News 2015 preseason training news and updates

[Teriyakicat]

TC is right on the money.

Rounds 1-4 2013:

Hawthorn > 6 day break > North > 6 day break > Carlton > 6 day break > Sydney (in Sydney too).

We won all 4. There was much rending of garments beforehand too.

Ultimately, if you're good enough you can still win. I'm not overly bothered by the draw (we copped a far tougher one in 2011), but it might be much simpler. If we lose, maybe we aren't good enough.

Drats! I'm too slow!
Thanks Partridge.

Carrying on a conversation with my daughter via text didn't help either. I made 3 mistakes and had to correct them

 

[Teriyakicat]

Our problem with the draw this year is who we play (and don't play twice), not when we play them.

Are you with me on that conspiracy theory as well, Fred?
At least I don't think we are travelling as much this year... are we??
*goes and checks fixture again...

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I think we'll beat North at home. Beat them twice relatively comfortably last season and when injuries hit late they still couldn't put us to the sword, even with Kelly gifting 3 goals in the first quarter.

We simply need to win one of Freo or GC at home. I'm more confident of Freo out of those two tbh.

 

[Partridge]

I think we'll beat North at home. Beat them twice relatively comfortably last season and when injuries hit late they still couldn't put us to the sword, even with Kelly gifting 3 goals in the first quarter.

We simply need to win one of Freo or GC at home. I'm more confident of Freo out of those two tbh.

I'm way more confident with Gold Coast. Seen very little evidence thus far that they travel anywhere near as well as Fremantle do.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I'm way more confident with Gold Coast. Seen very little evidence thus far that they travel anywhere near as well as Fremantle do.

2012 away they pushed us all the way for a narrow 14 point loss.
2013 they were level at 3QT at KP before being blown away in the last
2014 the roles were reversed as we managed to keep up with them for 2.5 quarters before being wiped of the park with superior run (recurring theme for us last season) to lose comfortably.

I've got that one sadly penciled in as a loss atm. It is open to being revised once pre season games start and I can gauge

A) how much more or less effective we are with new players, or players in new positions
B) how much better (if at all) our fitness is given we couldn't play for more than 2-3 quarters last season
C) if GAJ is near his best or not post surgery.
D) what effect Eade has on GC

It doesn't matter to me if you've seen little evidence or not. 2015 is a new season and there has been many instances of a team bolting from nowhere, 5th year in the system, 5th preseason, lots of players between 50-100 games of experience. I've predicted them to make finals this season.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I just edited above. Forgot to say that I'm interested to see what effect rocket has on his new team.

 

[goyoucatters]

2012 away they pushed us all the way for a narrow 14 point loss.
2013 they were level at 3QT at KP before being blown away in the last
2014 the roles were reversed as we managed to keep up with them for 2.5 quarters before being wiped of the park with superior run (recurring theme for us last season) to lose comfortably.

I've got that one sadly penciled in as a loss atm. It is open to being revised once pre season games start and I can gauge

A) how much more or less effective we are with new players, or players in new positions
B) how much better (if at all) our fitness is given we couldn't play for more than 2-3 quarters last season
C) if GAJ is near his best or not post surgery.
D) what effect Eade has on GC

It doesn't matter to me if you've seen little evidence or not. 2015 is a new season and there has been many instances of a team bolting from nowhere, 5th year in the system, 5th preseason, lots of players between 50-100 games of experience. I've predicted them to make finals this season.

Don't fundamentally disagree with much of what you've said here. And can certainly see them making finals. They will win a lot of games at Metricon this year for a start.

But just because they're a good show of making finals doesn't mean they're that likely to win this game.

They could easily make the 8 and drop this one.

I'm expecting enough improvement in us due to your A) and B) [and enough doubt about the early influence of D) for them] to mean that the possible benefit of C) for the Suns will not be enough to get them over the line.

I'm calling it 70/30 our way at this stage. But early season form (or the lack of it on our part) could obviously change that markedly.

 

[manboob]

I just edited above. Forgot to say that I'm interested to see what effect rocket has on his new team.

They interviewed him on SEN today. Worth a listen as you're doing something else.

 

[ChookNorris]

I'm sure we have different views on this. For me, I think the club has reached the point with some players where, to an extent, they have to throw the cotton wool away. Certainly for players such as Simpson and McIntosh, and also Cowan and Vardy, if they're fit, they have to play. At whatever level that is. If they break down again so be it.

To your point, after last season in particular, I don't know how the club could be so arrogant as to presume we're even going to be in the finals. Especially given the start we've got. We're going to need our best players out there to have a chance against Hawthorn. I'm sure we're going to hear again about playing our best footy in September, but after being told it three years in a row, let's just say I'll wait until I see it.

