News 2015 preseason training news and updates

[Teriyakicat]

Remember that guy Gerry Cooney he was supposed to be the last white hope, got knocked out by Larry Holmes, just outclassed. We do have higher hopes for Shane all the same.

Nope... must not have been on that bandwagon. Can't recall which bandwagon I was on at the time- definitely not a boxing one, though.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

sorry to sound stupid

been away
so who is the head of the performance department or whatever its called now,

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2014-11-14/cats-announce-football-appointments

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Where does Max Walker fit into this conversation? He seemed to do OK against Norf.

Nowhere since he was boned from the ch9 commentary team.....

 

[Turbocat]

I saw a training photo of Murdoch marking arms out up high, looked pretty impressive coupled with his pace he will be a target. Then again the competition of that medium forward will come from Kersten, not such a bad place thing for 2015.

I look at both on the stats sheet and see they are both 190 , a height that is almost ideal in todays football but both are very different footballers. murdoch has always seemed a taller ground player , Kersten a short tall. So far Murdoch has been more opportunist than legit target , my query on has been his marking , playing that role his height makes him likely for. Kerstens issue is resilience , stamina and perhaps the ability to help up ground.

Im looking forward to see if a slim , fit Kersten can be slightly less chunky yet more mobile and if Murdoch is stronger over head and perhaps stronger in the hands ...well he will be an even better player.I cant see him missing out on a spot , they have pumped games into him , 23 and 42 games...its all should be starting to really coming good for him and us. Kersten in comparison is almost exactly a year younger , 2 month short of 22 yet has only 9 games...Kersten needs to start to add games as soon as possible or risk becoming one of those who miss the bus.

At their height and talent both should be able to play in the side , at their age we need both to push so hard that the older guys are almost pushed out. Who? Well in the 3 spot in the forwardline , the obvious one is Jimmy. I hope not , he 28 games away from 300 and another strong season he may reach it..but he is 31 the clock is ticking and the side needs to be looking forward.One can not argue with his out put though , Jimmy was our second best forward last year and his cunning and guile under and around Hawkins,Clark and Stanley would seem just as likely to deliver. Further up the ground, there are open spot through the loss of Varcoe and AC , the ageing backline looks probable.

I guess Im saying the easiest way to get both in the side , is to have Murdoch play further up the field , but this preseason seems so full anticipation and speculation , I look forward to the preseason shake down more that I have in a while. All I can say is for a side considered on the slide , devoid of elite talent we seem to have a lot of competition for a best 22 spot. Even the 2014 draft additions look to add a couple of possibles. The preseason training looks good and they all look fit. Bring it on I say , bring it on.

 

[meto]

I look at both on the stats sheet and see they are both 190 , a height that is almost ideal in todays football but both are very different footballers. murdoch has always seemed a taller ground player , Kersten a short tall. So far Murdoch has been more opportunist than legit target , my query on has been his marking , playing that role his height makes him likely for. Kerstens issue is resilience , stamina and perhaps the ability to help up ground.

Im looking forward to see if a slim , fit Kersten can be slightly less chunky yet more mobile and if Murdoch is stronger over head and perhaps stronger in the hands ...well he will be an even better player.I cant see him missing out on a spot , they have pumped games into him , 23 and 42 games...its all should be starting to really coming good for him and us. Kersten in comparison is almost exactly a year younger , 2 month short of 22 yet has only 9 games...Kersten needs to start to add games as soon as possible or risk becoming one of those who miss the bus.

At their height and talent both should be able to play in the side , at their age we need both to push so hard that the older guys are almost pushed out. Who? Well in the 3 spot in the forwardline , the obvious one is Jimmy. I hope not , he 28 games away from 300 and another strong season he may reach it..but he is 31 the clock is ticking and the side needs to be looking forward.One can not argue with his out put though , Jimmy was our second best forward last year and his cunning and guile under and around Hawkins,Clark and Stanley would seem just as likely to deliver. Further up the ground, there are open spot through the loss of Varcoe and AC , the ageing backline looks probable.

