I'm getting a bit excited

[Catsace]

By the efforts of our team this year. In one sense it's a bit of a come-down to be having to work hard for wins, and then have to refocus our expectations of 6-10 goals wins over the worst sides rather than 120+ point exhibitions, but i was perusing the threads and a great stats was pointed out (forgot by whom sorry) where Geelong's youngsters have played almost 90 games already this year.

We've had to endure a big hollowing out of our rucks with Ottens gone and Blake retired, even though he didn't play in 2011, and injuries to our fleet of foot brigade of Wojac and Varcoe. But against the Blues we looked a bit more nimble, and Motlop is looking a gem of a player. Can't wait until Varcoe and Christensen get back in the same side, we'll be a pretty fast outside team with these players and Wojac in, and we could still have a fair bit to say in this year's finals.

Not to mention Guthrie, T.Hunt, Stringer, Smedts et al, the youngsters are getting to play solid roles in our side, and are learning the winning Geelong way at the same time. Makes me think the club will be in good hands in the transition period, and it's a great thing really for the Cats.

 

[DanA]

I'm still pretty confident we can be a premiership contender and when you look at the ladder there's not a lot in it. We are one win and percentage behind Sydney who's on top! But it's the nature of our performances that we have to turn around. We can't afford to lose the contested possessions like we have and we've got a tough 5 weeks from round 16 where wins are imperative.

 

[footscore]

the pleasing part is that Hawkins & Pods have been rather average as opposed to the start of the year and we are still finding a way to win games. We narrowly lost to Collingwood with those two also playing quiet games so if they re-capture that earlier form and the team keeps improving, we should really be at the top of our game when it matters

 

[Lolaser]

While I am hoping that we end up giving this year a serious crack I am also genuinely excited at watching the young kids getting games and developing. It is also great to see us beat Port Melbourne and quell their undefeated streak, as the senior players come back the VFL side is just going to get even stronger, could really see us having a tilt at both flags this year barring injury. The group really reminds me of the 2002 group, a lot of talent but with some question marks still over a few players, very excited for what is to come.

Menzel and Vardy will be very good players if they can get over their injuries, Menzel has displays so much talent and skill and is so dangerous with the ball in hand. Whilst Vardy has a great leap, a great set of hands and good skills for a big man and is thus a promising KPF or a Ruck, not fussed, the club will make the right call. Then we have the likes of Duncan, Christensen, Guthrie, West and Motlop who have all been playing good footy this year while building up to the 50 game mark where we can start to expect them to take steps towards their potential.

I am eager to see the next few years and what this group will accomplish, we have great coaches and experienced players to mentor our kids, going to a few more brilliant years to come I would say.

 

[barmy44]

as ive tried to say countless times elsewhere on BF, think of where the lions were at the equivalent time in their run to geelong... as 'disappointing' as our 4-4 record was (obviously, now 7-4) it is nothing short of remarkable that this team is still sticking in the 8 at all. first prelim '04, and now 8 seasons on, we are still an incredibly tough team to put away, even playing frustrating and sloppy football.

this team is amazing, and the joy that opposition posters on here take at our 'gawn' status this year backs that up. simply, if this is geelong 'gawn', watch out when they start building again.

these are very exciting times, and the champions retiring soon should not be seen as doom and gloom. the trickle down effect of their knowledge and experience will place the younger guys in very good stead.

i do not expect to see another '07-'11 style period from this team any time soon. that is once in a generation stuff. its almost kind of fun as a supporter going into a game not knowing the result.

the young guys look good, i really respect chris scott, joel selwood is playing inspirational football as captain and we are definitely in (long overdue) transition. i do not think we are playing well enough to challenge for the flag (though this may change), but you cannot win one every year, as we all know too well.

but very few teams in history would be sitting 7-4 this year after the run this team has had, and that is to be admired and respected. of course, they might drop next year, but the signs are good for the future.

this club is currently a very rare beast, in rather uncharted territory, and they are still plugging away. respect, and bring on the next 5 years.

also, i miss menzel more than words can say. hope you come back to us soon, buddy!

 

[Goggin Our Best]

I think the best thing about this successfull era of the club -is how many times times the side grinds out wins after being right under the pump early in the game . Friday night was a classic example -Carlton start off like a house on fire -alot of sides would just crack -the competetive spirit of the group is fantastic. As far as winning the flag -the biggest problem i can see -and it relates to all Victorian sides -is if both Preliminary finals are interstate ie Adelaide and Perth -that makes the task a hell of alot harder

 

[Duskfire]

I think its awesome. Granted its dissapointing not seeing us win game after game, but at the same time I feel like its almost 03/04 again. The emerging of the future stars of the club.

