Josh Hunt

[Vdubs]

Have always rated Josh highly. Any chance he could become a S Dew type of pinch hitter up forward, or will he be the AFL premier kick-out from FB.Think we missed his kicking out a lot come to think about it, but his lethal kicking, or Harry Taylor's could give us that extra dimension forward. Where are we going to get that extra 10% that they all say we need to to maintain that superiority over Saints etc.?

 

[scottydeewah]

Most important for Geelong next year is improvement out of our younger AFL players, Taylor, Selwood, Varcoe, Hawkins and the next group in the VFL Gamble, Djerkurra, Gillies and Hogan to really have big pre-seasons and put pressure on the first 22.

We also need returns from Hunt and Drum who should both aim to come in and make an immediate impact on the group.

We still have the ability to be top four and similar to last year the medical and conditioning staff have hugely important roles ensuring that when it comes to the business end of the season our players are up, ready and firing. We timed our run beautifully this year (4min to spare!!) and we need to do it again next year. Hopefully the club is still looking to improve its systems and learn.

Hawkins is a big one for me. He has the ability to win 4-5 games himself next season and could become a massive target in our forward line. Would also hope that Taylor, Gamble and Varcoe all have big pre-seasons as they look like they have room for improvement which is great.

I think that cats "dominance" of the competition is over but with some luck and a good run with injuries as long as we still have the desire, their is no reason why we wont be there kicking arse at the business end of the season.

 

[goodoldcats]

leave him down back. help kick over the zone

 

[TheCattery2007]

I agree no need for Hunt to go forward, doesn't seem to be his thing. Although there are some similarities between Hunt and Dew [apologies to Josh], so never rule it out.

In terms of forward structure, I'm excited by the prospect of another preseason for Hawkins! He will be even better next year.

Varcoe is the other one I can't wait to watch develop. I think next year he will really stamp himself as a quality midfielder.

Anyway, back to the topic, will be interesting to see how the backline looks with Hunt back.

 

[Belisarius]

Most important for Geelong next year is improvement out of our younger AFL players, Taylor, Selwood, Varcoe, Hawkins and the next group in the VFL Gamble, Djerkurra, Gillies and Hogan to really have big pre-seasons and put pressure on the first 22.

We also need returns from Hunt and Drum who should both aim to come in and make an immediate impact on the group.

We still have the ability to be top four and similar to last year the medical and conditioning staff have hugely important roles ensuring that when it comes to the business end of the season our players are up, ready and firing. We timed our run beautifully this year (4min to spare!!) and we need to do it again next year. Hopefully the club is still looking to improve its systems and learn.

Hawkins is a big one for me. He has the ability to win 4-5 games himself next season and could become a massive target in our forward line. Would also hope that Taylor, Gamble and Varcoe all have big pre-seasons as they look like they have room for improvement which is great.

I think that cats "dominance" of the competition is over but with some luck and a good run with injuries as long as we still have the desire, their is no reason why we wont be there kicking arse at the business end of the season.

Hard to disagree with this assessment. However Geelong could still improve if the players named do have big pre-seasons and become more consistent.

I think Varcoe can definitely improve and become a more consistent footballer - but needs more space, and should be played more often on the wing, as should Byrnes IMO. In fact Byrnes could even improve as well. Hogan looks like he is on the way up - so improvement there and the raps on Gillies are sufficient to warrant belief he will improve as well. Not sure about Gamble at this point in time. And I hope for all Geelong fans' sake - West shows significant improvement over the year.

And yes, as others have said, it will be the improvement of Hawkins that could be the most important player development that will affect our results next year. If he can start taking a few big grabs, bust open a few more packs and kick a few more goals - opposition backlines will have to pay him more respect and will require more attention - providing more opportunities to our small forwards.

I see Hawthorn playing better next year and also Adelaide. The Doggies and Saints will be there abouts as well. Who knows with Collingwood - but somehow they seem to be able to make into the finals race regularly. And then there is Brisbane who traded like they believed they have a shot at a Premiership in the next 2 years (except Bradshaw leaving may upset plans a bit).

It will be even more competitive next year for a place in the top 4 - where you have to be to realistically have a real show at winning the Premiership. I expect to see some really good footy games next year and a far tighter top 8. However I see GFC still winning 16 games - and that will be enough to get us into a position to win another flag.

Early call, good call.

PS. Hunt will be a very good inclusion this year. We will be stronger for his inclusion due to the retirement of one of our best club captains ever (either this year or after a few games next year).

 

[Stubz]

Here is a decent article on J.Hunt's recovery I came across, thought you guys might want to read it:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/10/21/113831_gfc.html

Geelong Cat Josh Hunt determined to bounce back next season
Author: Daniel Breen
Date/Time: October 21st, 2009

The Geelong defender is already working hard in the hope he will be ready to go when the Cats start pre-season training next month.

"We've got our off season program that we have to do and mine has a lot of leg strengthening involved but the goal for me is to be back on day one of pre-season, not miss a beat and hopefully get through the whole pre-season and NAB Cup as well," Hunt said.

"The quad has wasted away a little bit. It's a fair bit smaller than the other side, so I have to get that strength back in it and I have to do a lot of other work as well.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/10/21/113831_gfc.html

 

[PoidaCat]

Stupid question. What knee did he do? I should know I was at the game and I was right near where it happened.

 

[True Blue Cat]

Here is a decent article on J.Hunt's recovery I came across, thought you guys might want to read it:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/10/21/113831_gfc.html

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/10/21/113831_gfc.html

He has been back running since the start of August so i would say he will be ready to start pre-season training when everyone else does. Although yeah it will take a lot of work for him to build back all the muscle that he lost after such a big break.

