2025 Pre-Season chat

[Pure_Ownage]

It probably depends a bit who is playing number 1 ruck.

If it's SDK then it's much easier to play Edwards 60% game time and SDK 40% in the ruck and the rest elsewhere to get Edwards a debut.

It it's Conway that becomes much more difficult.

I sort of think if they rate him they'll find a way to get him 1 game though.

Potentially yes because sdk can play multiple positions. But it would be hard to fit Edwards in on low TOG as it will affect whoever we use as the 2nd ruck a lot and require versatility.

 

[catstorm]

Potential free agents? They would see a club that wants to win and want to be part of it. And as for the locker room, sure they want to celebrate the player, but if it isn't on the field, they will find a way. You are not a player, you are a fan, so the perspective is different. The locker room want to win, they're not busting a gut through the summer and the season, just to so a colleague can rack up a stat, even a beloved colleague they would walk over broken glass for.
Do you think anyone thinks any less of Brenton Sanderson and Steve Hocking because they finished 1 game short of 200 games. Do you think they have any regrets or even care?

Oh yeah, just like North Melbourne, out with the old in with the new. Worked out great for them.

I pondered questions to consider you projected your opinion as facts. Maybe those players do care, you asked them have you?

 

[jim boy]

Maybe those players do care, you asked them have you?

Have you?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

This will do

View attachment 2193417


We'll get back on topic tomorrow

May your crises be short lived, and your Christmas's be merry

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I love that's is Christmas morning and people are still duking it out.

 

[dazbroncos]

Culture is important to a club and how they treat a player is something others look at.

How do you think the locker room would feel if a player as well liked and respected as Duncan was left stranded in the 290s? What message does that send to potential free agents?

Maybe they wouldn't care maybe they would, but clubs need to add that to their analysis when deciding on things.

Dasher left on 292.
Stokes on 198.
Harley 198 too I think.
Happy to be corrected but point is there are always those that alone get there .

4 - 6 games to get Mitch there will be good the for the vibes of the club as long as Mitch also knows it will prob end there for him.

Go Catters

 

[catstorm]

Have you?

No but I didn’t pretend my opinion was fact, unlike you.

 

[4quarter_cat]

Thing is Mitch brings more than just what he physically does to the game. He brings a he'll of alot of leadership and experience. All of which helps the players developing around him. He doesn't need to play every game and he won't, but he'll still be a very important part of the squad in 2025. If someone goes past him that's fantastic because it means we've got some real players coming through.

 

[Mr Meow]

I love that's is Christmas morning and people are still duking it out.

I never really understood the idea that posting would be any different on a specific day. Are we meant to post differently on our birthdays, Mother's Day and Australia Day as well? What about ANZAC Day, New Year's Eve and Easter Weekend?

 

[Mr Meow]

Dasher left on 292.
Stokes on 198.
Harley 198 too I think.
Happy to be corrected but point is there are always those that alone get there .

4 - 6 games to get Mitch there will be good the for the vibes of the club as long as Mitch also knows it will prob end there for him.

Go Catters

If Duncan gets to 300 it will almost certainly be on merit.

If he plays like Hawkins did in 2024 he might not make it. But let's not pretend his 2024 form was anything close to Hawkins (talking generally on this point, not to you specifically Daz).

 

[bellpark]

Maybe this talk of Clarke being at half back in this pre-season, (but needs to improve his disposal), may be a depth play behind Mullins, etc as a small defender/tagger. In a way it’s disappointing that a top 10 pick is so poor with their disposal, but usually reporting on him mentions how high the club is on him being a really good player. Think this must be his break-out year if we got that pick right.

 

[jim boy]

No but I didn’t pretend my opinion was fact, unlike you.

Sorry, what outrageous "opinion as fact" am I meant to have stated? That players will find a way to celebrate their colleague's achievements? That wanting to get a colleague to a statistical milestone is probably not the major driver for players as they do it tough through a big preseason? That neither of us being a player means that we actually understand the psychology of the locker-room?

Or are you just upset that I didn't agree with you?

 

[The rabbi]

When does Pre-season start, or restart?
I will be keen to have a look at Open Training now that I have retired from work.

 

[small 4wards]

Maybe this talk of Clarke being at half back in this pre-season, (but needs to improve his disposal), may be a depth play behind Mullins, etc as a small defender/tagger. In a way it’s disappointing that a top 10 pick is so poor with their disposal, but usually reporting on him mentions how high the club is on him being a really good player. Think this must be his break-out year if we got that pick right.

Don't think his disposal quality is the issue so much as size. He's hit a few beautiful F50 entries but just doesn't have the grunt and muscle ready to be an inside mid just yet.

 

[CHAWKTS]

I mean this is just making stuff up.

We had 11 players with more turnovers than Duncan in 2024 but only 5 with more disposals; only 3 players with more effective kicks. Do the maths.

