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Opinion Is the Future of GFC set?
- Thread starter Phipppppa
- Start date
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Of the young players, my thoughts are:
Potential superstars of the AFL:
- SDK. No doubt he will become one of if not the best key defender in the AFL. He is not just a spoiler, he will outmark his opponents. Reminds me of both Harry Taylor and Stewart, but talker.
I don’t see any other young players on our list of becoming A grade(except maybe Dempsey but it’s hard to predict). They haven’t been drafted yet. This is a worry considering our better mids are all 30+. Midfield is in a pretty dire situation and we need to draft 3 or so more with A grade potential. Jury is out on the mids we’ve recently drafted.
Potential good players for the club:
- Holmes. Reminds me of James Kelly. He’s good as a wing now but he’s impressive in the contest, clean hands. Don’t think he is a team’s no.1 or 2 mid but he should be a consistent cog for us.
- close. Really underrated and think he can make it as a wing. Very clean and wins 1-1s. Will be a good player for the club, already is.
- Stengle. Will be our best forward pocket over the next 10 yrs. don’t think he’s Cameron/Pickett potential but will be important for us. He’s different to our other small forwards, he actually consistently kicks goals.
- Miers. Some fans have dropped off him, and he has had a poor year so far but he’s also been injured. Still think he will be a decent FP for us. Prefer closer to goal, it limits his kicking weaknesses.
- Conway. Hasn’t played yet but from his 2 vfl games, what I have read he just seems a safe bet. Old school ruck who grabs it out of the ruck and imposes his big frame. Complete utter unique type of ruck that we’ve had… similar to ottens. Will be a great player for the club imo
- Dempsey. I almost put Dempsey in the superstar bucket but I thought that was a little foolish given he’s played about 12 games ever! However I have a really strong feeling he is going to surprise. Reminds me of Brett burton from Adelaide, freakish goal sense, elite marking ability. X factor. We should be excited.
Have shown little / jury still out:
- Stephens. Tries hard, can’t doubt that. But his kicking is rushed and poor… doesn’t exhibit composure which is usually a trait of good up and coming mids. He bustles through with 12m kicks from contests but would like to see him do something with a bit of spark to feel confident. I just haven’t seen anything yet that makes me go “ahhh there it is”. Doesn’t have much flexibility either.. seems it’s either in the guts or nothing but I don’t feel he has anything greatly unique that will keep any good mid out (we just haven’t drafted them yet). He appears to have a good head and no doubt he will do the work… needs a block of games now to see how he goes.
- knevitt. I think has more chance of making it than CS purely because of his overhead marking. Then again, I was underwhelmed with him pre-draft and havent really seen anything to warrant a change on my mind from watching. Jury is still out and I expect improvement obviously, but I worry about his kicking technique and his aggression (or lack of). I know he’s slight but he looks timid. Dempsey on the other hand is even skinnier and shows way more aggression so it’s not just a ‘slight’ build thing. I think best case scenario he can be a wing, with a uniquely strong contested mark, enabling a good bail out option around the ground. But he just reminds me of blitz as a pure mid, a little awkward and mostly a hand baller. Needs a couple preseasons.
- Evans. I really liked him in his first game but hasn’t done much since when in the 1s. Has a body like Chappy and is more a lead up small forward that’s good at ground level. It’s a hard role to play in modern footy. I feel he needs confidence and would like him to stay in the 1s a bit more to see if he has it.
- Neale. I know this is controversial and he’s done well in the 2s but I think the fan fair was a little unjustified over the weekend. He’s big and would’ve loved if he hung on to a few on the weekend but he didn’t look ready. He could be one a good player for us but let’s just see how he goes for the rest of the year.
Can’t say with zero output:
Delist:
Summary:
We need to draft some gun mids. Like 3 or 4 depending on whether CS or MK make it. Right now I’m only really confident with Holmes and we all know you need about 3 or 4 gun mids to be competitive for a flag.
