The Ling Sting

[polly63]

Okay Catfans, we all know what a sterling job Lingy does week in week out shutting down key opposition runners/playmakers but surely there will be opportunities coming up where his accountability is not that critical to the result so that he can be 'rested'. By rested I mean given a more freewheeling role where he doesn't have to run 10kms during the game and where he can relax his concentration a little.

I think this can only help him to sustain his energy and drive throughout the season, plus it will demand that others step into the stopper role (and perhaps learn from that how best to shake a tag themselves). I know he didn't set the world on fire 3 seasons back when asked to play ruckrover/centre but the odd foray elsewhere surely can't do any harm.

Your thoughts (apart from 'nah leave him there', 'best tagger there is" etc)?

 

[Mr Sensitive]

awful idea... Ling was given a free role in 2005-2006 and he was absolute rubbish. In fact many people, myself included, were shouting that he should be dropped and ultimately delisted. Ling is a premier shut down player, but he's no good as a freewheeling, creative type.

 

[cats2rise]

Nah, Leave him there. He's the best tagger there is.

 

[alfy!]

I don't think there is any need to. He isn't 30+, in his prime, let him do his job week in week out.

 

[buzz123]

awful idea...

Real sensitive, Mr

not sure about this idea. maybe, just maybe, rest him up forward ala gaz this yr. lingy's a fantastic shot for goal, and if we're well on top in a game give him a go up there....but in the end it probably isnt worth it!

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

awful idea...

Real sensitive, Mr

not sure about this idea. maybe, just maybe, rest him up forward ala gaz this yr. lingy's a fantastic shot for goal, and if we're well on top in a game give him a go up there....but in the end it probably isnt worth it!

I'd say this is his only other useful role at the club. He's not a great playmaker as evidenced in 05-06, and he's too heavy and slow to go man-on-man in defence against forwards of his height so what the hell. He IS usually a reliable kick for goal and was a forward for the falcons.

 

[cats2rise]

Agree, if we are going to rest him, put him deep forwardline. He takes a great mark, is a great set shot, and we al know he used to be a fat full forward.

A free-wheeling Ling was tried and it failed quite badly.

 

[Just do something]

The question i asked my self recently is who will be our next tagger once Ling is finished.

Its a tough role and needs to go to a fairly strong and disciplined player. Thoughts?

 

[noclashjumpers]

There will come a point in the next few years where he'll start spending increasing time in the FL. He's a great kick, strong overhead, and generally knows what to do up front given his junior experience as a FF.

To be honest I reckon the team could benefit from him doing that a little know (i.e, Ablett style, the odd rest @ FF). Could cause a few problems for other teams. .....and there's a chance we might actually have goals kicked from set shots!

 

[LebronJames]

Okay Catfans, we all know what a sterling job Lingy does week in week out shutting down key opposition runners/playmakers but surely there will be opportunities coming up where his accountability is not that critical to the result so that he can be 'rested'. By rested I mean given a more freewheeling role where he doesn't have to run 10kms during the game and where he can relax his concentration a little.

I think this can only help him to sustain his energy and drive throughout the season, plus it will demand that others step into the stopper role (and perhaps learn from that how best to shake a tag themselves). I know he didn't set the world on fire 3 seasons back when asked to play ruckrover/centre but the odd foray elsewhere surely can't do any harm.

Your thoughts (apart from 'nah leave him there', 'best tagger there is" etc)?

I'm sorry cat fans but i dont have any respect for the tagging job ling does week in week out.

He grapples the oppositions rover before the ball is bounced and doesnt let them free.

 

[TheTimeCometh]

Nah, Leave him there. He's the best tagger there is.

hmmm...too soon?

 

[TheTimeCometh]

I'm sorry cat fans but i dont have any respect for the tagging job ling does week in week out.

He grapples the oppositions rover before the ball is bounced and doesnt let them free.

Take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see?
do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way ?

 

[And_ROOS]

Best at shutting other players and is an accurate kick.

So if the oranje blanket needs a break, chuck him up forward where his accuracy can hurt.

 

[LebronJames]

Take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see?
do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way ?

????

 

[Vegas.]

????

Exactly.

 

[DanA]

The question i asked my self recently is who will be our next tagger once Ling is finished.

Its a tough role and needs to go to a fairly strong and disciplined player. Thoughts?

Rooke and Enright both commonly have run with roles along with David Johnson.

 

[witsend]

I'm sorry cat fans but i dont have any respect for the tagging job ling does week in week out.

Well we have no respect for your ability to understand football.

 

[Belisarius]

I'm sorry cat fans but i dont have any respect for the tagging job ling does week in week out.

He grapples the oppositions rover before the ball is bounced and doesnt let them free.

I think you would be in the minority with this point of view/assessment on Lingy. He reduces the effectiveness of the opposition key mid-fielder, and as long as it is legal (read does not give free kicks away or gets reported) - he should keep doing what he is doing. His performances in this role over the past few seasons has been excellent.

It showed up recently when Lingy did not play on Mitchell round 1, and Mitchell had a pretty good game. When Ling has played on him - he has cut him largely out of the game. He is vital component of the Geelong success story for the past 2 seasons and I see no reason why this will not continue into this season and next. Most AFL sides do not have more than one gun midfielder, so if that player is kept relatively ineffective, Geelong is far more likely to win.

Many games are won by the mid-field dominance, and Geelong owes much of its success over the past 2 seasons because we have dominated the opposition midfield. Ling has been a very good contributor to the Geelong midfield mix. Thompson, I believe, would agree this assessment.

 

[hamG]

I'm sorry cat fans but i dont have any respect for the tagging job ling does week in week out.

He grapples the oppositions rover before the ball is bounced and doesnt let them free.

I'm sorry cavs fan but I have no respect for pathetic NBA bandwagon supporters.

 

[Tuggacat]

I agree that Lingy has been brilliant for us in the tagger role in the last few years but I think we are starting to see his lack of pace exposed. I would like to see him play in the forward line some more this season but I don't know who would take the tagger role. Does Gamble have the speed? Swap roles for a bit?

 

[year of the cat]

The question i asked my self recently is who will be our next tagger once Ling is finished.

Its a tough role and needs to go to a fairly strong and disciplined player. Thoughts?

Of the current players Kelly would appear to be the best suited. Otherwise from the rest of our list perhaps Tom Allright who is physically strong and a useful clearance player could be developed to take over that role. Can't really think of anyone else.