I do agree that the men made of glass on one year contracts need to be tested properly to see if they are ever going to be up to it. Give Menzel an assistants job like Egan If need be. I don't see a spot for McIntosh and Simpson in the same side if Clark is fit. Hopefully the club can get them right and have the luxury of testing them both individually with our new structure while managing the other.

 

[Teriyakicat]

I just edited above. Forgot to say that I'm interested to see what effect rocket has on his new team.

They interviewed him on SEN today. Worth a listen as you're doing something else.

I was reading this about Eade- sounds like he's going to play a Port (current) - Geelong 2007-type game, which will make the Suns even more exciting to watch than if someone like Lyin or Roos had got ahold of 'em.

RODNEY Eade has the need for speed.
Since taking over the reins as Suns coach a little over three months ago, Eade has preached his desire to play quick football.
Play-on at any chance, move the ball swiftly and don't stagnate.

On Wednesday he got his first semi-competitive glimpse into the adjusted game-plan, as the Suns completed an intraclub hit-out.
It was only a glimpse though, with Gary Ablett (shoulder), Jaeger O'Meara (knees), Rory Thompson (toe), Steven May (knee), Sam Day (calf), Tom Nicholls (ill) and Charlie Dixon (ankle) watching from the sidelines.
Throw in Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Martin and Sean Lemmens among those contesting Friday night's AFL Indigenous All Stars match, and there was almost half a team of regular starters unavailable.

Regardless of personnel though, Eade wants the Suns to play his up-tempo brand, and says there is plenty to work on.
"We want quicker ball movement," Eade said.
"I think the scores have shown, especially last year, they're trending down. If you don't try and score, you're going to get blocked up because the defensive mechanisms of teams are pretty good, so we've got to be able to score.”

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-02-18/eades-quick-solution-for-sluggish-suns

Bennell has cut us up- I can't imagine what they will be like with half a dozen more like him

 

[Teriyakicat]

With so many new players and some others that may be ready to step up, there are so many players i'm keen to have a look at during NAB Cup so it will be interesting to see how many get the chance.
Was it last season the club fielded a pretty strong NAB cup team from the start because they wanted the senior guys to be up and running for the tough start to the season?
Although if that was last year, there were only two official matches not three wasn't there?
I hope the Gold Coast game will give some of the younger and new guys a go, and use the later ones to prepare more for Round 1.
I don't remember ever being more curious to see how so many look/are tracking before a season.

Sorry for getting back on this again...
I remembered something that I'd read yesterday about the Suns. Eade said that they are undermanned - so it looks like the Cats will probably play a lot of young blokes against them anyway.

The Suns have a lengthy injury list with the likes of Gary Ablett (shoulder), Steven May (knee) and Sam Day (calf) not to feature until their second pre-season clash against GWS a week later.
"We'll probably have about 34 to pick from for NAB one," Eade said.
"We'll be inexperienced and undersized there but that's the way it is and that's what we'll cope with.
"We might be able to find a player or two out of it."

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl/news/article/-/26336039/suns-gorringe-set-for-utility-role/

 

[Willo_]

I love the not-so-subtle shift of the goalposts here from 'it is irrational to think we will lose these games' to 'here are lots of reasons why we will win'. Great, no one is saying pencil in these games as losses - regardless of our NAB Cup form it'd be extremely disappointing to lose that game to North, at minimum. But Willo's outlook that a worse-case but nonetheless possible scenario is that we could be 0-4 is not irrational.

Yep and I haven't said that I think it will happen, just that its a danger that it could happen.

And it could.. anything could happen. The comp is going to be bloody even and things may not go our way.

As i said as well I certainly hope thats not the case

 

[Willo_]

I think we'll beat North at home. Beat them twice relatively comfortably last season and when injuries hit late they still couldn't put us to the sword, even with Kelly gifting 3 goals in the first quarter.

We simply need to win one of Freo or GC at home. I'm more confident of Freo out of those two tbh.

As much as Im not fan of Kel in defence i think its harsh to say he gifted Thomas 3 goals... the first one he was half a step behind and Thomas got a perfect bounce and snapped (i think) the 3rd one Jimmy took out Kel flying for a mark and the ball spilled to Thomas.. or at least thats my memory of it

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

As much as Im not fan of Kel in defence i think its harsh to say he gifted Thomas 3 goals... the first one he was half a step behind and Thomas got a perfect bounce and snapped (i think) the 3rd one Jimmy took out Kel flying for a mark and the ball spilled to Thomas.. or at least thats my memory of it

Looking through rose coloured glasses !

 

[Willo_]

Looking through rose coloured glasses !

Potentially just remembered differently or incorrectly

I just thought for 2 of those goals there wasn't a hell of a lot he could do

 

[Daniel McL]

Hearing that other clubs have been doing intra-club matches today and in the next few days.
Does anyone know anything about Geelong doing one yet or soon?