I guess Im saying the easiest way to get both in the side , is to have Murdoch play further up the field , but this preseason seems so full anticipation and speculation , I look forward to the preseason shake down more that I have in a while. All I can say is for a side considered on the slide , devoid of elite talent we seem to have a lot of competition for a best 22 spot. Even the 2014 draft additions look to add a couple of possibles. The preseason training looks good and they all look fit. Bring it on I say , bring it on.

Look I think you're right about possibly Murdoch playing wing or something like that, giving Kersten a chance to bring whatever he can bring to a completely different approach to our forward structure.
Yes Murdoch is well in advance of Kersten, but you and me both would like to see them in rather than one miss out, but because Kersten has more limitations I think the compromise has to be Murdoch.
Atm Kersten really only has one option 3rd tall/medium forward so it's that or nothing as far as I can see and I agree he must start to play now or he's not going to be up to big time footy.
On the other hand, his work over summer seems to have him set for this role I believe, he needed to drop weight to increase his agility and speed if he was going to play and he has.
The NAB rounds will be interesting for him to stake a claim, I agree!

On the otherhand I wouldn't be so desparate for Kersten to backtrack Murdoch's development that we saw in 2014, I'd want him close enough to the goals so as not to lose that 25-30 goal potential on a purely speculative move. Murdoch midfield/wing for me or HFF if Kersten fails.
There are others to send on a mission of man minding in the backline without sacrificing an advantage to fill a gap which should spell opportunity for others who are on our list.
They also need to be standing up for the small/medium role down back.

 

[Turbocat]

Look I think you're right about possibly Murdoch playing wing or something like that, giving Kersten a chance to bring whatever he can bring to a completely different approach to our forward structure.
Yes Murdoch is well in advance of Kersten, but you and me both would like to see them in rather than one miss out, but because Kersten has more limitations I think the compromise has to be Murdoch.
Atm Kersten really only has one option 3rd tall/medium forward so it's that or nothing as far as I can see and I agree he must start to play now or he's not going to be up to big time footy.
On the other hand, his work over summer seems to have him set for this role I believe, he needed to drop weight to increase his agility and speed if he was going to play and he has.
The NAB rounds will be interesting for him to stake a claim, I agree!

On the otherhand I wouldn't be so desparate for Kersten to backtrack Murdoch's development that we saw in 2014, I'd want him close enough to the goals so as not to lose that 25-30 goal potential on a purely speculative move. Murdoch midfield/wing for me or HFF if Kersten fails.
There are others to send on a mission of man minding in the backline without sacrificing an advantage to fill a gap which should spell opportunity for others who are on our list.
They also need to be standing up for the small/medium role down back.

Again , like a lot of issues I don't think we are Km's apart meto. First a couple of lines which id like to comment on....

"Kersten has more limitations"... I guess you could look at it that way. Although having all the tools in the shed is not the same as being elite with one or two. I hope one constant theme in my "likes" is conversion , its one tool that always rewards and if we can get the ball in his hands often enough he will score.

"completely different approach to our forward structure"... Actually thing the structure will be similar but the talent we have will be superior and will have more chances. But thats just playing with words , I know what you mean.Its the thru the middle speed and the control of the ball , the purity of the inside 50's I see improving. Less gravitating towards the boundary , more the traditional Geelong way "The Highway" some call , with nearly every forward player being a marking target , we need to get it in there as quick as possible.

and its here that I see Murdoch contributing more , even if he doesn't kick them all himself. If he is around the backline , I dont see him as a "man minder" , I see him being a dice roller. Run off the forward. Turnover will kill us but that the risk/reward thing.

 

[FelixTheCat]

For me I see Murdochs main weakness being his decision making under pressure. So far in his career he has far too many turnovers from bad decisions under pressure and in today's game turnovers are costly. If he can tidy up this part of his game he can be a very good player for us because with his run and carry and opportunistic approach he is very damaging when attacking.

 

[Daniel McL]

Hopefully all those scrapping contested style we saw the boys training on CatsTV helps improve our contested work but also our decision making under pressure!

