Injury Varcoe out for 3-4 weeks

[Sando]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/82983/default.aspx

I think he needed a rest but 1-2weeks would have been much better.....fingers crossed he gets over it quicker

Milburn Chapman Rooke and Kelly

with all of the above, plus good signs from Sat night I have some renew confidence that the cats will bring back the run and carry that we have all seen over the journey

although they have been helpful players like Lonners, Tenace, Mummy and maybe Hogan have bought us back to the pack a little

Thoughts?

 

[LongBomb]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Is that Trav done for the year?

 

[Turbocat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Bring a player back , whos been out 4 weeks, for a Preliminary... I think he might be done.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Is that Trav done for the year?

If it is 4 weeks it would be a tough call to bring him straight into the prelim final

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Is that Trav done for the year?

Yeh i would say so.

With Milburn, Chappy, and Rooke a sure thing to return and Wojo, Kelly, and Ottens a chance who are we going to drop?

 

[Sando]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Bring a player back , whos been out 4 weeks, for a Preliminary... I think he might be done.

if he is done then Chappy play permanent forward.....and stokes gets a reprieve?

or does this open the door for Gamble?

 

[Sando]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Yeh i would say so.

With Milburn, Chappy, and Rooke a sure thing to return and Wojo, Kelly, and Ottens a chance who are we going to drop?

We could go places with

B: Darren Milburn – Mathew Scarlett – Tom Harley
HB: Corey Enright – Harry Taylor – Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey – Cameron Ling – Jimmy Bartel
HF: Paul Chapman – Cameron Mooney – Steve Johnson
F: Brad Ottens – Tom Hawkins – Max Rooke
Foll: Blake – Joel Selwood – Gary Ablett
Int: Tom Gillies, , James Kelly, Stokes, Byrnes

physically no team in the comp could match it.....but does it have the speed?

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

We could go places with

B: Darren Milburn – Mathew Scarlett – Tom Harley
HB: Corey Enright – Harry Taylor – Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey – Cameron Ling – Jimmy Bartel
HF: Paul Chapman – Cameron Mooney – Steve Johnson
F: Brad Ottens – Tom Hawkins – Max Rooke
Foll: Blake – Joel Selwood – Gary Ablett
Int: Tom Gillies, , James Kelly, Stokes, Byrnes

physically no team in the comp could match it.....but does it have the speed?

Out of that team i would disagree on a few things. Mumford i think should stay in over Blake. I would drop Gillies to bring Wojo in. We need the speed that he can bring in. Stokes needs a break for a week i think. Just to try and get the hunger back into him. Bring Gamble in for stokes. Would love to squeeze Hogan in but i don't think i can. I would like Rooke at HF but i am not gonna go into where players should play instead just focusing on who plays.

 

[thegerman]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

I like the idea of what Mummy and Ottens can do together. In the team above I would have Otto move to the bench and either Stokes or Byrnes come onto the ground. Mainly due to pace, which would be severely lacking in pace with Otto, Hawkins, Rooke and Mooney in there.

Conversely, I would also like to see Gillies go for Hogan. The main objective in that thought is that Kelly is a backline player now. Gillies isn't really required in such a situation, as we have all our backs playing and JC and Bartel whom have played in the back half over the last few weeks are not in this lineup.

Wojo would deliver pace too, so I also like that option.

 

[jakethesnake]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

That will be him done for the year if he is gone for 4 weeks. Hopefully back after 2 though, but will be very tough for Travis.

 

[re cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

we need the 2's to make the finals, they need to keep up the match practice.

 

[Sando]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Out of that team i would disagree on a few things. Mumford i think should stay in over Blake. I would drop Gillies to bring Wojo in. We need the speed that he can bring in. Stokes needs a break for a week i think. Just to try and get the hunger back into him. Bring Gamble in for stokes. Would love to squeeze Hogan in but i don't think i can. I would like Rooke at HF but i am not gonna go into where players should play instead just focusing on who plays.

Blake had more hitouts and possies on the weekend.....we get get the best out of our midfield with Blake in the team

Mummy will be very useful in years to come but for now Blake is the answer

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Blake had more hitouts and possies on the weekend.....we get get the best out of our midfield with Blake in the team

Mummy will be very useful in years to come but for now Blake is the answer

For every good thing blake did he did something bad too. I would rather have Mumford in getting a few less hitouts but being willing to make the 2nd efforts.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Somewhere in or around Geelong Matthew Stokes and Shannon Byrnes are sighing in relief.

Bad luck for Trav as he's silenced some of his doubters this season (me for example) but with the glass half full we have to admit it could have been a much more important player that went out.

 

[NEMINI]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

can we just put adam in travs jumper and pretend his shoulder made a miraculous recovery?

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

can we just put adam in travs jumper and pretend his shoulder made a miraculous recovery?

I think people may notice the size difference, weight wise.

 

[Mighty Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

This news completely sucks..... I think Trav will be gone for the year unless they decide to drop Hogan in the GF (even if we make which im sure we will.... and that if hogan is still there with all the players returning.)


for the record I like Hogan

 

[the egg]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Unlucky for Varcoe, he was playing some pretty good footy. Didn't really rate him previous to this year but he's really grown as a player, adding many strings to his bow.

