Opinion Who do you miss most, and why?

[Sttew]

Since 2007 we have effectively turned over a complete team including some absolute guns. Friends who support other clubs often ask who I miss most, so thought I'd turn it into a Poll and BF Geelong survey.

For me, its probably No.30 - Matthew Scarlett. He was a champion of the club for longer than any of the current generation, with the possible exception of Milburn. Scarlett was THE general of our defence. His toe-poke in the 2009 GF still goes down as my personal favorite football moment.

We are fortunate that Tom Lonergan eased into the FB position, and that Boris, Mackie and Taylor have kept on keeping on. But Scarlett was something special. You just knew he would not only defend at all costs but set up attack that would inevitably lead to a goal.

Over to you

 

[DV2000]

It's hard to go past Scarlo, but Gary Ablett Jnr is one of the best players of all time. Many thought that he wouldn't be able to replicate his amazing football that he played for Geelong when he moved to the Suns, but he has, and agruably got even better. Just imagine the midfield trio of Joel Selwood, Ablett and Stevie Johnson and the damage it could do to opposition teams. Ablett is also a very handly goalkicker, sitting in 10th position on the Coleman Medal tally after Rnd 7. His skill level is just beyond belief. I also miss Chappy, because of his loyalty and passion for the club. He is such a dynamic player, especially when September rolls around. He is still playing good footy over at Essendon, despite his age.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I miss Max Rooke. His 2009 Grand Final, the 2008 Elimination final against the Doggies when he kamikazed Brad Johnson and saved a certain goal - I could go on. Added a bit of 'Uh-oh. Oh shit...' to opposition thinking whenever he played.

 

[vinum coupe]

It would easily be Gazza if he wasn't playing somewhere else. i.e. I still get to watch him so I'm not missing him.
Really think the club misses Ling though, so I'll go for him.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Ling, Ottens and Scarlo are my three 'logical' choices for most missed, but Max... He was just Max. When he wasn't Jarad, I mean.

 

[cats23]

Miss all of the choices for different reasons, but I absolutely love the real "heart and soul" type players, so my top 2 (cant separate them) would be;

Mooney-loved the way our forward line would "stand taller" when he was around. He had "team spirit" in spades, and his encouragement and care for his teammates was just the best .

Rooke-still can't get over his premature retirement. His passion and tenacity were second to none. No wonder the club snapped him up as a development coach, and look at how well the youngsters are coming along under his influence .

 

[Mike Williamson]

Kane Tenace!? I miss Scarlo. He set up the back line.

 

[karencatsfan]

I voted Brad Ottens. He just bought something we'd been lacking for a while, and have been since he retired (until this year at least ). Just loved him!

 

[thejester]

Josh Hunt and his drawstrings

 

[Turbocat]

I miss Menzel. All the rest had their time and had somewhat of a fair shake at it. The problem I have now is there a player in the side ..by himself enough to make me go to the game. The game style is so team orientated , the goals kicked so much from midfield I fear the days of the spectacular , selfish and entertaining forward are almost gone

 

[James1970]

Max.

The game just ain't the same. To paraphrase Bogie in a favourite movie, "I was born when I met him. I died when he left me. I lived a few years while he was in the Hoops."

 

[romeoh]

Max by a mile.

 

[JUBJUB]

Rooke-still can't get over his premature retirement.

Not really a premature retirement when his knees were screwed.Most people saw it coming.

 

[you pick one]

Not the greatest of a magnificent group but Moons,wore his heart on his sleeve and a real competitor, I always felt as a supporter more comfortable with the big hairy Cat in the side.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Too many to mention really, all champions of the club, except Kane.

Bring em all back so we can win the 3/5 flags

 

[rooie]

I voted Brad Ottens. He just bought something we'd been lacking for a while, and have been since he retired (until this year at least ). Just loved him!

weird injuries in the off season is what he brought! didn't he cut his hand on a propeller whilst water skiing....that is talent...

i loved brad because he worked hard in the packs, on his knees, etc. to win the clearance, not just in the air.

but for me, the most beloved is Rooke. the opening moments of the 09 GF when he smashed clarke into the turf, then bombed it from outside 50....... now where are my DVDs...

 

[karencatsfan]

Not really a premature retirement when his knees were screwed.Most people saw it coming.

But he was only 29. Think his career ended prematurely. A fit Max would have played into his 30's you'd think

 

[Whit3y]

ablett

chapman, scarlett

ottens, ling

rest

there will be another max rooke, there will be never one as elite as ablett and scarlett

 

[Teriyakicat]

All good choices, all good reasons- great thread. this will tug at our heartstrings for a few weeks

Moons- as listed above. Just a wonderful team player who played his heart out for the Cats. Turned himself around when he realised he'd been going about things the wrong way and then, after retirement, still makes us all so proud that he's a Cat! (not like that Harley bloke, who makes us cringe now, with his over the top sucky stuff!- though he was indeed a wonderful and memorable captain to be proud of)

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Not really a premature retirement when his knees were screwed.Most people saw it coming.

He should've retired at the end of 2009. His last act as a Geelong player should've been kicking that goal after the siren in the GF. Instead, he played in some crappy game against Carlton, which he obvious wasn't up for and we lost.

 

[SuperCats9]

All of them, all champs.

Edit: Except Mark Blake and Tenace.

 

[FredLeDeux]

All of them, all champs.

Edit: Except Mark Blake and Tenace.

Same, except including Mark Blake, and excluding Harley, if he don't want us, I don't want him.

 

[GeelongFTW]

Same, except including Mark Blake, and excluding Harley, if he don't want us, I don't want him.

 

[Geelong Dynasty]

Matthew Egan is the player I wish we still had, tragic for a AA CHB who just made his name to be cut down so cruely.

 

[barmy44]

hate to be a downer, and totally side-step the point of the thread, but none... seem them all, and enjoyed it all.

but whats the point of standing still? my favourite players now are murdoch, horlin-smith, burbury, hawkins, selwood, motlop, christensen, simpson, brown, duncan, taylor, mackie, stokes, mcintosh, walker, menzel, lonergan, enright... the list goes on.

i think, in menzels absence, murdoch and horlin-smith are my two current favourites.

nothing better as a fan than watching the new team come through, no matter how good the old team were.