Opinion The Cats will improve in 2013

[Pure_Ownage]

Maybe JC would be a good sub - but we tend to use that position to bring the youngsters thru - starting them as the sub. The game has slowed down and the plyer does not need to be as fit or as strong coming in for a quarter and bit.

But I like the idea as JC could quite easily pick up a dozen possessions in a quarter and a bit. Maybe come finals we could use JC this way.

They've still got to be able to use the ball well though when they have it, which was Corey's biggest issue in 2012 (poor disposal by foot and lateral handballs to a teammate in a worse position) and I'm not sure being sub will help with that.

Corey has been a gun for us, but I saw a few signs this year that the body wasn't willing anymore and he was slowing down. Hope I'm wrong and he has a great year in 2013, but I'm not expecting it. Time will tell.

 

[Vdubs]

Looking at it from contrarian view - the younger guys seem to tire out in the 4th qtr. Is there not value in bringing JC into the fold with the oven already up to temp? Not like he doesn't know how to handle it. I guess Im looking at it from the view of speed and enthusiasm is great but a cool head under pressure with fresh legs and body size in the last might offer some real inside advantage - especially if the opposition player has had a full run....

Im not sure I'd want to see a fresh JC - or any 3 time Premiership player of 250 odd games running at me with 5 mins to go in the 3rd qtr of a slug fest.....

Again, just looking from the other side... doesn't make it right....

Nice to have options...

Go Catters

Agree, does not seem contrarian to me, more pragmatic , wouldn't have to be every week, but on a needs basis.

 

[meto]

Agree, does not seem contrarian to me, more pragmatic , wouldn't have to be every week, but on a needs basis.

Even if it's to show the younger ones just what's needed,..........yes he may have to be managed, but last year with limited game time still manage impressive stats.
If given the vest could provide cover almost anywhere, at 191cm he's the perfect modern day utility.

 

[dazbroncos]

Even if it's to show the younger ones just what's needed,..........yes he may have to be managed, but last year with limited game time still manage impressive stats.
If given the vest could provide cover almost anywhere, at 191cm he's the perfect modern day utility.

I just think overall we get more value from him in 40 mins than giving him 120 mins in the reserves. And you know that 40 mins will be full tilt JC too...

Go Catters

 

[footscore]

191cm he's the perfect modern day utility.

Thurlow is another who could really impress in the VFL and see him get senior games and is 190cm with substantial athletic ability to play as a utility.

The most likely Corey replacement given his pedigree.

The other is young Murdoch but looking in, it appears he may need a few years to get to where he needs to be while some just have it from the beginning.
Having said that, watch Rupert come out and emerge as our most promising youngster in 2013

 

[meto]

Thurlow is another who could really impress in the VFL and see him get senior games and is 190cm with substantial athletic ability to play as a utility.

The most likely Corey replacement given his pedigree.

The other is young Murdoch but looking in, it appears he may need a few years to get to where he needs to be while some just have it from the beginning.
Having said that, watch Rupert come out and emerge as our most promising youngster in 2013

Wonder if Murdoch has put on a couple of kilos, was just that little bit light last season I thought.
He needs a little more strength and weight for senior level, then the confidence will grow.
Definately one to watch for 2013 IMO.

 

[Partridge]

I think we have to stop thinking Menzel we make any sort of difference. He will have zero impact next year. I won't be surprised if he doesn't get on the park in 2013.

He may never play again. I doubt we will ever see see him reach any where near his original potential.

We must look elsewhere for 2013 impact/"new recruits".

I'll go for something slightly different - what is the latest official position from the club? Not misguided and totally uninformed speculation from fans.

Reading some of these posts makes me think he'd lost a leg in the off-season. I could be pessimistic for my country, but I would rather hear from the club first and see what transpires.

 

[Partridge]

Thurlow is another who could really impress in the VFL and see him get senior games and is 190cm with substantial athletic ability to play as a utility.

The most likely Corey replacement given his pedigree.

The other is young Murdoch but looking in, it appears he may need a few years to get to where he needs to be while some just have it from the beginning.
Having said that, watch Rupert come out and emerge as our most promising youngster in 2013

You might want to watch the VFL Grand Final and see who was voted best on ground. He isn't unlike Corey either.

 

[meto]

You might want to watch the VFL Grand Final and see who was voted best on ground. He isn't unlike Corey either.

Well! was it Murdoch?

 

[Partridge]

Well! was it Murdoch?

Not unless he's got lighter hair and wears number 33 it wasn't.

 

[dazbroncos]

Not unless he's got lighter hair and wears number 33 it wasn't.

Hypen had his head over it plenty..... I tend to think of Smithy as faster than Hypen however... perhaps not right now but certainly over the duration

Go Catters

 

[Partridge]

Hypen had his head over it plenty..... I tend to think of Smithy as faster than Hypen however... perhaps not right now but certainly over the duration

Go Catters

I never thought of Corey as exceptionally fast, but he didn't need to be, unlike just about every other player in the competition he was as fast in the last quarter as he was in the first.

 

[dazbroncos]

I never thought of Corey as exceptionally fast, but he didn't need to be, unlike just about every other player in the competition he was as fast in the last quarter as he was in the first.

His work rate and fitness is phenomenal. If GHS can match that it will be a brilliant outcome.
Having seen them before Xmas thought Smithy was taller too.... Either way, if Hypen can take the role Snithy has now, it would be awesome.
Another thought is Caddy. What you think?

