News Pre-season issues

[maximus steel]

As far as the training track goes its been a great pre season, but im concerned that a few off field incidents have impacted geelongs renowned culture. Gary Ablett's refusal to deny he will go to the gold coast, while he cannot be blamed for this you get the feeling the players are aggitated by it. And of course stokes, who has damaged geelongs reputation of being reasonabley clean as far as off field issues go (last one from memory is stevie j). While this could amount to nothing its going to be underlying, and combined with a public perception that 2010 will be the begininng of "the decline", the lid will have a whole new meaning come 2010.

 

[manboob]

Re: Pre season issues

I think we'll be fine, there was a hugh amount of pressure in 07 and the club steeled their resolve and got on with the job. Let everyone else worry about Geelong and let us worry about winning games. The way the boys rallied around Stokes (visiting him this morning) and Cook supporting him at his court appearance shows the character of this club and I doubt something like this will de-rail the club at all. That being said I hope the matter will be finalised not too long after the start of the season. Lastly in a perverse way it may even make the boys tighter as a group and ready to tear it up!!!! By that I mean 18+ wins and a day flag.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Re: Pre season issues

^^ Too right, manboob. This will serve to galvanise the lads, Ling will show what captaincy's all about much as Harley did and we'll be raring to tear a sizeable chunk outta season 2010

 

[doodl]

Re: Pre season issues

not big enough issues to worry this mob, they are a class act and if anything it will simply give them a bit of fire in the belly for 2010.

my only worry is that stokes is an important borderline depth/best 22 player. but i think hogan works quite well in the forward line at times and milburn is always a great option too so i think we have it well covered, especially with all the extra depth in the backline.

 

[donbooger]

Re: Pre season issues

Maybe not the right thread but not worth a new one, but how is Stevie J going with the hip, I heard it was similar to Lleyton Hewitts injury and he is going in for another surgery. Doesnt fill me with confidence

 

[Vdubs]

Re: Pre season issues

not big enough issues to worry this mob, they are a class act and if anything it will simply give them a bit of fire in the belly for 2010.

my only worry is that stokes is an important borderline depth/best 22 player. but i think hogan works quite well in the forward line at times and milburn is always a great option too so i think we have it well covered, especially with all the extra depth in the backline.

Wouldn't worry about Stoker, he was at best, potential GC personnel.Varcoe jnr, Motlop, Ranga have great potential and Stokes was unlikely to be best 22 in the future.

 

[Boxhead_31]

Re: Pre season issues

^^ Too right, manboob. This will serve to galvanise the lads, Ling will show what captaincy's all about much as Harley did and we'll be raring to tear a sizeable chunk outta season 2010

To right GS I feel sorry for our round 1 opponent the boy's are gonna have a bit of agro about them to unleash

 

[winty]

Re: Pre season issues

my only worry is that stokes is an important borderline depth/best 22 player. but i think hogan works quite well in the forward line at times and milburn is always a great option too so i think we have it well covered, especially with all the extra depth in the backline.

Don't know about you, but I hardly knew he was missing while watching the Prelim and grand finals.

 

[doodl]

Re: Pre season issues

Wouldn't worry about Stoker, he was at best, potential GC personnel.Varcoe jnr, Motlop, Ranga have great potential and Stokes was unlikely to be best 22 in the future.

well that may be true that he would/will eventually end up at GC but as it is now he is that borderline type player who wavers on being best 22. he can sometimes be an impact player when he's on song and have a burst of goals or take an important grab or kick during an armwrestle. now we potentially won't have him this year. when you consider chap's hamstring and stevie j's hip we just can't afford to lose any depth in our forward line.

i don't have much idea about motlop and ranga but surely they are not ready to come into the side and have the impact stokesy can on a game? anyhow as i said doesn't worry me too much, we already have plenty of talent to fill the gaps.

 

[doodl]

Re: Pre season issues

Don't know about you, but I hardly knew he was missing while watching the Prelim and grand finals.

Hmm and I suppose he didn't contribute ANYTHING to us being there in the first place! I was a detractor of his last year. He became too casual and I think that has now been evidenced in the latest problem, whether he is proven guilty or not. But on the flipside if you're gunna go the whole way you gotta have the depth and he is part of that.

 

[nowhereneargeelong]

Re: Pre season issues

If we are all we say we are, this recent incident involving Matthew Stokes will change nothing.

We were tested when we lost in 08, and we responded in 09.

Again, but in a very different way, the GFC is being tested.

This is a BIG test.

Are we really the benchmark of the competition, on all levels?

I believe we are.

Bring on Rounds 1, 2, 3 and beyond.

We shall see.

