Round 17: Geelong vs Kangaroos

[ScouseCat]

After an absolutely shocking performance on the weekend against the Bulldogs, Geelong faces the Kangaroos at Manuka Oval on Saturday.

The Kangaroos have had a pretty good season so far, and are currently 8th on the ladder with 8 and a half wins. Last week the Roos were upset by St Kilda at Telstra Dome, and will be keen to bounce back against Geelong and remain above the likes of Essendon and Hawthorn on the ladder. Geelong on the other hand will be looking to record their 6th win of the season.

The last time these two sides met, the Kangaroos won by 23 points in a scrappy game at Skilled Stadium in round two, 13.16.94 to 9.17.71.

Joel Corey is one player to watch on the weekend. Corey has had a fairly good season so far, and after a quiet game against the Bulldogs on Sunday, will be keen to return to form against the Kangaroos and get his fair share of possessions.

Brent Moloney is another player to keep an eye on not only this week against the Kangaroos, but for the remainder of the season. Moloney has done quite well for the Cats since he came into the side against the Power, playing in the midfield. His kicking is pretty good and he shows a willingness to run and create, not to mention he is quick.

Matthew Scarlett is also one player to watch for the rest of the season. Scarlett has been in really good form of late, and would a very strong candidate for all-australian selection at the end of the year. Scarlett rarely gets beaten at full back, keeping the likes of Lloyd, Neitz, Hall, Tredrea and Fevola quiet.

This week's game against the Kangaroos in Camberra is going to be a tough ask for the young Cats to win. Geelong aren't exactly in great form and have struggled to put four quarters together all season. On the other hand, the Roos are a quality side who will give an honest contest for the entire game, so for us to have any hope, we must match their intensity in that area. Finding a decent marking forward, and players who will man up their opponents would also help our cause.

Go Cats!!

 

[Unwritten_Law]

Both teams went about as low as you can get last week. Geelong losing to the bottom of the ladder side and the kangas losing to the Saints. The difference for this week is that the Kangaroos can still make the finals.

Kangas by 38 points, my optimism has well and truly run out.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Kangas by 45.

Simpson and Harvey to star.

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
Brent Moloney is another player to keep an eye on not only this week against the Kangaroos, but for the remainder of the season. Moloney has done quite well for the Cats since he came into the side against the Power, playing in the midfield. His kicking is pretty good and he shows a willingness to run and create, not to mention he is quick.

Brent Moloney: good game, bad hair.

Very impressed with the way he has played in the few games he's had at AFL level so far-- the guy knows what to do with the ball as soon as he gets it, and gives good value in contests. He's the type of player we need more of.

Wouldn't be surprised if he plays another fine game against North Melbourne.

I won't offer a prediction on the match until later in the week, mainly because things can't possibly be worse than they were yesterday-- but also recall that the Kangaroos finally lost after coming back from a huge deficit (50-odd points down, IIRC). So with both teams coming into this game a bit mortally wounded, it's tough to get a read on it as early as on a Monday.

 

[Falconer02]

Brent Moloney my new favourite player!!!
continuing the tradition of great number 32 players
Buddah and Moloney two champs

 

[Bakes]

I like the photos.

Big

Bigger

Biggest
















hair that is

 

[Bakes]

Re: Re: Round 17: Geelong vs Kangaroos

Originally posted by you_idiot
Brent Moloney: good game, bad hair.

Was in the contract with the jumper number

 

[you_idiot]

Re: Re: Re: Round 17: Geelong vs Kangaroos

Originally posted by Bakes
Was in the contract with the jumper number

Hey, as long as he keeps playing well, he can wear his hair any way he likes... same goes for any of the other players, too.

 

[Catman]

The Kangaroos coming off an unexpected loss and a serve from their coach....

Kangas by 50+

But every time I have tipped us to be slaughtered we have managed to put in a respectable effort but still lose. It wouldn't surprise me if Saturday was another one of those games.

 

[you_idiot]

Steven King's status isn't 100% against North Melbourne, and will be watched very closely through Friday...

From Wednesday's Age:

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/22/1058853070433.html

Cats to wait and see on King

By Emma Quayle
July 23 2003

Geelong will not know until Saturday morning whether captain Steven King will be fit to play against the Kangaroos.

The Cats will name King, a late withdrawal for the past two weeks, in their squad for the match, but not decide until as late as possible if his injured Achilles tendon will survive the game. King has struggled with the left-leg injury since round three and sleeps in a protective brace, but at this point does not require surgery on the badly inflamed tendon.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said yesterday that while the club would not take any risks, King would play against the Kangaroos if he pulled up well enough from the week's training.

"We'll probably name him in the squad again and see how he pulls up. That's the only way we can decide," Thompson said.

"We can't say that he's playing or he's not playing. If he pulls up well from what he does, he'll play, and if he doesn't pull up well, then he doesn't play.

"We've managed him pretty well up until about four weeks ago, when we came into a bit of trouble . . . but we certainly won't risk Steven King. That's the No. 1 priority."

