The Geelong Method

[maculosus]

This is my first post on the Cats board so I should introduce myself. I'm a long-suffering (40 years) cats fan who is a born and bred Queenslander. I live in N. Qld. and have never seen the Cats play live. That's something I'll fix soon as I have tickets for the game against Port.

The method is Mark Thompson's and it involves building a list from scratch almost (keep any good young players you've got) and develop the list over many years. He clearly stated this was his intention when he got the job as coach and he obviously had the support of the club. I believe his method will bear fruit this season and possibly for the next 2 or 3 seasons. What Geelong did that was unique was to actually get players who wanted to be at GFC.

Hawthorn's Clarkson said he was following the Geelong Method when he started. He has, and is about where Geelong was in 2004. Mick Malthouse once said in 2004 he was a year behind Geelong with his development but actually I feel the Pies are about where the Cats were in 2003. Are other clubs following the Geelong Method? Yes. Port and Brisbane seem to be well on the way. Carlton too but their selections aren't great.

Thompson may not be the best coach of all time, but he sure knows how to put a list together and develop young players. I can think of a few clubs who need just that in a coach. He'll do me and I hope he stays for a few more years.

One thing I'm looking forward to seeing. Gary Ablett Sn in the club rooms after a GF win.

 

[WynyardCat]

Welcome aboard, amigo. The "long suffering" bit certainly rings a bell with everyone here.

Good observations, too. Just remember around here we're "keeping a lid on it" and you'll get along fine.

 

[rizzo]

Agree. They look at the players talent, but also their personality. Geelong are building a list full of superstars on and off the ground.

 

[re cat]

I also welcome you and wish to remind you about the lid.
When I first saw the title of this thread I thought I might have learned about another method!!
Hope to enjoy your company in the future.

 

[rizzo]

Stuff the lid

 

[Cohzee]

Welcome!

Thompsons greatest asset is his ablility to build a list. No wonder Essendon want him.

 

[bigdroppunt]

welcome aboard matey,

i spose the big Q is where are geelong 2007 ? guess we find out soon hey.

 

[cat_fanatic]

Greetings fellow sufferer,

Nice observations and clearly constructed; you will be more than welcomed here by all i'm sure.

Bomber has done a fantastic job thus far in building a potential premiership winning team. However, the lid is firmly secured for the moment.

 

[gnoleeg]

I live in N. Qld. and have never seen the Cats play live. That's something I'll fix soon as I have tickets for the game against Port.

Hope your experience watching the Cats 'live' is more successful than mine. I went to three matches last year (my first in a looong time) and we lost every single one. You've picked a good year to go to a game. Nothing like watching the boys go round - have a great time.

 

[winty]

Read in Wallet's column in the Herald-Sun last Friday that he is trying to follow the Geelong method, and is actually jealous at how well we are going compared to the rabble under his control. Also heard a few players in recent weeks in interviews after games, or on the Footy Show comparing their gameplan to Geelong's, so we seem to be a bit of a trendsetter around the league ATM. Guess winning 14 on the trot will do that.

 

[hinders]

now that gary ablett junior is a elite player he is welcome to join the coasters!

 

[Shell]

This is my first post on the Cats board so I should introduce myself. I'm a long-suffering (40 years) cats fan who is a born and bred Queenslander. I live in N. Qld. and have never seen the Cats play live. That's something I'll fix soon as I have tickets for the game against Port.
.

Welcome Mac! Just a couple of questions.. You're a born n bred (North) Queenslander you say. How the heck did you become a Geelong supporter??! And never been down to see a game all this time? Anyway, whatever your reasons, good on ya and hope you have a great time at Kardinia Park in a fortnight. (Hope it aint too cold for ya but )

 

[mattyh]

Anyway, whatever your reasons, good on ya and hope you have a great time at Kardinia Park in a fortnight. (Hope it aint too cold for ya but )

That's what you said for me and it was cold, wet, miserable and we lost!!

 

[Shell]

That's what you said for me and it was cold, wet, miserable and we lost!!

Lmao!

Sorry about that dude (not)

Hehe, and I went to Sydney last weekend! And it was nice and hot! And we won! (back in Victoria, but still we won)

 

[Rosso]

Funny when you think about it. During the trade period of 2003 we moved heaven & earth to get Jade Rawlings at the cattery all to no avail. He wanted to get to the Kangas and eventually, his injury crippled body made it there, with minimal impact.

