Motivation

[_Me_]

I sit back and am amazed at the media, and the behaviour of supporters. The next three weeks are meaningless, what is of value is how the boys are prepared for the finals campaign. The players are carrying some injuries, and know what to expect. They are in auto pilot mode at the moment. They know they will play finals, do they need to bust a gut - no. They want to make sure they are there come finals.

We expect them to perform at 150% week in week out. The players turned it on, and then were pretty blase for most of the game. The players have been up for 4 years now.

The coach is experimenting, and players are carrying injuries.

The training loads could be higher which would explain their efforts in the game.

The best thing for Geelong would be for everyone to write Geelong off over the next two weeks, for us to come out and win well in the first final. Collingwood will have so much pressure going into every final, that some will get cocky. We will be able to do our thing, without undue pressure.

Don't be surprised with losses over the next three weeks. Look for players to be rested (Ling, Bartel, Pods, Chapman, Scarlett). Rooke will play, they will time him to perfection much like they did with Ottens.

Have the faith, and let the cocky mob have their say. Thompson is a gun coach, who backs himself and his team. Mick will have so much pressure.

Go Cats.


this year will be very nice

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I sit back and am amazed at the media, and the behaviour of supporters.

A lot of them have armchair coach syndrome. Especially some nervous nellie type supporters.

Its easy to get. I remember I coached an U14 b/ball team years ago. I got too busy and handed the reins over when they hit U16s. Anyhow, I'm sitting in the stands next one of the parents for the first time as a spectator and I'm saying this, and saying that, and commenting on every move. And my friend sitting next to me leaned over and said "Reg, isn't it great that you can just sit and watch the game and enjoy it now."...yes, yes, I got the hint!

 

[Partridge]

Don't be surprised with losses over the next three weeks. Look for players to be rested (Ling, Bartel, Pods, Chapman, Scarlett). Rooke will play, they will time him to perfection much like they did with Ottens.

Have the faith, and let the cocky mob have their say. Thompson is a gun coach, who backs himself and his team. Mick will have so much pressure.

I'm not so sure. He's played one game this season, and that was 15 rounds ago. There's no way he could be as fit as the other players available. As much as we all love him, I don't know if they'd take the risk.

 

[Reverse Banana]

I'm not so sure. He's played one game this season, and that was 15 rounds ago. There's no way he could be as fit as the other players available. As much as we all love him, I don't know if they'd take the risk.

They'll take the risk all right. That's why they sent him to the States. They played Jonno last year in the pre-lim after a good month on the sidelines. He wont be as fit as others, but he can do things others can't. Unless he breaks down, he'll play seniors in round 22 I reckon.

 

[Copernicus]

They'll take the risk all right. That's why they sent him to the States. They played Jonno last year in the pre-lim after a good month on the sidelines. He wont be as fit as others, but he can do things others can't. Unless he breaks down, he'll play seniors in round 22 I reckon.

Yeah, I think you are right, but let's not forget the debacle of the Carlton game. The match selection people will want to be really sure he is ready to go or he will be a liability on the field, no matter how much of an inspiration the bloke is.

At the moment, I am taking it pretty easy. This team knows September like the back of its hand. It is more than possible that teams have gone past us, but none have the finals experience that we have, and that will play a pretty big part in how we go. Other teams will be a bit nervy to come against a fit Geelong 22 in September, even if our lead up is not perfect.

 

[James1970]

Yeah, I think you are right, but let's not forget the debacle of the Carlton game. The match selection people will want to be really sure he is ready to go or he will be a liability on the field, no matter how much of an inspiration the bloke is.

At the moment, I am taking it pretty easy. This team knows September like the back of its hand. It is more than possible that teams have gone past us, but none have the finals experience that we have, and that will play a pretty big part in how we go. Other teams will be a bit nervy to come against a fit Geelong 22 in September, even if our lead up is not perfect.

True - but the Saints, Pies and Dogs all have more experience than last year. They'll all be in the same boat as the Cats, trying to time their own race over the next few weeks for that first weekend of finals. It'll be tougher this year than last. We can do it, but we'll need some luck with injuries and fitness.

 

[Vdubs]

True - but the Saints, Pies and Dogs all have more experience than last year. They'll all be in the same boat as the Cats, trying to time their own race over the next few weeks for that first weekend of finals. It'll be tougher this year than last. We can do it, but we'll need some luck with injuries and fitness.

Exactly, and playing Max would be giving the opposition a start, gun that he is, he did ZILCH against Blues, was embarrassing really for his standards, and it would be negligent to play him on the basis of his zero preparation. Look no further than Stokes and Chappy in 08 GF. Sure Dog played in 09 GF off huge interruptions, but at least he had played some exquisite footy during the season. Max has done nothing. And that's added to by the fact that we'll be carrying OTTENS, COREY , HAWKINS and LINGY, who are all injured or off.

How many of us still bemoan the fact that if only we'd played Byrnes, or Wojo or Gamble in 08 rather than Stokes/Chappy, the result would have been different. The Saints, Pies and Dogs are at least our equals this year. We can not afford to carry players based on previous deeds. Even playing a Taylor Hunt would have merit given he is fit , unpredictable for the opposition and fast.