 

[Willo_]

Hearing that other clubs have been doing intra-club matches today and in the next few days.
Does anyone know anything about Geelong doing one yet or soon?

I believe they may have already done 1... so I got told anyway.... but I don't trust my source a great deal

 

[Teriyakicat]

Nice little piece from the Addy, featuring Bews, here:

Bews says he is running longer distances than last pre-season, which is symbolic of the club’s higher focus on endurance-based training.
“I think I’m going pretty well,” he said. “With my running, it’s been a big step up and the last couple of weeks have been tough but I’m getting through it and hopefully come game time you will see that.
“You’ll see me be able to run and all those things.”

Bews, the son of former Geelong champion Andrew Bews, spoke about the fierce battle for spots that is driving competitive training.
With Jackson Thurlow slowly returning from his serious kidney injury, Bews seemingly has first crack at cementing a role as a small defender.

Utility Billie Smedts is also in the mix for a half-back role but both he and Thurlow are capable of playing further up the ground.
Smedts has done the bulk of his training this summer in defence and recent reports suggest the much-maligned Cat has been one of the standouts on the track after getting a solid run of luck with his body.
“It’s a good spot to be in,” Bews said. “It just makes everyone better when there’s competition for spots.
“Training is harder, it’s more competitive in the match-play scenarios, so it’s a good position to be in.”

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au...s-team-last-year/story-fnjuhrxq-1227225406671

 

[Seeds]

2012 away they pushed us all the way for a narrow 14 point loss.
2013 they were level at 3QT at KP before being blown away in the last
2014 the roles were reversed as we managed to keep up with them for 2.5 quarters before being wiped of the park with superior run (recurring theme for us last season) to lose comfortably.

I've got that one sadly penciled in as a loss atm. It is open to being revised once pre season games start and I can gauge

A) how much more or less effective we are with new players, or players in new positions
B) how much better (if at all) our fitness is given we couldn't play for more than 2-3 quarters last season
C) if GAJ is near his best or not post surgery.
D) what effect Eade has on GC

It doesn't matter to me if you've seen little evidence or not. 2015 is a new season and there has been many instances of a team bolting from nowhere, 5th year in the system, 5th preseason, lots of players between 50-100 games of experience. I've predicted them to make finals this season.

We will win by 5plus goals. Gold Coast will be the easiest of those four by far.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

We will win by 5plus goals. Gold Coast will be the easiest of those four by far.

Nah North will be the easiest I think. With a full(ish) squad and fit ruckmen we've got them.

I'd happily lose a game against an easy beat though if we could just rain of Hawthorn's parade round 1, unfurling the flag and all that!

 

[tupac]

Intraclub upcoming?

 

[Stan The Caddy]

Potentially just remembered differently or incorrectly

I just thought for 2 of those goals there wasn't a hell of a lot he could do

You'd be correct.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

As much as Im not fan of Kel in defence i think its harsh to say he gifted Thomas 3 goals... the first one he was half a step behind and Thomas got a perfect bounce and snapped (i think) the 3rd one Jimmy took out Kel flying for a mark and the ball spilled to Thomas.. or at least thats my memory of it

Bigfooty's giving me trouble atm, not getting all notifications

Anyway Fred felt the same way as you so I showed him the clips to make his own mind up.

First goal.... Kelly trailing Thomas
http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...2501&eventType=Goal&seek=12&videoQuality=high

Second goal... Spilt mark from Jimmy and was front and square for the easy crumb with Kelly being sucked into the contest and not winning possession.
http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...501&eventType=Goal&seek=387&videoQuality=high

Third goal. Poor pressure from the midfield but where the **** was Kelly... oh right nowhere near Thomas. I don't care if you're outnumbered 2 on 1. Stay on Thomas and make the inexperienced Turner kick it under pressure with cats players up his arse.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...501&eventType=Goal&seek=480&videoQuality=high

 

[abet]

Bigfooty's giving me trouble atm, not getting all notifications

Anyway Fred felt the same way as you so I showed him the clips to make his own mind up.

First goal.... Kelly trailing Thomas
http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...2501&eventType=Goal&seek=12&videoQuality=high

Second goal... Spilt mark from Jimmy and was front and square for the easy crumb with Kelly being sucked into the contest and not winning possession.
http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...501&eventType=Goal&seek=387&videoQuality=high

Third goal. Poor pressure from the midfield but where the **** was Kelly... oh right nowhere near Thomas. I don't care if you're outnumbered 2 on 1. Stay on Thomas and make the inexperienced Turner kick it under pressure with cats players up his arse.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/smart-r...501&eventType=Goal&seek=480&videoQuality=high

Same here

 

[Teriyakicat]

Same here

Maybe you just don't have any??