Training 2024 Pre-Season discussion

[Kobe Gryant]

You'd think Parf would be playing for his career this year to either get a new contract from us or from another club, but I couldn't think of any that would be interested in him at the moment.

OOC end of year but not best 22 and like most of the team, had a poor 2023.

Needs a big one.

Yep, in many ways it's Sav 2.0 this year with him.

Work your arse off, and either cement yourself here long-term, or do enough that another club will offer something decent both for him and us.

 

[FredLeDeux]

That's all really positive but I'll add a bit of a positive spin and a negative

Negative: Clohesy going through defence rings an alarm bell for me. Maybe not showing enough as a mid-forward? The alarm bells are going off because I've liked what little I've seen of the kid.

Positive: Ollie Henry isn't even listed. He's already a star.

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

 

[geelong_crazy26]

The benefit is that you can use your imagination. Bews is taking a pottery class. O'Connor is in France learning to be a pastry chef. Miers is on Mars fighting aliens to keep Earth safe. Cameron is getting his youtube channel going. Stanley found out his lefty leg is an inch longer than his right leg. Cam Guthrie found out he was switch at birth after doing a 23 and me test. Blicavs was doing extra rehab for an undisclosed medical issue. Stewart was that alien from Mars. Bruhn was excited to receive a letter in the mail. Bowes started a business where he builds discount computers for the elderly, its has been a slow build but you have to start somewhere. Holmes got a hair cut but it has since grown back.

This... Is poty. dazbroncos can we sticky it somewhere

 

[ButterMill]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

I'd imagine he's next in line if Henry, Close or Stengle miss? Maybe behind Mannagh.

I can't tell how good he can be. Gets moved of the ball too easily I thought but can get the ball plenty in the VFL and seems to be always putting in extra to improve.

He's 187cm so I wouldn't have said small forward. He's more of a roving half forward flanker. Latter day Hird type.

 

[And_ROOS]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

Rohans getting older and is crucial to us, so he won't play every week. Strong chance we seen Close/Miers/Henry up on a wing with Smith retiring.

 

[Mr Meow]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

He'll probably play forward any games those players miss. Based on 2023 absences that would be about 8 games.

For a permanent spot in the team he'd instead want to be gunning for a wingman spot who occassionally rotates with one of the forward flankers. That's if his two way running is up to scratch. If he does this I could see him playing 12-16 games quite easily.

 

[CHAWKTS]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

I think that is the hard question. Not could he be good enough to play regularly (the positive side) but who goes out. The only answer really is Rohan in my view.

We don’t want it to be due to close or stengle falling away. Or miers.

Rohan is loved by CS so he would need to fall right off or be injured. Both strong possibilities (not training right now).

As you say Ollie has the new guy also to compete with so he certainly will need to earn his spot. With SDK he had a natural hole to fill (Henderson retired). He took it with both hands but was “gifted” the chance. Ollie has to push someone out. Not a terrible thing at all for the club.

Knevitte is somewhat similar though if Guthrie and Blitz come back fully fit along side improvements from atkins Bruhen Holmes. Maybe more chance of rotation for Mitch but still needs to squeeze someone? (Duncan will play and MoC with 2E been given chances by CS early etc). Then of course Clark wants a look in!

You identify the most competitive spot though for a young one. Be interesting watch.

 

[OzeSparky]

I think that is the hard question. Not could he be good enough to play regularly (the positive side) but who goes out. The only answer really is Rohan in my view.

We don’t want it to be due to close or stengle falling away. Or miers.

Rohan is loved by CS so he would need to fall right off or be injured. Both strong possibilities (not training right now).

As you say Ollie has the new guy also to compete with so he certainly will need to earn his spot. With SDK he had a natural hole to fill (Henderson retired). He took it with both hands but was “gifted” the chance. Ollie has to push someone out. Not a terrible thing at all for the club.

Knevitte is somewhat similar though if Guthrie and Blitz come back fully fit along side improvements from atkins Bruhen Holmes. Maybe more chance of rotation for Mitch but still needs to squeeze someone? (Duncan will play and MoC with 2E been given chances by CS early etc). Then of course Clark wants a look in!

You identify the most competitive spot though for a young one. Be interesting watch.

This will be Rohans last year.


So they will rest him a fair bit too.

 

[Mr Meow]

I think that is the hard question. Not could he be good enough to play regularly (the positive side) but who goes out. The only answer really is Rohan in my view.

We don’t want it to be due to close or stengle falling away. Or miers.

