Preview Rd7 Geelong V Carlton Sun Apr 27 320pm @ MCG

[goyoucatters]

This had to be said, again....Classic example possibly of not who, but WHEN you play them.
6 days recovery.
Tough Easter Monday game- our record after these games is not as good as our overall record, in recent 20 years.
And Miers is a vital cog in our lineup.
The who is a bit relevant too as TDK is in top form.

This is all true. Still, the fact remains that the Blues have beaten nobody of note in their past 17 games, apart from us. In that sense, we're still playing them at a time when the pattern of their exposed form has been reasonably mediocre against any decent team they've faced.

They have been quite poor for quite some time and we won't have any excuse to not be right in this game. As much as our coach talks about the 'when you play them' factor, he is also very clear in saying that he thinks the days' break factor is overplayed as a reason for underperforming. And it is surely even less of a factor at this early stage in the season, anyway.

Of all the factors you've raised, I think the absence of Gryan shapes as being the most telling. But I'm still hopeful that we can give this a real shake, provided we don't capitulate in the midfield.

If we win the ball back often enough, go quickly, and execute efficiently in front of goal, we will have every chance of taking them down.

 

[bruce lindner]

I'm not sure the next two games are the ones to blood Wiltshire or Stevens unless we are absolutely starved of options. Perhaps a home game on a familiar ground in the weeks thereafter might be a better alternative for these two if either deserving of such. If Weitering doesn't play, this may help Ollie Henry's cause as the player likely to exploit a defensive mismatch. I'm expecting Clark to come back in to shoulder the grunt work this week with Stanley likely rested before he plays another small block of games with adequate breaks in between each round.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

This is all true. Still, the fact remains that the Blues have beaten nobody of note in their past 17 games, apart from us. In that sense, we're still playing them at a time when the pattern of their exposed form has been reasonably mediocre against any decent team they've faced.

They have been quite poor for quite some time and we won't have any excuse to not be right in this game. As much as our coach talks about the 'when you play them' factor, he is also very clear in saying that he thinks the days' break factor is overplayed as a reason for underperforming. And it is surely even less of a factor at this early stage in the season, anyway.

Of all the factors you've raised, I think the absence of Gryan shapes as being the most telling. But I'm still hopeful that we can give this a real shake, provided we don't capitulate in the midfield.

If we win the ball back often enough, go quickly, and execute efficiently in front of goal, we will have every chance of taking them down.

I think this one is all about the pressure rating.
Blues have looked very vulnerable when under extreme pressure , if we can achieve consistently high pressure we should get over the line.
Hopefully we recover well from a very taxing contest on Easter Monday.

 

[PeasFC]

I think this one is all about the pressure rating.
Blues have looked very vulnerable when under extreme pressure , if we can achieve consistently high pressure we should get over the line.
Hopefully we recover well from a very taxing contest on Easter Monday.

I like this take.

We are in the top bracket for pressure and were good again on the weekend. If we bring this heat and energy, we will be too good.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Weitering has to be 50/50 for Sunday's game. Mitch Clearly saying he's a watch.

Original diagnosis was PCL injury and possibly 4-5 weeks out - then the club rushes to say he's ok and they expect him to play. Not sure if anyone saw that vision when he came off and Saad asked him what the injury was - you can clearly lip read Weitering say "PCL".

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

I like this take.

We are in the top bracket for pressure and were good again on the weekend. If we bring this heat and energy, we will be too good.

One thing we can be confident in is that Chris has a vision of what the best version of us is in September - he will use the H&A to build towards that version but also coach a plan B and plan C on occasions.
Pressure was amazing in the second half V Crows and for the game on Monday whereas we denied Melbourne the football and had a record number of uncontested marks , very different styles which were executed beautifully.

However pressure and speed of ball movement seem to be our one woods at the moment.
It's early but I think the big threat this year will be the experienced Lions and the teams who can cut through with fast handball chains such as the Pies and Giants. Pressure and capitalising on turnover will be pivotal.

Finals are all about pressure but I also think Chris will be really focused on our ability to exert pressure and , importantly , absorb pressure.
The exciting thing is we are still some way off our best , love this Club

 

[Jumping Jack]

One thing we can be confident in is that Chris has a vision of what the best version of us is in September - he will use the H&A to build towards that version but also coach a plan B and plan C on occasions.
Pressure was amazing in the second half V Crows and for the game on Monday whereas we denied Melbourne the football and had a record number of uncontested marks , very different styles which were executed beautifully.

However pressure and speed of ball movement seem to be our one woods at the moment.
It's early but I think the big threat this year will be the experienced Lions and the teams who can cut through with fast handball chains such as the Pies and Giants. Pressure and capitalising on turnover will be pivotal.

Finals are all about pressure but I also think Chris will be really focused on our ability to exert pressure and , importantly , absorb pressure.
The exciting thing is we are still some way off our best , love this Club

Cats have started reasonably well, but I agree that we're a long way from the finished product.

I like the look of Collingwood but it's very early days. Something about them reminds me of Geelong in 2022 with list profile and average age. Can they manage the likes of Pendlebury and Sidebottom through the season as well as Geelong did in 2022 with senior players? The thing that jumps out at me on Collingwood is evenness across the ground.

