Looking ahead

[Stoney]

Okay I know this will seem a little biased coming from a Geelong supporter but I honestly belive that given a good run with injuries we will take it out with no real troubles next season!

My reasoning is as follows:

1.) We had the youngest average list out of all the top 8 teams this year, therefore natural progression should develop the team further in 2006

2.) We had the worst run with injuries this season but still came within a kick (and 3 seconds of beating) the eventual premier! - not to mention the absolute drubbing of the other grand finalist last time the Cats met the Eagles

3.) David Wojcinski returns and gives us a virtual second first round draft pick who can step straight into the team and make an impact for us

4.) Otto showed us he can play (think his performances against Richmond and Port Adelaide we're outstanding) - a full pre season and we should expect given injury at least 45 goals from the big man

5.) Jimmy Bartel will agree to a new 3 year deal next week, so bad luck to the bluebaggers who we're getting their hopes up that they would finally snag a half decent midfielder in the PSD ...

 

[catempire]

Hope you're right Stoney. Hope you're right.

 

[cozdawg#09]

i hope ur right too, i think evry cats supporter does but so many things can happen... i just want the mighty cats to win the flag like they deserve

 

[della]

we can get close to the Grand final with a full list but i doubt we would beat a full strength Saints with Gehrig, Hamill, kosi and Reeiwoltd all fit, my problems are that unless we change the forward mix we will be crying again in 12mnths, where r our goals coming from and Ottens has to be a major worry as he just can't get thru a season for the last 4-5 yrs, why will this change. WEhy will our forwards suddenly click

 

[catempire]

we can get close to the Grand final with a full list but i doubt we would beat a full strength Saints with Gehrig, Hamill, kosi and Reeiwoltd all fit, my problems are that unless we change the forward mix we will be crying again in 12mnths, where r our goals coming from and Ottens has to be a major worry as he just can't get thru a season for the last 4-5 yrs, why will this change. WEhy will our forwards suddenly click

Ottens was ran into the ground because he shouldered most of the load while King was out. To take the next step we need a strong ruck combination and that means having King and Ottens fit at the same time. King rucking and Ottens out of the goalsquare relieving him.

Will they get through a season uninjured? Who knows? Most injuries come down to a matter of luck. We will need a good pinch of it to taste ultimate success in 2006.

Despite your monotonous saying otherwise, our forwards were not the reason we didn't beat Sydney. Nick Davis was the reason.

 

[della]

Disagree with the theory that Nick Davis beat us in sydney, i was there and rst assured it was out forward line that cost us, we only kicked 7 goals and with the amount of ball we had if we had of kicked say 10-11 it wouldn't of mattered what Davis had of done, our inability to put score board pressure on the opposition hurts us as it did against the Lions in 2004, no use having the best defence and sold midfield if ya forwards don't deliver, classic example of this was the eagles yday who just didn't have enouigh targets in there forward line cause if they did they would of won.

Its not our defence that let us down this year.

 

[fpm84]

I think that our forward line fully fit is easily of a premiership standard.

Don't forget amongst all the Davis drama v Sydney, we had Chappy, Ottens, Riccardi and N. Ablett all out. You would expect that had those 4 have played, they would have collectively added at least 3 goals as a group. Maybe more.

Yes, Sydney have a great forward line led by Hall - but everyone agrees that their games are build by their backline and defensive style of play. And look how far they went.

 

[Shell]

Totally agree, forwards did let us down that Friday night. And not just because of Kent, the others could have stepped up too. Our injuries totally demoralised us, throughout the whole year. Once we get our full strength side going, we dont have any more excuses.

Cant wait till 2006.. Bring it on!!!

Jimmy signing for three years???!! Stuff ya Collingwood and Eddie!!!

 

[Kegs44]

Well if we get a good run with injuries the Saints will be the only ones to challenge us.

 

[Seb]

Wish i could share the optimism.

I can't help but feel we've let our opportunity slip.

 

[Ricketts]

Okay I know this will seem a little biased coming from a Geelong supporter but I honestly belive that given a good run with injuries we will take it out with no real troubles next season!