 

[Scottland2007]

as ive tried to say countless times elsewhere on BF, think of where the lions were at the equivalent time in their run to geelong... as 'disappointing' as our 4-4 record was (obviously, now 7-4) it is nothing short of remarkable that this team is still sticking in the 8 at all. first prelim '04, and now 8 seasons on, we are still an incredibly tough team to put away, even playing frustrating and sloppy football.

this team is amazing, and the joy that opposition posters on here take at our 'gawn' status this year backs that up. simply, if this is geelong 'gawn', watch out when they start building again.

these are very exciting times, and the champions retiring soon should not be seen as doom and gloom. the trickle down effect of their knowledge and experience will place the younger guys in very good stead.

i do not expect to see another '07-'11 style period from this team any time soon. that is once in a generation stuff. its almost kind of fun as a supporter going into a game not knowing the result.

the young guys look good, i really respect chris scott, joel selwood is playing inspirational football as captain and we are definitely in (long overdue) transition. i do not think we are playing well enough to challenge for the flag (though this may change), but you cannot win one every year, as we all know too well.

but very few teams in history would be sitting 7-4 this year after the run this team has had, and that is to be admired and respected. of course, they might drop next year, but the signs are good for the future.

this club is currently a very rare beast, in rather uncharted territory, and they are still plugging away. respect, and bring on the next 5 years.

also, i miss menzel more than words can say. hope you come back to us soon, buddy!

Amazing how many hawks supporters are starting threads saying how our crap dynasty is over.

 

[dazbroncos]

Amazing how many hawks supporters are starting threads saying how our crap dynasty is over.

well... all credibility went south at " Hawks supporters".. lol

GO Catters

 

[BotsMaster]

Amazing how many hawks supporters are starting threads saying how our crap dynasty is over.

Their idea of a dynasty involves back-to-back flags, so in their minds Adelaides flags in 97/98 is a dynasty.

Their 1983-91 dynasty didn't have a back-to-back flag until 1989, in fact their dynasty looks like this:
Win, Loss, Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Win.

Whereas ours looks like this:
Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win.

Hopefully we get a flag this yr to shut them up.

 

[Poetic Justice]

Let's not forget the Blues kicked 9 behinds in the final quarter on Friday. Could have easily been a telling loss.

Though, in perspective, we did the same to ourselves in the Collingwood game.

 

[fpm84]

Let's not forget the Blues kicked 9 behinds in the final quarter on Friday. Could have easily been a telling loss.

I rewatched the last quarter before and I stand by what I thought at the ground, which is that the margin flattered Carlton in the end. Out of their 9 behinds, only 2 or 3 were from what you'd call gettable shots. The rest were from very tight angles or wild kicks out of stoppages, and from my count 3 behinds were rushed. Not to mention that Judd's last 'goal' was clearly touched by Guthrie but the umpires refused to go to the video review.

At our end, Duncan and Stringer both missed shots on the run from 30m-40m with no pressure on them and Chapman had a free against him after marking 25m out (anyone know what this free was for? It definitely didn't look like a push in the back).

I think we definitely shot ourselves in the Collingwood game though... 23 inside 50s in the last quarter to 10. That's total dominance, but we couldn't capitalise.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

It's the season many of us were expecting to happen in 2011, with two important distinctions. Firstly, we've got another premiership cup in the cabinet (fist pump); and secondly, every player we have under the age of 25 is a better and more experienced player than he was in the 2011 preseason (with the possible exception of Hogan, though I'd argue that he could be at least as good as he was in 2009/10, with the same opportunities). Players like Duncan, Christensen, Menzel, Motlop, Guthrie, West and T. Hunt are now established, whereas we had seen little or nothing of any of these players at AFL level eighteen months ago. We're in a good spot and while we ride the highs and lows of our team's performances like a rollercoaster, it's hard not to think that we're playing with the house's money at this point.

2011 was a special season, because we had the context of the 2009 and 2007 premierships to measure it against. The overwhelming thought that I have, when I reflect on that season, even when I wasn't sure whether we were truly contenders, was just how much satisfaction I got I out of every win, far more than when we were just taking them for granted. You can never compare which premiership win was the best, but I can safely say that 2011 was the most enjoyable season I've had supporting the Cats. And it came out of nowhere. Can we finish top four? Can we win another flag? I don't know. But I'm going to enjoy the ride.

 

[Belisarius]

Agree ED with your premise - we are far better off than compared to last year re new talent being given an opportunity and getting some good game time into these lads. However we are not as goos team as lasy year - mainly for 3 reasons.

One, we lost our best ruck and a great big bodied mid. We have not been able to replace thier influence with who we have brought into the side.

Two, we have had too many injuries to cover week to week to ever have the best 22 on the park at the same time.

And three - The older guys are looking a bit, and playing, older generally.

And some teams have improved since last year - making it harder to win as many games as easily as we have in the past.

Perhaps being hunted for so long takes its toll - when every football club really sets themselves to play us. We maybe not as good as last year so far - but every club really wants to still measure their club on their performance against us.

It sounds like Simpson is showing glimpses in his first two VFL games. The Hyphen seems to be making good progress as well. So some pressure starting to exist that requires all senior players to play well to keep their spot.

Having the VFL in the finals this season is different from 2011 and will be of some help in our 2012 finals campaign.

I think Collingwood will be harder to neat this year in a Final - but our performance against them could have quite easily see us win that game.

