2025 Pre-Season chat

[Turbocat]

Just on Baz from a Dogs' perspective: he was always one of the hardest trainers at the club. Similar to Ben Cousins (not implying substance addiction, though he’s been known to dabble occasionally), Baz would push himself to the point of complete exhaustion.

Socially, Baz never truly connected with his teammates. During the COVID hubs in Perth, where we made the GF, he rarely interacted with the group despite being confined to a hotel 24/7. Instead, he spent most of his time sunbaking.

There’s a noticeable “me, me, me” element in his game. For example, he craves adulation when he scores a goal but shows little reciprocation when teammates do.

From a football perspective, Baz’s physical tools are perfectly suited to the modern game. His elite combination of pace and endurance puts him in the top 1%. Regarding his knee injury, I wouldn’t worry—by Round 1, it will have been 15 months post-op, and recovery success rates at that stage are very high.

Baz thrives as an elite handball-receive/meters-gained player, which is his primary strength. He consistently performs this role at a high level. Another elite aspect of his game is tackling—even the most powerful players in the competition struggle to break free from him.

However, there are misconceptions about the type of player Baz is. He’s not an inside midfielder, as he struggles to win his own ball at stoppages and is a significant defensive liability. This stems from three key issues:

1. He lacks an understanding of body positioning, such as where to stand at stoppages or whether to be in front of or behind his opponent.

2. Even when positioned correctly, he either loses concentration or gets out-bodied.

3. He tends to shy away from contact. Winning the ball often comes down to desire, and Baz frequently comes out second best.

His best role is as a high half-forward who rolls up to stoppages to receive the first or second handball. Bevo rarely trusted him in center-bounce scenarios because he’d often get lost and didn’t attack the ball with intent.

Skill-wise, Baz is a decent kick on the run, but his poor decision-making often creates the impression that he’s inaccurate. He gets overexcited and kicks long when better options are available—though this seems coachable. His set shots are inconsistent:

0-30m: Decent but not reliable.
30-50m: Likely a point.
50m+: Surprisingly better due to less pressure and expectation.
On the run: Good without being exceptional.

His handballing ability depends on the situation. In stoppages, he tends to panic and deliver hospital balls. In open space during transitions, however, he is much more effective.

Overall, in the first 12-18 months, Baz will likely be seen as an excellent pickup. Few players possess his physical tools, which are ideal for the modern game. However, his mental health challenges, tendency to fall in and out of love with football, and lack of maturity could lead to ups and downs beyond that period.

Insightful.

Any comment on Smiths situation and JUH being compared in the press ? Id have thought two different situations.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Insightful.

Any comment on Smiths situation and JUH being compared in the press ? Id have thought two different situations.

View attachment 2208697

Just the media scratching around for a raw nerve to hit.

 

[dangerwood]

In relation to Baz I do wonder how much of the alleged attitude stuff is exaggerated because of who he is. He obviously has some vanity, cares about appearance and that particularly rubs men up the wrong way (when it's too obvious) and makes people like Baz very easily unlikeable.

I can easily see people reporting that Baz is "soft" and teammates sharing the sentiment because he can just easily rub people up the wrong way. It could be a simple as him checking himself out, maybe getting attention from women way more easily than teammates that can easily lead them to view him slightly negatively.

If he puts in the work for the team that's where he will have their respect. There was lots of friction amongst our dynasty era but they all knew they'd fight for the team out on the field.

It's not hard to see how people could be quickly put off by Baz but I wonder how much of it is their own insecurities. If he helps as a teammate it will all be fine.

In the footage shared by the club I've seen him helping a team mate get back on his feet and also helping Fred Wooler walk up the stairs. It's not much to go off, but it's a small indication of looking out for others.

 

[catswhiskers]

Just above he is celebrating his or JUHs goal.

Let his footy talk.

 

[STPer18]

 

[BORIS332]

I'm not going to claim 2025 is Knevitt's year after he burned me last year, but...

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'm not going to claim 2025 is Knevitt's year after he burned me last year, but...

View attachment 2209032

Give that man a crossbow because he's ready for the battle of Hastings

Am I doing it right CatRiot?

 

[The rabbi]

“Start coaching him harder”: The two shifts Josh Jenkins wants to see at Geelong in 2025​

By Nic Negrepontis

The story is predominately about Sam De Koning.


https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/01...xaDYFgaropIXH-ELDQ_aem_RTD7BMxblzmh7rp4ppZtRw

 

[FootyLad0]

It's not hard to see how people could be quickly put off by Baz but I wonder how much of it is their own insecurities. If he helps as a teammate it will all be fine.

In the footage shared by the club I've seen him helping a team mate get back on his feet and also helping Fred Wooler walk up the stairs. It's not much to go off, but it's a small indication of looking out for others.

It's cause people have tall poppy syndrome.
They want players/teams to suceeed until they actually do and then they turn to irrational hatred to justify shitting on said teams/players that they don't like like...even if originally they wanted them to succeed.

Cats going into 2007 GF was everyone's "team"...until they kept winning and by 08 Grand Final everyone wanted them to lose and it's been that way ever since.

Just you watch, everyone will turn on Brisbane...no one cared when they got Will Ashcroft for nothing and they came from the bottom to competing, but now that they won the whole thing AND got Levi Ashcroft for a packet of chips the outrage started...won't be long until everyone is praying on their downfall.

 

[dangerwood]

It's cause people have tall poppy syndrome.
They want players/teams to suceeed until they actually do and then they turn to irrational hatred to justify shitting on said teams/players that they don't like like...even if originally they wanted them to succeed.