Cats building into the season - personally I think if we go 2-2 the next month and sit at 6-4 near the midpoint of the season, we'll come home strong with a softer draw and a few easy kills. Top 4 is obviously the aim, and then there's a bit of luck to try and dodge a Brisbane or Fremantle away final (potentially). Top 2 and I think we're a serious threat again.

 

[Biased99]

I assume this is the '94 semi-final where Buddha, Couch and Bairstow all missed? Only my third-ever game at the footy!

Yes, and that would also be the game in which a certain A. Lord debuted (and did reasonably well).

 

[BotsMaster]

Henry really needs to be dropped and unfortunately for him I reckon it’s the moving of Danger to the forward line that has killed him. I’d like to see Ted replace Ollie up forward for the whole game.

I could be wrong, but I think Ted had more shots at goal against Hawks than Henry.

 

[Jumping Jack]

I could be wrong, but I think Ted had more shots at goal against Hawks than Henry.

Which were both out on the full. But yes, they were shots technically.

 

[terry_bright]

Can’t see Stanley being rested this week. I have a feeling it will be the following week when hopefully Kolo or/and J.Henry are back they can shuffle the decks down back a bit and get SDK or Blicavs to ruck.

Barring any late changes
Miers & Clohesy out. Mullin & Clark in.

Knevitt & O.Henry need to have decent games or they’ll be on the chopping block. If Stevens & Wiltshire have big games they could be a chance to debut vs Collingwood.

 

[bombersboy]

Which were both out on the full. But yes, they were shots technically.

The most disappointing aspect of both of Ted's shots on goal is that he panicked with both of them.

Big ask for Stevens to replace Miers… Miers top 3 enduro runners at club.. not sure it’s fair to ask Stevens to fill that role if that’s the in/out you were referring to.

Go Catters

I'm not saying Stevens plays Miers role. More likely you ask Close, Mannagh or Stengle to play that role. Stevens as a big bodied mid rotation.

 

[cats_09]

 

[patience]

The most disappointing aspect of both of Ted's shots on goal is that he panicked with both of them.

I'm not saying Stevens plays Miers role. More likely you ask Close, Mannagh or Stengle to play that role. Stevens as a big bodied mid rotation.

Ted knows he is not in the first 23, he was sub and it was a very high intensity game. You can see why he fluffed those kicks. He was feeling extreme pressure. I’d hope that wouldn’t happen again.

 

[catters05]

I’d probably look to drop OHenry for this one to try get his confidence back in VFL game and bring him back in against the Pies.

 

[cats_09]

 

[Romeoh1]

Will beat them.

 

[sexyhunk]

just had a look carlton lost all their night games and won all their day games this season........

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Quite a long article on the GFC website about George Stevens and his journey to where he is now. Is this an indication that big George is set for his debut this weekend?

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

The most disappointing aspect of both of Ted's shots on goal is that he panicked with both of them.

I'm not saying Stevens plays Miers role. More likely you ask Close, Mannagh or Stengle to play that role. Stevens as a big bodied mid rotation.

Hopefully Ted will learn from that - one asset he seems to have is he can generate shots on goal even as a mid.

 

[OzeSparky]

Quite a long article on the GFC website about George Stevens and his journey to where he is now. Is this an indication that big George is set for his debut this weekend?

Avg 27 disposals and 9 clearances.
Big George will have to get a run soon.

 

[Play it Sam]

Ted knows he is not in the first 23, he was sub and it was a very high intensity game. You can see why he fluffed those kicks. He was feeling extreme pressure. I’d hope that wouldn’t happen again.

Extreme pressure comes also with being a sub and having to break in and prove your worth in the absence of Miers. The expectation on him was large, as was psychologically, grabbing the chance.

His first shot, being kind, it was worth a try, the second he should have passed off. We seen what happened to Managh in his debut, where he did a similiar thing. He was sent back to learn certain plays (by his own admission). There's no harm in that, and further development will enhance his game, Clohesy has a rosy future.

 

[Seeds]

I'm not sure the next two games are the ones to blood Wiltshire or Stevens unless we are absolutely starved of options. Perhaps a home game on a familiar ground in the weeks thereafter might be a better alternative for these two if either deserving of such. If Weitering doesn't play, this may help Ollie Henry's cause as the player likely to exploit a defensive mismatch. I'm expecting Clark to come back in to shoulder the grunt work this week with Stanley likely rested before he plays another small block of games with adequate breaks in between each round.

Miers is out. Perfect time for wiltshire. Harder to fit him in when miers is back in two weeks.

 

[Munich]

So we lose Gryan for two big games and Squarks miss the thug for 4 against no names.

Seems fair.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Cats have started reasonably well, but I agree that we're a long way from the finished product.

I like the look of Collingwood but it's very early days. Something about them reminds me of Geelong in 2022 with list profile and average age. Can they manage the likes of Pendlebury and Sidebottom through the season as well as Geelong did in 2022 with senior players? The thing that jumps out at me on Collingwood is evenness across the ground.

Cats building into the season - personally I think if we go 2-2 the next month and sit at 6-4 near the midpoint of the season, we'll come home strong with a softer draw and a few easy kills. Top 4 is obviously the aim, and then there's a bit of luck to try and dodge a Brisbane or Fremantle away final (potentially). Top 2 and I think we're a serious threat again.

Especially since McCrae has been their senior coach , they have been consistent reliable and they just keep on winning , and handle any sort of pressure

You cant say that about many teams in the AFL, not too many oppo teams will be looking forward to playing the Magpies in the finals