Prediction Where will we finish this year?

Where do you think the Cats will finish this year?


  • Total voters
    98

goyoucatters

Norm Smith Medallist
Jan 31, 2008
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I am a big fan. It requires really good training and really consistent stability in the team structure.

Tick, tick. Both things we seem to have achieved this year.

There is every indication at this stage that training has massively improved since last season. As has been mentioned by several people involved at the club, the sports science agenda has no longer been allowed to prevail. This has meant that drills are run until they're right (and/or the players are exhausted), rather than easing off to circumvent the possibility of injury.

While I don't support either team, I have incredible respect for the coaching systems instituted by both the All Blacks and the Melbourne Storm. Both regimes are reportedly founded on the principle that you need to train as hard (or harder, even) than you play. That way, you are entirely prepared for the rigours of the high-pressure moments in games, where fatigue is off the charts and you just have to execute under enormous duress.

The way we're playing so far this year, it looks to me that we are far better prepared for these moments. And I suspect that significantly increasing the consistent 'ask' at training has been an important part of that improvement.
 
It's not ladder position from which we should measure success or failure.

SMH -

point taken - but given the thread title is WHERE WILL WE FINISH THIS YEAR how about going with that and not "watch Biggy try and rip down the 9-1 record again"

GO Catters
 
When I selected us this preseason to lose this year's GF, it was more in hope,( not hoping we lose a GF, but getting there was my point) and trying to suggest we will improve enough to make it to a GF.
But now, that is more than a hope.
Who would have anticipated the revelation that Miers is, the improvement in MOC, and the startling return to form and consistency of Rohan? GAJ as a forward doesn't hurt either.
Those 3 players have addressed weaknesses we had last year.
Stanley has been great, and our defence is organised and miserly.
A GF is certainly a possibility.


BUT, I'm hoping we beat GC this week!!
 

Landgraft

Norm Smith Medallist
Dec 18, 2016
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Don't disagree with the vast majority of this. And I share your concern about the unknown of what we will produce when finals roll around.

But I would have to say the magnitude of our improvement has been a real surprise for me. I could see how we could/should be better.

But this much better? Not so much.

The whole has again become greater than the sum of the parts. And we are winning games when not playing particularly well. Both of those realities were hallmarks of our last truly successful side.

Very long way to go, I know. But the signs to suggest that we are actually significantly better (rather than somewhat improved) are striking at this point.

Having a forward line is a huge difference from previous years. My perception was always that our players had to massively outwork most opposition because the conversion of opportunity into outcome was not potent enough if we relied on the specialists.

This year the load on every player in the 22 is much more equal and I think also crucially is that every player has been given a part of how they can work within the team to push us that step further - Joel going out onto the wing, Kelly going more inside, Gaz/Dahl/Atkins going forward, etc.
 

Ricketz

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 2, 2011
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There is every indication at this stage that training has massively improved since last season. As has been mentioned by several people involved at the club, the sports science agenda has no longer been allowed to prevail. This has meant that drills are run until they're right (and/or the players are exhausted), rather than easing off to circumvent the possibility of injury.

While I don't support either team, I have incredible respect for the coaching systems instituted by both the All Blacks and the Melbourne Storm. Both regimes are reportedly founded on the principle that you need to train as hard (or harder, even) than you play. That way, you are entirely prepared for the rigours of the high-pressure moments in games, where fatigue is off the charts and you just have to execute under enormous duress.

The way we're playing so far this year, it looks to me that we are far better prepared for these moments. And I suspect that significantly increasing the consistent 'ask' at training has been an important part of that improvement.
Yeah, I agree. Mind you, sport scientists are not bad guys. They are just good at selling the benefits. Good to see us focus on the skills balance a bit more.
 

goyoucatters

Norm Smith Medallist
Jan 31, 2008
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Yeah, I agree. Mind you, sport scientists are not bad guys. They are just good at selling the benefits. Good to see us focus on the skills balance a bit more.

I would entirely agree that there needs to be balance. Just seems like our system was somewhat skewed in recent years.

You do need to be able to get to the line and play, I admit. But if you can't keep going (and execute effectively) when the heat is on, you're never going to prevail in the really tough contests.

GWS got us at home when our effort became quite mediocre the longer the game went. But I haven't seen any teams really put it to us and have us totally wilt so far this year. Happened regularly in recent times, particularly in finals.

