Toast Josh Caddy

[bulletproof]

I reckon this stint in the VFL will be the making of Caddy. He came down from the Gold Coast on a big salary and big expectations. His wayward disposal was not up to standard for a team like Geelong and he felt pressure to perform.

When he comes back in I think he'll understand he just has to play a role for the side and not star. He is going to be a top player.

 

[footscore]

I reckon this stint in the VFL will be the making of Caddy. He came down from the Gold Coast on a big salary and big expectations. His wayward disposal was not up to standard for a team like Geelong and he felt pressure to perform.

I think it is more about fitness and conditioning than performances in the seniors.

People say he played a good game today but where was he playing all game long?
He doesn't get that opportunity in the seniors and he's not a half forward, he's a midfielder and needs to be in there where he belongs.
Let's not forget he was on a restricted program in the off-season, no body contact for a period of 8-10 weeks so it's good to see him start to spend more minutes midfield and begin to tackle as his health improves to the levels we expect.

 

[Turbocat]

I think it is more about fitness and conditioning than performances in the seniors.

People say he played a good game today but where was he playing all game long?
He doesn't get that opportunity in the seniors and he's not a half forward, he's a midfielder and needs to be in there where he belongs.
Let's not forget he was on a restricted program in the off-season, no body contact for a period of 8-10 weeks so it's good to see him start to spend more minutes midfield and begin to tackle as his health improves to the levels we expect.

I'd agree that his best will be on ball but is just a fact of life that he will have to show in other area's. If he playing HF , he needs to use his run more. He is good in heavy traffic, bet he is in for the Freo game next week.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

From what I saw today, expect Caddy and Smedts to be playing midfield together in the near future. Am completely sold on both.

 

[manboob]

From what I saw today, expect Caddy and Smedts to be playing midfield together in the near future. Am completely sold on both.

With or without beanies?

 

[Senatorguesty]

I'd agree that his best will be on ball but is just a fact of life that he will have to show in other area's. If he playing HF , he needs to use his run more. He is good in heavy traffic, bet he is in for the Freo game next week.

Good call on Freo game.
Really a perfect game for him with a few good games of VFL under his belt.

I'm completely sold of Caddy, Smedts, Thurlow and Bews on todays game, all 4 look the goods.

 

[Turbocat]

Good call on Freo game.
Really a perfect game for him with a few good games of VFL under his belt.

I'm completely sold of Caddy, Smedts, Thurlow and Bews on todays game, all 4 look the goods.

It was that type of form ( @ the same venue actually) that I saw Caddy do in the u18 champs. He is inside and outside player. If and when he tidies his possessions just a little he is going to be big for us.
Thats the best I've seen Smedts play in a mid role , one can see why they are sort of using him to cover Menz.

 

[Partridge]

I think it is more about fitness and conditioning than performances in the seniors.

People say he played a good game today but where was he playing all game long?
He doesn't get that opportunity in the seniors and he's not a half forward, he's a midfielder and needs to be in there where he belongs.
Let's not forget he was on a restricted program in the off-season, no body contact for a period of 8-10 weeks so it's good to see him start to spend more minutes midfield and begin to tackle as his health improves to the levels we expect.

Hang on a minute, I remember reading on here that he trained better than anyone during pre-season. Which was it?

 

[footscore]

Hang on a minute, I remember reading on here that he trained better than anyone during pre-season. Which was it?

what does training and work rate have to do with a restricted program such as no contact for a period of 3 months?

 

[Partridge]

what does training and work rate have to do with a restricted program such as no contact for a period of 3 months?

I distinctly remember one of the reasons he had glided effortlessly into our best 22 during the pre-season was how well he'd trained. I didn't realise he missed a big chunk of it. I have no doubts at all from what I've seen of him on the field about his work ethic or training attitude. The big question is how the hell do we fit 27 players into 22.

