Preview 2nd Prelim Final Geelong v Brisbane Sat Sept 21 2024 515pm @ MCG

[Vdubs]

Well Brisbane aren't 20-2, why do give them the same treatment then

Good question- we are nowhere near the quality of our 2007-2011 list, and no other team is either, but some lists are more complete and talented than ours, Lions, Swans, GWS included. We showed what we CAN do against a more accomplished midfield than ours v Port.
There are other concerns, but not worth rehashing- most here are convinced we are the team to beat- so be it.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Rain they say? Does not bode well for Stanley then…

Oh no, my ptsd is popping up again

 

[Footy Smarts]

Eh, it's the Geelong BF Rule: every conversation must go back to one of:

• Trading out SJ/Chapman
• Varcoe for Mitch Clark
• Thurlow over Grundy

Leaving out Stanley for the 2019 QF. And whatever you do don't mention that Grundy who "absolutely destroyed us" didn't get a single coaches vote that night.

 

[iameviljez]

Leaving out Stanley for the 2019 QF. And whatever you do don't mention that Grundy who "absolutely destroyed us" didn't get a single coaches vote that night.

"Scotty has his favourites" and "Scotty doesn't drop underperforming older players" too

 

[Footy Smarts]

"Scotty has his favourites" and "Scotty doesn't drop underperforming older players" too

Agreed. Scotty will never have the guts to leave out an experienced player like Milburn Mooney Higgins Dahlhaus Parfitt Menegola Hawkins for finals.

 

[Munich]

Agreed. Scotty will never have the guts to leave out an experienced player like Milburn Mooney Higgins Dahlhaus Parfitt Menegola Hawkins for finals.

Higgins and Dalhaus

 

[Cataholic]

Leaving out Stanley for the 2019 QF. And whatever you do don't mention that Grundy who "absolutely destroyed us" didn't get a single coaches vote that night.

Geez I hate this.

Realising that was actually 5 years ago, and not the 2 - 3 years I thought it was, is just the same as dealing with the fact that the year 2050 is closer to us than the 1989 GF ......

I need to go lay down.

 

[STPer18]

I think Mullin will be the unlucky one to get squeezed out for Stewart. I remember our previous prelim against the Lions we had guys like Selwood and Atkins banging into Neale constantly - he's not some super explosive player who needs someone of Mullin's athleticism to keep up with - guys like Atkins, Bowes etc aren't going to be burned by him, it's mainly in close he does his damage.

 

[Footy Smarts]

If Mullin plays I think the player to send him to is Rayner. Or even play as a defensive forward on Zorko.

He didn't go into midfield with JHF until the game was over so I can't see us sending him to Neale. Atkins going to Neale is most likely I think.

 

[Chinacats]

Our small half forwards will be heavily looked at in the lead up to this game. Expect Zorko to go up high with them into the midfield and make them accountable the other way if Brisbane win at stoppage. Starcevich rarely gets beaten too…. Big watch on mannagh, close, Miers and Stengle in this one if they can reproduce with a midfield that’s likely to be on the back foot against Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley, Ashcroft , Berry and co….
If our backs lead by J Henry & zuthrie can hold up and burst away then those high forwards on the spin will get some looks against one paced bears mids.

 

[Tony Barber]

My gut says this.

Can't leave Mullin out. Even if it means he's only a sub.
I rate him a fair bit more than most here. He's not damaging yet, but he is not getting lost in play.
He can run all day and at speed. I think he's versatile. If something goes astray I think he's our man.

SDK should not be played. Now this is a gamble because Blicavs will most likely have to take Daniher. So if something goes wrong with Blicavs or Stanley then we are crippled without SDK.
But... SDK has shown bugger all good form in 2024. And he's obviously coming back from injury.

If we are so loaded with options as people here say then you dont play a guy that's shown little form pre injury in a sudden death final.

 

[Chinacats]

I think Mullin will be the unlucky one to get squeezed out for Stewart. I remember our previous prelim against the Lions we had guys like Selwood and Atkins banging into Neale constantly - he's not some super explosive player who needs someone of Mullin's athleticism to keep up with - guys like Atkins, Bowes etc aren't going to be burned by him, it's mainly in close he does his damage.

Yes Mullin out for Stewart and if SDK gets a gig then touhy or Duncan will be looked at.

 

[supahoops]

If Mullin plays I think the player to send him to is Rayner. Or even play as a defensive forward on Zorko.

He didn't go into midfield with JHF until the game was over so I can't see us sending him to Neale. Atkins going to Neale is most likely I think.

Rayner 100% as he may move through the midfield as well. Has the speed and strength to nullify him. Close has the forward craft to keep Zorko busy. Bews to Cameron. Zuthrie to Bailey.

My gut says this.

Can't leave Mullin out. Even if it means he's only a sub.
I rate him a fair bit more than most here. He's not damaging yet, but he is not getting lost in play.
He can run all day and at speed. I think he's versatile. If something goes astray I think he's our man.

SDK should not be played. Now this is a gamble because Blicavs will most likely have to take Daniher. So if something goes wrong with Blicavs or Stanley then we are crippled without SDK.
But... SDK has shown bugger all good form in 2024. And he's obviously coming back from injury.

