Nablett's biggest challenge yet

[SirRooke]

Geelong's attacking style has worked so far because of the difficulty of the opposition in matching up 3 big forwards and lately 2 forwards who were providing strong leading options.

Now that Mooney is out and Hawkins is back in (though form in the VFL was not good) Nathan has probably his biggest challenge yet.

He will be the main focus of the Saints defence and will need to fire for our midfield and defence to have the confidence to play the aggressive corridor football.

I think he is up to it, though his performance in the last few rounds has been serviceable and good without being inspiring. Will add extra interest to this game as if he stands and delivers Geelong might just be a legitimate contender after all and I might have to get off the fence. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[CF]

My only criticism on Nathan is that he needs to hold onto his marks. He spills far too many and it isn't always the fault of the ball delivery. We will miss Moons because the way he leads up the ground at CHF has much to do with our wins. But we still have Ottens to rotate through the forward line and having Chapman back really adds something. I am not so worried I think we can cover Mooney being out, but come finals time I really hope Mooney is fit and firing because we will really need him.

 

[rizzo]

Defiantly a game we need Nablett to stand up in. He will be our main forward this week. There is no doubt about his work ethic lately. Lets just hope they hit him on the chest and his kicking boots are on.

 

[dustyy]

Hi,
Could someone please tell me what is actually wrong with Cameron Mooney. Thanks Heaps.

 

[fugsy]

Hi,
Could someone please tell me what is actually wrong with Cameron Mooney. Thanks Heaps.

Ankle injury from last weeks game.

 

[thejester]

My only criticism on Nathan is that he needs to hold onto his marks. He spills far too many and it isn't always the fault of the ball delivery. We will miss Moons because the way he leads up the ground at CHF has much to do with our wins. But we still have Ottens to rotate through the forward line and having Chapman back really adds something. I am not so worried I think we can cover Mooney being out, but come finals time I really hope Mooney is fit and firing because we will really need him.

Frustrates the hell out of me. Last week and during the WC game he showed he can move his arms like grease lightning for a second bite, but by God he drops some easy ones.

 

[cats2rise]

We may play Milburn up forward for a run with Harley back. Dont yell at me, but it may happen. Thompson has done it at times.

Do not forget we have Chapman back also, he can kick a few. Expect Ottens to play forward for 90% of the game. Big night for Blake.

 

[CF]

I think Blake is up to it, The Saints aren't exactly blessed with great ruckmen and our midfielders are clearance winners anyway regardless of the rucking. Just remember the freo game for example

 

[sarah.13]

With Mooney,our best big forward out,there exists a fantastic opportunity for N.Ablett and Hawkins to shoulder the load as the key forwards.
They will be surrounded by the best little men in the business and will need to work hard to create crumbs for them.I don't see the need to change the ruck set up unless the forward line doesn't function. Ottens has been very damaging for us in the ruck,which is were it all starts,no need to change that.

 

[Stripey PJs]

We may play Milburn up forward for a run with Harley back.

If it came to that I'd experiment with Mackie first, he's capable of slipping under the opposition's guard. I'd prefer seeing Dasher backing up the defender who takes Revolt (especially if it's the slower-paced Egan) as he's more likely to spoil or crash the leading forward's space. Perhaps rotating Dasher and Chesty Bonds throughout the match is the way to go, momentarily disorienting the Aints. Could get a couple of goals out of it.

 

[ecleftic]

What about our leading goalkicker of last week?



Go CATS!!

 

[cat_fanatic]

If it came to that I'd experiment with Mackie first, he's capable of slipping under the opposition's guard. I'd prefer seeing Dasher backing up the defender who takes Revolt (especially if it's the slower-paced Egan) as he's more likely to spoil or crash the leading forward's space. Perhaps rotating Dasher and Chesty Bonds throughout the match is the way to go, momentarily disorienting the Aints. Could get a couple of goals out of it.

I would suggest Egan is as fast if not faster than Nick. Should hold him well when in the forward line like he did Pav, otherwise the MAX factor can run with him. It is Egan's Engine that lets him down more than his speed IMO.