 

[FredLeDeux]

I distinctly remember one of the reasons he had glided effortlessly into our best 22 during the pre-season was how well he'd trained. I didn't realise he missed a big chunk of it. I have no doubts at all from what I've seen of him on the field about his work ethic or training attitude. The big question is how the hell do we fit 27 players into 22.

As I understand it, his restriction was largely on contact work, but he still did the fitness training, to the extent that only Blicavs beat him in the bike ride up the mountain during the camp.

 

[Senatorguesty]

I distinctly remember one of the reasons he had glided effortlessly into our best 22 during the pre-season was how well he'd trained. I didn't realise he missed a big chunk of it. I have no doubts at all from what I've seen of him on the field about his work ethic or training attitude. The big question is how the hell do we fit 27 players into 22.

Reckon they'd notice if we played em all?
Really we have 10 players who aren't playing (or wont play) in our AFL team that would walk into most others 22.
Great place to be no doubt but gee it makes it hard!

 

[Seeds]

He's not paid to cruise. He's paid to turn up every week and face the same scrutiny as everyone else. He better play well tomorrow.

Agree. The consistency in Bartel's form over the last couple of years has been woeful. He should be fit enough to play midfield but isn't. Why does the Geelong leadership allow him to coast?

 

[Seeds]

I think it is more about fitness and conditioning than performances in the seniors.

People say he played a good game today but where was he playing all game long?
He doesn't get that opportunity in the seniors and he's not a half forward, he's a midfielder and needs to be in there where he belongs.
Let's not forget he was on a restricted program in the off-season, no body contact for a period of 8-10 weeks so it's good to see him start to spend more minutes midfield and begin to tackle as his health improves to the levels we expect.

Agree. Its got nothing to do with needing a kick up the arse. He simply is not fit enough at the moment. Not sure he will be able to fix this before the end of the year though. Probably needs a big pre season to get to the required levels.

 

[Seeds]

How many clearances did Caddy get today?
I didn't see the stats but it looked as though he gathered 4-5 of them and this is precisely what we currently need in the seniors, if Corey is going to continue to be played across the half back flank instead of the midfield where does his best work, drop Corey for Caddy and bring in another youngster such as Thurlow who can play that defensive role just as well for the meantime.

Or just play Corey in the middle. I hope the leadership is saving up this ace for the finals because Corey's number one asset is his clearance work.

 

[GeelongFTW]

Agree. The consistency in Bartel's form over the last couple of years has been woeful. He should be fit enough to play midfield but isn't. Why does the Geelong leadership allow him to coast?

Hey didn't he get a norm smith in 11? I think old age is just getting to him maybe more-so than his friends... I,think he will star today.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Hey didn't he get a norm smith in 11? I think old age is just getting to him maybe more-so than his friends... I,think he ,ay star today.

He's having a better season than last year, in fact quite a good season, so I don't think old age is getting to him.
I'm not quite sure how you measure "consistency", but he seems to me to have been very consistent over most games last year and this. I think if he was "coasting", he wouldn't be playing virtually full game time, but in fact he's playing, on average, 94-95% of game time.

 

[Seeds]

Hey didn't he get a norm smith in 11? I think old age is just getting to him maybe more-so than his friends... I,think he will star today.

Yeah he did. Consistency is the issue not his ability at his best.

We struggle in the midfield and have a brownlow medal winning midfielder on our list and don't play him there. Why?

Don't give me that he is better used elsewhere. That is rubbish. He could be one of the best midfielders in the country. But he can't be bothered building up his fitness base anymore and no one questions him about it. Its slack.

 

[Seeds]

He's having a better season than last year, in fact quite a good season, so I don't think old age is getting to him.
I'm not quite sure how you measure "consistency", but he seems to me to have been very consistent over most games last year and this. I think if he was "coasting", he wouldn't be playing virtually full game time, but in fact he's playing, on average, 94-95% of game time.

