2025 Pre-Season chat

[Turbocat]

This isn’t the right thread but wondered whether a mod might think of creating a new one based on article today in the Addy.

It ranked Well’s top 40 draft picks. Taking into account the career vs where they were drafted. Very interesting.

Might almost be better if people don’t read it and try and pick the top 10 and see how it matches up

In the meantime anybody who hasn’t read it want to have a crack at who was ranked number 1?

Probably could name a heap from the 99/01 era. What was his first draft ? BenG and Milburn seems the earliest draft in the article. … and a couple of recent guys have recency bias in their selection …. but I d have to say Mumford should not be forgotten ..200 plus games of afl ...even though he quickly departed , it was the pick we got for him that got us Duncan.

 

[cats_09]

This isn’t the right thread but wondered whether a mod might think of creating a new one based on article today in the Addy.

It ranked Well’s top 40 draft picks. Taking into account the career vs where they were drafted. Very interesting.

Might almost be better if people don’t read it and try and pick the top 10 and see how it matches up

In the meantime anybody who hasn’t read it want to have a crack at who was ranked number 1?

Is it something suitable for the "Legendary Wells" thread?

Certified Legendary Thread - Holding Faith in Stephen Wells and Mackie (a.k.a. "In Wells We Trust")

Is it just me or are others also losing faith in our list Management team? This 2016 trade period will go down as an unmitigated disaster. Lets look at the outs from the club Retired: Enright : handled the right way where Boris made the decision to retire himself ( has earned that right)...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[Ratcat]

Listening to Shannon speak, the one area that impressed was his overall knowledge of what was happening around him on his return back to the club and on the track. In particular, when speaking about with other Geelong players but also with the new draftees, that is so impressive. It seems if Shannon is a 'real observer' about what's happening around him and his surroundings which for such a young man can only be a good thing for him going forward with his future development.

Heck, he's alright isn't he!

 

[CatToTheFuture]

So off base

Free based

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Might just be me.. But i am not too fond of pictures like this standing next to pur club greats holding up the jumper as draft pick 44... I get it for a top ten pick or a high profile recruit but not these low picks... Feels a tad of a mockery

You are correct, it is just you.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

It may be my first day into Christmas AL and I may be several drinks deep into the am but I'm confident Neale is the best key forward in the history of key forwards maybe ever. Don't be surprised if in round zero he literally breaks Andrews in half and we have to spend half the year apologising to his family

 

[OzeSparky]

Loved reading this in a article yesterday.

Tall defender Connor O’Sullivan left his teammates in his wake as they completed an end-to-end sprint drill, leading one player to yell, “F--- you Sully!”


The 19-year-old played one game in his first season and has noted running power, blitzing the 2km time trial at the 2023 national combine with a time of six minutes and 11 seconds.

 

[longtimecat]

looking at pictures from recent training, I am amazed at the condition of new recruits. For years Geelong has held back young players to allow them to develop, but these kids appear pretty well developed before they get drafted.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

looking at pictures from recent training, I am amazed at the condition of new recruits. For years Geelong has held back young players to allow them to develop, but these kids appear pretty well developed before they get drafted.

I still wouldn't expect any to play senior footy next year

 

[geelong_crazy26]

You are correct, it is just you.

View attachment 2187231

Don't get the meme

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Loved reading this in a article yesterday.

Tall defender Connor O’Sullivan left his teammates in his wake as they completed an end-to-end sprint drill, leading one player to yell, “F--- you Sully!”


The 19-year-old played one game in his first season and has noted running power, blitzing the 2km time trial at the 2023 national combine with a time of six minutes and 11 seconds.

Is one player i hope can step up this year into a b22 role

 

[Hamingja]

looking at pictures from recent training, I am amazed at the condition of new recruits. For years Geelong has held back young players to allow them to develop, but these kids appear pretty well developed before they get drafted.

Most of the draftable players are trained in a professional system since they are 15 these days. It is why I think it is pointless when people try to compare say Clark to Bartel 20 years ago.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Most of the draftable players are trained in a professional system since they are 15 these days. It is why I think it is pointless when people try to compare say Clark to Bartel 20 years ago.

The junior pathways have been in place for a long time. It might be a bit more professional these days but Bartel played 2 full years with the Falcons and was an elite junior cricketer.

Clark missed all of 2020 and half of 2021 due to covid. Then missed most of his first season with injury. There's no way at the end of his first season he would've been ahead of Bartel for overall development.

 

[Ratcat]

looking at pictures from recent training, I am amazed at the condition of new recruits. For years Geelong has held back young players to allow them to develop, but these kids appear pretty well developed before they get drafted.

