Tenace getting another go?

[ripitup27]

Please no...

Geel Addy

GEELONG midfielder Kane Tenace knows if he is dealt the right hand, he can still be in the selection game this season.

Tenace knows his performances in the Cats' pre-season campaign over the next month will determine how much senior action he will see in 2009.

While he made a promising start in the Cats' 35-point win over Adelaide in the opening round of the NAB Cup on Saturday night, Tenace knows he has to keep having an impact if he is to regularly find his way into the line-up this season.

"It's always nice to get a few kicks in the first game, but the next four weeks will tell the story for a lot of blokes that are in my position," Tenace said.

"I think it's all about taking the chances when they come to me."

Tenace had 23 possessions off a half-back flank against the Crows, a performance which won praise from Geelong coach Mark Thompson.

"He's one of the guys that hasn't been able to get a game in our best 22 over the last couple of years," Thompson said about Tenace.

"He has got ability and we're going to try to give him opportunities and find ways to get him a game. He's got a big part to play by playing the sort of footy he played (Saturday)."

The 23-year-old is in the final year of a two-year contract he signed at the end of the 2007 season and said, after battling with knee and shoulder problems in the second half of last season, he is determined to show he can still play a role at Skilled Stadium.

"Over the pre-season, I just tried to work as hard as I could on the track and hopefully it pays dividends," Tenace said.

"I'm a bit stronger in those areas and the key for me, especially playing down back these days, is winning the one-on-one contests and that's what I've got to keep working on.

"I got beaten once or twice (against the Crows), but I suppose that happens in games."

Tenace is entering his sixth season at Geelong. But despite being a top 10 pick in the 2003 AFL national draft, he has only played 54 games.

He played the opening round of last season against Port Adelaide, but was dropped back to the VFL the following week and never appeared in the seniors for the rest of the year.

The Cats' coaching staff has publicly declared it would use the pre-season matches to see what that group of players knocking on the door of selection had to offer the side this season.

Tenace said it was encouraging to know that the opportunities would be there to push his claims.

"But you've got to put yourself in the right position week-in, week-out and I think that's what I've got to try and do," Tenace said.

"(I've got to) play as good as I can every week and just see what happens from there.

"We've got such an amazing midfield and backline here so it's tough at times for blokes like me to get in. You've just got to hope for maybe a couple of niggling injuries or just any way you can force your way into the side.

"Hopefully, there's a chance early in the year but all I can do is play my best."




His best is our worst. He might be of value somewhere else but not at Geelong, especially not on the HBF where he turns the ball over way too much. Why this guy is not criticised as much as what Byrnes is on Bigfooty I don't know...at least Byrnes offers something.

 

[KardiniaPark]

I wouldnt worry im sure he doesnt even believe that. Byrnes gets a worse time cos he actually plays in the seniors. Im sure if tenace played as much seniors as byrnes that he would cop it horribly.

 

[krisholio14]

I think he can offer something. He will get dropped if he doesn't and so I don't see the harm in looking at him early.

 

[KardiniaPark]

One redeeming feature is that he has the best nickname in the game.

 

[Tay29]

I wonder if Thompson thinks he could be a replacement for Wojo. The thing is Tenace hasn't shown any blistering speed or penetration in his kicking. Admittedly Wojo's penetrating kicks are wobbly but they usually go straight.

 

[Budda 230]

I think he can offer something. He will get dropped if he doesn't and so I don't see the harm in looking at him early.

Exactly! I think he was impressive on Saturday night. He actually looked quite composed. If he is good enough, play him.

 

[krisholio14]

I wonder if Thompson thinks he could be a replacement for Wojo. The thing is Tenace hasn't shown any blistering speed or penetration in his kicking. Admittedly Wojo's penetrating kicks are wobbly but they usually go straight.

I'm thinking along those lines.

In 2007, we had two guys with genuine pace but unreliable kicking skills in Wojak and Byrnes playing in the GF and we won.

In 2008 neither of those two guys played (without having any players of like nature taking their spots) and we lost the GF after dominating all year.

Coincidence?

 

[rizzo]

I'm thinking along those lines.

In 2007, we had two guys with genuine pace but unreliable kicking skills in Wojak and Byrnes playing in the GF and we won.

In 2008 neither of those two guys played (without having any players of like nature taking their spots) and we lost the GF after dominating all year.

Coincidence?

The difference in Quality between PA and Hawthorn in the GF was the difference, not who we played. Our 2008 GF team would have beaten the 2007.

As for KT, BT can't really put down a player 1 game into the preseason. Of course there is a spot for him in the team if out defence all gets a serious case of the Bali belly

 

[ripitup27]

I'm thinking along those lines.

In 2007, we had two guys with genuine pace but unreliable kicking skills in Wojak and Byrnes playing in the GF and we won.

In 2008 neither of those two guys played (without having any players of like nature taking their spots) and we lost the GF after dominating all year.

Coincidence?

Don't know about unreliable on Grand Final day. Wojak had the best disposal efficiency on the ground against Port. 100% IIRC.

The thing about Wojack is his disposal in the back half is actually pretty spot on. It's only when he's at full speed and delivering into the forward line that things start going awry.

Tenace on the other hand screws up his disposal across half back consistently which is unforgivable.

 

[ripitup27]

As for KT, BT can't really put down a player 1 game into the preseason. Of course there is a spot for him in the team if out defence all gets a serious case of the Bali belly

Thompson has a serious case of playing the blokes he praises pre-season despite their clear deficiencies.

"Gardiner is in our best 22"...he played.
"I want Varcoe in next years grand final"...he played.
"(Tenace) has a big part to play if he plays footy like that"...

