Strategy Positional changes for 2015

[ChookNorris]

Yep fair comment. Hocking may be pretty blunt and honest, which would be great. Plus of course he might actually know what goes on at the club, unlike his predecessor. I lost track of how many times Balme would answer a question about an injury with 'I don't know, I haven't talked to the player / doctor / faith healer'. You'd think that would be part of his job to know.

I think he enjoyed playing the uninformed man as an easy option to avoid questions.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Yes, there is.

Trouble being that I fear if he enters centre stage he'll take 'break a leg' one step too far......

This is unacceptable! Get the hell out of my thread!

 

[Jon Douglas]

GFDC has been pretty conservative with its team selections and positional changes since 2007 was so successful.

I suppose as the transition really bites it could allow them to make some positional changes but I do not think things will change too much this season.

The best indicator of the future is the past - it said.

I think Bews may come into the side and he will play down back but that is not surprise. The backline will look pretty much like it did in 2014 allowing for this change.

Then in the midfield - we need to add a player - but that will be an expected mid to come in like Lang or JJ. Just to give them exposure and prepare them for a bigger campaign in 2016.

We need another small forward - and we have a heap of options there so it could be one od 4 players IMO.

In other words there will be changes to the team but not in positions but in younger players coming - who will fill roles we would expect them to.

 

[Partridge]

I would be concerned as much with the failure to improve his possession stats over the whole of the 2014 season.

True, but they were still better than 2013. It was a small improvement, but it was an improvement (at least until the finals).

 

[Partridge]

Perhaps Smedts could take Murdoch's spot in the forward pocket?

I'm not averse to Smedts coming into the team, and to me he has to play in the forward half of the ground. But although I'm far from Murdoch's biggest fan I can't see how he can be moved. The only two 'small' forwards who kicked more than 20 goals were him and Bartel. For all the enthusiasm for McCarthy he hasn't shown anywhere near as much, and is now out for an indefinite period. Blease is unproven unless the pre-season shows otherwise. Plus of course, our lack of pace up forward means someone like Murdoch could be very much required.

 

[FredLeDeux]

I'm not averse to Smedts coming into the team, and to me he has to play in the forward half of the ground. But although I'm far from Murdoch's biggest fan I can't see how he can be moved. The only two 'small' forwards who kicked more than 20 goals were him and Bartel. For all the enthusiasm for McCarthy he hasn't shown anywhere near as much, and is now out for an indefinite period. Blease is unproven unless the pre-season shows otherwise. Plus of course, our lack of pace up forward means someone like Murdoch could be very much required.

Blease is an interesting one.
It may well be that they see him as providing the long outside running backup for Duncan and Motlop, which we were missing last season.

 

[darren forssman]

Blease is an interesting one.
It may well be that they see him as providing the long outside running backup for Duncan and Motlop, which we were missing last season.

that or off half back like they tried with varcoe.

 

[FredLeDeux]

that or off half back like they tried with varcoe.

Yes, that's what I meant really, I just didn't feel like starting a blue. I think it's possible that he'll be technically a winger, but starting his run from the D50.

 

[darren forssman]

Yes, that's what I meant really, I just didn't feel like starting a blue. I think it's possible that he'll be technically a winger, but starting his run from the D50.

what did you say about my mother?

yeah, seems to be us two could be in the minority on this one.

 

[Vdubs]

I think the coaching staff have positions in mind for existing players and new recruits and i'm sure the OP threw up this question on the basis that all players are fit to play. A simple answer of if fit I’d like to see Clark play at CHF is better than “Let's see who is standing up after preseason.” You make it sound like we won’t be able to field a team cause of injuries when our list is looking rather healthy for a change.

I am simply saying why not wait until the end of preseason to go through an ideal team WHEN we actually do know who is available; right now is so speculative it's hardly possible.

 

[manboob]

Yes, that's what I meant really, I just didn't feel like starting a blue. I think it's possible that he'll be technically a winger, but starting his run from the D50.

I always thought Murdoch would be good in that role...

 

[OzeSparky]

I'm not averse to Smedts coming into the team, and to me he has to play in the forward half of the ground. But although I'm far from Murdoch's biggest fan I can't see how he can be moved. The only two 'small' forwards who kicked more than 20 goals were him and Bartel. For all the enthusiasm for McCarthy he hasn't shown anywhere near as much, and is now out for an indefinite period. Blease is unproven unless the pre-season shows otherwise. Plus of course, our lack of pace up forward means someone like Murdoch could be very much required.

