Is the back line the difference?

[candiehappy]

The Hawks supporters aren't worried about keeping a lid on it, always a risky strategy... But if the two teams met in the GF I think they have a very suspect backline. When you look at the stats of goals kicked against, we are so much better. So if it came to a showdown, I think that our finals experience will get us over the line.

Mind you, the years got a long way to go yet!!

 

[hotdog_hotdog]

Our Backline is good, but I Like their forward setup, if they can make things really click and have a firing Roughhead, Buddy and Willo, they will be very very hard to contain!

Whereas, I think it's easier for teams to stop our tall forwards (Mooney, Hawkins), We rely heavily on small forwards/mids (Stokes, Chappy, Gaz, SJ) I think both teams are good, but good in different areas which will make it a very interesting contest. Why we have to wait till round 17 for it, i'll never know.

 

[Big Nasty]

We have one of the best Backlines ever. And I believe Matthew Scarlett can Challenge buddy.
I do believe Hawthorns backline is their archiles heel. Plus they mostly look for Franklin when going forward, so just have Harley drop back in front of Franklin to help Scarlett if needed.

 

[Rosso]

Don't shy away from the on ball department. In the last quarter against the Swans to 3 big guns were in there (Gaz, Jimmy & Smithy) and our clearance rate went through the roof. Although the Hawks have a handy onball brigade, these 3 won't be beaten.

 

[randyzany]

Yep they're too one dimensional and heavily reliant on buddy. Basically if he doesn't fire their pretty much stuffed against our boys who slickly get the ball out of defence and spoiled for avenues to goal.

 

[OldStyle2007]

I don't think our forward line is that good sometimes. If you watch some games they should kick a lot more goals with the amount of ball that comes into them

I think that is why Gamble has been, not rushed, but streamlined into the side fairly quickly. We might see Simpson in there soon, too

 

[Mooney_d'King]

I reckon this would be a battle won mostly between the shifting sands of both half forward/back lines. It will be all about ball control and sweeping forward with multiple options, not just one-on-one contests. While Buddy may be a target, I'll bet they wouldn't have a problem using him as a decoy if necessary.

 

[OldStyle2007]

I reckon this would be a battle won mostly between the shifting sands of both half forward/back lines. It will be all about ball control and sweeping forward with multiple options, not just one-on-one contests. While Buddy may be a target, I'll bet they wouldn't have a problem using him as a decoy if necessary.

Clarkson wouldn't but Buddy would. The bloke seriously rates himself

I was watching last weekend and his captains come up to him after the match to say something and Lance has basically walked away from him and started talking to Crawford. Nice little display of who he rates in his team

So I'm not sure how good a decoy plan would go down with the big unit.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Clarkson wouldn't but Buddy would. The bloke seriously rates himself

I was watching last weekend and his captains come up to him after the match to say something and Lance has basically walked away from him and started talking to Crawford. Nice little display of who he rates in his team

So I'm not sure how good a decoy plan would go down with the big unit.

Nice. Happy for any chink in the armour.

 

[The rabbi]

I don't have crystal balls, but I think that it would be a good bet that the game will be won or lost in the centre.

 

[boulos]

I don't have crystal balls, but I think that it would be a good bet that the game will be won or lost in the centre.

Is it just me or didn't that sound right?

The game will definately be won in the middle, and consequently, be won by Geelong. Simple as that.

Unless your on-ballers go off the rails by round 17, but I don't think anyone in their right mind would put money on that.

 

[BigKegs]

Scarlett on Buddy? What a joke. Best defender on the in form forward of the comp isn't always the best strategy. All Franklin needs to do is take Scarlett to the 50m arc and he's in uncomfortable territory yet he could still score from that distance. Mooney and Hawkins just haven't done well this year. Yes we are a balanced team but we need one of them to take a grab and kick some goals.

Finals experience counts for nothing on GF day, just ask Port. It will be a score fest if we played against the Hawks. Thats the only way.

 

[Unique]

Nice work Pussie Cats.

 

[Brasil2007]

Is it just me or didn't that sound right?

The game will definately be won in the middle, and consequently, be won by Geelong. Simple as that.

Unless your on-ballers go off the rails by round 17, but I don't think anyone in their right mind would put money on that.

Exactly right - look at the thrashings Hawthorn has had in the past half season or so. Sydney, Adelaide and North all held the midfield pretty easily, and then absolutely pumped their backline.

 

[Cohzee]

Scarlett on Buddy? What a joke. Best defender on the in form forward of the comp isn't always the best strategy. All Franklin needs to do is take Scarlett to the 50m arc and he's in uncomfortable territory yet he could still score from that distance. Mooney and Hawkins just haven't done well this year. Yes we are a balanced team but we need one of them to take a grab and kick some goals.

Finals experience counts for nothing on GF day, just ask Port. It will be a score fest if we played against the Hawks. Thats the only way.

Hawkins has been great this season. Mooney has been a bit off, but mainly with kicking straight. He has still presented well and his marking has been OK.

Also, one of our biggest assets is our small forwards. They kick alot of our goals.