Sorry poor choice of words, more meant a debut as our 2nd key forward - rather than just back up ruck/utility
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Sorry poor choice of words, more meant a debut as our 2nd key forward - rather than just back up ruck/utility
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Yep, hopefully it's only a grade 1 strain and it doesn't overly affect his preseason.
- Aug 2, 2012
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It'll be Sav.
cats_09
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I'd rather we play Miers out of the square, and it's likely Miers would be better prepared to do so after preseason then Ratugolea
Alternatively, play Stanley as a forward, give Ceglar a run at the #1 ruck and let Blicavs keep doing what he's doing best
Kobe Gryant
'07, '09, '11, '22
Not a doctor obviously, but can't see the ankle hampering Shannon too much if it's just a sprain.
Historically November-January is the big running block, while February-March they focus more on match-sim.
It's not ideal, but his block of fitness should still be there and I'd expect him to line up round one.
Historically November-January is the big running block, while February-March they focus more on match-sim.
It's not ideal, but his block of fitness should still be there and I'd expect him to line up round one.
- May 14, 2012
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If Hawkins doesn't get up and Neale is out, my guess would be Jack Henry at full forward and Esava key back.
Not sure if it would be Jacko. But there's got to be several options we'd go with before Esava is again considered for a role up forward.
While the ship hasn't entirely sailed on his career at the Cats, I figure he's only slightly more likely than Kolo to make it as a KPF for us now.
Pure_Ownage
TheBrownDog
Sav wont play forward.
Theres some chance sav might play back and jack henry will go forward (although i think its unlikely) but sav as a forward is a non starter.
Follow up article to yesterday. Looks like Ollie did an interview and they tso two stories from it.
Josh Barns
These two Geelong teens are neck-and-neck at training, carrying on the hard work that started months ago.
@Josh__Barnes
3 min read
February 3, 2023 - 3:00PM
Geelong Advertiser
0 comments
Ollie Dempsey and Mitch Knevitt clash at training.
Watch Geelong at training and you will see them, the two skinny blonde kids at the front of the pack.
Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey are often side-by-side, duelling each other and egging their teammate on as the second-year Cats players form a “friendly rivalry”.
The pair have both taken part in all of pre-season so far and have impressed coaches as they push their fitness levels and take it up to more senior opponents.
Ollie Dempsey fires a handball.
Mitch Knevitt on the move.
The hungry duo both got a taste of the top level in 2022 and played twice each, before training together over the off-season to get a head start for when official training gets going.
“Me and Mitchy Knevitt have worked pretty hard, he is a pretty good runner and we are up there (among Geelong players) which is nice,” Dempsey said.
“We are obviously good mates and we worked hard through the off-season. We definitely have that friendly rivalry even in the gym, we often do it together because we are around the same mark there, and on the track as well.
“It is good to have someone around the same mark, we both push each other.”
Knevitt is going to work this summer with the Geelong midfield group, with Cats coaches forecasting the Grovedale junior as a future tall inside midfielder and wingman.
Dempsey meanwhile is spending most of his time with experienced assistant coach Nigel Lappin as the former basketballer wraps his head around the high half-forward role.
Geelong’s half-forward stars, Brad Close. Picture: Mark Stewart
And Gryan Miers. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Two other leading runners in the Cats squad – Brad Close and Gryan Miers – owned the half-forward slot last year, a role in the modern game that is all about getting up and down the field to be an extra number in both defence and attack.
Dempsey said after learning the basics of football in his first year on the Geelong list, he has pored over the running patterns and tactics that Close and Miers used to help build a premiership attack last year.
“It’s a bit of a selfless position I guess,” he said.
“You do a lot of unrewarded running and stuff like that but it definitely gets rewarded around the club.
“I’ve been working a lot on the running patterns, obviously I am not a bad runner but instead of running around like a headless chook, I can use that to get into the right spots at the right times, which is a really big focus of mine.”
Josh Barns
These two Geelong teens are neck-and-neck at training, carrying on the hard work that started months ago.
@Josh__Barnes
3 min read
February 3, 2023 - 3:00PM
Geelong Advertiser
0 comments
Ollie Dempsey and Mitch Knevitt clash at training.
Watch Geelong at training and you will see them, the two skinny blonde kids at the front of the pack.
Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey are often side-by-side, duelling each other and egging their teammate on as the second-year Cats players form a “friendly rivalry”.
The pair have both taken part in all of pre-season so far and have impressed coaches as they push their fitness levels and take it up to more senior opponents.
Ollie Dempsey fires a handball.
Mitch Knevitt on the move.
The hungry duo both got a taste of the top level in 2022 and played twice each, before training together over the off-season to get a head start for when official training gets going.
“Me and Mitchy Knevitt have worked pretty hard, he is a pretty good runner and we are up there (among Geelong players) which is nice,” Dempsey said.