Couldn't help but think the same thing, I like every selection this year. A 6:11sec 2km for O'Sullivan, a guy 6'6," is pretty incredible, that's impressive, very much so!

 

[Matthew Jelley]

Big year for O'Sullivan and Neale I hope

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Big year for O'Sullivan and Neale I hope

To see Dempsey come-on the whole of 2024 season, then Mannagh and Humphries come-on big time in the latter part of year, if we can see O'Sullivan and Neale make similar progression by the end of 2025 home and away season, then I reckon we'll be flag favourites by end of 2025 home & away season. So MJ, I'll personally be doing plenty of hoping myself but these two young fellas will one day be top notch footballers regardless, but here's to 2025 !!! and GO CATS

 

[ShadowCat]

I still wouldn't expect any to play senior footy next year

I think Retschko actually may. Has the elite running power of Blics, Miers, Dempsey etc, along with a developed body and plays a position of need (we need a second winger). I honestly think if he keeps having a good pre-season and brings that into the season proper, he's a smokey for a few games this year. KMF and Polkinghorne the other ones who may be a chance - but Retschko seems the most likely, IMO.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I think Retschko actually may. Has the elite running power of Blics, Miers, Dempsey etc, along with a developed body and plays a position of need (we need a second winger). I honestly think if he keeps having a good pre-season and brings that into the season proper, he's a smokey for a few games this year. KMF and Polkinghorne the other ones who may be a chance - but Retschko seems the most likely, IMO.

Yeah his running capacity is great but I think he has some footy to learn

 

[Hamingja]

The junior pathways have been in place for a long time. It might be a bit more professional these days but Bartel played 2 full years with the Falcons and was an elite junior cricketer.

Clark missed all of 2020 and half of 2021 due to covid. Then missed most of his first season with injury. There's no way at the end of his first season he would've been ahead of Bartel for overall development.

Bartel and Hodge would have been having a pie and coke post game. Completely different era.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I think Retschko actually may. Has the elite running power of Blics, Miers, Dempsey etc, along with a developed body and plays a position of need (we need a second winger). I honestly think if he keeps having a good pre-season and brings that into the season proper, he's a smokey for a few games this year. KMF and Polkinghorne the other ones who may be a chance - but Retschko seems the most likely, IMO.

I thought so too, but I've got a feeling they're really committing to Knevitt this season in an inside/outside role to partner Dempsey.

Just through PFD's comments, the late season form, and some of the pre-season vision, it looks like he's gone up a gear and the club are intent on rewarding that, or at least early on in the year.

I know most are off him nowadays, and I've battled with thoughts of writing him off too, but in fairness to him he's been a project player since day dot.

It would make sense if they reckon '25 is the year he takes that much needed step, finally cementing himself like many of the younger cohort have over the last few years.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Bartel and Hodge would have been having a pie and coke post game. Completely different era.

If you listen to some of the stories Hodgey was doing that for his first few years at Hawthorn too.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I think Retschko actually may. Has the elite running power of Blics, Miers, Dempsey etc, along with a developed body and plays a position of need (we need a second winger). I honestly think if he keeps having a good pre-season and brings that into the season proper, he's a smokey for a few games this year. KMF and Polkinghorne the other ones who may be a chance - but Retschko seems the most likely, IMO.

It's hard to perform elite skills in 'wet and soft' conditions which is something Gazza Snr was elite at doing 'regularly' which very few others were and I have seen Polkinghorne take a 'ridiculously huge mark' off a couple of steps and kick a long goal in 'wet and soft' conditions. I think this kid might be a special talent but I just haven't seen enough of him, so I look forward to early pre-season games to see how he goes with his 'all-round game'.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I thought so too, but I've got a feeling they're really committing to Knevitt this season in an inside/outside role to partner Dempsey.

Just through PFD's comments, the late season form, and some of the pre-season vision, it looks like he's gone up a gear and the club are intent on rewarding that, or at least early on in the year.

I know most are off him nowadays, and I've battled with thoughts of writing him off too, but in fairness to him he's been a project player since day dot.

It would make sense if they reckon '25 is the year he takes that much needed step, finally cementing himself like many of the younger cohort have over the last few years.

They'll commit to every player in exactly the same proportion that the player commits to them. The real driver of committing to Knevitt is that Knevitt is not going to leave his cards on the table.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

It may be my first day into Christmas AL and I may be several drinks deep into the am but I'm confident Neale is the best key forward in the history of key forwards maybe ever. Don't be surprised if in round zero he literally breaks Andrews in half and we have to spend half the year apologising to his family

Day 2 of annual leave and Adelaide is the best city in the history of cities maybe ever

 

[OzeSparky]

Day 2 of annual leave and Adelaide is the best city in the history of cities maybe ever

Still drinking I see.