Still desperate for a tall target, we then looked at trading with the Tigers for Ray Hall but big Ray wasn't having a barr of it. He was happy finishing 9th and rarely playing from there on in and continues on that path to this very day.

What impressed me most about the 2004 trade period was that Otto said get me to the cattery. No matter how much he struggled early on, the fact that he was where he wanted to be meant that his form would turn around eventually (especially when he was played in his best position ). Possible All Australian this season and has been one of the driving forces behind our season so far.

Just on that 03 trade period, we ended up getting Loats and Haynes, both former Falcons that wanted to come home, wanted to play for the cats. Fair enough they didn't set the world on fire, but they wanted to be there when other's passed it up and are probably sitting back thinking "What if....."

 

[maculosus]

Welcome Mac! Just a couple of questions.. You're a born n bred (North) Queenslander you say. How the heck did you become a Geelong supporter??! And never been down to see a game all this time? Anyway, whatever your reasons, good on ya and hope you have a great time at Kardinia Park in a fortnight. (Hope it aint too cold for ya but )

Not sure but I grew up playing rugby league and following Brisbane Norths and South Sydney. Once VFL started to get time on TV I found I preferred Aussie Rules and my passion for Geelong FC grew so much that no other club I follow is remotely close to the Cats. I've been content to watch them on TV (Austar) and have a dream of one day seeing them. Well that dream is almost fulfilled. I'll be in Brisbane the following weekend so I may see them a second time.

Thanks to all of you, all of you, for your welcome. I've been reading this forum for most of this season and your comments and insights have changed the way I watch the footy. Thanks for that.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

This thread has been a very interesting read. I didn't quit appreciate that background.

Thanks and welcome, from one Mac to another!

 

[Duskfire]

Thats why I have always been a supporter of Thompsons, even last year; the current list he has built from scratch and it wouldn't be the same to have anyone else coaching them. And as a result, he has made a very even team that plays a good brand of attacking fotball. Not to mention, you know most of the players are never going to leave. Ling, Mooney, gablett, Otttens, Scarlett etc etc will be their entire playing days.

Not only that, but already we have a partial re-building phase going at at the same time. The influx of new and talented players is huge, not to mention the majority of our superstars could stil easily have 7 - 9 years left in them (Gablett, Bartel, Ling, etc etc.) Thompson has done an amazing job with the list, and thats why I hope he stays on.

 

[SJ]

Not sure but I grew up playing rugby league and following Brisbane Norths and South Sydney. Once VFL started to get time on TV I found I preferred Aussie Rules and my passion for Geelong FC grew so much that no other club I follow is remotely close to the Cats. I've been content to watch them on TV (Austar) and have a dream of one day seeing them. Well that dream is almost fulfilled. I'll be in Brisbane the following weekend so I may see them a second time.

Thanks to all of you, all of you, for your welcome. I've been reading this forum for most of this season and your comments and insights have changed the way I watch the footy. Thanks for that.

Nice to have you on board mate.

Do you know where you are sitting/standing next weekend?

 

[Ashb23]

Thats why I have always been a supporter of Thompsons, even last year; the current list he has built from scratch and it wouldn't be the same to have anyone else coaching them. And as a result, he has made a very even team that plays a good brand of attacking fotball. Not to mention, you know most of the players are never going to leave. Ling, Mooney, gablett, Otttens, Scarlett etc etc will be their entire playing days.

Not only that, but already we have a partial re-building phase going at at the same time. The influx of new and talented players is huge, not to mention the majority of our superstars could stil easily have 7 - 9 years left in them (Gablett, Bartel, Ling, etc etc.) Thompson has done an amazing job with the list, and thats why I hope he stays on.

Brings up an interesting question though. Free agency - what do you guys think? I personally think it will ruin the game. I love one clubplayers. I love the fact we can look forward to 10 years of Joel/Tom. I hate the way Basketball and soccer have players changing clubs 2, 3 or 4 times in their career, although I kind of understand in soccer, but not basketball. Long live the current system I say.

Oh, and welcome aboard.....