Rohan is loved by CS so he would need to fall right off or be injured. Both strong possibilities (not training right now).

As you say Ollie has the new guy also to compete with so he certainly will need to earn his spot. With SDK he had a natural hole to fill (Henderson retired). He took it with both hands but was “gifted” the chance. Ollie has to push someone out. Not a terrible thing at all for the club.

Knevitte is somewhat similar though if Guthrie and Blitz come back fully fit along side improvements from atkins Bruhen Holmes. Maybe more chance of rotation for Mitch but still needs to squeeze someone? (Duncan will play and MoC with 2E been given chances by CS early etc). Then of course Clark wants a look in!

You identify the most competitive spot though for a young one. Be interesting watch.

At this stage if Dempsey and Conway are up to it I would be going in with a plan to manage Rohan and Stanley's seasons quite heavily, barring a pile up of injuries to other senior players.

A 15/8 or 14/9 split for Stanley/Conway and Rohan/Dempsey, then a few other games are bound to pop up for the youngsters when others miss.

Given Rohan and Stanley played 15 and 13 games respectively because of injury in 2023 anyway, it wouldn't shift the dial too much. They're getting on a bit.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

Smith, Menegola, Ceglar, Simpson, Whyte and Ratugolea combined for 52 games.

Parfitt and Bews combined for 24 games and they were left in the VFL at different times.

That's 76 games by guys who are no longer here or mature guys who weren't best 22 at points last year.

Basically even once you assume Guthrie and Mannagh play most games there's space for another couple of guys playing virtually every game. And that's before you consider someone like Tuohy who might drop out of the team.

If he's in the best 3 of the guys I named plus all the others outside the best 22 from last year then he'll play basically every game.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

I'd like to see him on a wing anyway

 

[FredLeDeux]

Smith, Menegola, Ceglar, Simpson, Whyte and Ratugolea combined for 52 games.

Parfitt and Bews combined for 24 games and they were left in the VFL at different times.

That's 76 games by guys who are no longer here or mature guys who weren't best 22 at points last year.

Basically even once you assume Guthrie and Mannagh play most games there's space for another couple of guys playing virtually every game. And that's before you consider someone like Tuohy who might drop out of the team.

If he's in the best 3 of the guys I named plus all the others outside the best 22 from last year then he'll play basically every game.

That assumes an injury toll as catastrophically bad as last year.

 

[Footy Smarts]

That assumes an injury toll as catastrophically bad as last year.

No I assumed a full season from Guthrie. Which would be 17 more games.

And while our injury toll was catastrophic the number of games missed wasn't as high as you might think.

Our issue were:

1) losing entire sections of the ground at once. So missing most of our defence early in the year and most of our midfield through the middle of the year.

2) losing guys early in games. Injuries like Stewart, Cameron and Dangerfield left us down men right from the start but they don't count as games missed.

3) injuries to depth players meaning we decided to play underdone guys. Neale's injury struggles meant we had little choice but to play Hawkins and Cameron when they weren't right. Same with Danger with his collapsed lung or Bruhn with his shoulder when our midfield was decimated.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I'd imagine he's next in line if Henry, Close or Stengle miss? Maybe behind Mannagh.

I can't tell how good he can be. Gets moved of the ball too easily I thought but can get the ball plenty in the VFL and seems to be always putting in extra to improve.

He's 187cm so I wouldn't have said small forward. He's more of a roving half forward flanker. Latter day Hird type.

Yeah he's a hard one to judge.

Similar to Knevitt in the sense that the role that they should be playing in the seniors is one that they're not physically developed enough to do yet.

Long term, I'm similar to you that I see Dempsey as a roaming high half forward with bursts through the midfield. More Heeney than Hird, but I can see why you'd make the comparison.

He can find the footy, dispose of it neatly, and he can run all day. That's three of the four boxes gun inside midfielders need to tick, with the fourth being size.

He's got the height, but he's not physically big enough to play through there yet, and it hampers his ability to play as a marking tall through the forward line, which is another role he's suited to.

I think for him and Knevitt, 2024 will again just be about dominating the VFL, and getting senior opportunities when they eventuate with 2025 being the goal for both to breakout.

In some respects, they're this generations Duncan & Guthrie of a decade ago IMO.