Having played all but six senior-listed players this season, Thompson said he remained keen to expose such youngsters as Andrew Mackie and Tim Callan before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, talented Essendon youngster Joel Reynolds will have groin surgery today, ending his season. Reynolds has had osteitis pubis for most of the year, but recently reached a point where surgery was the only option.

"By having the surgery now, it will ensure he is fully recovered come pre-season 2004," said Dons football manager Dominic Cato.

 

[you_idiot]

Other articles from Wednesday's papers, and specifically in the Geelong Advertiser:

(1) Coach keeps it private, about the contrast of approaches taken by Mark Thompson and Dean Laidley after the disappointing performances by their respective teams last weekend...

http://www.geelonginfo.com/readarticle.asp?articleid=7979

Coach keeps it private

Wednesday, July 23
SCOTT MORTON

A PUBLIC tongue-lashing just isn't Geelong coach Mark Thompson's style.

He saves that for behind closed doors.

Thompson said that after Sunday's humiliating loss to the Western Bulldogs his players were left in no doubt how he felt about the performance. He just prefers not to show the same emotion when fronting the cameras for post match press conferences.

Not so the Kangaroos' Dean Laidley, Thompson's opposing coach this Saturday.

Laidley was furious after the Kangaroos lost to St Kilda on the weekend and didn't mask his disappointment after the game.

Thompson said that sort of public emotion, ``is just not my style''.

``I think everyone has a right to do it whichever way they want and I kept mine for indoors but it was pretty similar,'' he said.

``Not all players played poorly either, so the whole group didn't deserve to get it but I just prefer to do it indoors, private.''

Despite having a couple of days to reflect on the Cats' performance, Thompson said he was none the wiser as to why his side carried such a poor mental attitude into the game.

``I have no theories for our attitude towards the game but certainly our attitude wasn't up to standard,'' he said.

``Our attack on the ball just wasn't there compared to the opposition we were playing and ultimately they got first use of the ball and pretty much played on their terms.''

He indicated there would be a couple of changes this week, but there would probably not be too much blood letting.

``We've all played games like that,'' he said. ``Lots of teams have experienced them but whether we go for the axe or not . . . we'll certainly make a couple of changes.''

He said the focus this week was to get the players mentally prepared, rather than thrash them on the training track.

Last night was only a light training session and captain Steven King still didn't train but will probably be named in the squad.

Paul Chapman didn't train either, or Gary Ablett, while David Spriggs ran laps with his right arm heavily bandaged at the elbow.

``We'll probably name (King) in the squad again and see how he pulls up,'' Thompson said.

``If he pulls up well from what he does, he plays and if he doesn't pull up well he doesn't play.

``The Achilles tendon is in quite good condition except it's inflamed and if we can get the inflammation down he's okay to play.

``We've managed him pretty well up to four weeks ago, when we came into a bit of trouble, but we certainly won't risk Steven King, that's our number one priority, we won't risk reinjuring Steven King.''

Jarad Rooke took part in training and is expected to be fit for selection after missing the past two matches with a leg injury.

Falcons ruckman Mark Blake, who is expected to be taken by the Cats under the AFL's father/son rule, began training last night with the Cats and will continue for the rest of the season.

(2) And from The Age, just a daily news roundup...

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/22/1058853069606.html

Your club 23/07/03

July 23 2003

GEELONG v Kangaroos,
Saturday, 1.40pm, Manuka Oval (ACT)

Youngsters Jarad Rooke and Will Slade both joined full training yesterday after overcoming thigh and groin problems respectively. Football manager Garry Davidson said neither player would need a fitness test before Saturday's match against the Kangaroos.

Training: tomorrow (Thursday), 3.45pm, Skilled Stadium.

 

[year of the roo]

we may win (the kangaroos that is) but one thing is for sure, you wont get flogged!! kangas biggest winning margin this year would be no more then 20, and i cant see that changing in the wet in canberra. have some confidence in your troopers guys, the cats are more of a chance than your giving them credit for!

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by year of the roo
have some confidence in your troopers guys, the cats are more of a chance than your giving them credit for!

You obviously didn't watch us play last weekend.

North are too talented, too disciplined and quite frankly, too tough.

 

[JUBJUB]

It'll be interesting to see what changes are made for this game.King will be named,Rooke is a chance to return and Callan or Finnin could be an outside chance this week.

Bartel is due to be dropped [we can't have him playing 4 games in a row].

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Callan must come in.

The trip to Canberra, along with playing against such a physically tough side, will be a wonderful experience for the kid.

If he does come up soon, i'd take that as an indication that Dash Milburn will leave at seasons end.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by year of the roo
we may win (the kangaroos that is) but one thing is for sure, you wont get flogged!! kangas biggest winning margin this year would be no more then 20, and i cant see that changing in the wet in canberra. have some confidence in your troopers guys, the cats are more of a chance than your giving them credit for!

The Kangaroos have so much more to play for then we do on Saturday, and should win by a couple of goals. In fact, if they don't win this game, the Roos can say bye bye to any September action as they'll need to win 4 or their last 5 games to make the eight.