Next we urgently need to draft a good KPD to partner SDK. We have nothing coming through the 2s. Henry is more a third tall.
We have a couple years to worry about a key forward, I think Hawkins has 2 yrs and Cameron 5. Esava and Neale as backup is not as dire as our defensive stocks or mids.
SDK, Dempsey, Conway and Holmes have me excited… but we have a long way to go with this rebuild
Potential superstars of the AFL:
- SDK. No doubt he will become one of if not the best key defender in the AFL. He is not just a spoiler, he will outmark his opponents. Reminds me of both Harry Taylor and Stewart, but talker.
I don’t see any other young players on our list of becoming A grade(except maybe Dempsey but it’s hard to predict). They haven’t been drafted yet. This is a worry considering our better mids are all 30+. Midfield is in a pretty dire situation and we need to draft 3 or so more with A grade potential. Jury is out on the mids we’ve recently drafted.
Potential good players for the club:
- Holmes. Reminds me of James Kelly. He’s good as a wing now but he’s impressive in the contest, clean hands. Don’t think he is a team’s no.1 or 2 mid but he should be a consistent cog for us.
- close. Really underrated and think he can make it as a wing. Very clean and wins 1-1s. Will be a good player for the club, already is.
- Stengle. Will be our best forward pocket over the next 10 yrs. don’t think he’s Cameron/Pickett potential but will be important for us. He’s different to our other small forwards, he actually consistently kicks goals.
- Miers. Some fans have dropped off him, and he has had a poor year so far but he’s also been injured. Still think he will be a decent FP for us. Prefer closer to goal, it limits his kicking weaknesses.
- Conway. Hasn’t played yet but from his 2 vfl games, what I have read he just seems a safe bet. Old school ruck who grabs it out of the ruck and imposes his big frame. Complete utter unique type of ruck that we’ve had… similar to ottens. Will be a great player for the club imo
- Dempsey. I almost put Dempsey in the superstar bucket but I thought that was a little foolish given he’s played about 12 games ever! However I have a really strong feeling he is going to surprise. Reminds me of Brett burton from Adelaide, freakish goal sense, elite marking ability. X factor. We should be excited.
Have shown little / jury still out:
- Stephens. Tries hard, can’t doubt that. But his kicking is rushed and poor… doesn’t exhibit composure which is usually a trait of good up and coming mids. He bustles through with 12m kicks from contests but would like to see him do something with a bit of spark to feel confident. I just haven’t seen anything yet that makes me go “ahhh there it is”. Doesn’t have much flexibility either.. seems it’s either in the guts or nothing but I don’t feel he has anything greatly unique that will keep any good mid out (we just haven’t drafted them yet). He appears to have a good head and no doubt he will do the work… needs a block of games now to see how he goes.
- knevitt. I think has more chance of making it than CS purely because of his overhead marking. Then again, I was underwhelmed with him pre-draft and havent really seen anything to warrant a change on my mind from watching. Jury is still out and I expect improvement obviously, but I worry about his kicking technique and his aggression (or lack of). I know he’s slight but he looks timid. Dempsey on the other hand is even skinnier and shows way more aggression so it’s not just a ‘slight’ build thing. I think best case scenario he can be a wing, with a uniquely strong contested mark, enabling a good bail out option around the ground. But he just reminds me of blitz as a pure mid, a little awkward and mostly a hand baller. Needs a couple preseasons.
- Evans. I really liked him in his first game but hasn’t done much since when in the 1s. Has a body like Chappy and is more a lead up small forward that’s good at ground level. It’s a hard role to play in modern footy. I feel he needs confidence and would like him to stay in the 1s a bit more to see if he has it.
- Neale. I know this is controversial and he’s done well in the 2s but I think the fan fair was a little unjustified over the weekend. He’s big and would’ve loved if he hung on to a few on the weekend but he didn’t look ready. He could be one a good player for us but let’s just see how he goes for the rest of the year.
