Josh Hunt

[cancat]

I think we can batten down the hatches now for another classic age argument here on total footy regarding Josh's possible return to the first 22.
I expect to see a thread in the next week or two,and I'd be surprised if there is consensus.

Good call

I reckon his VFL form is good enough for him to return to the firsts. Rivers needs some game time so a good option would be to bring Josh in to give Boris or Jimmy a rest.

 

[Mantastic]

I think he should have another hit out in the two's. We have the Bullies next week and not to be over confident or anything but that's a great chance to play a young guy (GHS, Thurlow, Murdoch, Guthrie or a Walker) and give them some confidence of playing in a win against some lower quality opposition.

No need to rush Josh back, bring him back when he's both ready and needed, aim to have him in by the Collingwood game..

 

[Goggin Our Best]

It will be very interesting at the pointy end of the season -where Josh Hunt sits

Geelong like playing 3 tall defenders -Josh Hunt from memory played in that final against Nth Melb as a tall defender -against Aaron Edwards -(who at that time wasnt a bad player) and Hunt played really well -outmarked Edwards overhead and that -actually i prefer Hunt playing as a tall defender -because when he plays on the little short people -they seem to push Muscle Man Josh out of the way

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Hunt comes back in (when ready) and does the kick ins which frees up Bartel and also to take the opposition small forwards. Thought he had a decent 2012 as well.

 

[Jon Douglas]

Not sure when JHunt comes back but he will. As the two time Premiership BP player for us - with runs on the board - he will be a most likely picked in our best 22 at this stage. Guthrie is the main player challenging Josh - and I do not reckon he has enough experience of history yet to edge out Josh. Maybe things will pan out differently over the season but Josh for me just right now.

 

[Turbocat]

Like to see him play a different role in the VFL. Either on ball or forward. Cause ..he is like Stokes , he must bring more to the side if he is to oust a kid. JUst like when CamM played , its a big step below for him , he does it easy. Different level to most that are playing.

 

[The rabbi]

Good call

I reckon his VFL form is good enough for him to return to the firsts.

I have been to the last 2 VFL games at K'Park and I still think that he is not quite up to it yet. I don't know who he would replace in defense atm if he were to be selected. No one on current form.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I have been to the last 2 VFL games at K'Park and I still think that he is not quite up to it yet. I don't know who he would replace in defense atm if he were to be selected. No one on current form.

Agree with this, nobody in defence who Hunt could replace without messing up the structure is really floundering at the moment and you can't penalise one of the well-performed young guys just so an older guy can come in - especially when that older guy has had no preseason.

 

[Partridge]

It will be very interesting at the pointy end of the season -where Josh Hunt sits

Geelong like playing 3 tall defenders -Josh Hunt from memory played in that final against Nth Melb as a tall defender -against Aaron Edwards -(who at that time wasnt a bad player) and Hunt played really well -outmarked Edwards overhead and that -actually i prefer Hunt playing as a tall defender -because when he plays on the little short people -they seem to push Muscle Man Josh out of the way

He did, but Edwards played a good game too and was probably North's best that day. Took quite a few marks from memory.

 

[Partridge]

Agree with this, nobody in defence who Hunt could replace without messing up the structure is really floundering at the moment and you can't penalise one of the well-performed young guys just so an older guy can come in - especially when that older guy has had no preseason.

Hunt isn't playing so well he comes immediately in. Not yet. Would go directly against what Scott has spoken of if he comes straight in to displace a youngster.

The only possible change I can see is Kelly in and either Smedts out (for form), or Chapman out (if his leg was giving him trouble). Can't drop anyone else, they all did their jobs.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Like to see him play a different role in the VFL. Either on ball or forward. Cause ..he is like Stokes , he must bring more to the side if he is to oust a kid. JUst like when CamM played , its a big step below for him , he does it easy. Different level to most that are playing.

He did play mid and forward at times yesterday, but mainly for fitness I think.

Hunt isn't playing so well he comes immediately in. Not yet. Would go directly against what Scott has spoken of if he comes straight in to displace a youngster.

The only possible change I can see is Kelly in and either Smedts out (for form), or Chapman out (if his leg was giving him trouble). Can't drop anyone else, they all did their jobs.