They'll both get there, I'm 100% sure of it...but it's going to be a slower burn than some would like, and 80-90% of that burn is coming from such a long way back physically.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Seeing Toby Conway from 2:37 through to 2:45 is just a taste of what this kid will be capable of producing, barring injury and fitness levels Toby is going to play a lot more senior football for CATS in 2024 (this year) than most would think otherwise. Said it a few times now but Toby is a 'almost clone' of former Cat ruckman and captain Damian Bourke who captained the losing 1989 Grand final side but was unfortunately injured early in game. Damian was in the top three ruckman in VFL during his playing days and I expect Toby to be the same in AFL....... BEST to view in 'slow-mo' with NO AUDIO from 2:37 thru to 2:45...... GO CATS

Thats all great but he doesnt have the endurance levels yet. He isnt dominating this year.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'll bring a bit more negative: who is Dempsey going to replace in the forward line out of Miers, Close, Stengle, Henry or Rohan, not to mention Mannagh?

Rohan. But mannagh will be auto best 22 before dempsey is.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Are they just assuming everyone picks Mannagh who I assume is priced as a rookie. Haven't played supercoach in years but I wouldn't be that keen on any of the others. Maybe Conway since the cheap rucks are always tough to fill.

Yeah 123 k players are gold in SC especially if they are mid/fwd dpp as you can hide them at m11 and mature agers are good picks historically. I reckon a huge % of teams will have mannagh.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

SuperCoach 2024: Nine breakout contenders at the Geelong Cats

With an important season coming up for the Cats, there are plenty of young stars that will be leaned on to make rapid improvements for Geelong to contend again. Check out the nine Cats that are primed to break out in 2024.



Geelong is set to turn to its young core of rising stars in an attempt to rejuvenate its list while still in premiership contention, with a focus on developing its talent without completely bottoming out.

Below is a list of nine of Geelong’s top young talent who are primed to take the next step into stardom at the Cats.

Tanner Bruhn

Age: 21

Role: Inside midfielder

SuperCoach price: $384,400

Heading into his fourth season in the AFL and his second with the Cats, Bruhn is primed for a breakout season. The inside midfielder struggled early in the 2023 campaign to find a consistent role within the team, dropped after the opening three rounds and then brought back into the side as the starting substitute in round 7. But the now-21 year old found his groove after the bye, playing every game after being reinstated in the team. In the off-season ahead of the next campaign, Bruhn has put on some size and has been impressive in match simulation work. While Cam Guthrie’s return to fitness could impact his overall minutes inside the centre square, the former Giant is expected to take on more responsibility in the guts, and should leapfrog players like Brandan Parfitt, Gryan Miers, Tyson Stengle, Jack Bowes and Mitch Duncan for centre square appearances, with that quartet all spending time through the middle in 2023.

Toby Conway

Age: 20

Role: Ruck

SuperCoach price: $180,000

After almost two full seasons impacted by injuries, Conway finally made his debut for the Cats in the final round of 2023. He was impressive, sparking conversation that he should overtake Rhys Stanley in the senior side from as early as round 1, 2024. Nothing Conway has done in the pre-season so far has diminished those expectations either, with the young ruck starring in match simulations, looking fit and having no injury concerns. Geelong has typically played with multiple rucks, with Mark Blicavs used as a pinch-hitting backup in recent times, however it would be surprising if the Cats opt to play Conway, Stanley and Blicavs all in the same side. If Conway continues to impress in January and through the club’s practice matches, Conway could be Geelong’s starting ruck by round 1.

Max Holmes

Age: 21

Role: Midfielder

SuperCoach price: $446,000

It is tough to suggest Holmes has not already broken out, with the young winger averaging 19.1 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 4 inside 50s and 3.1 clearances across 21 games in 2023, however he could absolutely become a bona fide superstar in 2024. At 190cm, Holmes is a tall winger, but his true calling is inside the centre square where he can use his burst of speed and deft kicking touch to become a weapon for Geelong. Out of contract at the end of 2024, Holmes is one of the hottest signatures the Cats are chasing, with a dominant start to his campaign sure to drive up interest in the young gun’s services. Holmes’ size, speed and skill is distinctly similar to that of Giants superstar Josh Kelly, who was dubbed a ‘Rolls Royce’ midfielder ahead of breaking out in his fourth season when he averaged 29.5 disposals, 6.5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 49. clearances per game in 2016. Holmes could easily be on a similar path.

