Our Premiership Window

[Copernicus]

Moons reckons this could be our last chance for a while:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...t-cameron-mooney/story-e6frf9jf-1225828935821

For me it depends who sticks around at the end of the year, and who starts to get worn down and starts losing it. I can see blokes like Milburn and Scarlett either giving it away or at least starting to decline. But if we can keep the majority of our group together, I can see us challenging next year as well, especially if some of the kids like Laidler, Hogan, Gillies and especially Hawkins can continue to improve.

 

[Grizzly_82]

really depends on Drum and the other kids like Vardy and the other recruits. You never know we could also recruit a gun in a few years time. I don';t think it'll be a massive slide after this year, plus sellwood is going to be a club champ for the next 10 years.

all in all I don't think it's all doom and gloom, but I agree with Moon this might be the last year we get to have a decent crack and the cup

 

[witsend]

Didn't Moons say something similar last year?

 

[manboob]

One thing, history shows it's a likely probability. Most clubs struggle to keep going after 3 or 4 years of sustained excellence. In a strange way it probably takes some pressure off of the club with Mooney coming out and saying it's our "last year". Rather him, than some twat in the media going all "ooohh pressure on Geelong, last year oooohh". FYI I don't buy it for a second.

 

[nohairandfair]

It might be the "last chance" for Mooney... he really was uninspiring at the business end of last year. The club should still have a few years of high calibre football left given the average age of the engine room.

The Moondog is a loose cannon at times and also took it upon himself to state publicly that all his teammates will support Gazza if he moves to the Gold Coast.

Don't think the GFC administration will be too happy with his comments.

 

[KevinCat07]

I have thought for a while that after the glory of 2010, it's going to be downhill from here, for these days it's rare to win 3 flags in such a short timeframe.

It's funny how older the team feels after just 3 years, however much of the group have been together for almost a decade, so this could be the last hurrah as an elite contender.

Let's enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[year of the cat]

I have thought for a while that after the glory of 2010, it's going to be downhill from here, for these days it's rare to win 3 flags in such a short timeframe.

It's funny how older the team feels after just 3 years, however much of the group have been together for almost a decade, so this could be the last hurrah as an elite contender.

Let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Got 2010 in the bag already?!!

 

[catters078]

He was interviewed on the Monday prior to the GF and said "this was probably our last shot at it"...

Just a little jab at the boys to get some motivation for the season..

Whether it is or not noone really cares, i think its just a message to the league the cats wont be suffering from any "hunger" issues this year..

 

[bingle]

Didn't Moons say something similar last year?

exactly what i thought as well. Seems like a strange thing to say really and i think maybe a bit disrespectful to the core group of mids that are still in their mid twenties. Almost suggesting that with out the likes of himself, Dash and Otto we'd be no chance. hope im wrong.

Personally i think the "Premiership window" theory is a crock of $h!+. I heard Hawthorn weren't even in their "premiership window" in 2008, they were coming up to it.
It seems to be it is used as a marketing tool by club officials and another one of those useless ideas the media ramble on about. How many at Geelong believed they were in their "window" at the start of the 07 season?

 

[hamG]

Our window closed in early August last year didn't it?

Will never live that article down Dennis.

 

[bingle]

Our window closed in early August last year didn't it?



Will never live that article down Dennis.

lol. classic

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Our window closed in early August last year didn't it?

Will never live that article down Dennis.

LOL!

As for Moons' comments though, he's really just talking history, in that if we want another flag in the next 5-10 years, 2010's our best shot. We'll still be competitive (i.e. around the 8) after that, but to do it before we get hit by retirements/players leaving is imperative.

 

[Barabbas]

I thought he meant that it was the last chance for some of the veterans.

 

[pinion]

i think we're in a lot better shape than brisbane was in 2004 when they made their fourth straight grand final.

the next few years will depend on what happens with the new teams. if they poach ablett or selwood then the window is slammed shut, if we happen to keep those two and they poach key players from hawthorn, the bulldogs, the crows or any other teams that are there abouts at the moment then there's a glimmer of hope that we might be able to pinch another one around 2011-2013.

right now though i think our best 22, when fully fit, is still head and shoulders above every other team

 

[theCATSfromHELL]

Got 2010 in the bag already?!!

Yep.

Easily.

 

[nowhereneargeelong]

Why read so much into what was simply a passing comment to the media from a guy who has little interest in the media?