I don't think Hunt is fully fit yet.
Smedts is an obvious out on form - unless he's doing one of those special jobs for the coach which are not readily apparent (to me, at least).

 

[manboob]

Who does he replace?

 

[CharacterFirst]

I am not sure if he is ready yet, but I would be rotating 3- 5 players this week, so a spot shouldn't be hard to find.

We don't want to disrespect the Dogs, but they have fallen in a hole already. 50 point loss to the Crows. They had to play in the wet, heavy conditions. They had to travel interstate. They had 2 days less recovery than us.

Rotate away and rest Selwood, Chappy, Taylor, Enright/Mackie, Blitz.

 

[meto]

I am not sure if he is ready yet, but I would be rotating 3- 5 players this week, so a spot shouldn't be hard to find.

We don't want to disrespect the Dogs, but they have fallen in a hole already. 50 point loss to the Crows. They had to play in the wet, heavy conditions. They had to travel interstate. They had 2 days less recovery than us.

Rotate away and rest Selwood, Chappy, Taylor, Enright/Mackie, Blitz.

50% of our back 6 would be tempting them to turn the tables, maybe 2 but not 3 especially those names all at once. I hate the thought of Taylor resting because we've got no one like him, who would you bring in?
We need another tall defender and I mean 195+ proper tall.

 

[Partridge]

I am not sure if he is ready yet, but I would be rotating 3- 5 players this week, so a spot shouldn't be hard to find.

We don't want to disrespect the Dogs, but they have fallen in a hole already. 50 point loss to the Crows. They had to play in the wet, heavy conditions. They had to travel interstate. They had 2 days less recovery than us.

Rotate away and rest Selwood, Chappy, Taylor, Enright/Mackie, Blitz.

Sorry, but that's an incredibly arrogant stance to take. The Dogs should be treated just as seriously as Sydney. Win this week and we're 5-0, which would start to really set up our season. Not to mention the fact that we've got an 8 day break, theirs is 6. Make the most of that break and that advantage.

We can't drop Blicavs, as there is no other fit ruckman. The game might have changed, but two ruckmen always have and always will work better than one. Not to mention they're actually both doing well. Taylor is the cornerstone of our defence, we'll need both his judgement and his drive. Same as Enright and Mackie.

As for Selwood, I'm lost for words. Why would you want to drop a guy coming off possibly his best ever game for the club? Why wouldn't you want that form carried into next week? The game isn't that simple that you can turn it on and off at will. Year after year this arrogance is punished (see Grand Final 2008, Prelim Final 2010, Elim Final 2012 for evidence), and it doesn't make any difference.

Chapman is the chance for a break. Looked proppy a couple of times and with his history of hamstring and leg troubles, that could be the one call that is prudent. That's the only one though.

The rest should, and I'm hoping will, play.

 

[CharacterFirst]

50% of our back 6 would be tempting them to turn the tables, maybe 2 but not 3 especially those names all at once. I hate the thought of Taylor resting because we've got no one like him, who would you bring in?
We need another tall defender and I mean 195+ proper tall.

I would only rest two as you said. Taylor and play Brown. And then one of Mackie or Boris, bringing Hunt.

I would rest Selly and Chappy - and bring in Kel if fit and one other youngster depending on form.

There may also be a forward who need a week off. Hawkins? Pods?

Anyway, a back six of Boris/Mackie, Lonners, Hunt, Bartel/Corey, Rivers, Brown should be ablto hold the Dogs. plus you can rotate one or two others thru there if need be.

 

[CharacterFirst]

Sorry, but that's an incredibly arrogant stance to take. The Dogs should be treated just as seriously as Sydney. Win this week and we're 5-0, which would start to really set up our season. Not to mention the fact that we've got an 8 day break, theirs is 6. Make the most of that break and that advantage.

We can't drop Blicavs, as there is no other fit ruckman. The game might have changed, but two ruckmen always have and always will work better than one. Not to mention they're actually both doing well. Taylor is the cornerstone of our defence, we'll need both his judgement and his drive. Same as Enright and Mackie.

As for Selwood, I'm lost for words. Why would you want to drop a guy coming off possibly his best ever game for the club? Why wouldn't you want that form carried into next week? The game isn't that simple that you can turn it on and off at will. Year after year this arrogance is punished (see Grand Final 2008, Prelim Final 2010, Elim Final 2012 for evidence), and it doesn't make any difference.