 

[ChookNorris]

How many line breaking run and carry players would you have in 1 team? Motlop, Murdoch and hopefully cockatoo at some point, how does blease fit in?

 

[you pick one]

"completely different approach to our forward structure"... Actually thing the structure will be similar but the talent we have will be superior and will have more chances. But thats just playing with words , I know what you mean.Its the thru the middle speed and the control of the ball , the purity of the inside 50's I see improving. Less gravitating towards the boundary , more the traditional Geelong way "The Highway" some call , with nearly every forward player being a marking target , we need to get it in there as quick as possible.

and its here that I see Murdoch contributing more , even if he doesn't kick them all himself. If he is around the backline , I dont see him as a "man minder" , I see him being a dice roller. Run off the forward. Turnover will kill us but that the risk/reward thing.

Just a couple of figures to show where we could look to improve in 2015 going into the forward line.
2014 Geelong possessions per goal 27..............Hawks 23
is50 enteries per goal around 4 ........Hawks around 3 (I haven't taken into account goal from outside 50)
Total score 315 goals 303 behinds....................Hawks 418 goals288 behinds.They not only scored more freely but also nearly 10% more efficiently.
If we can tighten these numbers up a bit it will help a lot.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

How many line breaking run and carry players would you have in 1 team? Motlop, Murdoch and hopefully cockatoo at some point, how does blease fit in?

Blease can fit in up forward given that Varcoe is gone and McCarthy will miss a lot of footy with his injury, we definitely need more pace and defensive pressure in our front half as we didnt lock the ball in there well enough, so there's an opening for him if his nab cup is good. That said his form will have to be really good otherwise we will keep Murdoch in that role (instead of pushing him higher up the ground) and Blease wont make the side, we wont put him in for the sake of pace.

I suspect round 1 in terms of speedy players that Motlop and Murdoch will be there and Guthrie is quick too.
Problem is we need to generate more run from defence, so if they can't/won't put Guthrie back there then either Motlop needs to play higher from a wing sweeping back and forward (which he can do if not injured like last year) then one of the quicker players needs to be playing as a wing of 7th defender dropping back to run the ball out of defence, hence Murdoch spending time there in pre season (personally I am not a fan of Murdoch in this role but I can see what they are trying to do)

 

[Turbocat]

Just a couple of figures to show where we could look to improve in 2015 going into the forward line.
2014 Geelong possessions per goal 27..............Hawks 23
is50 enteries per goal around 4 ........Hawks around 3 (I haven't taken into account goal from outside 50)
Total score 315 goals 303 behinds....................Hawks 418 goals288 behinds.They not only scored more freely but also nearly 10% more efficiently.
If we can tighten these numbers up a bit it will help a lot.

YPO , nice stats..but of course they make want more.
why more efficient , where did their shots come from to be so much more accurate 103 goals more yet 15 behinds less. If anything this shows me that just better conversion will make us a better side.

 

[Turbocat]

Blease can fit in up forward given that Varcoe is gone and McCarthy will miss a lot of footy with his injury, we definitely need more pace and defensive pressure in our front half as we didnt lock the ball in there well enough, so there's an opening for him if his nab cup is good. That said his form will have to be really good otherwise we will keep Murdoch in that role (instead of pushing him higher up the ground) and Blease wont make the side, we wont put him in for the sake of pace.

I suspect round 1 in terms of speedy players that Motlop and Murdoch will be there and Guthrie is quick too.
Problem is we need to generate more run from defence, so if they can't/won't put Guthrie back there then either Motlop needs to play higher from a wing sweeping back and forward (which he can do if not injured like last year) then one of the quicker players needs to be playing as a wing of 7th defender dropping back to run the ball out of defence, hence Murdoch spending time there in pre season (personally I am not a fan of Murdoch in this role but I can see what they are trying to do)

Im not sure he is ideal for the role but do we have many better options..perhaps a couple. Thurlow could be one once he has played a bit more but neither fill me with confidence that they will break tackles. Guthrie is probably the best if we had more mid options.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Im not sure he is ideal for the role but do we have many better options..perhaps a couple. Thurlow could be one once he has played a bit more but neither fill me with confidence that they will break tackles. Guthrie is probably the best if we had more mid options.

