Ruthless cats?

[BlueNWhite]

GEELONG utility Andrew Mackie believes it's time for the club to get ruthless in its pursuit of success.

The skilful tall said the Cats' playing group had developed a hard edge over the summer and was desperate to prove to itself - and to its fans - that it was the real deal.

``We are a bit more mature than we were one year ago,'' Mackie said.

``Everyone is a bit wiser as to where we all need to go to become a successful and really ruthless sort of club.

``We've worked really hard and everyone is just looking forward to getting into the season and proving to ourselves and to everyone what we can do because we know we can be a good team.''

Mackie said he expected the Cats to field a strong team for their final pre-season hitout against Melbourne at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Key forward Brad Ottens, who has been rested with general soreness for the past two matches, will return and last season's best and fairest winner Paul Chapman will also play his first senior match after a run in the VFL last Sunday.

Speedy midfielder Kane Tenace is also available after suffering a minor injury in an intraclub match.

The Cats chose not to risk the trio during last Saturday night's NAB Cup semi-final loss to Brisbane at Telstra Dome.

Forward Charlie Gardiner said pressure for spots in the team were now at a premium.

``We've got a couple of guys coming back this week, which is going to make it even harder,'' Gardiner said. ``Otto and Chappy are both quality players and are definitely in our best 22.''

Gardiner, who wants to establish a role across half-forward, booted two goals and was a solid contributor in last week's NAB Cup loss.

He said although it was disappointing to lose, it was certainly not ``all doom and gloom'' at Skilled Stadium.

``We've now got Melbourne, who are a quality side, and there will be premiership season rules so we are looking forward to it,'' Gardiner said.

Mackie said the players had been put through a harder week on the track after dropping out of the lucrative pre-season competition.

``Obviously it would have been great to play in another Grand Final and win another premiership, but having said that, there are a lot of positives to come out of it,'' he said.

Mackie has been used with success in different roles this pre-season, including across half-back where he has linked up well with running defender David Wojcinski.

The 192cm forward has also had stints on the ball and is in line to become a regular member of the Cats' midfield rotation.

``I've enjoyed playing a different role and being able to run around in the open spaces. It is good to have a few strings to my bow, I suppose,'' he said.

``We play better when we play on and take risks off half-back and run it quickly through the midfield and give Otto and the boys the best chance up forward.''

Some good news on the injuries front with Otto, Blackjack and Chappy available for the game against the Dees.

Also - premiership season rules for the game...no more supergoals! Might be in with a chance this week.

 

[Big Nasty]

Some good news on the injuries front with Otto, Blackjack and Chappy available for the game against the Dees.

Also - premiership season rules for the game...no more supergoals! Might be in with a chance this week.

whos blackjack?

 

[Sean Sheep]

...Ten - ace is blackjack!

 

[gocats88]

whos blackjack?

r u serious tenace ten-ace equals 21 also known as blackjack

 

[carn_the_cattas]

Edit: Guessed a little too late...lol.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Good. Play ruthless. I want to see it. But I don't wanna see them play like they did against Brisbane. There was nothing ruthless in that, except for Kelly's stupid elbow.

 

[sarah.13]

Good. ruthlesPlay s.I want to see it. But I don't wanna see them play like they did against Brisbane. There was nothing ruthless in that, except for Kelly's stupid elbow.

Forget about playing ruthless, play Sellwood and Djerrkura I say!

 

[cat_fanatic]

Forget about playing ruthless, play Sellwood and Djerrkura I say!

I'd say both Selwood and Djerrkura are both pretty ruthless along with Pris, judging from the pre-season. Not affraid to go in and get the hard ball; these guys will be fantastic for Geelong!

 

[Dont you hate pants?]

All well and good to say it...Hopefully mackie isn't speaking only for himself and the rest of the squad will take that attitude out onto the field with them

 

[CF]

smells like a preseason puff peice to me......this year they are going to be ruthless....heard it all before

 

[thegerman]

smells like a preseason puff peice to me......this year they are going to be ruthless....heard it all before

Yeah I'd say it was a puff piece, especially if the word ruthless is coming from Mackie's mouth.

There is a guy who wouldn't have a clue what ruthless means, he has more of an idea on turnover and missed tackle I'd say.

From what everyone else has stated, Djerkurra seems to have that passion for the nut, and put him alongside Pris, Maxy, Chappy and Selwood and we have some guys who are really ruthless. Bartel is all heart also, Corey just runs all day and Ling, well he's a Ling.

We have a very good midfield, but not too sure that piece from the library of the Addy was required, especially when Mackie and Gardiner are there talking about being ruthless.

 

[rickster]

Don't forget Half-Cat....a ruthless mofo if ever there was one.

 

[Prodigal Sons]

Geez I reckon opposition players will be shaking their boots.

Andrew Mackie - the "he-man" of the competition and such an imposing figure saying Geelong will be ruthless.

Did anyone else notice against the Lions how some of their younger players still out positioned him with greater body strength and I saw a few times he just got pushed out of the contest.

Think he has a role to play in our midfield rotations but I would have liked someone other than him to come out and use the word "ruthless".

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Geez I reckon opposition players will be shaking their boots.

Andrew Mackie - the "he-man" of the competition and such an imposing figure saying Geelong will be ruthless.

Did anyone else notice against the Lions how some of their younger players still out positioned him with greater body strength and I saw a few times he just got pushed out of the contest.

Think he has a role to play in our midfield rotations but I would have liked someone other than him to come out and use the word "ruthless".

he he he! Big burly Mackie.

 

[cat in sydney]

he he he! Big burly Mackie.

lol. It has a picture with this story on teh gfc website, and this powerful 'ruthless' headline with a picture of a scrawny guy trying to flex his muscle. Quite humourous!

 

[Catman]

Yeah I'd say it was a puff piece, especially if the word ruthless is coming from Mackie's mouth.

There is a guy who wouldn't have a clue what ruthless means, he has more of an idea on turnover and missed tackle I'd say.

Yeah, it just isn't right. It's like Cameron Ling talking about long kicks into our attacking 50.

 

[sarah.13]

Yeah, it just isn't right. It's like Cameron Ling talking about long kicks into our attacking 50.

He.. hee . I like that !

 

[gypsy_1]

Djerrkura, 18 years old, young and a powerhouse. Not many possessions last week. But did you notice?? First, second, third and yep fourth efforts. Most GFC players have never visited that 4th dimension. Lost the tackle count.
Measure this player when he HASN":T the ball. Electric when he has it.
Start logging his hard ball gets when the ball is in dispute. A mature footy brain, doesn't have to be taught much. I'm excited.

 

[Copernicus]

I thought they said this last year as well.

Words are useless, back it up on the field ya bastards.