Cats going into 2007 GF was everyone's "team"...until they kept winning and by 08 Grand Final everyone wanted them to lose and it's been that way ever since.

Just you watch, everyone will turn on Brisbane...no one cared when they got Will Ashcroft for nothing and they came from the bottom to competing, but now that they won the whole thing AND got Levi Ashcroft for a packet of chips the outrage started...won't be long until everyone is praying on their downfall.

I didn't like Brisbane before they won and was going for Collingwood (spew) and Sydney, but your point still stands and I agree.

 

[CatRiot]

battle of Hastings

Now we are talking!

I reckon some Old Ablett's and Knevitt's went on a rampage there!

 

[dazbroncos]

its fluff but I like the way he presents and how he carries himself.

A modest 2 yeat ext will go well for mine.

GO Catters

 

[Pure_Ownage]

“Start coaching him harder”: The two shifts Josh Jenkins wants to see at Geelong in 2025​

By Nic Negrepontis

The story is predominately about Sam De Koning.


https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/01...xaDYFgaropIXH-ELDQ_aem_RTD7BMxblzmh7rp4ppZtRw

I don't disagree with any of that but that would require us having an alternative fit no1 ruck for most of the year which I'm not confident in.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Not sure if this article is behind the paywall? I think it is free (but then has more for members). I am a subscriber as he writes some really interesting articles throughout the year. A footy nuff that isn’t afraid of an opinion. Don’t agree with everything but like the way he writes (not sure who he is to be fair). Obviously I like this as he is positive on Cats.

I thought his observations of Max and the two Ollies in particular are quite insightful.

The Big Questions - 2025 Geelong Season Preview - The Mongrel Punt

Another year, and another Geelong team ready to contend. HB asks the Big Questions in our 2025 Cats Season Preview

themongrelpunt.com

 

[Stocks_go_Up]

“Start coaching him harder”: The two shifts Josh Jenkins wants to see at Geelong in 2025​

By Nic Negrepontis

The story is predominately about Sam De Koning.


https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/01...xaDYFgaropIXH-ELDQ_aem_RTD7BMxblzmh7rp4ppZtRw

He's right about Sam - needs a kick up the ass.

 

[My Tilly]

He's right about Sam - needs a kick up the ass.

If you are born into a nice household where everything you ever wanted is handed to you, I'd assume it would be difficult to change your demeanor.
I'm not saying he's soft but some people have to fight for what they want as kids. It gives them an edge when it's time to leave the nest and face the real world.

This is why I always enjoy it when we recruit players from the bush. They are usually street-wise and have that competitive edge needed for sport.

 

[D BRIDGE]

If you are born into a nice household where everything you ever wanted is handed to you, I'd assume it would be difficult to change your demeanor.
I'm not saying he's soft but some people have to fight for what they want as kids. It gives them an edge when it's time to leave the nest and face the real world.

This is why I always enjoy it when we recruit players from the bush. They are usually street-wise and have that competitive edge needed for sport.

His brother plays with plenty of aggression.

 

[My Tilly]

His brother plays with plenty of aggression.

Not really.
He was trade bait only two years ago.
Now he's added some aggression and desperation to his game.

 

[terry_bright]

Not really.
He was trade bait only two years ago.
Now he's added some aggression and desperation to his game.

Garbage.
Just because other club were keen to get him, doesn't mean he was trade bait.

Admit D bridge destroyed your argument with 7 words and move on.

 

[My Tilly]

Garbage.
Just because other club were keen to get him, doesn't mean he was trade bait.

Admit D bridge destroyed your argument with 7 words and move on.

I don't think Tom is an aggressive ruckman.
I think Darcy, Meek, Briggs, Nankervis are examples of rough rucks.

Cameron, De Koning, English, Stanley . . .they use their athleticism to their advantage.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

He's right about Sam - needs a kick up the ass.

Respect your opinion but I believe that's not how you coach SDK.

SDK might not play "aggressively" but he is extremely "competitive" - at 205cm he appears laconic at times but you can see how pissed he is when he loses a contest. You don't have a 22 season like he did by being soft.
Even when TDK took him by surprise and monstered him you could see him fighting back as the game progressed.
Coaches need to encourage that competitiveness to get the best version of SDK.

I think his confidence will return this season as he's over the facial injury and now his unstable patella has been sorted.
He's put on size which will assist greatly in contests.
Really looking forward to his 2025 season , go you good thing

 

[Tony Barber]

A bit of fun in the off season.
We went out for dinner last night and sat a communal table.

Over comes a dad with a cats hat. A kid in a cats jumper. The kid sits up and the dad goes over to order.
The dad was obviously watching. Asked me if he was talking my ear off

The Hawk was doing a chat and photo session at that place last night so thats why they were there.
The 9 year old could rattle off pretty much everything about players. But he didn't know Kolo or his number

So I said to him.
'favourite player'?
I have 3. 'ok, go'.

Jezza 'yep'
Bazalenko 'hang on, you cant count him. he hasn't played' That threw him.
Hawkins 'you cant count him. He's retired' I felt kind of bad when I realised he had 26 on his back. But it was just fun.

Then his dad started asking him the numbers of all the current players. I said to his dad "Gee your kid is good"
And he said 'I had no idea'

So then something happened. He asked his son who 39 was. I jumped in, Milburn.
The dad just started laughing.

I asked the dad what Reid wore. Middlemiss. Bright. etc. Way before his time.
But it was fun having a chat with a couple of Geelong supporters up in Albury. I hope the kid had a great night.

What he really wanted was the photo with Hawk so he could see how big he is.