Mitch Knevitt

Age: 20

Role: Winger

SuperCoach price: $306,000

Eight games in his second season, Knevitt earned more exposure last year and impressed at times. The former second-round pick spent the majority of the time on the wing, but at 193cm he added a different look inside the centre square when he got his chance. Knevitt only averaged 11.9 touches and 2.4 tackles per game, but he did spend time as a substitute, with there games impacted by either being subbed on or subbed off. In the five games he played full-time minutes, Knevitt only dropped below 15 touches once. With Isaac Smith retiring at the end of the 2023 campaign, Knevitt could make a wing position his own, and would be a tough match up thanks to his height and endurance capabilities.

Jhye Clark

Age: 19

Role: Midfielder

SuperCoach price: $123,900

Geelong’s highest draft pick since Joel Selwood, and often compared to the retired Cats legend, Clark endured a wretched maiden season at the AFL. He broke through for his debut, coming on as the sub and was impressive, however suffered a foot injury that wiped out the rest of his campaign. However Clark has been fit and firing throughout the pre-season so far, and has put some size on his 181cm frame. It would be a tough ask to break into Geelong’s engine room for the entire season, however the former Geelong Falcons skipper is as good a chance as any to stake his claim and keep his spot. His role would depend on the veteran’s positions in 2024, and whether players like Patrick Dangerfield take a step back on midfield responsibilities.

Ollie Dempsey

Age: 21

Role: Small forward

SuperCoach price: $148,400

If there is any year to break into Geelong’s forward line, it is 2024. The Cats attacking half, and especially their small forward brigade, struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2023 campaign. This was highlighted by Tyson Stengle and Brad Close’s poor seasons, with Gryan Miers the only outstanding option. With Geelong drafting Shaun Mannagh as a mature-aged small forward, the Cats are clearly looking to make improvements by tinkering with their forward line set up. Dempsey played five games in 2023 but only one that was not impacted by substitution, with the small forward collecting 15 touches, eight tackles and one goal. Signed on until the end of 2025, Dempsey could easily earn a place inside the Cats’ forward half by the end of the season.

Shannon Neale

Age: 21

Role: Key forward

SuperCoach price: $201,200

The young key forward has a lot of fans at the Cattery, and it is clear to see why. Just 21 years old but 203cm tall and 101kg, Neale is as solid as they come and has great athleticism for a big man. He struggled with injury in the early stages of 2023, but managed three games to end the campaign and was an adequate replacement for the injured Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. Neale will not leapfrog either key forward in 2024, however is likely to be the first called upon if either miss games, and could even push for a third tall, back up ruck type role. Neale has his hands on a key forward role from 2025 if Hawkins does retire at the end of this season.

Oisin Mullin

Age: 23

Role: Midfielder

SuperCoach price: $153,400

Mullin was a feel-good story in 2023, breaking through for a senior debut just weeks after playing his first-ever game of football. He was impressive for a first-year international recruit, playing mainly in defence with spurts on a wing and through the middle. Mullin is a genuine athlete, well built and has great speed and endurance. The Cats are bullish with his potential and have floated the idea of running him through the middle long-term, and with his hunt for the ball and tackling pressure, Mullin could become a genuine gun in the near-future as he continues to develop at AFL level.

Ted Clohesy

Age: 19

Role: Defence

SuperCoach price: $123,900

Clohesy was another round 24 debutant, coming on as the substitute in the loss to the Western Bulldogs. Despite his limited minutes, the Next Generation Academy player impressed, collecting five disposals in the final quarter. While he was drafted as a tough inside midfielder, Clohesy has spent the majority of the pre-season training in defence, with some work in the midfield. It is a similar path to Tom Atkins’ rise to prominence at Geelong, starting in the VFL as a lockdown defender and eventually earning time through the midfield where he has become an important piece in the side. Clohesy will be facing an uphill battle to earn a role in either the defensive six or through the midfield, but his rapid improvement in his first season at the club has coaches and fans excited about his long-term prospects.

Ted Clohesy is likely to get more of a chance at senior football this season after breaking through for a debut late in the year. Picture: Mark Wilson

They forgot mannagh who will be geelongs most picked player in SC after stewart.

I dont think conway will play more than 3 or 4 games in a row so that will harm his cash gen. Personally im taking a 123k at r3 but i can see why some teams will risk him theres poor rookie ruck options this year. If he was 123k everyone would take him (pity the one game).

I think theres real upside in bruhn at that price hes probably not a keeper but i can see hin making 100k.

Clark is going to score really well if he plays hes probably a great option at that price. Dempsey has poorer JS simply because hes a fwd and not a mid but i think he will score well if he plays.