 

[And_ROOS]

Chapman should be able to cover Mooneys goal tally this week so hopefully the Geelong locomotive should just continue as it has been.

 

[GeeCat]

^ The biggest loss that results in Mooney's absence isn't so much the goals he kicks (although that is, obviously, going to be missed), it's the less statistically obvious things.

Things like the structure of the forward line, which is functioning thrice as well as previous years, alot of it having to do with Mooney's role within. Taking the greater opponent, being the sacrificial decoy and space-creater for the other forwards to lead into (see Nathan and, when he's around, Hawkins). Alot of Nathan's improvement has come as a result of Mooney's sheer presence within the same fifty-metre arc. That the team is now going through Nathan alot more and succeeding is, arguably, only possible because of Cam and the space he creates, which allows for so many more goals than the 2-3 that come off his own boot. That sort of team play, and (I can now happily say) leadership up forward is invaluable.

 

[DanA]

I wouldn't be against Egan having a shot up forward. He has lloked alright on the rare occation it has been tried.

 

[Reg Hickey]

I would suggest Egan is as fast if not faster than Nick.

I would suggest you must be watching a different Matthew Egan than the one I see running around in the hoops each week.

 

[Partridge]

I wouldn't be against Egan having a shot up forward. He has lloked alright on the rare occation it has been tried.

Sorry I can't agree. Egan is now our number one centre half back. Along with Scarlett he's probably the last guy I'd contemplate moving forward. He's also the logical choice for Riewoldt.

Our tall forwards have to be N.Ablett and Hawkins (assuming that Mooney doesn't play). Even then I still would leave Ottens in the ruck. We've just got to bite the bullet and back the two young guys. Plenty of experience around them with Chapman, G.Ablett, Steve Johnson, Milburn perhaps. Time to step up boys.

Perhaps now the fans who were automatically chalking up a win might reconsider. This one's going to be very tough to win.

 

[SirRooke]

Perhaps now the fans who were automatically chalking up a win might reconsider. This one's going to be very tough to win.

Yep!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Sorry I can't agree. Egan is now our number one centre half back. Along with Scarlett he's probably the last guy I'd contemplate moving forward. He's also the logical choice for Riewoldt.

Our tall forwards have to be N.Ablett and Hawkins (assuming that Mooney doesn't play). Even then I still would leave Ottens in the ruck. We've just got to bite the bullet and back the two young guys. Plenty of experience around them with Chapman, G.Ablett, Steve Johnson, Milburn perhaps. Time to step up boys.

Perhaps now the fans who were automatically chalking up a win might reconsider. This one's going to be very tough to win.

Agree Partridge

You know the saying, 'if it aint broke don't fix it' Egan is our CHB now, which begs the question is there a permanant spot for Harley. Egan and Scarlett should have their names written in ink at CHB and FB on the team sheets.

This will be a tough one. We don't play well against 'flooding' sides (for lack of a better word) see Hawthorn, which is why the next two weeks are going to tell about us playing the Saints and Adelaide. I've been impressed with our form but a lot of the sides we have beaten have been bottom 8.

 

[Cattery]

Sorry I can't agree. Egan is now our number one centre half back. Along with Scarlett he's probably the last guy I'd contemplate moving forward. He's also the logical choice for Riewoldt.

Our tall forwards have to be N.Ablett and Hawkins (assuming that Mooney doesn't play). Even then I still would leave Ottens in the ruck. We've just got to bite the bullet and back the two young guys. Plenty of experience around them with Chapman, G.Ablett, Steve Johnson, Milburn perhaps. Time to step up boys.

Perhaps now the fans who were automatically chalking up a win might reconsider. This one's going to be very tough to win.

Agree 100%, leave Egan down back and Ottens mainly in the ruck with stints up forward, their ruck division looks a bit undermanned and I think we could exploit them there with Ottens and Blake in tandem.

Wouldn't mind seeing Harley given a crack at CHF if N Ablett and Hawkins need some support, I'd prefer that rather then meddling with our defence.