach resposible on this one.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

I agree that Hunt should be pushed up the ground - I don't think he is fit enough, though.

 

[Micksy]

The ruck. Our 1st tier ruckman (King) can't seem to put a quarter together. Our second tier ruckmen wouldn't get a game in any other team in the comp. If we have to keep pulling our full foward away from goals to ruck then all is lost. Cmon recruiters. Find us a new ruckman. I think we have enough small pacemen.

 

[DanA]

The ruck. Our 1st tier ruckman (King) can't seem to put a quarter together. Our second tier ruckmen wouldn't get a game in any other team in the comp. If we have to keep pulling our full foward away from goals to ruck then all is lost. Cmon recruiters. Find us a new ruckman. I think we have enough small pacemen.

The good news is there are about a half dozen really good ruck prospects in this years draft. The bad news is that they will take about 4 years to make a difference.

I think next year we will be in a better position. Blake should be that little bit better as will West and hopefully Hawkins has taken the role of Full Forward with Ottens playing almost exclusively in the ruck.

Interesting to note that as a ruckmen King's performance was up there with the elite ruckmen while on the ground however on average was only on the ground for 59% of the game

 

[TGTOA]

Interesting assessment that one. Both center clearances and goals from stoppages rely as much on structure, tactics and teamwork as they do on individual skills. We don't lack the skill to get our hands on the ball, but we seem to lack either the bit of tactical nous or the teamwork and one percenters required to release a teamate into space from a stoppage.

Our ruckman seem to be trained to put a tap either backwards or directly downwards, very rarely forwards. And all too often the midfielder receiving the tap is static when they receive it, allowing the opposition to wrap the ball up and create another stoppage far too easily. We need to create more movement at stoppages, and need to work on getting a tap to a moving player. A few more shepherds and one percenters off the ball to allow teamates some space to work in wouldn't go astray either.

No doubt skill also plays a part, and someone with good vision and quick hands will help. Selwood could be huge for us in this regard, but I wouldn't expect miracles from him this year. Ablett would be our most creative midfielder, so he needs to spend more time on the ball.

As for goals from midfielders, obviously they don't consider Ablett/Chapman as midfielders. But we'll get more goals out of our midfielders if there's more run from them, and they're running the ball to within range of taking a shot, rather than slowly, staticly moving the ball forward, then having to bomb to a contest from 70-80m out.

 

[cat_fanatic]

As for goals from midfielders, obviously they don't consider Ablett/Chapman as midfielders. But we'll get more goals out of our midfielders if there's more run from them, and they're running the ball to within range of taking a shot, rather than slowly, staticly moving the ball forward, then having to bomb to a contest from 70-80m out.

Prismall should develop into a goal kicking midfielder. So far he has kicked four goals in eight games. Selwood looks like he may kick a few throughout his career also, just needs to improve his kicking action.

 

[DanA]

Prismall should develop into a goal kicking midfielder. So far he has kicked four goals in eight games. Selwood looks like he may kick a few throughout his career also, just needs to improve his kicking action.

Good point regarding Prismall.

I think Selwoods action looks good though, I know he missed those two goals he should have kicked but I thought his action looks good he just stuffed the kicks.

 

[gocats88]

how is it our mids don't kick enough goals. corey is the only one that doesn't kick more than 10 a season. what do you just believe that all our mids should kick 22 goals a game its not going to happen. kelly, bartel and ling can kick up to 15 goals a year. do you count kerr as a goalkicking mid he only kicks 12 goals a year.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

how is it our mids don't kick enough goals. corey is the only one that doesn't kick more than 10 a season. what do you just believe that all our mids should kick 22 goals a game its not going to happen. kelly, bartel and ling can kick up to 15 goals a year. do you count kerr as a goalkicking mid he only kicks 12 goals a year.

Voss, Akermanis, Power.........were all goal kicking midfielders.

Judd is one currently.

The premierships sides have them. That is why we aren't a premiership side (along with other things, of course).

 

[ezbian]

Interesting assessment that one. Both center clearances and goals from stoppages rely as much on structure, tactics and teamwork as they do on individual skills. We don't lack the skill to get our hands on the ball, but we seem to lack either the bit of tactical nous or the teamwork and one percenters required to release a teamate into space from a stoppage.

This is very true. As other have mentioned many of our problems have been caused by our #1 ruck's ability to play enough game time, but I also think our coaching personnel are limited in their knowledge of that part of the ground.

Thompson - Backman
Hinkley - Backman
McCartney - Backman
Sanderson - Backman

Taking that a step further

S.Hocking - Backman
D.Kellaway - Backman

All our key off field personnel are defenders, and all of them were dour defenders as well. I just don't think we have the midfield knowledge or attacking flair that is perhaps required to instruct and teach our young blokes what is required. This is also the reason why we have come up with the same boring rotations for the last three years.