IMO presently - we will make the 8 probably in the bottom 4. Then we will need a better ruck out fit, get back Varcoe, Bundy and Pods - and all playing well and play SJ more thru the midfield, to add another significant rotation - that on his day he can carve up the opposition from the middle and wings - gathering a lot of possessions.

How we start breaking even in the contested ball against good teams ? is hard to address without another grunt mid playing or Corey, and to a lesser extent, Chappy start dominating like they have in the past. If Bundy makes further progress over the season - that could also go a long way to improving us in this area.

If Duncan can actually play as a 'run with' player effectively - that would allow us to play THunt off the backline - giving us some more run out of the backline. Duncan can certainly hurt you going the other way - he just needs to see if he can do this type of role for a month or two. Will need time to see if he can consistently do 'a job'agianst the better mids in the competition.Iit could be a master stroke if it comes off.

Duncan then does the Ling role but as Duncan does not have the size or the experience of Ling - he may allow his opponent more possessions than Ling would yet on the other side of the ledger get quite a few possessions himself. Plus he is a really nice kick - so half a dozen possessions in the mid-field, or going forward, could see a few scoring assists - if not goals next to his name. Not sure he has the endurance yet but I commend this trial highly. We can always move THunt back to being the run with player.

If we can find another move or two like this - Mackie to a wing - SJ more on the ball - etc, get all our players back and playing a few games together - and Simpson proves to be more competitive than Orren - then we have a chance from position 5-8 on the ladder to win another Cup.

But we also need a few good wins coming up to get some momentum for a tough run home.

 

[Varcoe2Chapman]

I think in the back of the coaches minds that this year is a mini rebuild, but still making the 8 and having a crack. If we were to forget about development and go for a flag, players like Holin-Smith, Stringer, Smedts, Simpkin would not have gotten games. We will be thankful for a hapless 2012 in years to come.

What would be ideal for me:
We win our elimination final and play the hawks coming off a loss in a qualifying final. We beat them by a point in the semi. That would be the next best thing to a premiership.

 

[mcwilrob]

Yep knocking Hawthorn out of finals would be so sweet (given they think they have some divine right to win it...)

 

[footscore]

We win our elimination final and play the hawks coming off a loss in a qualifying final. We beat them by a point in the semi. That would be the next best thing to a premiership.

If we get to take them out of the premiership equation at the expense of winning a premiership this season...I can live happily with that over the summer break

 

[David the Cat]

I see Simon Hogan had a bundle of possessions and 13 tackles in the game against Port Melbourne on the weekend. Don't write him off just yet either as a run with player. He's got a big tank.

 

[dazbroncos]

I really think that the we are better positioned than last year. (slightly rose coloured glasses but hear me out...)
We have gotten some 90 odd collective games into players that last year had about 20. We were always going to lose experienced players at some point it was just when. Motlop, Guthrie, Stringer, Hypen, Smedts all have what it takes to play. Some have more work to do than others, but the grounding to be 150+ gamers for the club is there. (be it weight room pre seasons or building tanks).

Bottom line, the blooding of the young brigade is making our best 35 players. They arent supplanting the top 10 or 14, but they are closing the gap between them - and I firmly believe it is depth that will help you succeed. Look at North and Richmond and the gap between their top 10 and 35.

Go Catters

 

[SJ]

I see Simon Hogan had a bundle of possessions and 13 tackles in the game against Port Melbourne on the weekend. Don't write him off just yet either as a run with player. He's got a big tank.

Hogan was on the fringe in 2009 and played some good games in a premiership year. That is a long time ago now.

In the past two seasons he's played one match while 12 players have made their debut for the club. It's not a good sign.

 

[topic97]

But then I wonder how much longer the club knew about Hogans depression issues before it became public?
Perhaps they were holding him back to ensure that his mental state was 100% - you wouldnt want to thrust him onto australias biggest sporting stage in australias favourite team without knowing if he will handle it.

 

[pavilion103]

I'm still holding out small hope that we have at leat 1 or 2 extra gears with a full (and settled) team.
I'm not sure how much better we can be but we'll see. One thing we do have is that we can match it in the big games. We beat the Hawks and ran the Pies very close.

 

[Varcoe2Chapman]

How different would things be if we beat Collingwood. Would be top 4 now. Oh well.

 

[topic97]

How different would things be if we beat Collingwood. Would be top 4 now. Oh well.

Yeah I know, and if we had of gotten over the line against dockers we would be sitting pretty - hasnt been a lot of difference between our start this season to last season apart from those two that got away. We didnt look much chop at this point last year and just scraped through on a number of early ones!!

On the upside, we still get to play every team above us on the ladder so we can take games away from them and carve a path into the top 4!!!

 

[catswhiskers]

On the upside, we still get to play every team above us on the ladder so we can take games away from them and carve a path into the top 4!!!

That final run to the finals is going to be very very interesting. Eight point game after 8 point game!

If the Pies and West Coast are sitting pretty by then wins against Adelaide and Swans (at home) and Essendon (Etihad) and Hawthorn at the G become the big ones.

We either crash our way into the top 4 cherry ripe or we limp into 6, 7, 8 just to give the kids a bit more finals experience.