Can’t say with zero output:
- Willis
- Kroeger
Delist:
- Stevens
- tsap
Summary:
We need to draft some gun mids. Like 3 or 4 depending on whether CS or MK make it. Right now I’m only really confident with Holmes and we all know you need about 3 or 4 gun mids to be competitive for a flag.
Next we urgently need to draft a good KPD to partner SDK. We have nothing coming through the 2s. Henry is more a third tall.
We have a couple years to worry about a key forward, I think Hawkins has 2 yrs and Cameron 5. Esava and Neale as backup is not as dire as our defensive stocks or mids.
SDK, Dempsey, Conway and Holmes have me excited… but we have a long way to go with this rebuild
- Banned
- #28
What suggests this lol
How is the club going to be able to draft 3 or 4 gun mids?
MacStradbroke
Norm Smith Medallist
- Jul 19, 2015
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- Geelong
Strauchnny is all over it with his analysis.... He could almost be me with those views.
With drafting 3 or 4 good upcoming mids (assuming Knevitt, Stephens, Willis & Kroeger end up just average) we simply need to get lucky.
It's as simple as that. We haven't had many swings at quality draft pics for obvious reasons (+GWS matching on Cameron shafted us a tad).
So we gotta get super lucky and turn a bunch of average picks turning into long-term solid mids.
Luck + score some more bonus players will be needed ie: Stengle or free agents.
Because with all things being equal.... we just don't have enough to hold us up long term at the moment.
If we snagged that 1 extra flag, I'd happily cop it.... but sadly, we never did.
- Banned
- #32
I have this nasty feeling the Blues will go all out for SDK or Ben McKay.Referring to Sam DeKoning. Thought that was obvious
You wonder if they'll have the cap room for that. Hewett, Saad, Cerra, Williams... all imports you would think are on big (or big-ish) money. And that's not even talking about McKay, Cripps, and Walsh. It's a good list that's under-performed for at least the last year - but it would also be an expensive list.
Plus, a quick scan of their 22 on the weekend shows they didn't play a single 30+, so there's no obvious retirements on the horizon to free up cap? Unless there are some fringe players who missed - I don't really keep up with other teams' list management, so might've overlooked something.
- Banned
- #34
They apparently still have salary to burn. The ridiculous 800k McGovern deal finishes next year as well. Liam Jones would’ve been on how much also?
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Crunch will come for the Blues in 2023 when a host of their better players are up for new contracts. If they make finals this year and continue to improve next year then they might struggle to keep everyone. I'm not sure they could fit SDK in unless they shed a few.
MacStradbroke
Norm Smith Medallist
- Jul 19, 2015
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- AFL Club
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If Williams and Saad are getting a reported 1.7 between them and McGovern on some stupid contract it is hard to believe they have enough to pay those they already have. A few of those boys will be looking for big pay increases shortly, including Tom DeKoning.They apparently still have salary to burn. The ridiculous 800k McGovern deal finishes next year as well. Liam Jones would’ve been on how much also?
Yeah, that's my thinking. If they don't have a crack at the end of this year, they'll have to switch gears next year to keep the list together.
They apparently still have salary to burn. The ridiculous 800k McGovern deal finishes next year as well. Liam Jones would’ve been on how much also?
Thanks for the article, I forgot how much they were overpaying McGovern! That said, I forgot about Curnow - who comes out of contract next year and is looking just as important up forward as McKay is.
- Banned
- #39
Tom Hawkins needs a replacement at the end of next year. Curnow is from Gtown. Sounds good get it done.
And who are the 10 young gun players that came in the five years after him?
How did those 10 young guns look in 06, don't stress we're going to draft our next Joel Selwood this year.
I think we can see a future beyond Hawkins. Neale if he continues his improvement, and Cameron., are just as compatible.
Our ability to nail the "cheap" goals looks on the up. We have seen this year easier conversion of inside 50s that is due to Stengles superb goal sense, Cameron's ability to nail the most difficult ground level opportunities, and the improving creativity of Close.
Add Dempsey., Miers close to goal,, and our productivity should be OK.
