Preview AFL NAB Challenge match 1 - Geelong v Collingwood, Simonds Stadium, 7:10PM Wednesday 12 February

[Hoffy95]

I think it's far more "fit Tom Hawkins" to be honest.

Yeh I don't want to sound like I'm taking anything away from him that day, Hawkins 2013 would be a good match up 2011 GF Reid was more the point.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Looking at Collingwood's squad, hard to see who they'll put on Hawkins. Hope they put Maxwell on him for the lols, but I'm guessing it'll probably be Keefe.

Would have thought Keeffe was a certainty to get the job. Simpson against Grundy should be very interesting.

With the squads, it might be easier to just say who is out for us.

As it stands, thats: J-Kolo, Menzel, Lang, Selwood, McIntosh, Cowan, Murdoch, Bews, Christensen, Motlop, Hartman, Kersten, Thurlow, Toohey, Bourke, Bates. The Collingwood players who won't line up are: Dwyer, Goldsack, Blair, Witts, Brown, Reid, Thomas, Sinclair, Karnezis, Toovey, Scharenberg, Swan, Martin, Seedsman, Gault, Oxley, Mooney.

A few that I was really looking forward to seeing out there in the preseason for us, but hopefully they'll get their chance in the Melbourne game.

 

[manboob]

MC Extra Dollop I think we'll see most of the aforementioned missing line up against the Dees. Both the Pies and Cats have decided to use this game as a semi-serious hit out against quality opposition and have adjusted their sides accordingly.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

honestly, I cannot see Grundy getting the better of Simpson whatsoever. He's giving up height and a good 15kg's, Grundy also has pretty average hops so Simpson will be out-jumping him throughout the match.
Grundy moves around the ground pretty well but so too does Simpson, pretty clear advantage to us in the ruck department.

Well, I guess from the neutral perspective, people would be looking at it as a very interesting clash between two of the emerging ruckmen in the competition. In reality, Simpson has had a lot longer in the system and Grundy would probably be entering this season expecting to spend most of it in the VFL, had Collingwood's ruck stocks not been so thin. At this stage of their careers, I would be hoping/expecting that Simpson has the better of the duel and if they broke even, I'd be a little bit disappointed.

MC Extra Dollop I think we'll see most of the aforementioned missing line up against the Dees. Both the Pies and Cats have decided to use this game as a semi-serious hit out against quality opposition and have adjusted their sides accordingly.

Of course, but it looks like a reasonably strong line-up, considering. I'd suggest that there's only three best 22 locks that are missing out on a game for us (Selwood, Christensen and Motlop) and maybe a handful more that we'd assume would seriously be in the mix for a Round 1 guernsey.

 

[Beanstalk]

Via Peter Kersten:

"Shane is still a week or so away with a sore knee... Will be ok for Melb in Alice .."

 

[meto]

Just hope Thurlow, and Kersten are there next time, both had minor surgery in the pre, and we were told all was well by the club, but we know their track record on injuries in recent times.

 

[Jonno94]

honestly, I cannot see Grundy getting the better of Simpson whatsoever. He's giving up height and a good 15kg's, Grundy also has pretty average hops so Simpson will be out-jumping him throughout the match.
Grundy moves around the ground pretty well but so too does Simpson, pretty clear advantage to us in the ruck department.

lol wat?

There is many more from where that came from, Grundy has a HUGE leap. Not to mention he will punish Simpson at ground level.

 

[dazbroncos]

Grundy has good hops for sure. Daws has increased his size however. He's knocking 112 kegs now.

That's gonna hurt in any language - and btw.. Daws is no slouch at ground level and you may be surprised at his effectiveness and 2nd/3rd efforts.

Will be good to watch.

Go Catters

 

[manboob]

116kg Daz. He is as the French say "une unité".

 

[bulletproof]

It is a bit early in the season to be getting hot under the collar about match-ups. Simpson will be underdone, he will need work before we see him at his best. I wouldn't judge him too harshly on his form this week. He showed last year he is a match for anyone if he is fit.

 

[meto]

Just hope Thurlow, and Kersten are there next time, both had minor surgery in the pre, and we were told all was well by the club, but we know their track record on injuries in recent times.

Murdoch I'm interested to see, anyone heard anything?

 

[dazbroncos]

116kg Daz. He is as the French say "une unité".

I didn't want to scare our Carringbush friend….

Go Catters

 

[bulletproof]

What is the story with Cowan? I hope he is just being managed as well.

 

[dazbroncos]

What is the story with Cowan? I hope he is just being managed as well.

Having missed as much footy as he has you would imagine that he would not play all preseason games.
Best 1/2 full i got…..

Go Catters

 

[Hood007]

Posting random photos when he's getting a boost in mid-air is not how you determine a persons vertical leap

Well then the same goes for posting random videos.

I'd expect Dawson to win in the air and Grundy to win at ground level. Will be an interesting duel...

 

[Hood007]

but they weren't random videos, they were the centre square ruck taps from his last game v Lobbe, and if you look through all his centre square hit-outs, he doesn't get much hang-time which is exactly the same issue McEvoy has in the ruck. I am not saying Simpson has a fantastic vertical either but he does have good timing and his leap would be around the 27-30 inch mark (about the same as Grundy) but Simpson is a good 206-208cm in height with long arms so he will be winning more of the hit-out's ratio than not when up against shorter sized rucks.

The other thing about Grundy is in his first 7 games, he's averaged 21 hit-outs and he's played everyone of those games without getting subbed out of the game.
Simpson has averaged around 33 when playing out the game in full.

You can't say isolated pics don't represent someone's leap and then post isolated videos from 1 game and say that they do.
I watched him play throughout the year and he seems athletic enough.

Plus, I said that I thought Dawson would win the ruck duels anyway so you don't need to convince me...

 

[JUBJUB]

lol wat?

You can still see the lobotomy scars on Grundy

 

[The rabbi]

(rest these players, if not injured play them rd 2 NAB)
McCarthy

Yep, McCarthy needs a rest. It was only about 20 months ago that he played his last game in the VFL. I suppose he is due for some down time. I am also unsure as to why you would name a rookie in Luxford in front of an AFL listed player in McCarthy.

 

[Hood007]

yep I agree totally, athletic he is but am only talking about his jumping ability not the other aspects of his athleticism.

Ok, I watched him during the year and his jumping ability seems good enough.
Is that better?

 

[Pivo]

Well then the same goes for posting random videos.

I'd expect Dawson to win in the air and Grundy to win at ground level. Will be an interesting duel...

Many a 18 year old went from "zero" to "hero" on the strength of a random 2 minute video clip though.

And I agree, a Simpson V Grundy duel should be good to watch.

 

[Hood007]

Many a 18 year old went from "zero" to "hero" on the strength of a random 2 minute video clip though.

And I agree, a Simpson V Grundy duel should be good to watch.

Blake Acres is the next Pendlebury yeah?

 

[Pivo]

Blake Acres is the next Pendlebury yeah?

I'm torn on this post.

I really like Acres.

But your point is well made.

 

[Scottland2007]

No H Mac, does that mean Simpson will be the no.1 ruck this year, or is HMac not 100%?

 

[Bobby_]

No H Mac, does that mean Simpson will be the no.1 ruck this year, or is HMac not 100%?

maybe proper player management?
He hasn't played a competitive match for over a year, might need another couple weeks or more, perhaps returns via the VFL

 

[Pivo]

NO Hamish...

Due for a rest anyway.

This is a genuine laugh out loud post.

Well played sir, well played.