I'm Excited

[Exhale You]

Time for some positivity.

Usually i don't get enthused about an upcoming season until about February however this time it took all of 12 hours.

I can't pinpoint exactly why i'm incredibly excited and already anxiously anticipating season 2011, but i know a large part of it is the inevitable generational change and that generational change will come in the form of:

All three lads have shown enormous promise and all three have shown they possess the necessary desire, hunger and work ethic to make it.
All three will finally get the opportunities they deserve in 2011 and i firmly believe all three will not only grasp those chances but also establish themselves as quality young footballers.

And let's not forget, folks, that we're due for the 'Return of the [strike]Mack[/strike] Max'

Be excited, boys and girls, because 2011 is going to be a fun year.

 

[noclashjumpers]

Let's not forget...

 

[Exhale You]

Good point, NCJ.
The reasons for optimism are endless.

Another one is the obvious opportunities that are going to be afforded to these two:

And, in further proof that Big Dawse is going to be the gift that keeps on giving, a Google image search for him brought back these four, err, two:

Thank you Mr and Mrs. Simpson for your, until now, seemingly unfortunate choice of first name for your child.

The future is bright, the opportunities are endless.
2011 and beyond.

 

[AidanNelson2009]

Im excited about 2011 too, we can win the premiership. CARN THE MIGHTY CATS !

 

[Archangel]

Varcoe as a permanent midfielder; That's exciting

 

[CF]

Are you Big Kev?

 

[Cataholic]

I too am excited about the new blood coming through.

It was interesting to read Bomber's comment that there would be 'three, four or five changes next year', and went on to name young players like Hunt, Vardy, and Menzel as 'certainties' to get a game next year.

This shows he's already been thinking about the transition that needs to happen and the players he needs to replace. And this was prior to Blake's 'announcement', so we could potentially see six new players next year.

This will re-invigorate the side with youth, enthusiasm, and pace, which will complement the promised revision of our gameplan.

Can't wait.

 

[yebbo]

Are you Big Kev?

Didnt big kev die about 5 years ago, he must have gotten excited first time and blown a heart gasket cos he knew Geelongs run was about to start.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

New blood is definitely refreshing!

Lol at no mention of Hogan... he doesn't get me excited either.

 

[Exhale You]

Varcoe as a permanent midfielder; That's exciting

I don't mind admitting that there's slight movement in the trousers at the prospect of Travvy the midfielder in 2011.

Cannot wait.

 

[David the Cat]

I don't mind admitting that there's slight movement in the trousers at the prospect of Travvy the midfielder in 2011.

Cannot wait.

I know meto is absolutely creaming himself at the thought

 

[magic_johnson!]

Gillies!

Out:
Gaz, Moons, ling, milburn, blake

In:
Max, hunt, hogan, laidler, gillies, simpson, menzel, Duncan, Vardy, Brown

 

[The rabbi]

Gillies!

Out:
Gaz, Moons, scarlo, ling, milburn, blake

In:
Max, hunt, hogan, laidler, gillies, simpson, menzel???

I think that Duncan will get a game before Hogan.

Also watch out for Vardy next year, and I also hope to see Mitch Brown get a few games in 2011.

EDIT:O.K. Magic, I see that you have edited your post to include the forgotten Duncan.
I will also watch Motlop and Bundy Christensen with interest.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I agree with the OP.

The loss on Friday night hurt but I will be happy if it pushes Bomber to bring some young players in faster than we otherwise would. The future is bright, if we hang onto them and develop them.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Gillies!

Out:
Gaz, Moons, scarlo, ling, milburn, blake

In:
Max, hunt, hogan, laidler, gillies, simpson, menzel???

I think we still need Scarlett for as long as we possibly can.

 

[Hybrid7]

I think we still need Scarlett for as long as we possibly can.

Yeah I think we need scarlett for a while yet - he is by not means past it when he was fit.