I think we need to find a better blend of experience across our coaching panel. I am not saying we need to fire or replace those that we have, but I think we do need to add some differing voices of opinion, and improve our experience across the board. The same way our company directors have a diverse range of experience that compliments the management team.

The most effective we have been in the midfield was back in 04 when Cresswell was at the helm. Now whilst he might not have been the right fit for the club, perhaps its time to be looking at a similar skill set and background.

Just out of interest does anyone know the make up of the assitants roles are this year. There was talk of a bit of a shake up following the review and the inclusion of Sanderson. I wasn't sure that Sanderson was going to pick up where Lovell left off. Who is in charge of what?

 

[PoidaCat]

According to the AFL prospectus Geelongs three biggest weaknesses are:
* Center Clerances
* Midfeilder Goals
* Goals from Stopages

I am curious as to how you guys think the team could/should address these. Personally I think:

Center Clerances: Removing Ling and playing Ablett/Chapman/Wojcinski/J.Hunt at center bounces. Unlike most here I still think Ling has a place on the team but Bartel & Corey are better extractors and the third man should be a player that can carry the ball out of the middle. I think the guys I listed are the best men for the job.

Midfeilder goals: Againvery similar to above I think Ablett is the best man to improve at this but I also think that Mackie and particularly J.Hunt could be good at creating goals from the midfeild.

Goals from stoppages: This seems like something we should be No.1 in the league at with Ottens rucking to Chapman, Ablett & S.J. I don't think you could ask for a better setup. It's not that complicated, the team should be running a block to get Chappy, Ablett or S.J free. There is no excuse for the coach resposible on this one.

= Overuse of the handball...mucking around with the ball...holding it up...

typical Geelong...

 

[geelong_boy]

This is very true. As other have mentioned many of our problems have been caused by our #1 ruck's ability to play enough game time, but I also think our coaching personnel are limited in their knowledge of that part of the ground.

Thompson - Backman
Hinkley - Backman
McCartney - Backman
Sanderson - Backman

Taking that a step further

S.Hocking - Backman
D.Kellaway - Backman

All our key off field personnel are defenders, and all of them were dour defenders as well. I just don't think we have the midfield knowledge or attacking flair that is perhaps required to instruct and teach our young blokes what is required. This is also the reason why we have come up with the same boring rotations for the last three years.

I think we need to find a better blend of experience across our coaching panel. I am not saying we need to fire or replace those that we have, but I think we do need to add some differing voices of opinion, and improve our experience across the board. The same way our company directors have a diverse range of experience that compliments the management team.

The most effective we have been in the midfield was back in 04 when Cresswell was at the helm. Now whilst he might not have been the right fit for the club, perhaps its time to be looking at a similar skill set and background.

Just out of interest does anyone know the make up of the assitants roles are this year. There was talk of a bit of a shake up following the review and the inclusion of Sanderson. I wasn't sure that Sanderson was going to pick up where Lovell left off. Who is in charge of what?

No offence, but Hinkley was originally a creative forward who Blight later played as an attacking half back.

 

[DanA]

how is it our mids don't kick enough goals. corey is the only one that doesn't kick more than 10 a season. what do you just believe that all our mids should kick 22 goals a game its not going to happen. kelly, bartel and ling can kick up to 15 goals a year. do you count kerr as a goalkicking mid he only kicks 12 goals a year.

Quoted from AFL Prospectus

"In the past two years Geelong have ranked last in the league at generating scores from centre bounces"

"Geelong generated only 90 goals from stoppages in 2006 - the lowest of any side"

"Geelong's average of 80 stoppages per game in 2006 was the third most of any side"

To me that says our midfeilders aren't breaking the lines and kicking goals and our set plays are, to put it frankly, ****house.

 

[chooka11]

I reckon the biggest weakness in Geelongs team is CAMERON LING!!!! Does anyone else notice how as soon as he gets the ball he handballs it off to someone in a much worse position than he is! He does this constantly. I reckon he also struggles with his kicking he never seems to hit a target, and when he runs he never seems to get anywhere like he is running up and down on the same spot! He may get 30+ possessions a game but if you look at the effective possessions they would be much closer to 10. Drop him from the team and see how we go, I already think selwod is a better player than he is.

I have been a geelong member for 17 years and I can honestly say i have very rarely criticised a geelong player I don't believe in it, if you barrack you barrack for everyone. But LING just does it to me, he constanty frustrates me!!!!!

 

[CF]

with goals at stoppages I think what frustrates me is that the side seems to be often caught out of position. Most sides use a number of set plays in these situations and can usually get a few goals. The Nick Davis heart breaker is an example of a set play. Where are our set plays in these circumstances?

 

[ezbian]

No offence, but Hinkley was originally a creative forward who Blight later played as an attacking half back.

It shows my age, but I was too young to remember Hinkley being a forward, even still he must have played at least half his career as a back, because I think I would have saw him play 100 games down there. I also wouldn't have called him an attacking defender, I remember him as more of a Joel Bowden "floater" and not a attacking defender. But I guess that depends on what you class as attacking.