Yes he's not as precise or prolific as in his prime, but he remained one of our best ball winners/users in 2024. The issue with Duncan is lack of pace + 1v1 ability on defensive spread. It might not be such an issue if a rapid player like Mullin improves and takes over Tuohy's or Bews' position.

I think that is more the point…than anything negative about Duncan. My expectation is that people will go past Duncan in a positive way… and track watcher tells me you are spot on with your thought about Mullin. “He will play every game he is available…” is the view…they expect a massive improvement and love his pace and athleticism…

 

[CHAWKTS]

Dasher left on 292.
Stokes on 198.
Harley 198 too I think.
Happy to be corrected but point is there are always those that alone get there .

4 - 6 games to get Mitch there will be good the for the vibes of the club as long as Mitch also knows it will prob end there for him.

Go Catters

I reckon he does know…he has aspirations to be involved in football beyond playing so 2025 he will see as a nice transition and will work hard to play as much as he can and otherwise be an extra coach…

 

[Mr Meow]

I think that is more the point…than anything negative about Duncan. My expectation is that people will go past Duncan in a positive way… and track watcher tells me you are spot on with your thought about Mullin. “He will play every game he is available…” is the view…they expect a massive improvement and love his pace and athleticism…

It would be a good thing as I think someone would have really come on well.

If you look at Tuohy though he still played 18 games in 2024 while averaging 15 disposals a game (his peak he averaged early to mid 20s). In 2023 Tuohy's output was similar to Duncan's 2024 (18.1 vs 18.7 disposals a game). So I see Mitch as being in a very similar position to what Tuohy was heading into 2024. We had a great run with injuries and he still played plenty.

A bit will depend on whether Cam Guthrie features, or if Bowes moves to half back given Smith's inclusion to the midfield. Both are candidates for Duncan's half back veteran role. Mullin should effectively replace Tuohy and play as much or more than Tuohy did in 2024.

 

[catstorm]

Sorry, what outrageous "opinion as fact" am I meant to have stated?

Potential free agents? They would see a club that wants to win and want to be part of it. And as for the locker room, sure they want to celebrate the player, but if it isn't on the field, they will find a way. You are not a player, you are a fan, so the perspective is different. The locker room want to win, they're not busting a gut through the summer and the season, just to so a colleague can rack up a stat, even a beloved colleague they would walk over broken glass for.
Do you think anyone thinks any less of Brenton Sanderson and Steve Hocking because they finished 1 game short of 200 games. Do you think they have any regrets or even care?

You have decided how both players from other teams would look at it and how our own players will look at it.

You have got no ****ing idea how any of them would feel about it, but you sure are confident your subjective opinion is the only correct one. While you also denigrate mine because I’m a “Fan”, as if you are you are something more than that.

 

[jim boy]

You have decided how both players from other teams would look at it and how our own players will look at it.

You have got no ****ing idea how any of them would feel about it, but you sure are confident your subjective opinion is the only correct one. While you also denigrate mine because I’m a “Fan”, as if you are you are something more than that.

You really need to take a chill pill my friend - I offered an opinion, but as your shit doesn't stink, you got in a huff. Rather than question my reasoning - which is a civilised person would do - you just went the attack.

 

[catstorm]

You really need to take a chill pill my friend - I offered an opinion, but as your shit doesn't stink, you got in a huff. Rather than question my reasoning - which is a civilised person would do - you just went the attack.

Its the opposite, I gave an opinion and your response was “you have no idea you’re just a fan” here’s what you should believe.

Read over the post again from my first response to you, see who really got in a huff and denied the other’s opinions were valid.

You literally attacked the man from the first post you responded with.

You also keep saying players don’t care about this stuff. Then why did a player like Kane Cornes play on for only 7 games then instantly retire at 300? Why did Port let him do that?

 

[cats_09]

LET'S ALL CHILL

 

[My Tilly]

I really hope Duncan & Guthrie get very little game time next season as it means our list is pretty good shape.

Duncan got a high volume of possessions but he was fairly ineffective. Never been much of a contested footballer as it's not his go but he managed just 3 contested possessions and that was an obvious trait that crept into his game in 2024.
Just looks as though the game has quickly passed them by. At 33 years of age, it's to be expected.

 

[Mr Meow]

I really hope Duncan & Guthrie get very little game time next season as it means our list is pretty good shape.

Duncan got a high volume of possessions but he was fairly ineffective. Never been much of a contested footballer as it's not his go but he managed just 3 contested possessions and that was an obvious trait that crept into his game in 2024.
Just looks as though the game has quickly passed them by. At 33 years of age, it's to be expected.

Holmes, Stewart, Zuthrie and Humphries were the only 4 Cats players that averaged more effective disposals than Duncan in 2024.

Only 4 players had a higher disposal efficiency % and 2 of those were KPDs who take safe options.