 

[Reverse Banana]

Exactly, and playing Max would be giving the opposition a start, gun that he is, he did ZILCH against Blues, was embarrassing really for his standards, and it would be negligent to play him on the basis of his zero preparation. Look no further than Stokes and Chappy in 08 GF. Sure Dog played in 09 GF off huge interruptions, but at least he had played some exquisite footy during the season. Max has done nothing. And that's added to by the fact that we'll be carrying OTTENS, COREY , HAWKINS and LINGY, who are all injured or off.

How many of us still bemoan the fact that if only we'd played Byrnes, or Wojo or Gamble in 08 rather than Stokes/Chappy, the result would have been different. The Saints, Pies and Dogs are at least our equals this year. We can not afford to carry players based on previous deeds. Even playing a Taylor Hunt would have merit given he is fit , unpredictable for the opposition and fast.

Yep I hear all that and agree. I don;t want a slow and hobbling Rooke running around the MCG in September either. But I reckon the coaches are desperate to get him back and will give him every chance. I reckon in the Carton game not only had he had no prep, but his knee was shot. If his knee's fine and he can get some fitness up I reckon they'll be trying him out round 22 for sure.

As for Hawkins, he wont be playing in September in the state that he was on Saturday. Same with Corey. We're still 3 weeks out from finals and they're trying to get some game time under these guys belts so that hopefully they'll be right when we hit September. And if they don;t make it fitness wise, they'll make the calls they need to.

Can;t see the Cats taking in a bag of underdone and unfit players in September ever again. Or at least I hope so.

Otto should be in good enough shape given another 3 games. Not sure about Lingy or what's wrong with him.

But yeah, if these guys aren't up for it, bring in a Taylor Hunt for sure.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

it's not much different to last year - multiple players carrying/coming back from injury, teams breathing down our necks, media jumping off us - I'm not going to pronounce that we're going to win the flag, but it is very familiar territory for the players and coaches to have to overcome the current situation. One thing is for certain though - 2011 we will be brought riiiiiiiiiight back into the pack, since we're now 5 losses (most since '06) and the H&A season is still going. Slowly but surely, we're being "worked out".

 

[Reverse Banana]

The big difference between this year and last is that we were coming off a GF loss and the boys were spewing about it. They seemed to be as much motivated by the pain of it all as much as the glory of trying to win the thing.

The question to be answered is have they got the burning desire/motivation/anger/whatever that thing is that drives them to turn it around again and win it.

 

[crunchola]

The big difference between this year and last is that we were coming off a GF loss and the boys were spewing about it. They seemed to be as much motivated by the pain of it all as much as the glory of trying to win the thing.

The question to be answered is have they got the burning desire/motivation/anger/whatever that thing is that drives them to turn it around again and win it.

agree, and for exactly that reason, doubt we can beat any 1 of pies, saints or dogs in september. we might win 1 against a bottom 4 top 8 but not those others, just a hunch looking at form, injuries, age and the others are beating us easily, not just, but very easily

 

[BlueNWhite]

agree, and for exactly that reason, doubt we can beat any 1 of pies, saints or dogs in september. we might win 1 against a bottom 4 top 8 but not those others, just a hunch looking at form, injuries, age and the others are beating us easily, not just, but very easily

The pessimism displayed in this post, and echoed by others of little faith, makes me absolutely sick as a Cats fan. This team has delivered a fantastic run over the last 3 final series (despite 08) and will be up and primed for a huge month of action in September.

We were down this time last year too. And to question our ability to beat the Pies,Dogs and Saints - absolute bollocks. We've pantsed all of them repeatedly over the last 3 years in September, despite 'how far they've caught up to us' this year. Don't discount how much other teams fear facing us in a final, despite our current form 'slump'. The Cats have got the runs on the board, and showed us just last year their ability to keep their powder dry until the finals. Bomber has refused to show the opposition our 'A' game/lineup for the last 10 weeks in preparation for the big games ahead...

Have some faith, throw your support behind the boys and get off their backs - premierships are not won in August!

 

[BlueNWhite]

agree, and for exactly that reason, doubt we can beat any 1 of pies, saints or dogs in september. we might win 1 against a bottom 4 top 8 but not those others, just a hunch looking at form, injuries, age and the others are beating us easily, not just, but very easily

Yeah... might've jumped the gun on the doubting a champion team a bit early Crunchy.

 

[Micksy]

Yeah... might've jumped the gun on the doubting a champion team a bit early Crunchy.

If ya basing that off tinights game, remember the Dogs had a flu going around. Doubt they'll be that easy to beat in 4 or 5 weeks time.

 

[BlueNWhite]

Doubt they'll be that easy to beat in 4 or 5 weeks time.

Uhhh...neither will we?

At the end of the day, flu or no flu, it's a 101 point spanking of a top 4 side... I'm throwing my chips into the 'optimistic' pile, rather than the doom and gloom BS that's been flying around in here