2014 - is this the year Geelong finally falls?

[manboob]

We generally arent in the business of finishing down the ladder.

1989 -3
1990 -10
1991 -3
1992 -1
1993 - 7
1994 - 4
1995 -2
1996 -7
1997 -2
1998 -12
1999 -11
2000 -5
2001 -12
2002 -9
2003 -12
2004 - 4
2005 - 6
2006 -10
2007 -1
2008 -1
2009 -2
2010 -2
2011 -2
2012 -6
2013 -2

 

[Hodgepodge]

Why would they fall though? They still had an average age of 26 years + on Thursday. That's probably the oldest in the AFL.

 

[Badesumofu]

They are a class outfit. Don't see why they would drop off majorly. I don't expect them to challenge for the flag this year, but they will be a serious threat to whomever they play each week.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

I'd go so far as to say that the "natural cycle" is a relatively modern concept made up in part by "Malthouse's window" and the priority pick when teams saw that this was the easiest way to inject quality players. Look at the Richmond, Melbourne, Dons, Hawks, Carlton teams of the past. Sure there was none to limited equalisation methods in place then but still...

It's a modern concept because equalisation through draft/salary cap are all relatively new as well.

That Geelong have been consistent finalists for a decade is a credit to them over a stretch - they'd also be the poster child for absolutely nailing 2 drafts in close succession, including the greatest draft of all.

There is no window in the EPL - it's just a matter of which billionaire has bought the best players.

 

[vealesy]

Last week was the youngest side we have had since 2007.

 

[Hodgepodge]

It was the youngest side we have had since 2007.

Nope, average age of that side was 26, which is standard for Geelong.

 

[manboob]

Last week was the youngest side we have had since 2007.

You nasty match committee, you nasty!

 

[vealesy]

Nope, average age of that side was 26, which is standard for Geelong.

One of the commentators mentioned it during coverage.

 

[El_Scorcho]

Have half the players under 21 been the best performed player for their side in finals?

As I've said, you've made some good points, but you're wrong on Guthrie, it'll be proven in time.

Some of them have. Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines were among our best few against Collingwood Last year. Luke Parker was excellent for the Swans across all 3 finals they played last season.

But Guthrie certainly wasn't BOG in any of the finals he's played or best across the finals. If any of your youngsters could claim that it's Duncan, who I thought had a terrific finals series. Guthrie was solid and serviceable. He wasn't the difference.

The best finals players for you last year were the usual suspects. Selwood, Stevie J, Bartel, Corey etc.

I accept that you rate Guthrie and think he'll come good in time, but he hasn't shown at this stage that he's ahead of the pack of developing players. I have no doubt he'll be a good player.

 

[Hodgepodge]

One of the commentators mentioned it during coverage.

He may have just been assuming it was younger . . .

Geelong had an average age of 26 years and 4 months on the park against Adelaide. Not hard to find a 2013 Geelong side that was younger than that.

 

[vealesy]

I didnt look. If its not hard, show us.

 

[thecatattack]

Some of them have. Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines were among our best few against Collingwood Last year. Luke Parker was excellent for the Swans across all 3 finals they played last season.

But Guthrie certainly wasn't BOG in any of the finals he's played or best across the finals. If any of your youngsters could claim that it's Duncan, who I thought had a terrific finals series. Guthrie was solid and serviceable. He wasn't the difference.

The best finals players for you last year were the usual suspects. Selwood, Stevie J, Bartel, Corey etc.

I accept that you rate Guthrie and think he'll come good in time, but he hasn't shown at this stage that he's ahead of the pack of developing players. I have no doubt he'll be a good player.

Considering we lost 2/3 finals, no one was the difference.

But I dunno what Geelong games you watched, because Guthrie was a clear standout.

 

[Hodgepodge]

I didnt look. If its not hard, show us.

I only had to go back a few games actually

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2013/091820130817.html

26 years, 31 days.


100 days younger than Round 1, 2014- 26 years 131 days.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2014/010920140320.html

 

[manboob]

But Guthrie certainly wasn't BOG in any of the finals he's played or best across the finals.

Guthrie dominated in three finals he played and had 1 goal kicked on him.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Guthrie dominated in three finals he played and had 1 goal kicked on him.

He was poor in defence in the prelim, that's the only final I saw of him but he made critical mistakes which may have cost Geelong the game. Most of these involved poor passing or decisions. If his surname was Schoenmakers the media would be all over it.

 

[Bobby_]

I only had to go back a few games actually

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2013/091820130817.html

26 years, 31 days.