GO Catters

 

[Partridge]

His work rate and fitness is phenomenal. If GHS can match that it will be a brilliant outcome.
Having seen them before Xmas thought Smithy was taller too.... Either way, if Hypen can take the role Snithy has now, it would be awesome.
Another thought is Caddy. What you think?

GO Catters

My own personal view is that I would rather someone like Horlin-Smith gets opportunities ahead of Caddy. Just because he's been at the club longer and has put in the hard work. A reward for effort.

Having said that, all reports indicate Caddy is blitzing on the training track. If his pre-season form is superior to Horlin-Smith's, and there is only one spot available between them, then he should get selected. No problem.

 

[meto]

Not unless he's got lighter hair and wears number 33 it wasn't.

Oh yeah, he was BOG in a big way wasn't he, after that and another pre-season, gee he's going to be pushing hard for senior game time.
Might not be the fastest, but boy can he read the play, all the foot speed in the world won't beat that.
Fast hands and fast decision making is what's primarily needed in and around the packs.
GHS has the smarts IMO, but time will tell.

 

[CharacterFirst]

I'll go for something slightly different - what is the latest official position from the club? Not misguided and totally uninformed speculation from fans.

Reading some of these posts makes me think he'd lost a leg in the off-season. I could be pessimistic for my country, but I would rather hear from the club first and see what transpires.

Meh.

The club injury reports settle somewhere between half-truths and misdirection. In fact, I think on some occasions their "official" position is nothing more or less than a lie.

I understand the reasons for this, and think the media and competition as a whole have largely forfeited their right to the truth.

But I still wouldn't be holding my breath for a straight shooting injury report on Menzel, or any player for that matter.

 

[Vdubs]

I'll go for something slightly different - what is the latest official position from the club? Not misguided and totally uninformed speculation from fans.

Reading some of these posts makes me think he'd lost a leg in the off-season. I could be pessimistic for my country, but I would rather hear from the club first and see what transpires.

When was the last time you relied on some OFFICIAL info on one of our injured players from the club?
Agree that it's worthwhile waiting and seeing, but you could say that regarding just about every thread we ever discuss here, specially off season; it's all speculation, opinion, banter. All that has been discussed in your absence really is WHAT IF another injury occurs, not WHEN. All we know is he turned up to training on crutches, which is the norm if it's soon after a scope. No need for pessimism.

 

[Vdubs]

Meh.

The club injury reports settle somewhere between half-truths and misdirection. In fact, I think on some occasions their "official" position is nothing more or less than a lie.

I understand the reasons for this, and think the media and competition as a whole have largely forfeited their right to the truth.

But I still wouldn't be holding my breath for a straight shooting injury report on Menzel, or any player for that matter.

Sorry, I replied without seeing your post, which essentially is what I said

 

[CharacterFirst]

Sorry, I replied without seeing your post, which essentially is what I said

No worries.

But a word to the wise - always read my posts.

 

[Partridge]

Oh yeah, he was BOG in a big way wasn't he, after that and another pre-season, gee he's going to be pushing hard for senior game time.
Might not be the fastest, but boy can he read the play, all the foot speed in the world won't beat that.
Fast hands and fast decision making is what's primarily needed in and around the packs.
GHS has the smarts IMO, but time will tell.

It's taken me a long time to come to this conclusion, but I'll take good decision making and a calm temperament over "X-factor" any day of the week. He absolutely has to earn his spot, but if his form warrants it I'd be rapt if he got picked in round 1.

 

[Poetic Justice]

My own personal view is that I would rather someone like Horlin-Smith gets opportunities ahead of Caddy. Just because he's been at the club longer and has put in the hard work. A reward for effort.

Having said that, all reports indicate Caddy is blitzing on the training track. If his pre-season form is superior to Horlin-Smith's, and there is only one spot available between them, then he should get selected. No problem.

Honestly think Caddy was brought in to play 2s?

 

[Partridge]

Honestly think Caddy was brought in to play 2s?

I think he was brought in to be part of the team. If his form and fitness determine that he's in the best 22 he plays seniors, if it doesn't he doesn't. Don't see what's so difficult about that.

Or do you think certain players should be treated differently and guaranteed senior games no matter what? Can see that working real well for morale.

 

[Poetic Justice]

I'm a realist. I wouldn't put it past his management for guarantee of certain matches played in a season.

Not to mention, the club would want to assure itself that they got a star - and playing him as much in the 1s is how they will do it.

Not much difference with Smedts really.

 

[Partridge]

I'm a realist. I wouldn't put it past his management for guarantee of certain matches played in a season.

Not to mention, the club would want to assure itself that they got a star - and playing him as much in the 1s is how they will do it.

Not much difference with Smedts really.

There isn't. Neither are established senior players yet.

 

[Perthmadcatter]

I'm a realist. I wouldn't put it past his management for guarantee of certain matches played in a season.

Not to mention, the club would want to assure itself that they got a star - and playing him as much in the 1s is how they will do it.

Not much difference with Smedts really.

If he tried to have a guaranteed number of games per season added to his contract, I would like to think the GFC would have told him to enjoy playing for the Roos next season. Its not the Geelong way to promise anyone, much less a kid who has only played a handful of games, a minimum number of games.