 

[kicksome]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

enter....ryan gamble

 

[Johanpetro]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

enter....ryan gamble

No...one of Varcoe, Stokes or Byrnes had to go by finals time...and Varcoe is the one by default. We wont play Gamble, everyone is banging on about him playing now, but i could garantee that he wont play especially if we have our full team ready to go, where does he fit?

 

[True Blue Cat]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

No...one of Varcoe, Stokes or Byrnes had to go by finals time...and Varcoe is the one by default. We wont play Gamble, everyone is banging on about him playing now, but i could garantee that he wont play especially if we have our full team ready to go, where does he fit?

Banking on Gamble getting a game is no more far fetched that banking that we will have a full team.

 

[Belisarius]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

I think Geelong has not had as good as year (for many reasons) as the past 2 ('07 and '08). And the competition is as hot, or hotter this time around. So Geelong need to make some big choices/decisions soon re selection.

I reckon they should use the two weeks to bring back players but also to trial West as a tall KP backman and Gamble, off the bench - to play forward. The reason is simple - if it works out Geelong, even without Varcoe and a few others, GFC could still win the big one.

The mid-field has been worn down and negated by opposition tactics to the point where they cannot simply win the game of their own boots each week.

The backline was so much better when Egan and Hunt were down back. And so the backline, even with Taylor is really a KP backman short. West, if he can play on the tallest (slower KP) forward and do basically a negating role - he could do ok. Offers another tall to kick out to and can ruck in the back half. Cannot see why it is not worth a trial given Lonergan is not the answer down back. I do not think West will get so easily pushed off the ball by a marking forward. No need then to scrag as Lonergan has been doing over the past few weeks.

The key issue however is the forward line. If Geelong kicks 13-15 goals in a game, we would wing 9 out of 10 games. So if we can add just one more goal kicker this might just be achieveable. Gamble is worth a punt for the next two weeks. He does have an 'X-factor' but no one has really seen it on display this year - but the promise of finals can bring out the best in some players. If he does nothing then drop him as players return for the first final.

So the team I would go with for the next few weeks would be -

B: Darren Milburn – Mathew Scarlett – Corey Enright
HB: Harry Taylor – Trent West - Andrew Mackie
C: Wojo – Cameron Ling – Jimmy Bartel
HF: Paul Chapman – Tom Hawkins – Steve Johnson
F: Gary Ablett – Cameron Mooney– Max Rooke
Foll: Mumford – Joel Selwood – Joel Corey
Int: Mark Blake, James Kelly, Stokes, Byrnes

All these players should be available this week. As players come back the poorest performing player is dropped. However it will be a raffle between Wojo, Byrnes and Stokes. Ottens only comes into the team if he can really make some contribution. This is really an unknown factor but more will be known with 2 more reserves grade footy (though Bomber may bring him in round 22).

No Harley I know - but as it stands now re form he is not in the best 6-7 backman we have that can be selected. His form needs to improve to be selected in this team.

Taylor will enjoy the greater freedom and will likely take more defensive marks and run off his opponent more often. He could be good in this HB role as he has a decent long kick that could well be better used coming into the forward line.

Lastly Ablett to play more up forward - as with him down there we are more likely to kick goals/winning score. Without Johnson Geelong discovered we had a much harder time kicking a high enough score. SJ may not also be the dominant player we have seen this season - he will be a worthwhile player but maybe not the gun we are used to due to injury. The answer is to share the load. If Ablett played nearly 50 % of the time down forward he would proabaly kick 2-4 goals a game. He could be a match winning forward - AND it still allows him to play nearly 50 % of his match time on the ball. Chapman to swap in the middle with Gary. Having Chapman more on the ball compensates for Gary's absence quite well. Both are likely to get plenty of the ball whether on the ball or forward. Both are gun players we need to fire and hurt the opposition decisively.

And play Hawkins more at CHF where he has more space and more space to run/lead into. Mooney needs to take the number one tall backman.

Be willing to play Taylor and Mackie on and off Riewoldt at different times - so he is run into the ground as best a possible. West V Kosi might be ok for us ? Leaves Scarlett free - on the third tall forward.

Still use Hawkins in the ruck for short bursts and FF - rotate heavily thru the forward line.

Keep Corey on the ball - he does his best work there. Others can be found to patch up the backline when required.

This team is quite big and maybe a bit slow - but it does still have the grunt to win a game of footy. If Varcoe makes it back, and I hope he does, as he is a better option on the wing than either Wojo or Byrnes.

The die has been cast. Geelong will not all have a smooth passage in these finals matches. Injuries, lack of form and and better opposition will severely test us I believe. So take the punt - put in West and Gamble and don't die wondering what might have been. I just doubt whether the selection committee have the 'balls' it would take to select them and show some faith for the next 2 weeks - given then the finals begin.

The best team will not be available, so will not play together, before the finals begin. So accept the disruption and make the best of it. Try out West and Gamble.

