Michael Barlow

[rapidfire7]

Heard this guy ripped it up against the Bulldogs yesterday… Is anyone else surprised we didn’t go after him in the off season? Not quick, but could have really added some grunt to the midfield for a couple of years (especially with Caddy going out)… Would have been cheap as chips and was also a passionate Cats fan growing up. Thoughts?

 

[CatRiot]

Would have been good at the Cattery. However, Menegola would be at a similar level and is quicker and better engine; and GHS is probably not as good as Barlow but is probably the same pace, so if GHS is on the fringe, then this guy might be as well. But you're right, with Caddy gone, he might have been good depth and probably putting more pressure on the midfield spots. It will be interesting to see if Lang and Cockatoo can go another level this year, as we need them to, and we also need a fit Scooter.

 

[Bobby_]

No thanks.
We have finally just got rid of a lot of older blokes who were hanging onto dear life and taking games away from guys in the VFL doing enough to earn a spot.
Understand Barlow is a star and will go down as one of the top 10 rookie selections of modern times but he's only got another year or two before he declines.

We can hopefully pump games into Lang, GHS or Cocky as we aren't going to be winning a premiership in the next couple of years even if it was Geelong who had picked up Barlow during the trade period.

 

[dazbroncos]

Lang, Cocky, Scooter, Menegola, GHS, Duncan, Mots, Blitz, Cowan

and im sure there's one ive missed.

With all that contracted as player that will see MF time, im not sure there was space for him.


Could he have been a value add? Possibly. I guess you can never have too many. Given his age, and the talk of adding youth here, not sure bringing in a 30+ player would have been well received - especially after Jimmeh got the shoe.

GO Catters

 

[rapidfire7]

Won't turn 30 until December, and would take him in a heart beat over GHS and Cowan regardless of his age

 

[cynical]

He is old and slow, good get for a young team but not an already slow team like us.

We dont need inside mids anyway.

Good pickup for the GC.

 

[you pick one]

If there was anything left in him he'd be at Hawthorn.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Lang, Cocky, Scooter, Menegola, GHS, Duncan, Mots, Blitz, Cowan

and im sure there's one ive missed.

With all that contracted as player that will see MF time, im not sure there was space for him.


Could he have been a value add? Possibly. I guess you can never have too many. Given his age, and the talk of adding youth here, not sure bringing in a 30+ player would have been well received - especially after Jimmeh got the shoe.

GO Catters

No GHS,Cowan or Lang thanks steak knives at best . Not premiership material

 

[ChookNorris]

Just gets a lot a cheap handball. Cant kick over a jam tin. Ross Lyon notoriously refused to blood kids, imagine what barlow must be like to have gotten the chop for youth.

 

[rapidfire7]

We can hopefully pump games into Lang, GHS or Cocky as we aren't going to be winning a premiership in the next couple of years even if it was Geelong who had picked up Barlow during the trade period.

I think that's a bit pessimistic... Finished second last year after H&W, only team who the premiers could not defeat and only one step away from a grand final (although admittedly it felt like a few such was the magnitude of the loss). Still, we will be a definite top 8 and probable top 4 side in 2017 IMO, and from there anything can happen... I just think Barlow (for this season at least) would have been in our top 3-4 mids and definitely added something.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Would have been good at the Cattery. However, Menegola would be at a similar level and is quicker and better engine; and GHS is probably not as good as Barlow but is probably the same pace, so if GHS is on the fringe, then this guy might be as well. But you're right, with Caddy gone, he might have been good depth and probably putting more pressure on the midfield spots. It will be interesting to see if Lang and Cockatoo can go another level this year, as we need them to, and we also need a fit Scooter.

Lol, c'mon now.

 

[Bobby_]

and only one step away from a grand final

We were very close to going out in straight sets as well given how much better the Bulldogs got from week to week.

and probable top 4 side in 2017 IMO

Not a chance!
We were fortunate to have slipped inside last year as we had to wait until the final round of the season to ensure we did finish top four.

 

[rapidfire7]

Not a chance!
We were fortunate to have slipped inside last year as we had to wait until the final round of the season to ensure we did finish top four.

No chance at all for top 4? Who are all the teams which are going to overtake us exactly?

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

We were very close to going out in straight sets as well given how much better the Bulldogs got from week to week.
We were fortunate to have slipped inside last year as we had to wait until the final round of the season to ensure we did finish top four.

You don't need to re-write history to strengthen your point. Not many will rate us as a top 4 prospect for 2017 anyway.

 

[Bobby_]

Not many will rate us as a top 4 prospect for 2017 anyway.

Nope, I agree.
Was replying to a post above is all.

 

[Boxhead_31]

I don't think our salary cap position would have allowed it.

 

[rapidfire7]

I don't think our salary cap position would have allowed it.

As he was delisted and desperate for a second chance, he would have likely played for peanuts... Part of the reason why I think we should have gone for him as it wouldn't have broke the bank.

 

[Seeds]

Barlow is 6 months younger than deledio and everyone was telling us deledio had 3-5 years left.

 

[Ray Donovan]

Lang, Cocky, Scooter, Menegola, GHS, Duncan, Mots, Blitz, Cowan

and im sure there's one ive missed.

With all that contracted as player that will see MF time, im not sure there was space for him.


Could he have been a value add? Possibly. I guess you can never have too many. Given his age, and the talk of adding youth here, not sure bringing in a 30+ player would have been well received - especially after Jimmeh got the shoe.

GO Catters

Both injury prone if we had cash it goes to deliedio

 

[Ray Donovan]

As he was delisted and desperate for a second chance, he would have likely played for peanuts... Part of the reason why I think we should have gone for him as it wouldn't have broke the bank.

He would of got more cash with gold coast and better opportunities with them also I heard we were interested but didn't the the resources to pull him in

 

[Ray Donovan]

No chance at all for top 4? Who are all the teams which are going to overtake us exactly?

We are a chance but assuming a 3rd place finish last season. WB, GWS, SYD all rate highly. Adelaide and west coast are right in the mix.

And a smokie with a good draw usually pops up as well but the above along with us are the genuine chances so its red hot as I think 3 teams will be fighting hard with hawthorn for top 4 this season looks even more competitive than last if your in the middle of the 8.

 

[Ray Donovan]

I think that's a bit pessimistic... Finished second last year after H&W, only team who the premiers could not defeat and only one step away from a grand final (although admittedly it felt like a few such was the magnitude of the loss). Still, we will be a definite top 8 and probable top 4 side in 2017 IMO, and from there anything can happen... I just think Barlow (for this season at least) would have been in our top 3-4 mids and definitely added something.

Both questionable lock for top 8 and probable top 4 nothing is guaranteed in our position. We need solid football to start the year if not with the even nature of the comp and development underneath a few injuries anything can happen. Up or down do I need to remind you of fremantle 2015 minor premiers to bottom 4

 

[Larry Donohue]

GWS by a streak
Sydney
Bulldogs
West Coast
Geelong
Hawks
Adelaide
Saints make top 8 in my view.
Barlow may have been handy but hoping duncan and motlop come back to what we know they can with S.Selwood and Menegola also supporting dangerwood and guthrie. Not a bad midfield if playing rotation to fwd line well