Stephen King Thread

[hoody]

BEING POSITIVE:
Kingy appears to have trimmed down a bit and looks as fit as I have seen him for a long while.

BEING NEGATIVE:
It matters little how fit one looks when they are laying in the medical room.

PROGNOSIS:
I agree with most that a fully fit, in form King is a cosiderably better player than the improving Blake.
I believe we should bring King back sooner rather than later.
If he is going to break down I would prefer for it not to be on the eve of the finals (or during them).
Give him a run in the ones and lets see what he's got.

p.s. Unless they decide to play both of them in the same team, Blakey could always do some extra work on his kicking while maintaining fitness in the magoos.

 

[Slick Dog Johnson]

I have heard from a rather reliable source that King is in for Blake this week.

 

[linga_is_no1]

Ottens was brought to our footy club as a foward so why not play him there? with kingy in the ruck

 

[hobart cat]

Ottens was brought to our footy club as a foward so why not play him there? with kingy in the ruck

umm because he hasnt given us anywhere near as much forward as he has been in the ruck.

its no coincedence the move of Otto into the Ruck coincided with the start of our win streak.

 

[jess_555]

I say bring King in for Rd 18 against Richmond at Skilled, and then for a couple of weeks.

It has benefit in two ways:
1. Gives King some time in the ones to see if his body will handle it. If so, he will be very valuable during the finals. If not, he will retire.
2. Gives Blake a rest for a few weeks. If Kings body then doesn't hold up, we know that Blakey will enter finals in good condition.

Very good point!
When should we start to rest our players and really prepare for finals footy? Should we rest Blakey and put Kingy in which (IMO) would mean we are not playing our best 22 and therefor risking a game?

After checking out Kingy in the VFL on the weekend his stats sounded great but I still thought he was slow getting around the ground. Yes, he was great in the ruck... but don't forget he was up against VFL players. I just hope Thompson makes the right decision... it's a tough one!

I would really hate it if Thompson brought Kingy in while Otto and Blakey were in the same team. I think that would be a big mistake. A big part of our success this season has been due to our fast paced midfielder and playing on when ever possible. Having several taller players that aren't so good around the ground would only hinder our team.

 

[hoody]

umm because he hasnt given us anywhere near as much forward as he has been in the ruck.

its no coincedence the move of Otto into the Ruck coincided with the start of our win streak.

Too true, HobCat.

But IF we did have somebody that could emulate his form in the ruck, then I can't see much wrong with Otto sitting up forward.
That would probably relegate the third best opposition to Nathan and I am sure young Ablett would appreciate that.

Even if I have got that wrong, it's a lovely thought.

 

[Cattery]

Really can't see the sense in it myself, the only thing to ask is which of them is better value with their actual ruck work, and I'd say Blake is some way ahead of King in that regard.

Doesn't really matter if King gets more of the ball around the ground, we certainly don't need another on-baller simply running around racking up uncontested possessions, and he's no real value up forward as he can't take a contested mark, so as I said, the only consideration is who's the better tap ruckman more likely to give us first use of the ball, and my vote goes to Blake.

 

[CF]

on "On The Couch" tonight the guys all think Blakey needs to be dropped and King brought back in. They also said the Richmond game would be perfect.

 

[Stripey PJs]

I haven't been to a VFL game to see Kingy in awhile, but the reports to date on his performances have been encouraging, if anything.

Not so much that he's dominating hit outs (which, really, is to be expected against VFL-tier beanpoles)....

I realise you're a pleasantly measured chap, GeeCat, but crikey, you're "encouraging" is more subdued than even the Rabbi's "looks good"! Daniel Clarke, the Dolphin's vice, would chuckle at being compared with a stringy beanpole. Matthew Clarke was rucking for the Scorpions, and the Borough's David Fanning's been in the system long enough. King's opponents haven't been powerhouses, but they're hardly 19-20 yo developing rucks/fodder. I wrote in the "Blake under pressure?" thread (shouldn't these be merged?) that I'd prefer seeing Kingy return if his form continues, and I can hardly back away from that statement after another strong performance.

I believe he'll be selected either this weekend or against the Tiggies, in Blake's place. It's a question of weighing the disadvantages of playing in Perth (6 hours in the air/damaging subiaco surface) against him taking the week off when he desperately needs match fitness.

If he collected 5-10 possies, 10-15 hos, on returning then he'd receive a pass mark from me.
Thereafter I'd expect a contribution of 10-15 possies, 15-20 hos, for his inclusion to be considered worthwhile.

 

[Solstice Raver]

if it ain't broke then don't fix it.

Food for thought: If you go and get 4 new tires on your car, do you confidently drive out of the workshop without a working spare in the boot? Hell no. Although we have other players that can fill the breach if, god forbid, one of our rucks goes down, our structure is the key to our success this year. Moons needs to play CHF, Otto needs to play ruck etc. I'd like to have Kingy fully fit and waiting in the wings, in case we have a "blowout".

Mentioned elsewhere also, but it may be that Kingy can be our version of Clark Keating... injured all year, but turns it on in September!

Yeah, it was me. As time goes by this year, Geelong '07 is continually being compared to the Lions of '01-'04 (if only). This is just another similarity that is proven successful. It is not a question of believing in the players (to remain fit) but having proven contingencies in place, otherwise known as depth. A fit King gives Geelong more depth than any other VFL player available. More important than Prismal, D Johnson, both Hunts, Tennace and co IMO.

 

[Linx]

He shouldn't play this week. Subiaco is a big ground and with 3 ruckman and Wojac in doubt, it will leave us too top heavy without enough run which is essential on that ground. Blake has lost a bit of form the past few weeks and let see it he can rectify it this week. If not, it means the season is probably taking a toll of his young body and then you bring King against Richmond at Skilled.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

He shouldn't play this week. Subiaco is a big ground and with 3 ruckman and Wojac in doubt, it will leave us too top heavy without enough run which is essential on that ground. Blake has lost a bit of form the past few weeks and let see it he can rectify it this week. If not, it means the season is probably taking a toll of his young body and then you bring King against Richmond at Skilled.

This is true. Also, though I've been a fan of Kingy throughout his career, if Geelong is looking at getting him off the list somehow, a few final games in front of his home crowd will be a pretty good way to say goodbye.