Mullin is an interesting one if bews declines but humphries might even be a better DEF option than him.

 

[numbwombat]

You'd think Parf would be playing for his career this year to either get a new contract from us or from another club, but I couldn't think of any that would be interested in him at the moment.

OOC end of year but not best 22 and like most of the team, had a poor 2023.

Needs a big one.

I'd love if he comes back with a point to prove and 2023 turns out to be a blip after celebrating the 2023 GF too hard - I thought he was tracking pretty well in 2021-22 even if Atkins went past him and took his spot.

He's the perfect age to provide a big body for a few years until Clark, Holmes, Bruhn etc are mature, and his last game was very good for his standard. Every other game he played last year was putrid though.

 

[numbwombat]

That's all really positive but I'll add a bit of a positive spin and a negative

Negative: Clohesy going through defence rings an alarm bell for me. Maybe not showing enough as a mid-forward? The alarm bells are going off because I've liked what little I've seen of the kid.

Positive: Ollie Henry isn't even listed. He's already a star.

I haven't seen much of Clohesy, but we do need to start developing a good Bews replacement, and he probably has the right attributes (except maybe pace?)

I'm a huge fan of Bewsy but I think the club hopes for more from Mullin than just a good stopper.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Thats all great but he doesnt have the endurance levels yet. He isnt dominating this year.

Who spoke about dominating, what I said Pure_Ownage was that I expect him to play a lot more senior football this year than what most would expect barring injury and fitness levels because of his raw ability, you've completely misconstrued what I stated but for sure, endurance and strength will be an issue but I have my fingers crossed.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I haven't seen much of Clohesy, but we do need to start developing a good Bews replacement, and he probably has the right attributes (except maybe pace?)

I'm a huge fan of Bewsy but I think the club hopes for more from Mullin than just a good stopper.

Yeah my impression of Mullin is that he's a very offensive minded player. Not sure he's built for defence.

I just feel like Clohesy is capable of more than the small defender role. I hate to think he's on his last roll of the dice this quick, going the same way as Whyte maybe

 

[Cataholic]

So a player's weight is now deemed private information, to follow on from the cessation of skinfolds.

I guess the logical progression is that the AFL then have time trials and other performance data concealed, for fear of comparison and injury to delicate egos.

Then they should probably stonewall any information on what role a player has on-field, so the footy public doesn't intrude on their sense of privacy in their workplace.

Maybe the AFL could further shield them from scrutiny in their well-paid roles by locking the crowds out, so they're not in the public gaze and feel even safer.

 

[Footy Smarts]

There are 23 players playing 23 games. So 529 in total.

Atkins, Blicavs, Bowes, Bruhn, Cameron, Close, Dangerfield, De Koning, Duncan, Guthrie x2, Hawkins, Henry x2, Holmes, Kolo, Miers, O'Connor, Stengle and Stewart played 380 games between them last year (missed 80). Let's assume we have a much better injury run and they only miss 50 between them so play 410.

Rohan and Tuohy are heavily managed and play 15 each. That's 30.

Stanley and Conway combine for 25 games (we play 1 or the other and experiment with both for a couple of games).

That's 465 games. So 64 left over. So each week you're picking basically 3 of the rest (Mannagh, Dempsey, Bews, Parfitt, O'Sullivan, Knevitt, Neale, Mullin, etc).

This assumes none of the best 22 guys fall out of the 22, we have a very good injury run and we don't look to manage the older guys outside of Tuohy, Rohan and Stanley. There's clearly space for the young guys to earn a spot if they're good enough.

 

[catswhiskers]

I'd imagine he's next in line if Henry, Close or Stengle miss? Maybe behind Mannagh.

I can't tell how good he can be. Gets moved of the ball too easily I thought but can get the ball plenty in the VFL and seems to be always putting in extra to improve.

He's 187cm so I wouldn't have said small forward. He's more of a roving half forward flanker. Latter day Hird type.

When I first watched Dempsey in the VFL I had to scramble for a team sheet.

This blonde kid had all the tricks, including hangers, lookaways, and blind turns. He had hardly played a dozen games of AFL in the years leading to being drafted.
I said in one post after three or four games the only player who came to mind as (a ceiling for him) was Hird.

Last year he must have been asked to curb the highlights and concentrate on more mundane matters such as getting from contest to contest and increasing his overall influence. Which he did , with the odd highlight.

AFL is tough. Dempsey has IT = talent. But does he have the other IT.....drive

If he has both buckle up.

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