Mooney is a bit beyond it, and I think Ling can no longer play anything but a permanent HF role if he is to still play in our team - either that or he has a preseason from hell and comes back fitter and faster than Wojo.....

But with the young blood, Blokes like Selwood, Varcoe etc, not to mention jPod in his second year we do have a lot to look forward to.

And not only that, if we can get rid of Blake for something half decent, we got West that can more than fill his spot - not to mention actually win some ground level ball and be able to rotate in and out of the forward line and actually contribute!!

Its not all over by a longshot!!

 

[The rabbi]

​

A rookie who seems not to drawn much attention on BF among Cat fans. I think that he will make it.
Good pace and at 189 cm can play defense or forward.

He had a very good second half of the season in the VFL.
​

 

[Turbocat]

Rabbi , Weston must get promoted. He looks to have what we need .

 

[Belisarius]

Definitely keep Scalett - what are people thinking ?

Yes we need new blood but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water here.

Make sure we make room for at least 3, if not 4 or 5 new players, next season.

If that makes it we can keep Ablett - by freeing up some cash - then do it.

Then just hope we have unearthed some talent. I reckon we would be unlucky not get at least 2 or 3 players from Menzel, Simpson, Duncan, THunt, Gillies, Drum and Laidler - for the 2011 season.

Then we still have Vardy, Brown, Christensen, Weston, A. Varcoe and Motlop as still possibilities. I reckon we should get 2 good players out of this lot - but do not see it so much for the 2011 season - more 2012.

If we trade Josh Hunt, Mackie, Gamble, Blake, DJ, Hogan and Stokes/Byrnes - we should get some nibbles.

We could get some late round 1 pick or a couple of early second round picks - and save a big chunk on the salary cap as well with these players gone.

If we could trade and get say a Jacobs from Carlton - we need to know we have a ruckman coming thru - if big Dawson does not make it. Ottens has 1 maybe 2 seasons at best left in him. So we need to draft well re a big man. We could need 2 quite soon and we need to know we have some real options in the twos.

I suggest we also look to draft tall - or trade tall. A ruckman or a key position player is vital. We need to know that if Vardy or Brown do not work out there will be some sort of replacement for Mooney in a seasons time.

Heaven help us if we cannot find a bigger bodied key position backman as well. Harry is great but we could use him better if either Lonergan or Hawkins - or some other could hold down the tallest opposition forward - like Cloke/Dawes. These two are not reliable enough yet - and I am not sure they will make it - but another reason to draft or trade tall.

Not sure that there will be a lot around but if we can get a few earlier round picks than we have for some of these players we could trade - then do it. I am sure our recruiting team will get a player or two with a mid -late round 1 pick and maybe 2 early round 2 picks - plus our own picks.

If we just get 2 players out of all these picks and trades and we keep Ablett - we win.

With the possibility of getting 2 good players - and giving some of the younger players a go that have shown some promise - we can really add some youth and pace into the team - while keeping the core of our best players.

I reckon Pods might be a bit better next year as well.

It is worth the risk - we back our recruiting staff and our development of players - and we trade, delist or retire players - and see if in 2 years we are not back fighting for a flag.

We only need add another decent ruckman (Simpson / maybe Jacobs ?)- a bit more dash and pace (THunt and Gillies ?) - add another / better small / medium forward (Menzel and / or Rooke) and get just 1 other player to stand up (Duncan, Christensen, Weston, Cohen, Brown or Vardy) that surprises us and makes a good fist of it.

I can see a good list that will be competitive and will get better over time.

Time to trade and find out who are going to be the next great finds - by playing a few and these players knowing that if they do perform there is a genuine position open to them. Go for it.

 

[The rabbi]

Rabbi , Weston must get promoted. He looks to have what we need .

Yep Turbo, I noticed on CAT SCAN that you had him in your sights. I like to try and get to the VFL games in Geelong because I am always interested in the progress of the young players.