 

[Partridge]

Re: Pre season issues

Wouldn't worry about Stoker, he was at best, potential GC personnel.Varcoe jnr, Motlop, Ranga have great potential and Stokes was unlikely to be best 22 in the future.

Well it's impossible to say, but I'd argue right now he's behind both Byrnes (clearly at the top following his 2009 form) and Varcoe.

I'd have to say too that if he can put in the work and improve that Gamble would be ahead of any of those guys listed above. All are unproven at the moment.

 

[David the Cat]

Re: Pre season issues

Well it's impossible to say, but I'd argue right now he's behind both Byrnes (clearly at the top following his 2009 form) and Varcoe.

I'd have to say too that if he can put in the work and improve that Gamble would be ahead of any of those guys listed above. All are unproven at the moment.

not Varcoe Partridge....the guys a gun! An elite midfielder sooner rather than later. You can quote me mate!

 

[Copernicus]

Re: Pre season issues

I don't think any of this shit will have an impact on what happens out on the field. Sure, the depth that Stokes afforded is a loss, he's not a massive loss.

I'm not worried about the Gaz thing - if these blokes are professional, and aside from Stokes there is no indication to the otherwise, then I can't see that showing up. We'll be alright.

 

[TMS]

Re: Pre season issues

Maybe not the right thread but not worth a new one, but how is Stevie J going with the hip, I heard it was similar to Lleyton Hewitts injury and he is going in for another surgery. Doesnt fill me with confidence

From all accounts, Stevie J is moving well during training sessions and does not appear hampered at all.

Lleyton Hewitt's recent operation was on his 'good' hip - not the same one he'd had operated on.

 

[oozeboss]

Re: Pre season issues

I appreciate that this may seem kind of perverse, but in some ways I'm glad the club is having the sort of pre-season that we're having. Of course, I'd have been happier for Matty Stokes not to be in his current predicament, for the injuries not to have happened & for Gaz to have declared his enduring love for & loyalty to all things centred on Corio Bay, but I guess we can't have everything, right?

What I do know is that the administration, coaching staff, and above all else, the players of the Geelong Football Club seem to rise to the occasion when under the gun like this. And especially moreso when the naysayers are starting to come out en masse & write the Cats off for the 2010 season.

I'm very optimistic all up, and all we need is Shane Crawford & the like to keep slagging us off & The Dynasty will well & truly resume normal service come Round 1.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: Pre season issues

I don't think any of this shit will have an impact on what happens out on the field. Sure, the depth that Stokes afforded is a loss, he's not a massive loss.

I'm not worried about the Gaz thing - if these blokes are professional, and aside from Stokes there is no indication to the otherwise, then I can't see that showing up. We'll be alright.

I agree.
When it comes to the forward line the starting 6 are great, and considering our flexibility with mids and even guys like Dasher being able to play well forward, we've still got plenty of depth, even without Stokes.

The only issue slightly worry about is that I feel the merry go round pressure (i.e. they can't all play) pushed Varcoe and in particular Byrnes to become much better in 09 than they were before, so I hope the knowledge the lack of pressure for their spot (from Stokes) doesn't contribute to a drop off from them.

 

[winty]

Re: Pre season issues

The only issue slightly worry about is that I feel the merry go round pressure (i.e. they can't all play) pushed Varcoe and in particular Byrnes to become much better in 09 than they were before, so I hope the knowledge the lack of pressure for their spot (from Stokes) doesn't contribute to a drop off from them.

I can see Hogan putting his hand up to for a spot, so he'll probably take over from the pressure that Stokes would've been putting on Byrnes and Varcoe. Then we have Gamble floating around, and perhaps Djerrkura, and even Motlop as a smoky, depending on how he goes in the VFL this season. Who knows, with J.Hunt coming back and Drum and Gillies fighting for spots in the back line, Kelly might even be pushed forward again this season. There's another one in the mix.

There will still be plenty of competition for spots in our forwardline, with or without Stokes.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: Pre season issues

I can see Hogan putting his hand up to for a spot, so he'll probably take over from the pressure that Stokes would've been putting on Byrnes and Varcoe. Then we have Gamble floating around, and perhaps Djerrkura, and even Motlop as a smoky, depending on how he goes in the VFL this season. Who knows, with J.Hunt coming back and Drum and Gillies fighting for spots in the back line, Kelly might even be pushed forward again this season. There's another one in the mix.

There will still be plenty of competition for spots in our forwardline, with or without Stokes.

Thanks Winty, you have helped quell my worries

I must say I'd like to see Hogan maybe get a look in the forward line then. I hadn't originally thought of him as anything other than a mid, but realistically he won't get a game in our mid (excepting injuries) and he's far too good a player to spend the season in the VFL.