I don't like this 'finding a way to get him a game' crap. Why should the Cats be finding a way to get him to play. If you have to do so much searching to get him in the 22 he shouldn't be there.

 

[krisholio14]

Thompson has a serious case of playing the blokes he praises pre-season despite their clear deficiencies.

"Gardiner is in our best 22"...he played.
"I want Varcoe in next years grand final"...he played.
"(Tenace) has a big part to play if he plays footy like that"...

I don't like this 'finding a way to get him a game' crap. Why should the Cats be finding a way to get him to play. If you have to do so much searching to get him in the 22 he shouldn't be there.

Couldn't agree more with this one.

It's been going back even further than you've mentioned there too.

 

[Ninty]

He's had enough chances already, just like Byrnes has. He's terrible and wont improve if he hasn't already.

Only if injuries are a problem I'd put him in, otherwise I want Hogan to get a game before him...

 

[stevie20]

Why wouldn't u try and blood one of the new guys instead of Tenace just in case Wojo isn't ready for round 1 cause u wouldnt think Tenace would play round 1 (well fingers crossed he isn't going to play Tenace!)

 

[ripitup27]

He's had enough chances already, just like Byrnes has. He's terrible and wont improve if he hasn't already.

Only if injuries are a problem I'd put him in, otherwise I want Hogan to get a game before him...

Hogan or Djerka both deserve a go ahead of him.

I still don't think there's a place for them though.

If I were to pick my team for round one, presuming injury to Harley and Egan, and possibly Hawkins, I would go:

B: D.Milburn - M.Scarlett - J.Hunt
HB: C.Enright - H.Taylor - A.Mackie
C: J.Corey - C.Ling - J.Selwood
HF: P.Chapman - C.Mooney - J.Kelly
F: R.Gamble - T.Lonergan - S.Johnson
R: B.Ottens - J.Bartel - G.Ablett
Int: M.Blake - M.Rooke - D.Wojcinski - M.Stokes

Harley to come in for maybe Wojcinski or Rooke, Hawkins for Lonergan...and one day maybe Egan for Taylor.

Not sure why so many people have gone cold on Wojack though.

 

[ripitup27]

Why wouldn't u try and blood one of the new guys instead of Tenace just in case Wojo isn't ready for round 1 cause u wouldnt think Tenace would play round 1 (well fingers crossed he isn't going to play Tenace!)

He played Rd 1 2008. And Rd 1 2007. And Rd 1 2006. And Rd 1 2005. But not Rd 1 2004.

You could say it's kind of a tradition.

 

[SJ]

He played Rd 1 2008. And Rd 1 2007. And Rd 1 2006. And Rd 1 2005. But not Rd 1 2004.

You could say it's kind of a tradition.

He did too.

Tenace is one of the worst footballers I've seen given prolonged period of opportunity. He is worse than Byrnes and that is saying something. He showed a bit in his first season (Rising Star nomination) and kicked a brilliant goal with his first kick in league footy at Princes Park in a drubbing, but since then he has shown absolutely nothing and has gone backwards each year.

 

[Ninty]

Yep, looks like a great team. I'll still be very disappointed if I see Byrnes and Tenace get another chance ahead of the likes of Hogan and Djerrkura.

 

[ripitup27]

He did too.

Tenace is one of the worst footballers I've seen given prolonged period of opportunity. He is worse than Byrnes and that is saying something. He showed a bit in his first season (Rising Star nomination) and kicked a brilliant goal with his first kick in league footy at Princes Park in a drubbing, but since then he has shown absolutely nothing and has gone backwards each year.

He did skip away from Andrew McLeod pretty impressively not long after that Carlton game...but that was it. Foot skills are poor and his pace has dropped off significantly.

 

[hamG]

Sure he could be a small tagging defender with elite pace perhaps. Problem is we haven't seen him at full speed in four years ... any other role in our system he will touch the ball too often (guys can touch the ball 20-30 times in our team but not have significant impact on the game like that dud Priddis).

I ask myself "who do you prefer in the side, player XYZ or Tenace" and XYZ wins every time even if they are yet to debut ... well except if we traded Henry back into the squad I could not handle that again.

 

[Whit3y]

thompsons taking the piss surely

 

[krisholio14]

The difference in Quality between PA and Hawthorn in the GF was the difference, not who we played. Our 2008 GF team would have beaten the 2007.

As for KT, BT can't really put down a player 1 game into the preseason. Of course there is a spot for him in the team if out defence all gets a serious case of the Bali belly

I don't think they would have personally, but thats for a whole other thread.

 

[rizzo]

I don't think they would have personally, but thats for a whole other thread.

I should probably rephrase that. When you compare the two teams at their best and mentally switched on, then I think the 2008 team would probably win.

Given how fired up the cats were in 07, no team would have gotten close.

 

[ripitup27]

I should probably rephrase that. When you compare the two teams at their best and mentally switched on, then I think the 2008 team would probably win.

Given how fired up the cats were in 07, no team would have gotten close.

Start a new thread, because I wouldn't mind weighing into this argument.

PS Been working with your mob this week. Not a bad little office.

 

[krisholio14]

I should probably rephrase that. When you compare the two teams at their best and mentally switched on, then I think the 2008 team would probably win.

Given how fired up the cats were in 07, no team would have gotten close.

I'd like to continue with this one, but I don't want to get off topic.

I would love it if Simon Hogan stepped up to be that pacy guy who breaks the lines rather than going around in circles with the likes of Byrnes and Tenace, hoping they will improve year after year.

 

[krisholio14]

Start a new thread, because I wouldn't mind weighing into this argument.

PS Been working with your mob this week. Not a bad little office.

Done and done