Mitch Clark

[GHS33]

I'm a bit with you there but if you play that combo with Smith and Stanley you probably can't have those three plus a resting ruck on the ground - rucks have to alternate off the bench otherwise we lose our forward pressure - one of our greatest strengths.

The dilemma is whether you play Clark as a true CHF with the 2 rucks or do you play him as a second ruck resting forward? If you go that way is he better than Smith or Stanley in that role ? Do you need a true CHF on the G to win a flag? Probably not if you look at the Hawks
Maybe the current small lineup is the way to go?
One concern I have is Clarks durability - so much running needed these days , hope the calf can hold up from all that repetitive running
Good problem to have I guess - time for the MC to earn their money

That's a bit naive. We haven't been sacrificing any forward pressure resting Smith or Stanley up forward this year.

 

[Willo_]

Proof that Clark is being held back not because of any fitness concerns but just vanilla, run-of-the-mill conservatism:

"It was really tempting to bring him in because he played a couple of really good games at VFL level," Scott said on Thursday. "We know from the numbers that he's fitter than he has ever been in his time at Geelong, so that gives us great confidence that post the bye he'll be ready to contribute. But even then there is no great rush."

I found interesting that the players didn't 100% buy into the Clark not a chance till after the bye talk...

The sponsor of big Rhys was having a chat to us yesterday and said he asked Rhys if Mitch was playing this weekend in the 1s... to which Rhys said he wasn't sure and maybe

I got the impression from this bloke that Stanley wasn't 100% sure of his spot in the side at this stage

 

[Daniel McL]

Sliding Doors this week:

If - We look ahead to the week after the Cats' bye...

Then - We see Mitch Clark back in the seniors. And if it's not that week, it'll be the one after. Extraordinary comeback in the making.

 

[dazbroncos]

If he can make it thru the next 12 weeks or so, starting the Swans game, the Mr September crown that Otto holds might have a contender.

Man, LONG way to go to get to that point but still even to get games from him at this point is an achievement.

Go Catters

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

That's a bit naive. We haven't been sacrificing any forward pressure resting Smith or Stanley up forward this year.

The point I was trying to make GHS33 was the effect of having Hawk , Clark and one of Smith/Stanley in the forwardline at the same time. If you want to play all of them you either accept this or constantly rotate the rucks from the bench or backline ( out of the question)
In essence we have been playing with a maximum of 2 talls forward ( Hawk plus Smith or Stanley) , sometimes with only one.
Whatever we do we will be very careful not to lessen the forward pressure which is one of our key strengths , don't think it's naïve to raise that

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

I got the impression from this bloke that Stanley wasn't 100% sure of his spot in the side at this stage

He simply hasn't be playing good enough football to be confident he won't be replaced.

I'd prefer to see him dropped for Clark after the bye (pending his AFL performance this week).

 

[Jon Douglas]

If Mitch Clark can stay healthy and get some more game fitness - he could be a significant inclusion for us coming up to finals. If we can get him playing seniors I just hope that Hawkins and Clark can learn to compliment each other and not compete with each other. That may take some time to work out but I am confident if they can then we could have a very powerful forward line.

I am a fan also of Scooter but it seems unknown if he will be able to come back in time and break into the senior team - and I think that Cockatoo is more likely to impact a big game than Murdoch. So he might come back into the team as well. If we can get Danger, Motlop and Cocky to run with the ball as often as possible - it could have very productive results.

Teams that can break lines and then run with the ball will often lead to forward entries - especially when the forward 50 is not so crowded with defenders. That is why these type of players (if they can kick well) are dynamite these days. The way to beat the structures the opposition puts in your way is somehow get over them or around them. Having the ability to break a tackle, get free and then run with the ball is great asset.

Clark, Cockatoo and Scooter could possibly make our team stronger than it has been. Bigger, faster and harder. Could be players that help us just go to a slightly higher level - and that is enough to win big finals. I watched and listened Clark last week and he seems balanced and knows that he is still a fair bit away from a senior appearance. But it was clear he was playing and marking well at VFL level - and he felt committed to the club for its commitment to him.

I think after so many long (long, long) term injuries we are starting to get the results of our support to these very unfortunate players. I thought Cowan was equally as good as Clark in the VFL last week so he is another that may show something for us.

Menzel, Lonergan, McCarthy, Vardy, Clark and Cowan have been players we have backed for many seasons without much return but we are finally seeing the results of that backing. I reckon McCarthy looks good in a short career, Menzel is a potential star, Lonergan has been an important element to our success over a number of seasons, Vardy could be a player - and even maybe Cowan. And soon we will know if Mitch can add to an already pretty powerful outfit in the nearish future.

Perhaps the awful run with LTIs maybe coming to a close. I hope so.

 

[Partridge]

Menzel, Lonergan, McCarthy, Vardy, Clark and Cowan have been players we have backed for many seasons without much return but we are finally seeing the results of that backing. I reckon McCarthy looks good in a short career, Menzel is a potential star, Lonergan has been an important element to our success over a number of seasons, Vardy could be a player - and even maybe Cowan. And soon we will know if Mitch can add to an already pretty powerful outfit in the nearish future.

Perhaps the awful run with LTIs maybe coming to a close. I hope so.

Lonergan? He's been a fixture in the senior side for the last seven seasons.

 

[David the Cat]

Lonergan? He's been a fixture in the senior side for the last seven seasons.

Yes...I would have thought we got a pretty good return from Domsy.

 

[Hot Tin Roof]

 

[Max Milburn]

View attachment 544351

Sometimes there is a happy ending.

 

[candiehappy]

Sometimes there is a happy ending.

I am SO trying to resist making the obvious comment ...........

 

[Hot Tin Roof]

Sometimes there is a happy ending.

Perhaps the first MC to kick that goal... without wearing a Thai

 

[FoolCat]

Perhaps the first MC to kick that goal... without wearing a Thai

haven't seen you around much Hot tin Roof, hope all is well. wAS bigfooty too overwhelming haha

 

[Hot Tin Roof]

haven't seen you around much Hot tin Roof, hope all is well. wAS bigfooty too overwhelming haha

Thanks!... all is well. Still 'try' to read BF threads, yet don't often participate. I wouldn't say "overwhelming", but too often hijacked discussion and petty chest-beating by the 'usual-repetitive-suspects' make reading the Geelong board a chore. Those here for football would understand. Nothing wrong with the full-barrel craziness of Bay 13, but our own board could do with a rejig - Hope all is well at your end.

 

[Mahlepi]

Geelong traded pretty much the same pick level we got for caddy

 

[Landgraft]

Geelong traded pretty much the same pick level we got for caddy

We never had or were getting a pick, so it's really quite hard to say.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Thanks!... all is well. Still 'try' to read BF threads, yet don't often participate. I wouldn't say "overwhelming", but too often hijacked discussion and petty chest-beating by the 'usual-repetitive-suspects' make reading the Geelong board a chore. Those here for football would understand. Nothing wrong with the full-barrel craziness of Bay 13, but our own board could do with a rejig - Hope all is well at your end.

Yeah same here, there is a clique of posters on this board that really drown out reasonable discussion unless that discussion comes from within the clique. Really obnoxious and toxic.