“We are obviously good mates and we worked hard through the off-season. We definitely have that friendly rivalry even in the gym, we often do it together because we are around the same mark there, and on the track as well.
“It is good to have someone around the same mark, we both push each other.”
Knevitt is going to work this summer with the Geelong midfield group, with Cats coaches forecasting the Grovedale junior as a future tall inside midfielder and wingman.
Dempsey meanwhile is spending most of his time with experienced assistant coach Nigel Lappin as the former basketballer wraps his head around the high half-forward role.
Geelong’s half-forward stars, Brad Close. Picture: Mark Stewart
And Gryan Miers. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Two other leading runners in the Cats squad – Brad Close and Gryan Miers – owned the half-forward slot last year, a role in the modern game that is all about getting up and down the field to be an extra number in both defence and attack.
Dempsey said after learning the basics of football in his first year on the Geelong list, he has pored over the running patterns and tactics that Close and Miers used to help build a premiership attack last year.
“It’s a bit of a selfless position I guess,” he said.
“You do a lot of unrewarded running and stuff like that but it definitely gets rewarded around the club.
“I’ve been working a lot on the running patterns, obviously I am not a bad runner but instead of running around like a headless chook, I can use that to get into the right spots at the right times, which is a really big focus of mine.”
Last edited:
Kobe Gryant
'07, '09, '11, '22
Follow up article to yesterday. Looks like Ollie did an interview and they tso two stories from it.
Josh Barns
These two Geelong teens are neck-and-neck at training, carrying on the hard work that started months ago.
@Josh__Barnes
3 min read
February 3, 2023 - 3:00PM
Geelong Advertiser
0 comments
Ollie Dempsey and Mitch Knevitt clash at training.
Watch Geelong at training and you will see them, the two skinny blonde kids at the front of the pack.
Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey are often side-by-side, duelling each other and egging their teammate on as the second-year Cats players form a “friendly rivalry”.
The pair have both taken part in all of pre-season so far and have impressed coaches as they push their fitness levels and take it up to more senior opponents.
Ollie Dempsey fires a handball.
Mitch Knevitt on the move.
The hungry duo both got a taste of the top level in 2022 and played twice each, before training together over the off-season to get a head start for when official training gets going.
“Me and Mitchy Knevitt have worked pretty hard, he is a pretty good runner and we are up there (among Geelong players) which is nice,” Dempsey said.
“We are obviously good mates and we worked hard through the off-season. We definitely have that friendly rivalry even in the gym, we often do it together because we are around the same mark there, and on the track as well.
“It is good to have someone around the same mark, we both push each other.”
Knevitt is going to work this summer with the Geelong midfield group, with Cats coaches forecasting the Grovedale junior as a future tall inside midfielder and wingman.
Dempsey meanwhile is spending most of his time with experienced assistant coach Nigel Lappin as the former basketballer wraps his head around the high half-forward role.
Geelong’s half-forward stars, Brad Close. Picture: Mark Stewart
And Gryan Miers. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Two other leading runners in the Cats squad – Brad Close and Gryan Miers – owned the half-forward slot last year, a role in the modern game that is all about getting up and down the field to be an extra number in both defence and attack.
Dempsey said after learning the basics of football in his first year on the Geelong list, he has pored over the running patterns and tactics that Close and Miers used to help build a premiership attack last year.
“It’s a bit of a selfless position I guess,” he said.
“You do a lot of unrewarded running and stuff like that but it definitely gets rewarded around the club.
“I’ve been working a lot on the running patterns, obviously I am not a bad runner but instead of running around like a headless chook, I can use that to get into the right spots at the right times, which is a really big focus of mine.”
Genuine point of discussion I reckon, does Dempsey go past Miers this year?
Nothing against Gryan, as he does do a lot of unrewarded work as that article mentions and has been a solid contributor over a number of years now, but if Ollie can match him in that area he has the potential to hurt the opposition more on the offensive end for mine.
Probably my guess at this stage too
although frankly they have lots of things to experiment with
The saddest thing for me is the potential the Neale misses his chance at it while given Hawkins more time to make sure he is right. Fingers crossed it is a pretty low ankle strain and he is back at full peak in a couple of weeks
EDIT
Done a little digging. Apparently scan results were positive and expectations is he will play at least 1 if not both practice games…. So Plan A replacement still on track
Last edited:
Had same thought. A lot of similarities in terms of running, not really contest beasts (!), quick thinking disposals, selfless Etc. You would think that when Ollie catches up in terms of knowledge and experience he then trumps Gryan in height, leap (marking) and I think in the end impact on scoreboard…
BUT Dempsey will need to earn it as frankly Miers had an outstanding second half last year. Club gave him a chance through a patchy first half and he rewarded them. As it stands I can’t see how they pick Dempsey before any of those smaller forwards yet. And I think it would need to be a protracted form slump or injury to give him that shot ahead of Miers. But that surely is the spot he is targeting
It's a sprain Neale will be playing Rd 1
I posted something along tis a while ago ...he has already won one game for us playing forward. He has vertical.. and I feel had started to feel comfortable in that role. Is he the most likely atm to take over from Hawk on our list. Till someone shows more id say yes.