It will be interesting to see what happens to our rookies this year. Unfortunately, one or two that I previously had high hopes for will receive some disappointing news soon.

 

[The rabbi]

Definitely keep Scalett - what are people thinking ?

If we trade Josh Hunt, Mackie, Gamble, Blake, DJ, Hogan and Stokes/Byrnes - we should get some nibbles.

I suggest we also look to draft tall - or trade tall.

Definitely keep Mackie - what are people thinking ?

Especially considering the fact that we will lose Milburn and then shortly Scarlett. Mackie has one year that was not that flash and people want to burn him.

Unbelievable!!!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think we still need Scarlett for as long as we possibly can.

Yes and no.

Scarlett should get another year (i.e. 2011) because while he's over 30, he has had no form and body issues (unlike Mooney and Otto for example) so is still capable of playing at a high level in 2011.

But we can't keep Scarlo on forever. Next year will be Gillies 3rd, Laidler's 4th, and the last year of Drum's contract, and we can't just sit those guys out in a paddock chewing grass and then wheel them back in in 2015 when Scarlo finally calls it a day...they will all be off the list by then. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it if we could keep Scarlo on forever, but it really can't happen. While he's far far better than whoever will come in to replace him when retires, the worst result for the club is if we hang onto Scarlo for so long (and you could apply this argument to any other older player) that by the time they retire there is no one on the list to step into that role. Much better to give him one more year, but gradually start the transition and have Scarlo help ease these guys in before he retires. Our youngest player in the defence we fielded on friday night was Josh Hunt. This means it is time to start transition. So by all means give Scarlo another year, but another 3 or 4 just ain't going to happen, nor should it.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Yep Turbo, I noticed on CAT SCAN that you had him in your sights. I like to try and get to the VFL games in Geelong because I am always interested in the progress of the young players.

It will be interesting to see what happens to our rookies this year. Unfortunately, one or two that I previously had high hopes for will receive some disappointing news soon.

Yes, Weston has been outstanding this year from the games I have seen live. Actually I would like to see Varcoe the younger promoted and then put straight on the LTI so that Weston (or any of our other rookies) would have a chance to play seniors next year if they earn it. Assuming Gamble and DJ and Blake all want out, then our senior list changes are utterly predictable...it will be our rookie list changes that will be most unpredictable and interesting this year...do we promote anyone? (obviously pods, but anyone else as well) do ranga and allwright and stringer get the boot or get another year? time will tell.

 

[Exhale You]

Actually I would like to see Varcoe the younger promoted and then put straight on the LTI so that Weston (or any of our other rookies) would have a chance to play seniors next year if they earn it.

I forgot about Adam.
Very exciting talent but obviously hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself given, like his brother, his body has let him down badly throughout his first two years at the club.

In the past we'd have to make a very tough call on him given his two years are up but thankfully with the recent rule changes we're able to give him a third year on the rookie list.

Fingers crossed he gets a fair crack next year because the thought of the Varcoe double act has me salivating.

 

[Belisarius]

Yes it could be an exciting year coming up - and because we were forced to make changes the loss was that bad to the Pies.

I hope to God we keep Ablett - and Geelong realises after that debacle - Ablett is our key midfielder - and make a renewed effort to keep him. Even if it means trading a senior player or two.

I like what I hear from some about Vardy. I have heard a lot about Brown - and I have seen Duncan, THunt and Menzel. I think one of Gillies, Drum or Laidler will make it and that gives us some future to look forward to.

I never take for granted that a player will make it until they have. So yes I can get excited but I am not over the moon just yet.

If we have a good run with injuries, the twos can actually play some good footy - and we keep Ablett - I think the odds are in our favour.

If we can draft just one decent player in this year's draft that will help a lot as well.

We need pace in the midfield - so Varcoe has to play wing or get a run on the ball. THunt will add a bit and we still have Byrnes and Wojo. So we have some pace. One more legitimate runner with pace would be good.