Stupid question. What knee did he do? I should know I was at the game and I was right near where it happened.

It was his left knee.

 

[Pivo]

While I like having Hunt's ability to kick long and hit targets out of defense, and therefore, out of the danger-zone I have always thought it would be great if he could get a bigger tank and go into the midfield for 5 or 10 minutes a quarter.

Kicking over the "rolling zone" is another plan and, with Geelong's quick ball movement, getting it into the hands of a guy like Hunt who can kick long and fairly accurately gives the forwards more '1-on-1' opportunities.

Added to that is Hunt's frame which means he should, in theory, be harder to move off the ball in traffic.

 

[theCATSfromHELL]

Hopefully the knee hasn't played too much havoc with that beautiful left boot of his and he can come back fit and firing next year.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Josh used to play forward in his junior days (FWIW). Talk of improvement of the younger player earlier, Selwood was mentioned. Initially thought it was a big call for a AA player who gets in the top half dozen of the Brownlow. But after reflection, I reckon Joel's next step up will be higher reliability in front of goal - then watch the Brownlow votes pour in!

 

[pinion]

i like the idea of any of our defenders drifting forward if they have a match up that allows it - it's quite common to see scarlett or mackie kicking goals. hopefully we'll also see more of ablett and bartel drifting forward because i think they're probably our two best contested marks

hunt played his junior football as a full forward, but i'm not sure he can be that type of player anymore. he's not overly quick and he's not a great contested mark. i think he'd be more damaging drifting up just beyond the centre and pin-pointing a leading forward.

 

[meto]

Wouldn't mind seeing the big fella up near the sticks some time.

 

[FoxC]

Have always rated Josh highly. Any chance he could become a S Dew type of pinch hitter up forward, or will he be the AFL premier kick-out from FB.Think we missed his kicking out a lot come to think about it, but his lethal kicking, or Harry Taylor's could give us that extra dimension forward. Where are we going to get that extra 10% that they all say we need to to maintain that superiority over Saints etc.?

As someone said it in the nickname thread, Josh's precise kicking out of defense will be our main weapon to beat the zone, hence his nickname "Howitzer".

But since he first came on the scene I have always liked the idea of seeing Josh kick a 60-70m monster goal to win us a game. He kicked a mammoth behind in a game last year - can't remember which one - from inside the centre square.

I guess that's another secret weapon in our arsenal that the coaches are well aware of.

 

[Pollywaffle]

We assume that his kicking wont be affected by his injury??
Do we have some precedents to compare players' kicking pre and post knee injury ?

 

[DeanoT]

As someone said it in the nickname thread, Josh's precise kicking out of defense will be our main weapon to beat the zone, hence his nickname "Howitzer".

But since he first came on the scene I have always liked the idea of seeing Josh kick a 60-70m monster goal to win us a game. He kicked a mammoth behind in a game last year - can't remember which one - from inside the centre square.

I guess that's another secret weapon in our arsenal that the coaches are well aware of.

Was after the siren at the Dome. NAB Cup game maybe ?? I remember turning to the opposition fan next to me when the siren went and I said "he will have no problem with the distance". Opp fan laughed, then his jaw hit the ground when he unleashed the big torp - for one behind only. You could hear the ball pop like the Big Q.

 

[DeanoT]

We assume that his kicking wont be affected by his injury??
Do we have some precedents to compare players' kicking pre and post knee injury ?

David Spriggs didn't do so well after his knee reco.

 

[edzo]

This is Josh's second reco so I think he should be fine !

 

[theCATSfromHELL]

This is Josh's second reco so I think he should be fine !

Is two recos a good thing nowadays?

 

[Vdubs]

David Spriggs didn't do so well after his knee reco.

was CRAPOLA before!

 

[FoxC]

Was after the siren at the Dome. NAB Cup game maybe ?? I remember turning to the opposition fan next to me when the siren went and I said "he will have no problem with the distance". Opp fan laughed, then his jaw hit the ground when he unleashed the big torp - for one behind only. You could hear the ball pop like the Big Q.

Yes you're right it was after the half time siren, but I just can't remember which game. It was awesome to watch.

 

[DeanoT]

was CRAPOLA before!

Garbage, he showed plenty before he did his knee.

 

[DeanoT]

Yes you're right it was after the half time siren, but I just can't remember which game. It was awesome to watch.

Must have been Round 2 2008 against the Bombers at the Dome. It's the only H&A game he has kicked a behind at the Dome since 2005, and we didn't play a NAB cup game at the Dome in 2007 or 2008. We did play Adelaide at the Dome in a NAB cup game earlier this year, but I'm pretty sure it was last year.

 

[FoxC]

Must have been Round 2 2008 against the Bombers at the Dome. It's the only H&A game he has kicked a behind at the Dome since 2005, and we didn't play a NAB cup game at the Dome in 2007 or 2008. We did play Adelaide at the Dome in a NAB cup game earlier this year, but I'm pretty sure it was last year.

Bingo - that's it. I can remember it now. You have an excellent memory.

 

[pinion]

We assume that his kicking wont be affected by his injury??
Do we have some precedents to compare players' kicking pre and post knee injury ?

i know that you're not considered to have recovered from the surgery until your injured knee is within about 3% of the strength of the other knee (or what the knee was pre-surgery, i can't remember). the rest of it comes down to technique which shouldn't be affected. other than rustiness he should be fine. it's usually the way you move around the ground that is more the problem