His agility is amazing too. So him, Ollie, Rohan, Jez, Miers, Close, Stengle, down there rotating; it would be a nightmare for oppo players, IMO.
Still hoping Neale is all good, and if what DC and CHAWKTS says is correct, then he likely lines up Round 1 regardless - but it's good to have options, and he's definitely not a bad one (which the club obviously thinks too given they're trialing him down there with Sav key back).
Kobe Gryant
'07, '09, '11, '22
"GeT yOUr OWN MAteriAl"
Pure_Ownage
TheBrownDog
Offensively dempsey is better (as is ollie henry) but miers covers a lot of ground defensively and works very hard, this is part of what allows us to play 2nd ruck behind the ball and one less player between the arcs. Miers is on the edge of the 22 for sure so i could see him being dropped but his defensive game is very good.
No chance. He has been tried there and failed there repeatedly, they sunk all that time last preseason, all of last season and all this preseason into him as a key defender. No chance they throw all that away.
If Hawk and Neale are down, theres more chance of JHenry or OHenry playing forward because they are both significantly better at it than Esava is.
Miers is an insanely reliable ball user though and has a massive tank, and when he is within range of goal is really reliable. A good point is watch late in the QF how he keeps the ball in and puts a grubber up the field to Cameron/Hawkins advantage. Ends up with Selwood getting it into the f50 to Stengle and Close goal. Most players just throw it on the boot to make distance and it likely goes over Camerons head to the Pies defenders advantage. I don't know if you can really teach players to make that sort of decision in the heat of a QF.
Dempsey might pass Miers, but Miers tank as a link player, his positioning and his attacking nous likely keeps him in the team because he can easily work up and down the ground and knows when to make his runs.
Feels more likely that Dempsey at his height ends up playing a different type of half forward.
A strain doesn’t sound too bad. Touchwood.Son of a...
Injury blows for two big Cats, but Hawkins' recovery on track
While Tom Hawkins is making good progress in his recovery, Geelong has seen two talls suffer injurieswww.afl.com.au
Ruckman Toby Conway suffered a stress fracture in his foot last month and forward Shannon Neale hurt his ankle at training on Thursday night, with Geelong suspecting a strain.
Good shirt
Not sure what they have said. ... care to illuminate me or point me to the posts?
I think the big thing Geel has got going for it coming into this season - is the desire of the players who didnt play in the flag winning team - who were on the edges of selection - plus the desire of the 3 new recruits - who to be fair were playing at the end of last year were playing 2nds football
However reading about what those players have done re preparation coming into this preseason - they are hell bent on having success - no stone is unturned - they are doing everything possible to be in sensational physical condition - which gives them every opportunity to play top class football
You contrast that to Motlop one year - he came back looking like a broodmare in foal - horrendous physical condition - and if the club had any guts they should have just sacked him - terminated him on the spot
This desire amongst the young players - a read an article last week on Jordan Clark - he said blah - blah - blah - the normal stuff - however at the end of the article there was an advert/promo of another articleon Clark - in a sister publication which i cant get access to - however the headline of that article was - " Geelong has fueled Jordan Clark " - now its not hard to guess what the guts of that article is - that Geel premiership has put a burning desire in him to win one himself
And that is exactly what your reading from all these young Geel players - whether new recruits or ones on the edge - that Geel flag is driving them to do fantastic preseasons - they dont want to miss out - and they are getting in the absolute best physical condition - so that is a real plus for Geel - re its chances in 23
However reading about what those players have done re preparation coming into this preseason - they are hell bent on having success - no stone is unturned - they are doing everything possible to be in sensational physical condition - which gives them every opportunity to play top class football
You contrast that to Motlop one year - he came back looking like a broodmare in foal - horrendous physical condition - and if the club had any guts they should have just sacked him - terminated him on the spot
This desire amongst the young players - a read an article last week on Jordan Clark - he said blah - blah - blah - the normal stuff - however at the end of the article there was an advert/promo of another articleon Clark - in a sister publication which i cant get access to - however the headline of that article was - " Geelong has fueled Jordan Clark " - now its not hard to guess what the guts of that article is - that Geel premiership has put a burning desire in him to win one himself
And that is exactly what your reading from all these young Geel players - whether new recruits or ones on the edge - that Geel flag is driving them to do fantastic preseasons - they dont want to miss out - and they are getting in the absolute best physical condition - so that is a real plus for Geel - re its chances in 23
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