 

[you_idiot]

***TEAMS ANNOUNCED***

From afl.com.au:

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=108222

NORTH MELBOURNE
[size=2.5]B: Sinclair, Watt, D.Motlop
HB: Makepeace, Brown, Baird
C: Rawlings, Simpson, Grant
HF: S.Clayton, Petrie, Archer
F: Harding, Jones, Harvey
FOLL: Porter, A.Stevens, Robbins
I/C: Burton, Wells, Rocca, Harris
EMG: Morrell, Firrito, S.Motlop
IN: Harris, Burton
OUT: King (knee), Teague[/size]

GEELONG
[size=2.5]B: Milburn, Scarlett, Sanderson
HB: Wojcinski, Harley, Rahilly
C: S.Johnson, Enright, Spriggs
HF: Moloney, Graham, Chapman
F: Ablett, Riccardi, Bartel
FOLL: Chambers, Corey, Ling
I/C: Mooney, Kelly, Playfair, Rooke
EMG: Gardiner, Street, Lord
IN: Rooke, Chambers, Playfair
OUT: Kingsley, Lord, Street[/size]

Some random initial observations...

• The in's and out's are quite intriguing... Rooke comes back, which is a plus, while another downturn in an up-and-down season for Kingsley has resulted in him being dropped to the 2's.
  
  And not even two or three impressive games by Peter Street cannot save him from being dropped. But then again, perhaps it's a good thing to see what Chambers can do, to try and give him equal numbers of reps in the ruck alternating with Street for the balance of the season.
  
• On that note-- it seems like a no-brainer, but Geelong seem content not to risk Steven King right now, or for any other time this season. Reading into the situation, it would seem that the club may prefer that he has his Achilles surgery now rather than later...
  
• I hope this is one of James Rahilly's last games for the club. He serves no useful long-term purpose with Geelong, and he might just be playing out the string here...
  
• And I'm with P&P in that I'd like to see Tim Callan be given a chance to see what he can do at AFL level. And therefore, I'm disappointed that he's not getting the call yet.

 

[Dingster]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
The Kangaroos have so much more to play for then we do on Saturday, and should win by a couple of goals. In fact, if they don't win this game, the Roos can say bye bye to any September action as they'll need to win 4 or their last 5 games to make the eight.

Fair comment. After Laidley`s spray, the expectation is that North will come out breathing fire and be too committed for the Cats. The danger for us though is that you guys should have been taking all this in during the week and be ready to come out on fire as well!

We`ll give you every chance for your midfielders to get back into form as we don`t play man on man these days. Last week Porter won the ruck duels, but it was the Saints midfielders that used the ball better into the forward line. If you can use the ball well, you`ll be in with a big chance. We don`t exactly put teams away.

Your main concern is who will kick the goals. Graham had an ordinary game last time we met and if we cover him again, you will need your small forwards and midfield to share the load. At the other end Petrie is turning into a real gun and I would encourage your ruckman to help out. Harding, Motlop and Jones all like a goal, so there are plenty of options that need covering.

I`m tipping a close game as I expect Geelong to match our intensity and then it will be a matter of who uses the ball better.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Dingster


We`ll give you every chance for your midfielders to get back into form as we don`t play man on man these days.

That is the worst possible scenario for Geelong.

As was seen last week, when the opposition play unaccountable football, we get smashed.

Our skills and gameplan (do we have one?) aren't good enough to play such football.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Dingster

I`m tipping a close game as I expect Geelong to match our intensity and then it will be a matter of who uses the ball better.

In that case, we'll lose by 50 points.

Our skills are deplorable, the leagues worst.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Dingster
We`ll give you every chance for your midfielders to get back into form as we don`t play man on man these days. Last week Porter won the ruck duels, but it was the Saints midfielders that used the ball better into the forward line. If you can use the ball well, you`ll be in with a big chance. We don`t exactly put teams away.

This is exactly the reason I think you guys should have the edge. I think we'll match you for intensity, but our skills and decision making have let us down time and time again this year, and I can't see this week being any different.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

Kangaroos by 10 points.

If Aaron Lord was playing I would be tipping the Cats.

 

[Dingster]

Damn you guys are pessimistic. Haven`t seen you play recently, but we haven`t been setting the world on fire. Have some faith!

 

[you_idiot]

One thing's for certain, or so I hope... Geelong WILL give a more committed and a higher quality performance than it did against the Western Bulldogs last week.

Whether that translates into a win, I'm not convinced about that. But the way things have been surprising all of us this season in terms of the odd result or two (across the league, and not just us), nothing's out of the realm of possibilities.

But as long as the Cats give a honest and hard-working effort in every match for the balance of the season, that will have to be a fine consolation, even if they don't win another game and lock up that concession pick.

Nonetheless, I'll take the pragmatic view and tip the Kangaroos by 14 points.

Hope I'm wrong, though.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Dingster
Damn you guys are pessimistic. Haven`t seen you play recently, but we haven`t been setting the world on fire. Have some faith!

Today's game went pretty much as I thought it would... Geelong matching the Kangaroos for the first 3 quarters, only to fall short in the final term and lose by a couple of goals. I guess when you consider we had King, Harley and Riccardi out of our side, it was a pretty good effort, but you don't get any points for effort.