Opinion Who does Blicavs replace from the backline?

[Bobby_]

Having discussed this question at great lengths recently. It appears some supporters may only wish to see Blicavs make the transition info defence slowly over the next year (or two). This seems reasonable but what if he does well in the upcoming praccie games. Who makes way when Geelong play Hawthorn in round one?

My first thought was Mackie could be moved to the wing in his final season/s. He's always been a beautiful kick and has an attacking style of game synonymous of Geelong throughout their golden era. Only issue could be his lack of foot speed as he'd be matched up against genuine speedsters, as well as players a lot younger than Andrew this year.

What are your thoughts about Blicavs potentially turning into a key defender, and who he'd replace in 2015?
Would he even make it as a key position defender to begin with?

 

[Bobby_]

should also note that Blicavs has reportedly added more muscle to his rather lean frame (lean by AFL standards)

Listed at 198cm/95kg last year, he's now around 100kg which is going to be needed if he is to contend with a variety of key forwards in the competition.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Having discussed this question at great lengths recently. It appears some supporters may only wish to see Blicavs make the transition info defence slowly over the next year (or two). This seems reasonable but what if he does well in the upcoming praccie games. Who makes way when Geelong play Hawthorn in round one?

My first thought was Mackie could be moved to the wing in his final season/s. He's always been a beautiful kick and has an attacking style of game synonymous of Geelong throughout their golden era. Only issue could be his lack of foot speed as he'd be matched up against genuine speedsters, as well as players a lot younger than Andrew this year.

What are your thoughts about Blicavs potentially turning into a key defender, and who he'd replace in 2015?
Would he even make it as a key position defender to begin with?

I wouldn't mind seeing Mackie pushing up the ground and nailing those 50+m goals that are so devastating to the opposition as they just slice effortlessly through all their carefully planned I50 setups.
You're right about the lack of leg speed, though.

 

[Pollywaffle]

yep, very slow is poor old Mackie

The number of times he's began waltzing our of defence only to have a player quickly dart in from the side to disrupt his kick or get pinged for holding the ball is right up there at the Cattery.[/QUOTE

More an awareness thing that ( but he's no road runner, agreed )

 

[FredLeDeux]

Varcoe's gone, and Kelly is, according to the club, going to be spending more time back in the guts.
That's 2 free spots in our 7-man defence.

 

[ChookNorris]

Varcoe's gone, and Kelly is, according to the club, going to be spending more time back in the guts.
That's 2 free spots in our 7-man defence.

I agree that we do have two opens spots, both probobly more for a small defender... bews/smedts are more likely replacements for kelly/varcoe. its blitzs versatility that makes him so hard to place, probobly has the size to be a lonergan replacement, but also the ability to move and take on a 3rd tall (rivers) although his inexperience may mean he may not know when to leave his man and impact a contest like rivers does. but yeah for now id say him ahead of kolo replacing rivers when he needs a rest.

 

[cynical]

we already have half a dozen players who should be playing on the wing, I wouldn't waste it on Mackie

Blicavs can't play the Mackie role anyway he doesn't have elite kicking, we don't need 4 KP Defenders

He either replaces one of Taylor/Lonners or Rivers or he plays 2nd ruck.

Really he should play 5-6 games as a defender maybe 5-10 as a second ruck and the rest in the VFL.

 

[you pick one]

I still don't know if Blits is best 22 this year all fit ,I do get the feeling Scott is a fan though and he's come a long way considering the background,how ever if he had one thing going for him an ace in the hole so to speak it was stamina that advantage maybe some what diminished standing an opponent in the back line.Still we do need to blood some one back there and he does look to have the inside running.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Joel Hamling

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

He's shouldn't replace anyone, he isn't good enough to be starting 22 down back. He's played what? 2 games there and practice some pre-season, hardly back 6 worthy.

He should play VFL down back and see how he goes. But I don't think Scott will do that to him so he will play in Kelly's spot , and we will play 5 talls,and then you guys will meltdown when Lindsay Thomas kicks 10 and Scott in the presser tells us all that Blivcas does not slow down our backline.

Seriously though, Delany is better then Blivcas and I doubt he is a starting 6 at this point.

 

[FredLeDeux]

makes you wonder who James Frawley would have replaced had we secured his services

I don't think you need to wonder, you just need to go back to the hundreds of posts on just that issue, and pick one out.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Varcoe's gone, and Kelly is, according to the club, going to be spending more time back in the guts.
That's 2 free spots in our 7-man defence.

I reckon if we're bringing Kelly back to the midfield, we are taking a backward step in transitioning the team. Older players are supposed to retire gracefully out of the midfield, through the less intensive areas of the ground like the pockets, then into the VFL. Bringing Kelly back means there will be another player/s missing out on 18-20 games in the midfield.