Chapman is the chance for a break. Looked proppy a couple of times and with his history of hamstring and leg troubles, that could be the one call that is prudent. That's the only one though.

The rest should, and I'm hoping will, play.

Well we disagree. I would rest more players b/c its a "down" game, and we have had 4 six day breaks and tough opponents.

I don't think a weeks break will make any difference whatsoever to Selwoods' form or attitude.

Taylor can have a week off. We can cover him against the Dogs.

Chappy needs a break and may have a niggle anyway.

Give one of Boris or Mackie a week off as well. Mackie fell pretty heavily last week, and I think could do with a week off.

Make of that what you will, but we intend to rest and rotate more than one player at a time later in the season, and after 4 tough games, I think we can do it against the Dogs and still clearly win.

Let's freshen up some for the Tigers/EFC/and Pies in coming weeks.

 

[Mantastic]

Agree with everything Partridge said, although I would also say that I would have no problem if one of Corey or Enright were rested a long side Chappy. Not to be too over confident but we do have a tough run of games coming up and if 2 of our over 30's were to miss, I don't think it would do us any harm. Chap and Enright in particular are very good at coming back from a rest in good form too.

Selwood, Taylor, Mackie and Blicavs have to play though (if fit). Something like Chap and Enright/Corey out, Kelly and Thurlow in.

 

[cancat]

I have been to the last 2 VFL games at K'Park and I still think that he is not quite up to it yet. I don't know who he would replace in defense atm if he were to be selected. No one on current form.

I would say Rivers on current form, and past form. But I would leave Rivers in as he needs time to bed in to the way we play. The rotation policy of 2011 worked a treat so this week I would be looking at resting an older player such as Enright.

 

[footscore]

I would say Rivers on current form, and past form. But I would leave Rivers in as he needs time to bed in to the way we play.

I never like to quesion our players but I have personally noticed the difference in ball handling skills coming from a club like Melbourne across to Geelong and Rivers has been just a little shaky in traffic.
It's to be expected given the quality we are currently up against but he is still finding his feet which is good news as there is some upside still to come, but he can turn it over in a contested situation whereas many of the other Geelong lads have trained for years on end with that style of game and it's seemingly natural to most of them.

 

[manboob]

Rivers is a lock. The end.

 

[CharacterFirst]

I never like to quesion our players but I have personally noticed the difference in ball handling skills coming from a club like Melbourne across to Geelong and Rivers has been just a little shaky in traffic.
It's to be expected given the quality we are currently up against but he is still finding his feet which is good news as there is some upside still to come, but he can turn it over in a contested situation whereas many of the other Geelong lads have trained for years on end with that style of game and it's seemingly natural to most of them.

I thought he was very good round one. Then missed two weeks, and was serviceable last week while still looking little wobbly after injury.

I think he is a key to a flag this year.

 

[footscore]

I thought he was very good round one. Then missed two weeks, and was serviceable last week while still looking little wobbly after injury.

I think he is a key to a flag this year.

definitely a key to us winning the flag, his foot speed is probably better than what Scarlett had left in him in his final season.

 

[year of the cat]

I think Josh needs at least another week in the VFL before coming in. Personally though I'd rather continue to look to the future and give Guthrie a go first if we are to make a change for a "small" defender. I'd suggest something like: Ins- Kelly, Guthrie Outs- Chapman (rest), Caddy. Give Smedts one more week before letting him go out for Chapman's return if he doesn't star.

 

[Partridge]

I think Josh needs at least another week in the VFL before coming in. Personally though I'd rather continue to look to the future and give Guthrie a go first if we are to make a change for a "small" defender. I'd suggest something like: Ins- Kelly, Guthrie Outs- Chapman (rest), Caddy. Give Smedts one more week before letting him go out for Chapman's return if he doesn't star.

I would normally wholly agree, except that Guthrie played as a midfielder in the VFL. Perhaps they feel he'll slot seamlessly in to the seniors in the backline if required, and playing him on the ball gets him just that little bit fitter, who knows.

I see Kelly coming in as a certainty, not sure about anyone else. Like your changes, although to be honest Caddy probably deserves to stay in more than Smedts on recent form.