He was injured last year. When is the last time Bartel racked up 30 possessions. He used to do it every game back in 2007-08. Ablett still does it and he is the same age so age is not an excuse.

 

[GeelongFTW]

Yeah he did. Consistency is the issue not his ability at his best.

We struggle in the midfield and have a brownlow medal winning midfielder on our list and don't play him there. Why?

Don't give me that he is better used elsewhere. That is rubbish. He could be one of the best midfielders in the country. But he can't be bothered building up his fitness base anymore and no one questions him about it. Its slack.

If we play in the midfield all the time how are we going to give the kids experience? Wasn't he in the middle when we were down in then GC game? He be in there when it counts, that is not now.

 

[4quarter_cat]

Think you've hit the nail on the head there GFTW, Jimmy is playing his role, as defined by the MC. I can't believe this rubbish that he is not fit enough, if he wasn't fit enough he wouldn't be able to play an entire quarter running through the midfield after playing 90% of the match elsewhere and being an absolutely dominant force who wins us matches.

I'm sorry seeds you're just wrong.

 

[Partridge]

Or just play Corey in the middle. I hope the leadership is saving up this ace for the finals because Corey's number one asset is his clearance work.

I suspect they're conserving him to an extent. Like it or not he can't play four quarters on the ball anymore. In good conditions against a quick side his lack of space can (and has) been exposed. The fact his endurance is still so good is probably why he's been used off a half back flank at times.

I am surprised that he hasn't be tried as a sub thus far. Think about the positives - he comes on when the game is a little slower, he only has to go for 40 minutes or so compared to 120 so it could prolong his career, it allows him to go full throttle in the middle for that time, and the last thing the opposition would want is a fully fresh Joel Corey hitting the packs while everyone else is tiring. Especially as Scott said they want the sub to be a midfielder who can win his own ball, and it's been Horlin-Smith, Caddy, Taylor Hunt, Stokes et al who have done the job (the exception was Josh Hunt for two successive weeks). Still half a season to go, I wouldn't mind betting every midfielder will get a turn eventually.

 

[FredLeDeux]

He was injured last year. When is the last time Bartel racked up 30 possessions. He used to do it every game back in 2007-08. Ablett still does it and he is the same age so age is not an excuse.

Your post and mine were both talking about consistency, not about racking up 30 disposal games, which he hasn't done since his inconsistent 2011. Probably because he's been playing far more away from the midfield and/or as a defensive midfielder.

 

[Cattery]

How many clearances did Caddy get today?
I didn't see the stats but it looked as though he gathered 4-5 of them and this is precisely what we currently need in the seniors, if Corey is going to continue to be played across the half back flank instead of the midfield where does his best work, drop Corey for Caddy and bring in another youngster such as Thurlow who can play that defensive role just as well for the meantime.

Makes a lot of sense, bring in a bloke who's had four clearances in his six senior outings to date to replace one who's had twenty four despite playing limited time in the guts.

The last two matches they played together where Caddy wasn't subbed on or off, Caddy twenty disposals and two clearances, Corey fifty five and eight.
Despite it not being his best position he's done a bloody good job playing across half back as well, so to suggest replacing him with Thurlow or Caddy just has me shaking my head in bewilderment to be perfectly honest.

 

[Partridge]

Makes a lot of sense, bring in a bloke who's had four clearances in his six senior outings to date to replace one who's had twenty four despite playing limited time in the guts.

The last two matches they played together where Caddy wasn't subbed on or off, Caddy twenty disposals and two clearances, Corey fifty five and eight.
Despite it not being his best position he's done a bloody good job playing across half back as well, so to suggest replacing him with Thurlow or Caddy just has me shaking my head in bewilderment to be perfectly honest.

Yeah Caddy is still looked upon very favourably around here. People want him in the side desperately, but he's still yet to display that kind of reserves form in the seniors. The only young player who has performed like someone like Corey has been Horlin-Smith. But he's missed a few games now and you'd think needs at least one VFL match before getting back in.