Off the top of my head 2007 saw a flag with two raw deep KPFs
one very late blooming CHF, two experienced and ruthless flankers.
Add to that a classy attacking defence. And a midfield that could take on anyone.
The forward line could even be described as the weakest link!
Going forward I can see a quality defence forming. SDK, Henry, Stewart is a good start. I like what I have seen of Stevens (his leg not quite as long as Hunts in 07 era) but a more versatile type. I can't see a Mackie yet, but Zuthrie's steady improvement and presence in the action across the middle gives me a little hope. Our Wojo left for Freo.
We will probably never have as good a mid field group again as we had in 07-11. But it is clear now that recruiting has to stay focused right there.
Conway. Holmes look like big ticks. Knevitt and Whyte OK so far, Cant wait to see Willis and Kroeger ( picked before Whyte and Dempsey). A Wojo will come out of the mid pool if we have enough with quality.
The club is on track. We will have cap space and will have list spots to plug a gap or two.
No need to buy a seasons ticket to Hotham just yet.
Go Cats
Our ability to nail the "cheap" goals looks on the up. We have seen this year easier conversion of inside 50s that is due to Stengles superb goal sense, Cameron's ability to nail the most difficult ground level opportunities, and the improving creativity of Close.
Add Dempsey., Miers close to goal,, and our productivity should be OK.
Off the top of my head 2007 saw a flag with two raw deep KPFs
one very late blooming CHF, two experienced and ruthless flankers.
Add to that a classy attacking defence. And a midfield that could take on anyone.
The forward line could even be described as the weakest link!
Going forward I can see a quality defence forming. SDK, Henry, Stewart is a good start. I like what I have seen of Stevens (his leg not quite as long as Hunts in 07 era) but a more versatile type. I can't see a Mackie yet, but Zuthrie's steady improvement and presence in the action across the middle gives me a little hope. Our Wojo left for Freo.
We will probably never have as good a mid field group again as we had in 07-11. But it is clear now that recruiting has to stay focused right there.
Conway. Holmes look like big ticks. Knevitt and Whyte OK so far, Cant wait to see Willis and Kroeger ( picked before Whyte and Dempsey). A Wojo will come out of the mid pool if we have enough with quality.
The club is on track. We will have cap space and will have list spots to plug a gap or two.
No need to buy a seasons ticket to Hotham just yet.
Go Cats
Last edited:
- Nov 18, 2015
- 2,410
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- Geelong
You can't. Generational player. Going to be a nail in the coffin of our pin point passes to the forward boundary attack strategy. Best chance at a replacement is Dempsey, kid could be anything.
A very fair and balanced take on the list. Thanks for sharing. I'm more bullish on Knevitt though mainly due to his marking.
standupand
Club Legend
You get that sense watching.. but I think our conversion per i50 has actually gone down pretty significantly this year. We're getting it i50 a lot more than our opponents, but converting those i50s into goals much less frequently than in previous years. Sort of belies the conventional wisdom that our midfield is weaker than our attack, but it's probably a direct result of the generally quicker (and often less controlled) ball movement than anything else.
Agree with 2 to 3 years.
I think there is however some existing elite or very good youth under 25. Ok, hv not checked ages but Close, SDK, Stengle look amazing so far.
Conway, Neale could be right up there
Add in a very stable defensive unit. We need to refresh mids and i dont see enough there in Knev and Coop, but i think Holmes may get to just under elite.
Only good news is mids shld be easier to find or trade for
Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk
David the Cat
Moderator
- Moderator
- #48
Stengle is a huge win for Geelong...could have 10 years in front of him and has that touch of class so few have.
Could well be the first delisted free agent to be All Australian.
Could well be the first delisted free agent to be All Australian.
The way Stengle approached the kick sent in over his head last week was all class. No panic, no fuss just watch the ball and wait for it to bounce and then pounce. Plenty would have tried too hard to trap the ball early and lost it . Stengle is the unsmiling assassin.
Great to see him so confident and his team mates loving his work.
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