My reasoning is as follows:

1.) We had the youngest average list out of all the top 8 teams this year, therefore natural progression should develop the team further in 2006

2.) We had the worst run with injuries this season but still came within a kick (and 3 seconds of beating) the eventual premier! - not to mention the absolute drubbing of the other grand finalist last time the Cats met the Eagles

3.) David Wojcinski returns and gives us a virtual second first round draft pick who can step straight into the team and make an impact for us

4.) Otto showed us he can play (think his performances against Richmond and Port Adelaide we're outstanding) - a full pre season and we should expect given injury at least 45 goals from the big man

5.) Jimmy Bartel will agree to a new 3 year deal next week, so bad luck to the bluebaggers who we're getting their hopes up that they would finally snag a half decent midfielder in the PSD ...

Well done on the optimisim... but Dude, this is Geelong we're talking bout.

 

[Stoney]

Exactly - the team that even without 5 of its best 18 (and then lost King during the game) got within a 3 points and 3 seconds of ending the Swannies finals dream this season ...

And look how far they got!!! Suck a fat one and learn a thing or two about footy before running ur mouth jabroni!

As for Shaitan's comments about letting our opportuniy slip??? dear lord, half our best 22 are under 24 yet somehow our opportunity has passed? we have 1 player on our list over the age of 30 - yet our opportunity has passed? we have the average youngest list from all the other top 8 sides - yet suddenly our opportuiny has passed?

haha ... my oh my, u need to do some research!

 

[catempire]

Disagree with the theory that Nick Davis beat us in sydney, i was there and rst assured it was out forward line that cost us, we only kicked 7 goals and with the amount of ball we had if we had of kicked say 10-11 it wouldn't of mattered what Davis had of done, our inability to put score board pressure on the opposition hurts us as it did against the Lions in 2004, no use having the best defence and sold midfield if ya forwards don't deliver, classic example of this was the eagles yday who just didn't have enouigh targets in there forward line cause if they did they would of won.

Its not our defence that let us down this year.

You must be the only one that thinks Davis didn't win that game off his own boot.

If you didn't notice, Sydney's forwards (apart from Davis) didn't exactly have the best night either. It just wasn't conducive to kicking goals. Davis was the difference because he was able to kick 4 goals in 20 minutes. No one else on either team was able to have such an impact.

 

[thehoff]

we can get close to the Grand final with a full list but i doubt we would beat a full strength Saints with Gehrig, Hamill, kosi and Reeiwoltd all fit, my problems are that unless we change the forward mix we will be crying again in 12mnths, where r our goals coming from and Ottens has to be a major worry as he just can't get thru a season for the last 4-5 yrs, why will this change. WEhy will our forwards suddenly click

Hi buddy,

Gotta disagree with you mate. Geelong have the Backline to take on and defeat the St Kilda champions.

I gut feeling is and i know it's biased, but it will Be Geelongs, Saints or Eagles year next year.

Matchups:

Scarlett - G-Train. Scarlo will, as he always does makes sure the G-Train does not leave Geelong station with more than a couple goals.

Harley - rievolt: Always serviceble on the ugly Lama.

Egan - Kosi: Will blossom next year and is likely to become the cats 2nd best defender ahead of Tommy.

Mooney - Hamill: Battle of the hardmen.

Hunt - Milne: Never lets the little runt get ontop of him.

Through in Wojinski, D.Johnson, Milburn and co and good night St Kilda!

 

[Partridge]

we can get close to the Grand final with a full list but i doubt we would beat a full strength Saints with Gehrig, Hamill, kosi and Reeiwoltd all fit, my problems are that unless we change the forward mix we will be crying again in 12mnths, where r our goals coming from and Ottens has to be a major worry as he just can't get thru a season for the last 4-5 yrs, why will this change. WEhy will our forwards suddenly click

I am sick and tired of hearing of awesome St.Kilda allegedly are - when in their biggest game for the season this "brilliant" side rolled over and died without offering a whimper. I'll remind you - they conceded 8 goals to zero in little over a quarter after being 15 points up. After having a week off. At home in Melbourne. With apparently the best player ever in Riewoldt. With those renowned big game performers Milne and Guerra? With the greatest onballer ever in Luke Ball. And they still f*cking lost. Stop defending this scum, they are weak under sustained pressure and proved it spectacularly when it mattered.

By the way, for the final in Sydney we had Riccardi, Nathan Ablett, Ottens, Chapman, Wocjinski and Callan all injured. All senior players. There are probably others but I can't be bothered checking. Why isn't that mentioned as our ready made excuse like it is for St.Kilda? Answer - it is no excuse.

Perhaps next time we play we get special permission from St.Kilda first so we're allowed to approach these demigods and pay homage?