Im always way for if your enjoying your football then you will play better, Smedts wasn't enjoying playing down back (family source) and I think this showed a lot.

 

[dazbroncos]

Yes, I know what you mean. My bugbear with him has always been he doesn't get the ball enough and goes missing. Although that was a bigger problem in 2013 than 2014.

He really has had some great highs in terms of performance but they have been met by the total checked out games that have been his lows.

I have applauded Mitch Duncan on his consistency improvement and hope the Murda gets on board. His line breaking speed is great tool but his highlights around goals, as CE mentioned, are very good. And with the taller targets up forward, there should be plenty of stuff on the ground for him to collect.

Should Murda not be forward, perhaps Hartman will be a sneaky option for us. He is big, quick, a reasonable mark and seems to have good ball skills.
Some bloke named Bartel and Kersten should also see time up there… ( although not as small forwards)

GO Catters

 

[ButterMill]

I'm not averse to Smedts coming into the team, and to me he has to play in the forward half of the ground. But although I'm far from Murdoch's biggest fan I can't see how he can be moved. The only two 'small' forwards who kicked more than 20 goals were him and Bartel. For all the enthusiasm for McCarthy he hasn't shown anywhere near as much, and is now out for an indefinite period. Blease is unproven unless the pre-season shows otherwise. Plus of course, our lack of pace up forward means someone like Murdoch could be very much required.

That really is pretty good considering he is only 46 games into his career. I think he is developing quite nicely. That is my vibe...now to look further.

"Lightning quick on-baller who developed into a mainstay of the Cats’ best 22 last season. The skilful left-footer played 23 games and regularly hurt opponents on the scoreboard by pushing forward to kick 22 goals. At 190cm, he forms part of the growing trend of big-bodied midfielders in the AFL and looks set for a long and prosperous career at Geelong." -- Geelong site

This description seems to be overstating him as an on baller for mine. If he is then I am a little disappointed at his possession numbers.

"Played 23 games incl both finals
Booted 22 goals, with 8 games kicking multiple goals
Equaled career best with 8 tackles in rd 6 vs Port Adel
Had four games with 15+ disposals
Won the AFL grand final sprint"

That means he had 19 games of less than 15 disposals. Not a lot of ball.

Comparing him to Paul Chapman and Joel Corey at similar stages (which I think is reasonably fair as he had a good crack at it this season as they did in their third years):

Joel Corey - Games 20-39 - 16 games of 15+ possessions and kicked 5 goals.
Paul Chapman - Games 14-29 - 10 games of 15+ possessions and kicked 16 goals.

Maybe he is more comparable to Travis Varcoe:

Travis Varcoe - Games 19-34 - 3 games of 15+ possessions and kicked 14 goals.

He seems to be tracking slightly better than a Varcoe, based purely on a skim of numbers, but as a mid he looks statistically behind Bartel, Chapman, Corey as similar times in their career. Scored a few more goals than any of those but has not had more than 18 possessions in a game. I'd like to see him, whether on the wing, a flank, or middle, have about 10-15 games of 15+ and five over 20.

In fact I want more disposals from people that aren't Selwood and younger than 26.

Josh Caddy is looking a prospect with some 20+ disposal games towards the end of last year.

Jansen had one game of 21 disposals at VFL level. Looking very roughly at his numbers (and mini reports on http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Player/118816/Jarrad-JANSEN) he will need to assert himself in the first half before getting a call up.

Lang looks closer with a couple of 20+ games. And Hartman looks very impressive, I like seeing this stuff from a young man "Starred – 30 disp, seven tackles, 11 clearances, two goals." less of "VICTORIAN police have charged South Australian-born Geelong forward Brad Hartman".

So at the end of all that? I am not sure what player Murdoch is, I am thinking a Varcoe more than anything else and possibly a better Varcoe.

Also our chances of finding some magnets to help the captain out aren't looking good for this year but with 15 games into Hartman and Lang they may look better in 2016.

That is my early morning distraction completed. A little cherry picking and statistical free styling to go with eating this bland carrot.

