Universal Love Not quite there yet...

[Partridge]

Mitch Brown - unless something changes a good VFL player. The only way forward is for him to learn to run like a mid. I see Blitz taking his role in the backline , and when that happens he becomes a good looking , well polished wrong size boot . He looks good but where is he going to fit.

Beg to disagree. Brown doesn't need to learn a new position, he just needs to transfer outstanding VFL form to the seniors. We need a young key defender coming through, and unlike Blicavs he actually has some clue about how to play there. Based on the thankfully brief moments Blicavs has spent in the backline, I don't want him anywhere near there until he's actually demonstrated some aptitude for the position. Say by doing it in the VFL first, like Mitch Brown has.

Josh Cowan - I rate hm. If he had a body that could stay fit , he would be best 22 now. But does he. Like several on our list , has failed to be a 22 game a year player.Thats crux of it. Talent and skill mean nothing on crutches. He either must stay fit or he will be moved on.

Very interesting one. The club obviously really rate him, he's got terrific speed and energy, just whether his body can give him a chance (bit like Simpson, Vardy and Brown I guess).

George Burbury - Under rated by many . Has the talent/skill set to become a very handy AFL player. He has shown he can play FP, must now develop the tank to run in the middle. If he can could be a hard player to match up on.

Not in the seniors he hasn't. He's shown a bit at times, but only in the VFL. He's got to improve a hell of a lot to press for selection. Be great if he gets chances, but like everyone else he needs a good deal of improvement.

 

[Claude Balls]

Was just having a look for Cowan's 55 metre goal off a step - and I found it - but what a brilliant highlights package this is of ALL our talent! (Cowan's goal is right at the end)

Take this down before Meto sees it

 

[Partridge]

I saw Cowan at Princes Park in a NAB cup game very early in his time at Catland. It was a full length game which saw Geelong come from a long way back to win. Cowan was in the revival up to his eyeballs against Carlton's best mids e.g Scotland, Murphy, Gibbs, Carazzo etc (no Judd). I left convinced we had real goer. A gut runner who could win own ball but who also made excellent position to receive the ball after the contest and link.
He hasn't had the time on the park to convince me that that impression was wrong ......... or right. But you have to back what you saw.

If it's the game I'm thinking of, it was pre-season 2011 and Varcoe played the best game I've ever seen from him.

 

[catswhiskers]

If it's the game I'm thinking of, it was pre-season 2011 and Varcoe played the best game I've ever seen from him.

Can't say i remember Varcoe. I do remember getting my first glimpse of Vardy who came on late in the game with a nice cameo. Brown was also handy up forward playing the Nick Reiwoldt hard running game.

Cowan was the one I was gobbing off about though. Fingers crossed 2014 is his year.

 

[The rabbi]

Not if we draft a defender.

Then Hamling will be footloose and fancy free.

Or he may end up as a third tall similar to Andrew Mackie's role. But I cannot see him ever being physically up to being a KPD.

 

[speedybundy]

I saw Cowan at Princes Park in a NAB cup game very early in his time at Catland. It was a full length game which saw Geelong come from a long way back to win. Cowan was in the revival up to his eyeballs against Carlton's best mids e.g Scotland, Murphy, Gibbs, Carazzo etc (no Judd). I left convinced we had real goer. A gut runner who could win own ball but who also made excellent position to receive the ball after the contest and link.
He hasn't had the time on the park to convince me that that impression was wrong ......... or right. But you have to back what you saw.

I have seen Shroder a few times only. Just (for mine anyway) he lacks a point of difference. Doesn't seem to hurt the opposition by weight of possessions , or kicking, or vision or running.


Horlin Smith I saw live at the SCG last year. Was very good. In other games on the telly (which is always in close) you can tell he has 360 degree vision,and the strength, to get the ball out of congestion to the best option. A pure inside mid.

Cowan v GHS ? GHS can get on the park so he gets first dibs on Corey's spot. Cowan has to put 4 or 5 good games together in the VFL before he gets a crack. If Cowan stays fit both he and GHS will stay and force out Shroder / Stringer /Sheringham / Burbury etc

GHS wasn't in the list above - I expect him to be best 22 in the years ahead.

I was at that game to, Cowan was our best on ground by a mile. Carlton fans were filthy that day, I reckon that was 2011?

 

[Beanstalk]

I was at that game to, Cowan was our best on ground by a mile. Carlton fans were filthy that day, I reckon that was 2011?

I'm getting more and more excited about Cowan...

 

[Pivo]

Or he may end up as a third tall similar to Andrew Mackie's role. But I cannot see him ever being physically up to being a KPD.

You may very well be right (Eardley is firmly in my mind) but he looks a more natural forward.

Then again, I think Brown is a natural forward as well.

 

[The rabbi]

You may very well be right (Eardley is firmly in my mind) but he looks a more natural forward.

I agree and I have stated it numerous times.

Then again, I think Brown is a natural forward as well.

And I agree also. But I think that some of his long kicking out of defense is very good. I have seen him hit 50 meter targets with a long kick on a number of occasions.

 

[Willo_]

I'm looking forward to seeing McCarthy the most.. obviously is highly rated given they gave him a debut against in 2012 when he wasn't 100% fit (apparently)
Hopefully is ready to go from his foot at the start of pre-season.. and can really give it a crack.

I know The rabbi really rates him so will be following with interest