At the end of the day his career will be remembered for his time in defence not up forward.

 

[ezbian]

with goals at stoppages I think what frustrates me is that the side seems to be often caught out of position. Most sides use a number of set plays in these situations and can usually get a few goals. The Nick Davis heart breaker is an example of a set play. Where are our set plays in these circumstances?

And this is my point. We lack the creativity, flair and understanding at a coaching level of what is required at the stoppages and through the middle. We continually get our pants pulled down.

How often do you watch Geelong and go WOW that was a great set play?

Now how often have you said that about West Coast. I remember a goal by Steven Armstrong against the doggies last year in the finals that was pure poetry.

You don't need a midfield boasting Judd, Cousins, Kerr etc (although it would help), you just need to create space and create effective blocks. This is something we don't do well.

 

[Partridge]

I reckon the biggest weakness in Geelongs team is CAMERON LING!!!! Does anyone else notice how as soon as he gets the ball he handballs it off to someone in a much worse position than he is! He does this constantly. I reckon he also struggles with his kicking he never seems to hit a target, and when he runs he never seems to get anywhere like he is running up and down on the same spot! He may get 30+ possessions a game but if you look at the effective possessions they would be much closer to 10. Drop him from the team and see how we go, I already think selwod is a better player than he is.

I have been a geelong member for 17 years and I can honestly say i have very rarely criticised a geelong player I don't believe in it, if you barrack you barrack for everyone. But LING just does it to me, he constanty frustrates me!!!!!

Unfortunately, what you've said is just a bit too close to home for a lot of Geelong fans. Ling is useless. At his best he's a good stopper, but Rooke is better, and he's younger, faster, tougher, and hungrier. If all things were equal we'd see Ling pointing into space in the 2s, but with peabrain in charge he'll be playing 22 games this year guaranteed.

 

[geelong_boy]

It shows my age, but I was too young to remember Hinkley being a forward, even still he must have played at least half his career as a back, because I think I would have saw him play 100 games down there. I also wouldn't have called him an attacking defender, I remember him as more of a Joel Bowden "floater" and not a attacking defender. But I guess that depends on what you class as attacking.

At the end of the day his career will be remembered for his time in defence not up forward.

Again, no offence, but he definately was an attacking defender, he used to make many runs out of defence with many bounces in the early '90s. Almost won the Brownlow too in '92, that's how good he was in that role.

 

[chooka11]

Unfortunately, what you've said is just a bit too close to home for a lot of Geelong fans. Ling is useless. At his best he's a good stopper, but Rooke is better, and he's younger, faster, tougher, and hungrier. If all things were equal we'd see Ling pointing into space in the 2s, but with peabrain in charge he'll be playing 22 games this year guaranteed.

i agree he'll be playing all games, perhaps we can hope for an injury. But i think the peabrain comment is a bit harsh. who should be in charge then????

 

[Silver Cat]

Attacking half backs? Hinkley was the epitome.

 

[winty]

I reckon the biggest weakness in Geelongs team is CAMERON LING!!!! Does anyone else notice how as soon as he gets the ball he handballs it off to someone in a much worse position than he is! He does this constantly. I reckon he also struggles with his kicking he never seems to hit a target, and when he runs he never seems to get anywhere like he is running up and down on the same spot! He may get 30+ possessions a game but if you look at the effective possessions they would be much closer to 10. Drop him from the team and see how we go, I already think selwod is a better player than he is.

I have been a geelong member for 17 years and I can honestly say i have very rarely criticised a geelong player I don't believe in it, if you barrack you barrack for everyone. But LING just does it to me, he constanty frustrates me!!!!!

Agree 100%. Another thing that irritates me about Ling is not only does he handball to guys under pressure, he never does anything to alleviate that pressure. I can vividly remember a game at TD last year when he handballed to a teammate and an opposition player ran past Ling to apply a tackle, the ball spilt free and was turned over. All Ling needed to do was stick his ample posterior out and the guy would have needed to run an extra 10m to get around him to lay the tackle.

I don't know about anyone else, but I think the loss of Riccardi might hurt us a bit this season. He had a knack the last few years to come off the bench and fire us up after we'd become a bit stagnant. I can't see who could do that this year. Maybe a Stokes or Djerrkura, but apart from that I can't think of anyone else.

 

[always right]

According to the AFL prospectus Geelongs three biggest weaknesses are:
* Center Clerances
* Midfeilder Goals
* Goals from Stopages

I am curious as to how you guys think the team could/should address these. Personally I think:

Center Clerances:
Midfeilder goals:

Geelong's weakness....spelling

 

[DanA]

Geelong's weakness....spelling

Cheers for that. I am dyslexic so I find it tough

 

[always right]

Cheers for that. I am dyslexic so I find it tough

I have "foot in mouth" disease