If we are so loaded with options as people here say then you dont play a guy that's shown little form pre injury in a sudden death final.

Can’t wait to tune in here when Mullin is named. Do not know the month he was born but he’s made to play in September.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Yes Mullin out for Stewart and if SDK gets a gig then touhy or Duncan will be looked at.

Mullin out for Stewart seems the most obvious more ever... but time will tell.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Yeah I'm not saying I think he will get dropped, I'm saying I think he should get dropped.

To me Bews and Mullin are clearly our weakest players from last match, so one of those is the obvious out for Stewart. But even though I'm not confident that Mullin is at the level of playing a prelim, I'd still probably prefer him over Bews atm.

Maybe we are keeping Bews warm for a possible Papley match up?
I see Mullin as more of a mid/tagger rather than a defender..................
Stewart for Mullin is likely this week IMHO

 

[My Tilly]

Can’t wait to tune in here when Mullin is named. Do not know the month he was born but he’s made to play in September.

Along with Holmes & Dangerfield, has strong hips and probably the most powerful player at the club. Certainly the one we could look at in order to play a lock down role. Maybe he goes with Ashcroft if Neale isn't having much of an impact?

 

[Mr Meow]

Good question- we are nowhere near the quality of our 2007-2011 list, and no other team is either, but some lists are more complete and talented than ours, Lions, Swans, GWS included. We showed what we CAN do against a more accomplished midfield than ours v Port.
There are other concerns, but not worth rehashing- most here are convinced we are the team to beat- so be it.

Run me through each list and explain how they are more talented and complete than ours.

Or else you are simply making things up.

Every list remaining has deficiencies and issues with form/fitness.

Since the Essendon game we've had a few dodgy quarters but otherwise have been as good as anyone. 8-2 since then including 4 great wins on the road against desperate teams.

Our "less accomplished" midfield is number one in the league for scoring differential from clearances - over a 2 month period.

Feel free to send facts my way that support your basic point that Geelong is not actually in the top 2 performed teams to this point in 2024.

 

[Ratcat]

They do have some big forward options I think we might need to have SDK insurance. I just have a feeling they'll want to exploit us with their tall forwardline where they may believe they have a bit of an advantage.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Along with Holmes & Dangerfield, has strong hips and probably the most powerful player at the club. Certainly the one we could look at in order to play a lock down role. Maybe he goes with Ashcroft if Neale isn't having much of an impact?

Mullin has hardly stepped foot in the guts for a centre bounce all year.

Neale lives in the guts...32 CBA's last week and Ashcroft 15 (probably will be more now Neale is carrying something).

I doubt we go full Ken Bruce and attach Mullin to one of those guys in a prelim when our midfield is going pretty good atm.

Mullin was a late-in for Stewart and played his role (still only 9 touches)... I'd be shocked if Stewart doesn't come back in for him this week.

 

[Mr Meow]

Mullin has hardly stepped foot in the guts for a centre bounce all year.

Neale lives in the guts...32 CBA's last week and Ashcroft 15 (probably will be more now Neale is carrying something).

I doubt we go full Ken Bruce and attach Mullin to one of those guys in a prelim when our midfield is going pretty good atm.

Mullin was a late-in for Stewart and played his role (still only 9 touches)... I'd be shocked if Stewart doesn't come back in for him this week.

Atkins to Neale.

If Ashcroft looks more dangerous then send Atkins to him. Bowes as a secondary match up in either case.

I'm not saying either are elite stoppers, but both would be our options to contest and stop those midfielders effectiveness. Then we back in the likes of Danger, Holmes, Stewart and Bruhn to do the damage for us.

 

[Tony Barber]

Mullin has hardly stepped foot in the guts for a centre bounce all year.

Neale lives in the guts...32 CBA's last week and Ashcroft 15 (probably will be more now Neale is carrying something).

I doubt we go full Ken Bruce and attach Mullin to one of those guys in a prelim when our midfield is going pretty good atm.

Mullin was a late-in for Stewart and played his role (still only 9 touches)... I'd be shocked if Stewart doesn't come back in for him this week.

Mullin won't go into the middle.
He will be a cover for someone like Raynor (who is out of form but can light it up)

Neale said this week he's hardly trained for 2 months. Said if you saw his Thursday training you'd think he wasn't playing but he feels fine on game day.
Neale strength this year has been handball in congestion to create space. Its hard to stop.

So, we need to beat him in the middle. Thats all.
But I could also see Mullin going to Ashcroft after the centre bounce.

 

[My Tilly]

Neale said this week he's hardly trained for 2 months.

That is alarming.
The end to the season he was in solid form but there has been a noticeable drop away this past fortnight.

That collision on the boundary in the dying minutes last week may have been worse than what it is being made out.

 

[Play it Sam]

It seems we are all overthinking it folks

 

[supahoops]

They do have some big forward options I think we might need to have SDK insurance. I just have a feeling they'll want to exploit us with their tall forwardline where they may believe they have a bit of an advantage.

If they have the ball coming in easy it won’t matter who we have back there, all comes down to midfield pressure for mine which is why I’d start Mullin over SDK every time.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

It seems we are all overthinking it folks

**** everyone else indeed.