6 weeks to go folks, then we can discuss actual football.

 

[Big Fozza]

Why read so much into what was simply a passing comment to the media from a guy who has little interest in the media?

6 weeks to go folks, then we can discuss actual football.

because we are footy obsessed passionate (bordering maniac) supporters AND we have nothing better to do till next weekend when we thump north. or is that just me ?

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Our window closed in early August last year didn't it?

Will never live that article down Dennis.

To be fair, he wasn't Robinson Crusoe in reading Geelong their last rites, as they 'slumped' to an 18-4 finish. Plenty of people on this board felt exactly the same way and media commentators (Leigh Matthews and Robert Walls are the ones I remember most vividly) were falling over themselves to proclaim Geelong as another Essendon 1999-2001 failed dynasty after yet another ugly win. Meanwhile, everyone loved Collingwood as a premiership chance, and then we saw the two teams lined up opposite each other during the anthem before the start of the PF and realised the Pies didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. The definition of men against boys.

I hope we've learned that 20 wins is nice, but it's all about those three games in September. I believe with the finals experience we've got over the past three years (far and away the most in the comp), we just need to concentrate on making the top four (and hopefully a Melbourne final in the first week) and we'll be just fine. An away loss to an above average interstate side in late July doesn't necessarily mean we need to start stockpiling the canned goods.

As for the window, well I'd say 2-3 years, but if the promising youngsters step up, we might never truly bottom out over the next 6-8 years. We need to give the kids some opportunities to show what they can do this year.

 

[Big Fozza]

To be fair, he wasn't Robinson Crusoe in reading Geelong their last rites, as they 'slumped' to an 18-4 finish. Plenty of people on this board felt exactly the same way.

-1


side note; i'm 2 sips away from putting 2 watermelons on us to go back to back.... sportsbet has got 4.25. after moons last comments re ''last chance" i like it !

 

[Tristagi]

I think the club has changed it approach to winning flags and keeping the window open.

Reading "The Mission 2" some of the things that coaching staff said, things like managing players, resting between round 12-16 and the old 'peaking before finals' makes me think that Cook's idea of 'the window' staying open till 2013 is possible.

If Ablett stays by 2013 our midfield will still have Hogan/Bartel/Selwood/Ablett/Kelly/Varcoe and any new players running through it under the age of 30. Key Back line of Mackie/Taylor/Drum/Gillies about 26ish, and forward line of Lonergan/Hawkins/Gamble/Johnson about 26ish and still all very capable.

We have a good history of drafting well, so like said before as long as blokes like Vardy, Simpson, Duncan, Varcoe, Motlop, Hogan and future draftees can preform and we keep the mantra of 'everyone doing a job' we will be there and thereabouts for years to come.

And should Ablett leave at the end of this season and we get 'fair compensation' we will have either two top picks in the draft or two/three of the better kids on the GC list which will top us up again.

 

[Vegas.]

And should Ablett leave at the end of this season and we get 'fair compensation' we will have either two top picks in the draft or two/three of the better kids on the GC list which will top us up again.

Rest of your post is spot on, but this is incorrect. We will receive a pick after our first rounder. Just the one pick.

 

[Tristagi]

Rest of your post is spot on, but this is incorrect. We will receive a pick after our first rounder. Just the one pick.

lulwat? and that is what the AFL are deeming fair compensation?

F*CK ME! If thats all we get, I'm gone.. A-League/NRL/Super 15's/WNBL/NBL/Lawn Bowls/Darts here I come..

 

[Vegas.]

lulwat? and that is what the AFL are deeming fair compensation?

F*CK ME! If thats all we get, I'm gone.. A-League/NRL/Super 15's/WNBL/NBL/Lawn Bowls/Darts here I come..

Yeah, that's the biggest kick in the balls if Ablett does decide to leave, we essentially get nothing (barring a little Wells magic) in return.

 

[manboob]

If Ablett is going to leave he should at least sign a new one year contract for $1 and make the GC deal with us for him. Agreed with everything Tristagi said except Lonergan staying, honestly he is not up to the task.

 

[witsend]

lulwat? and that is what the AFL are deeming fair compensation?

F*CK ME! If thats all we get, I'm gone.. A-League/NRL/Super 15's/WNBL/NBL/Lawn Bowls/Darts here I come..

yep and if we win the flag, the one pick is in the 20s....