 

[FredLeDeux]

I reckon if we're bringing Kelly back to the midfield, we are taking a backward step in transitioning the team. Older players are supposed to retire gracefully out of the midfield, through the less intensive areas of the ground like the pockets, then into the VFL. Bringing Kelly back means there will be another player/s missing out on 18-20 games in the midfield.

That's one point of view.
But there was and is a major structural deficiency in our inside midfield in that last season we simply didn't have anyone playing as a replacement for Kelly/Corey as defensive mids. This was undoubtedly a major element in the decisive midfield hammering we took from the top sides (and, of course, the resultant pressure on our defence).
We need to stop more attacks at their source.
If Jansen proves good enough to do this, that may be the help Kelly needs, but there don't appear to be any other short-term alternatives available at present, so Kelly wouldn't be doing anyone out of a game.

 

[Turbocat]

As we tend to play a 7/5 type setup any way , I don't see him being a direct swap for Lonergan etc. Depening on needs , he may play a defensive roll of 3rd man , then others the 2nd ruck. He will gradually become a regular face in defence.

The other thing is ... how many player play the same roll from first bounce to last siren. He is a utility , he will be used like one while we need to plug holes

 

[Teriyakicat]

That's one point of view.
But there was and is a major structural deficiency in our inside midfield in that last season we simply didn't have anyone playing as a replacement for Kelly/Corey as defensive mids. This was undoubtedly a major element in the decisive midfield hammering we took from the top sides (and, of course, the resultant pressure on our defence).
We need to stop more attacks at their source.
If Jansen proves good enough to do this, that may be the help Kelly needs, but there don't appear to be any other short-term alternatives available at present, so Kelly wouldn't be doing anyone out of a game.

I definitely agree with the bolded- it's such a pity the club chose to retire Corey, who had a pretty decent final year as a clearance specialist, isn't it?
My point re Kelly was more that if he is in the middle, then someone else is not- someone of much lesser ability but someone learning the ropes from Selwood.
It's a balance between the team going backward fast while developing youngsters and hanging onto the older players a bit longer in order to train the young blokes up fully and not cook them by overloading them.

 

[David the Cat]

Kelly is as tough as nuts and tackles as well as anyone…he won't be found wanting getting in and under.

I just hope his body can handle it over a full season…like a few others, he will need to be managed…but my bet is he will be an asset more than a liability, though there are many here who won't agree.

Its way too premature to write him off IMO...

 

[goodoldcats]

will be hilarious watching blicavs running around in circles in the backline. but but but he is really good at running

 

[David the Cat]

will be hilarious watching blicavs running around in circles in the backline. but but but he is really good at running

Well thats to be seen. Blicavs is a talent….whether he can do the job in defense will be interesting, no doubt about that.

We should give him a fair crack of the whip though before ridiculing him. He might just turn out to be good in defense….

 

[FredLeDeux]

Well thats to be seen. Blicavs is a talent….whether he can do the job in defense will be interesting, no doubt about that.

We should give him a fair crack of the whip though before ridiculing him. He might just turn out to be good in defense….

Won't happen.
Refer to the post you replied to.

 

[catempire]

In answer to the OP:

He should replace Taylor, Lonergan, Rivers and Mackie...

One game each.

And from time to time throughout games when an injury occurs or a match up provides the opportunity.

 

[David the Cat]

simple really…..

 

[bulletproof]

Let's just hope Lonergan, Rivers, Mackie and Taylor are all fit all year, if they are we are probably heading to another 15+ win season.

It is unlikely all four will play every game....

As for the Frawley question, we might have encouraged Lonergan to accept the bulldog offer had we secured him. frawley is not a better player than Lonergan but he is younger. Frawley was more about improving the side in 2016 and beyond rather than this year in my view. Blicavs defensive training now has the same objective - post Lonergan and Rivers.

 

[you pick one]

simple really…..

Maybe not as simple as it first looks,the question that comes to mind is will he be learning one position ie full back which means if he's replaces anyone other than Loners,Loners has to play else where,so strait away we have a rookie full back and an out of position big man,or do they expect him to play full back one week CHB the next,attacking HBF the following and so on,that would be a big ask.

 

[David the Cat]

I think these days, defenses play as a unit…the actual positions can be quite fluid…..so I guess having Blicavs training with the defensive unit equips him to move around the back line as needed/required.

I don't doubt its a big ask for him, but in the photo I saw he looks much stronger, and with mentors like Taylor, Rivers and Lonergan along with his talent, and apparently being very willing to learn, it appears the club thinks he can do the job.

Fingers crossed…..

 

[FredLeDeux]

I think these days, defenses play as a unit…the actual positions can be quite fluid…..so I guess having Blicavs training with the defensive unit equips him to move around the back line as needed/required.

I don't doubt its a big ask for him, but in the photo I saw he looks much stronger, and with mentors like Taylor, Rivers and Lonergan along with his talent, and apparently being very willing to learn, it appears the club thinks he can do the job.

Fingers crossed…..

All true, and just one reason why he has to learn the job in the 1sts, not the VFL.