What the hell, while I am here:

Billie Smedts has had five games of more than 15 possessions, they all came in his first year. Of all the players I have skimmed over he has made the least progress, he looks to have regressed. His first year was promising. One of the most interesting players to watch this year. I'd like to see him win a flag in the VFL averaging 20+ possessions in charge of a young midfield. Show he can take responsibility for winning games and being an on field leader. He has had AFL chances. Some irrefutable VFL form for at least the first half of the season before he gets another AFL game for mine, and like we say every second post "a little luck with injuries".

 

[Teriyakicat]

yep

I don't think he looked too cramped there vs Hawthorn mid-2013...
Maybe run his butt off from the HB line, then "rest" in a FP to try and get on the end of a chain and jag a goal or two?

 

[Teriyakicat]

Im always way for if your enjoying your football then you will play better, Smedts wasn't enjoying playing down back (family source) and I think this showed a lot.

That's no good- I think he needs to get over that and be grateful that he's been given a place in the team. Attitude is as important as a lot of other attributes that a footy player has and, a player may quickly find himself on the outer if he can't overcome a negative attitude.

Scott has said many times that he wants his players to be versatile. Smedts wouldn't want to limit himself to playing in just one area on the ground or he could get overlooked at selection time for an equally able player who can perform at both ends.

 

[Partridge]

Scott has said many times that he wants his players to be versatile. Smedts wouldn't want to limit himself to playing in just one area on the ground or he could get overlooked at selection time for an equally able player who can perform at both ends.

That's where I would guess some of us disagree. I don't care if Smedts (or anyone else) can only play one role; I'd much prefer a player who is good in one position instead of a player who is average or worse in many.

Versatility is only a weapon if they're actually very good in multiple positions. We have very few players like that.

 

[Teriyakicat]

That's where I would guess some of us disagree. I don't care if Smedts (or anyone else) can only play one role; I'd much prefer a player who is good in one position instead of a player who is average or worse in many.

Versatility is only a weapon if they're actually very good in multiple positions. We have very few players like that.

I have no problem with agreeing with that at all, Partridge- I just mentioned the fact that Scott rates versatility highly.
I wonder if that came about because of our increasing injury woes. The more players that can be shuffled from end to end, the more backup they had, the easier the bench rotations become and ....
.... here's the crux of it- we could afford to save a bench spot for our unfit ruck rotations that occurred at the beginning of last season- plus be able to plan to sub off one of those ruckmen.

 

[Partridge]

I wonder if that came about because of our increasing injury woes. The more players that can be shuffled from end to end, the more backup they had, the easier the bench rotations become and ....
.... here's the crux of it- we could afford to save a bench spot for our unfit ruck rotations that occurred at the beginning of last season- plus be able to plan to sub off one of those ruckmen.

Unfortunately though there's a flip side. They've invested in injury-prone players, and by keeping them on the list, we put more games into part-timers than a genuine young ruck talent. Then when an injury inevitably occurs (and it did), we have apparently versatile part-timers rucking in the finals - and they got massacred (again) and we got bundled out in straight sets.

 

[Cataholic]

This is unacceptable! Get the hell out of my thread!

I'll see my own way out

 

[Cataholic]

That's funny, but I don't like it.

Was in poor taste Fred, but couldn't help it

 

[catempire]

Unfortunately though there's a flip side. They've invested in injury-prone players, and by keeping them on the list, we put more games into part-timers than a genuine young ruck talent. Then when an injury inevitably occurs (and it did), we have apparently versatile part-timers rucking in the finals - and they got massacred (again) and we got bundled out in straight sets.

Out of interest, is Trent West a part timer?

 

[Partridge]

Out of interest, is Trent West a part timer?

I would argue absolutely not a part-timer. Plays one position - ruck. Which is precisely what the discussion was about; selecting players who are perceived to be versatile ahead of those who are not.

(Knives being sharpened in 5..4..3..2..1..)

 

[catempire]

I would argue absolutely not a part-timer. Plays one position - ruck. Which is precisely what the discussion was about; selecting players who are perceived to be versatile ahead of those who are not.

(Knives being sharpened in 5..4..3..2..1..)

Cool. Blicavs had 22 hitouts against Goldstein in the semi. West averages in his past four games against Goldstein... wait for it... 22.75 hitouts.

I found that interesting.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Cool. Blicavs had 22 hitouts against Goldstein in the semi. West averages in his past four games against Goldstein... wait for it... 22.75 hitouts.

I found that interesting.

Pretty sure West's average deficit wasn't 2.5 to 1, though.