Thurlow was my pick too (and he has the speed and ball use) but with his injury taking out so much of his pre season I think it's unrealistic to put him in round 1 (although he will be by year's end). Hence why I think someone like Murdoch will get pushed up to a wing, dropping back to half back, a bit like they used Varcoe in the second half of last year

 

[4quarter_cat]

Nowhere since he was boned from the ch9 commentary team.....

Are you sure he wasn't off whited, ivoried, or beiged from said commentary team?

 

[you pick one]

YPO , nice stats..but of course they make want more.
why more efficient , where did their shots come from to be so much more accurate 103 goals more yet 15 behinds less. If anything this shows me that just better conversion will make us a better side.

There will more than one answer to that question of cause but 115 goals 39 from Breust/Gunston is a massive start.That's a wonderfull conversion rate and contribution from a small and mid size forward combination.

 

[4quarter_cat]

There seem to be alot of if "this" happens... then we will be able to do "that" and it will be awesome scenarios being thrown around this pre-season.

For example
- If either H.Mac or Simpson can come back fitter than 2014 and hold their fitness then...
Clarke can play purely as a forward and it will be awesome.
- If Kersten can play effective as a damaging medium forward rather than as a tall then...
We can push Murdoch into more of a wing role to increase the speed of delivery to our forwardline, and potentially play with 3 other talls.

There are many other examples too, but that were just the first that came to mind.

I don't remember as many of these types of thoughts being as pervasive in recent history. It is very exciting. No doubt they won't all come off.

But I am sure some will... and it will be awesome.

 

[you pick one]

Breust/Puopolo have also been averaging 59 frees between them the past couple of seasons. At least one of those frees are a shot on goal, which they usually convert.

Compare it to our forwards who have booted over a goal per game such as Motlop, Murdoch and Bartel (in 2014), and they receive significantly less frees.

Both those Hawthorn boys are brilliant at drawing them too. Something the umpire fraternity needs to tighten up on as they do get the benefit of the doubt, especially when games are close and in the balance.

No doubt about Portaloo he roles the shoulders as well as Joel or Chappy ever did,I hadn't noticed Breust to the same extent,I'll pay more attention.

 

[catempire]

I reckon Breust gets frees because he's so dangerous his opponent panics and does something silly.

 

[Teriyakicat]

No doubt about Portaloo he roles the shoulders as well as Joel or Chappy ever did,I hadn't noticed Breust to the same extent,I'll pay more attention.

And the poo and wee supporters have the temerity to question Selwood's tactics.
At least he doesn't need the frees- he uses the rules legally to slide out of tackles and would do very well without the frees.

 

[FredLeDeux]

I reckon Breust gets frees because he's so dangerous his opponent panics and does something silly.

That's definitely the case with Selwood in most instances.

 

[rocker_oz33]

So no news on 2015 preseason training news?

 

[catempire]

That's definitely the case with Selwood in most instances.

Yes, there is a certain panic when Selwood gets the ball where his opponents lose all memory of effective tackling technique.

 

[catempire]

probably but still doesn't excuse the excessive amount of free kicks he plays for. The grand final he tried it a couple of times, one of them paid off for him http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...01&eventType=free&seek=2198&videoQuality=high
the prick slip's and slides like a bloody a soccer flog!

Can't view the link but my general view of Breust is he's not a stager like Puopolo/Ballantyne.

 

[you pick one]

probably but still doesn't excuse the excessive amount of free kicks he plays for. The grand final he tried it a couple of times, one of them paid off for him http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...01&eventType=free&seek=2198&videoQuality=high
the prick slip's and slides like a bloody a soccer flog!

That's a pretty poor clip to push your case Bobby,Breust lost his footing and Dane contacted his head with a knee,free kick every day of the week that one.