 

[Johanpetro]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

I think Geelong has not had as good as year (for many reasons) as the past 2 ('07 and '08). And the competition is as hot, or hotter this time around. So Geelong need to make some big choices/decisions soon re selection.

I reckon they should use the two weeks to bring back players but also to trial West as a tall KP backman and Gamble, off the bench - to play forward. The reason is simple - if it works out Geelong, even without Varcoe and a few others, GFC could still win the big one.

The mid-field has been worn down and negated by opposition tactics to the point where they cannot simply win the game of their own boots each week.

The backline was so much better when Egan and Hunt were down back. And so the backline, even with Taylor is really a KP backman short. West, if he can play on the tallest (slower KP) forward and do basically a negating role - he could do ok. Offers another tall to kick out to and can ruck in the back half. Cannot see why it is not worth a trial given Lonergan is not the answer down back. I do not think West will get so easily pushed off the ball by a marking forward. No need then to scrag as Lonergan has been doing over the past few weeks.

The key issue however is the forward line. If Geelong kicks 13-15 goals in a game, we would wing 9 out of 10 games. So if we can add just one more goal kicker this might just be achieveable. Gamble is worth a punt for the next two weeks. He does have an 'X-factor' but no one has really seen it on display this year - but the promise of finals can bring out the best in some players. If he does nothing then drop him as players return for the first final.

So the team I would go with for the next few weeks would be -

B: Darren Milburn – Mathew Scarlett – Corey Enright
HB: Harry Taylor – Trent West - Andrew Mackie
C: Wojo – Cameron Ling – Jimmy Bartel
HF: Paul Chapman – Tom Hawkins – Steve Johnson
F: Gary Ablett – Cameron Mooney– Max Rooke
Foll: Mumford – Joel Selwood – Joel Corey
Int: Mark Blake, James Kelly, Stokes, Byrnes

All these players should be available this week. As players come back the poorest performing player is dropped. However it will be a raffle between Wojo, Byrnes and Stokes. Ottens only comes into the team if he can really make some contribution. This is really an unknown factor but more will be known with 2 more reserves grade footy (though Bomber may bring him in round 22).

No Harley I know - but as it stands now re form he is not in the best 6-7 backman we have that can be selected. His form needs to improve to be selected in this team.

Taylor will enjoy the greater freedom and will likely take more defensive marks and run off his opponent more often. He could be good in this HB role as he has a decent long kick that could well be better used coming into the forward line.

Lastly Ablett to play more up forward - as with him down there we are more likely to kick goals/winning score. Without Johnson Geelong discovered we had a much harder time kicking a high enough score. SJ may not also be the dominant player we have seen this season - he will be a worthwhile player but maybe not the gun we are used to due to injury. The answer is to share the load. If Ablett played nearly 50 % of the time down forward he would proabaly kick 2-4 goals a game. He could be a match winning forward - AND it still allows him to play nearly 50 % of his match time on the ball. Chapman to swap in the middle with Gary. Having Chapman more on the ball compensates for Gary's absence quite well. Both are likely to get plenty of the ball whether on the ball or forward. Both are gun players we need to fire and hurt the opposition decisively.

And play Hawkins more at CHF where he has more space and more space to run/lead into. Mooney needs to take the number one tall backman.

Be willing to play Taylor and Mackie on and off Riewoldt at different times - so he is run into the ground as best a possible. West V Kosi might be ok for us ? Leaves Scarlett free - on the third tall forward.

Still use Hawkins in the ruck for short bursts and FF - rotate heavily thru the forward line.

Keep Corey on the ball - he does his best work there. Others can be found to patch up the backline when required.

This team is quite big and maybe a bit slow - but it does still have the grunt to win a game of footy. If Varcoe makes it back, and I hope he does, as he is a better option on the wing than either Wojo or Byrnes.

The die has been cast. Geelong will not all have a smooth passage in these finals matches. Injuries, lack of form and and better opposition will severely test us I believe. So take the punt - put in West and Gamble and don't die wondering what might have been. I just doubt whether the selection committee have the 'balls' it would take to select them and show some faith for the next 2 weeks - given then the finals begin.

The best team will not be available, so will not play together, before the finals begin. So accept the disruption and make the best of it. Try out West and Gamble.

Fair enough, but it seems you cant even squeeze Gamble into your team you have picked

In my opinion i dont like tinkering with the team this close to finals. I dont want to play players who wont be playing come finals, such as trent west. Just put our best team on the park right now, no tinkering.

 

[selwould]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Fair enough, but it seems you cant even squeeze Gamble into your team you have picked

In my opinion i dont like tinkering with the team this close to finals. I dont want to play players who wont be playing come finals, such as trent west. Just put our best team on the park right now, no tinkering.

Did you just drop the captain out of our best 22 and find a spot for Trent West - please don't post on this board again

 

[Hulk_Hawkins]

Re: Varcoe out for 3-4

Blake had more hitouts and possies on the weekend.....we get get the best out of our midfield with Blake in the team

Mummy will be very useful in years to come but for now Blake is the answer

I want some of what he's on