 

[winty]

Re: Pre season issues

Thanks Winty, you have helped quell my worries

I must say I'd like to see Hogan maybe get a look in the forward line then. I hadn't originally thought of him as anything other than a mid, but realistically he won't get a game in our mid (excepting injuries) and he's far too good a player to spend the season in the VFL.

Depending on how Drum and Gillies go, we might even play both in the backline and push Milburn forward.

I agree with Hogan though. If I had to rank them, I'd have the pecking order this way to be in the front six, alongside Hawkins, Mooney, Chapman and SJ:

1. Byrnes - improved immensely last season, and as such deserves to be at the top of the list.
2. Varcoe - improved too, but does tend to drift out of games a lot more than Byrnes. Is better defensively than Byrnes though.
3. Hogan - Gun in the making.
4. Gamble - Different type of player. Good mark, but kicking is a worry.
5. Kelly - I can see him becoming a spare parts man this season. Will be used wherever we need him, whether it be forward, back or in the guts.
6. Djerrkura - Great tackler, but lacks awareness at times.
7. Milburn - Probably better suited down back, but can pinch hit up forward if needed, ie. Round 14 last season.
8. Motlop - Needs to bulk up, but if he has the same magic as his brother, but with better workrate, the kid will be a star.

 

[maximus steel]

Re: Pre season issues

Depending on how Drum and Gillies go, we might even play both in the backline and push Milburn forward.

I agree with Hogan though. If I had to rank them, I'd have the pecking order this way to be in the front six, alongside Hawkins, Mooney, Chapman and SJ:

1. Byrnes - improved immensely last season, and as such deserves to be at the top of the list.
2. Varcoe - improved too, but does tend to drift out of games a lot more than Byrnes. Is better defensively than Byrnes though.
3. Hogan - Gun in the making.
4. Gamble - Different type of player. Good mark, but kicking is a worry.
5. Kelly - I can see him becoming a spare parts man this season. Will be used wherever we need him, whether it be forward, back or in the guts.
6. Djerrkura - Great tackler, but lacks awareness at times.
7. Milburn - Probably better suited down back, but can pinch hit up forward if needed, ie. Round 14 last season.
8. Motlop - Needs to bulk up, but if he has the same magic as his brother, but with better workrate, the kid will be a star.

agree with byrnes, while varcoe played well in patches he needs to strengthen up and become more consistent. Hogan is deserving of a senior place and gamble could easily develop into a smaller lead up forward (mark williams type). Kelly in my mind is the next tagger after ling, but its amazing hoe much we missed his role out of defence this year. to be honest i dont know how to describe it. djerkurra last year appeared to have lost pace, and as you said lacks awareness. spot on about milburn and havent seen enough of motlop to comment, but from what ive heared he looks good.

 

[donbooger]

Re: Pre season issues

From all accounts, Stevie J is moving well during training sessions and does not appear hampered at all.

Lleyton Hewitt's recent operation was on his 'good' hip - not the same one he'd had operated on.

Thanks

 

[And_ROOS]

Re: Pre season issues

I think we'll be fine, there was a hugh amount of pressure in 07 and the club steeled their resolve and got on with the job. Let everyone else worry about Geelong and let us worry about winning games. The way the boys rallied around Stokes (visiting him this morning) and Cook supporting him at his court appearance shows the character of this club and I doubt something like this will de-rail the club at all. That being said I hope the matter will be finalised not too long after the start of the season. Lastly in a perverse way it may even make the boys tighter as a group and ready to tear it up!!!! By that I mean 18+ wins and a day flag.

We want 18 wins 4 losses... just like 07 and 09

 

[Russcats]

Forget the other issues affecting the forward line. The one that is worrying me is what impact will Max Rooke's impending fatherhood have on his crash and bash style of play. Let's hope he doesn't become like Mooney and want to "share the love". Good news to hear that Max the 4th will be arriving soon. As Stan Alves said at the end of last years GF. Rooke is a Gun and Little Max will be a son of a Gun. Then again, it could be Maxine!

 

[Partridge]

Re: Pre season issues

agree with byrnes, while varcoe played well in patches he needs to strengthen up and become more consistent. Hogan is deserving of a senior place and gamble could easily develop into a smaller lead up forward (mark williams type). Kelly in my mind is the next tagger after ling, but its amazing hoe much we missed his role out of defence this year. to be honest i dont know how to describe it. djerkurra last year appeared to have lost pace, and as you said lacks awareness. spot on about milburn and havent seen enough of motlop to comment, but from what ive heared he looks good.

Not sure about that. I thought Kelly was nothing short of fantastic in defence last year - his finals series in particular was brilliant. Good decision maker, clean disposal, kept calm when the pressure was on. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see him stay there this season. With good reason.