100 days younger than Round 1, 2014- 26 years 131 days.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/games/2014/010920140320.html

meh' just drop Rivers for Thurlow and the average age automatically drops to 25 years and 187 days. Rest McIntosh one week, play Thurlow ahead of Rivers and that average age drops considerably yet again.

No big deal, it's not like Hawthorn who were desperately lacking Brian Lake to steady the ship in defence so Hawthorn's average age will sky well past 26 once he and Sewell make their way back into the starting 22.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Why would they fall though? They still had an average age of 26 years + on Thursday. That's probably the oldest in the AFL.

Because the old farts are fading - duh!

 

[Topper Harley]

Some of them have. Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines were among our best few against Collingwood Last year. Luke Parker was excellent for the Swans across all 3 finals they played last season.

But Guthrie certainly wasn't BOG in any of the finals he's played or best across the finals. If any of your youngsters could claim that it's Duncan, who I thought had a terrific finals series. Guthrie was solid and serviceable. He wasn't the difference.

The best finals players for you last year were the usual suspects. Selwood, Stevie J, Bartel, Corey etc.

I accept that you rate Guthrie and think he'll come good in time, but he hasn't shown at this stage that he's ahead of the pack of developing players. I have no doubt he'll be a good player.

You've just mentioned 3 blokes who will be absolute superstars. That helps my point regarding Guthrie.

Also, Duncan had a good finals series, but Cam was the only player to play well in all 3 games. In our finals series, nobody was the difference. We lost 2 games and it was a strong team performance that won us the middle game.

Cam was our best against Freo, and in our in our best 3 against Hawthorn. He was also good against Port. Across the 3 games, he was our best player.

 

[winty]

He was poor in defence in the prelim, that's the only final I saw of him but he made critical mistakes which may have cost Geelong the game. Most of these involved poor passing or decisions. If his surname was Schoenmakers the media would be all over it.

Played on Cyril and kept him goalless. I guess that's poor.

 

[winty]

Guthrie dominated in three finals he played and had 1 goal kicked on him.

Actually, he played on Ballantyne, Monfries and Cyril in the finals, and held them all goalless.

 

[cats_09]

He was poor in defence in the prelim, that's the only final I saw of him but he made critical mistakes which may have cost Geelong the game. Most of these involved poor passing or decisions. If his surname was Schoenmakers the media would be all over it.

Any chance you are confusing Guthrie with Duncan? Guthrie was one of Geelong's best that night and reading different match reports he was often named our best; a quick look saw only The Age exclude him.

Duncan took a couple of great marks late in the 4th quarter but his kicks out of defensive 50 lead to turn overs each time - those were crucial mistakes and something Duncan admits he made errors with in terms of the choices he took.

I don't remember too many mistakes from Guthrie during the finals series last year and especially not in the prelim.

 

[romeoh]

Some of them have. Chad Wingard and Ollie Wines were among our best few against Collingwood Last year. Luke Parker was excellent for the Swans across all 3 finals they played last season.

But Guthrie certainly wasn't BOG in any of the finals he's played or best across the finals. If any of your youngsters could claim that it's Duncan, who I thought had a terrific finals series. Guthrie was solid and serviceable. He wasn't the difference.

The best finals players for you last year were the usual suspects. Selwood, Stevie J, Bartel, Corey etc.

I accept that you rate Guthrie and think he'll come good in time, but he hasn't shown at this stage that he's ahead of the pack of developing players. I have no doubt he'll be a good player.

You might want to watch them again-Guthrie had a terrific finals series. Corey? An old warrior who just went ok. Bartel? - our champion who had several moments he'd like back.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Played on Cyril and kept him goalless. I guess that's poor.

Only because Rioli played on after the siren and wasn't paid a mark that he clearly took.

Apart from that having watched that game a few times now, I credit Guthrie with our win about as much as Bartel. His errors in defence opened the door for the last goal in particular and also other scoring shots.

 

[Hodgepodge]

meh' just drop Rivers for Thurlow and the average age automatically drops to 25 years and 187 days.

You could do that, but that wouldn't be the Round 1 side, which presumably was picked on merit. It's an old side, not the youngest since 2007.

No big deal, it's not like Hawthorn who were desperately lacking Brian Lake

Desperately lacking Lake and Schoenmakers you mean? Even then we could have played Heatherly who looks good for a key defensive spot already. And failing that there's Roughead who played CHB early doors. No it looks like we have a few key defensive options and are not relying on any one player.

 

[Hodgepodge]

I never said it's young .

Then why bother having this conversation? I stepped in to quash the rumour this was the youngest side since 2007. It's just the youngest side since 4 or 5 games ago.