The Dees tried to replicate the shock and awe of the EF when they came down, and we just cracked in harder and harder. So there's been some very promising signs for mine about how we will deal with opposition heat so far this year. And some of that must come from training harder and subsequently being better prepared for the intensity the opposition will bring to try and nullify our game.
 
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Ricketz

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 2, 2011
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Hard to see 1st in H&A slip. I see no indication that we can't go all the way, though. I'm backing us in for the flag.
 

Black Stripe

Yellow Paint
Feb 15, 2019
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I know King Cold isn't a very well liked poster on this board and on the bigfooty forum in general, but he deserves credit for picking Geelong to finish top 2 and win the premiership this year back in January before any games had been played.

Especially when you consider the fact that Geelong were widely written off and tipped to miss the finals this year.
 

Gyno79

Rookie
Dec 7, 2014
24
54
Adelaide
AFL Club
Geelong
I know King Cold isn't a very well liked poster on this board and on the bigfooty forum in general, but he deserves credit for picking Geelong to finish top 2 and win the premiership this year back in January before any games had been played.

Especially when you consider the fact that Geelong were widely written off and tipped to miss the finals this year.
If you keep saying it every year, it's bound to come true some time!
 

JohnZ

Norm Smith Medallist
Mar 10, 2016
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I know King Cold isn't a very well liked poster on this board and on the bigfooty forum in general, but he deserves credit for picking Geelong to finish top 2 and win the premiership this year back in January before any games had been played.

Especially when you consider the fact that Geelong were widely written off and tipped to miss the finals this year.
Guess we know what King Cold 's GWS alias is now.
 
I know King Cold isn't a very well liked poster on this board and on the bigfooty forum in general, but he deserves credit for picking Geelong to finish top 2 and win the premiership this year back in January before any games had been played.

Especially when you consider the fact that Geelong were widely written off and tipped to miss the finals this year.
I said it in October.
 

Black Stripe

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It's pretty obvious mate, why even leave the GWS flair on at this point. And why ask if Geelong are unbeatable on the main page after we have already lost at home to the team you claim to support.

We didn't win that game, Geelong lost it.

I've already said that it reminded me of the game in 2007 when Port Adelaide beat Geelong at Kardinia Park in similar circumstances, which is why I'm terrified of what Geelong will do to teams in the finals this year, including my own team.

I said it in October.

Even better.

I know you have a good track record of predictions too.

Smart people will be running off to the TAB and laying down $1000s on Geelong to win the premiership if they haven't done so already.
 
We didn't win that game, Geelong lost it.

I've already said that it reminded me of the game in 2007 when Port Adelaide beat Geelong at Kardinia Park in similar circumstances, which is why I'm terrified of what Geelong will do to teams in the finals this year, including my own team.



Even better.

I know you have a good track record of predictions too.

Smart people will be running off to the TAB and laying down $1000s on Geelong to win the premiership if they haven't done so already.

Sure thing Jumpy.

Go Catters
 

Overhang

Club Legend
Sep 29, 2011
1,762
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Geelong
We didn't win that game, Geelong lost it.

I've already said that it reminded me of the game in 2007 when Port Adelaide beat Geelong at Kardinia Park in similar circumstances, which is why I'm terrified of what Geelong will do to teams in the finals this year, including my own team.

I'm not sure who you think you're kidding, a quick look at your posting history reveals all you do is talk up how great Geelong are, never posting about GWS who to be frank are a very viable contender for the flag. It is appreciated that at least on first appearance you have disassociated yourself with Geelong this year before making that embarrassing post on the main page
 
Nov 24, 2008
7,024
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I know King Cold isn't a very well liked poster on this board and on the bigfooty forum in general, but he deserves credit for picking Geelong to finish top 2 and win the premiership this year back in January before any games had been played.

Especially when you consider the fact that Geelong were widely written off and tipped to miss the finals this year.

No he doesn't (no you don't). Perfect example of the broken clock.
 

Herne Hill Hammer

Cancelled
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Jun 22, 2008
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First we need to win coming off the bye against Port and then it would depend on if we just fall over the line or it's a dominant win. If it's the latter then the flag is Geelong's to lose.

I suspect with the massive improvement in the forward line, the byes will no longer trouble us. (fingers crossed)
 

catscratchfever

Captain Goodvibes
Aug 16, 2008
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Geelong's best football has been the best of any team this season. Barring catastrophic injuries, I expect a preliminary final appearance as the absolute minimum of acceptability from here. If we win after the bye, expectations will head north, somewhat. I do expect us to win big against Port.

Geelong has had a reasonable year in the medical room. Touch wood it stays that way.
 
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