Moved Thread AFL Round 1 Hawthorn versus Geelong March 27th 2009

[CF]

AFL Premiership Season Round 1


Hawthorn versus Geelong

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Friday March 27th 2009 MCG
7.40pm start (gates open 5.30pm)

Telecast: Check your local guides​

The Geelong Perspective:

The Grand Final replay that means nothing!

Much will be made in the media how the two best teams of 2008 facing off in the Grand Final replay will be a big start to the season. The big names will be there Ablett, Scarlett, Corey, Johnson, Buddy, Hodge, and Mitchell & Brown. The MCG will probably see 80,000 fans flock to see the titans of the AFL take battle. But in the end a win for either team will just mean 4 points and maybe some bragging rights. But the loser will just claim it’s round one and they are underdone. We have heard it all before. But let’s face it by round 22 this game will mean nothing.

The Hawks have decided to unfurl their flag at the beginning of this match. That is a nice bit of gamesmanship there, and I hope the Geelong lads respond accordingly.

The Key Match Ups

Scarlett versus Franklin: At the moment the points belong to Scarlett. But Buddy is the best Full Forward in the Competition and one expects that Buddy should have a day out against Scarlett soon. Scarlett is 30 and in the twilight of his career while Buddy is just reaching his prime. I don’t expect Scarlett to run up the ground with Buddy. Maybe Taylor will take that role with Scarlett staying back to play the quarterback role he does so well. The other option is to try Mackie on him who has the speed and run to stay with Franklin but lacks the physical presence over him.

Ablett versus Bateman: Gary has been in terrific form and is currently regarded as the best midfielder in the competition. Bateman is a tough player who will try and stick to Gary but unfortunately probably won’t have success in curtailing him. Sewell may get a run on Ablett as well. What makes tagging Ablett so difficult is not only his freakish skills, but that all the other Geelong players will block for him to free him up.

Ling versus Mitchell: Ling did a terrific job during the 2008 GF in curtailing the effectiveness of Mitchell and I think that battle will resume. A good measure if Ling is winning is if an opposition player tries to take him out. Ling loves the contest though.

Johnson versus Murphy: Although Murphy has played on Dog before his real aim should be stopping Stevie from getting meaningful possessions. Dog will get the ball but what he needs to do is make sure he kicks a few goals or sets up plays that lead to goals. He has to avoid allowing Murphy or whoever plays on him to keep him away from making the play.

Rooke/Gamble/Chapman versus Hodge: Reluctantly I have to say Hodge destroyed us in the 2008 GF and deserved his Norm Smith Medal. I can’t see Stokes going with him this time. Geelong has been playing Rooke up forward during the nabcup and his presence certainly gives our forward line muscle. It will be an interesting battle. I think this will be the most interesting contest of the match.

The Geelong Forward Line

During the 2008 GF our Forward line let us down not being able to convert the 60 entries into a winning score. This is an area of concern that has plagued Geelong for the last 10 years really. It has been plagued with inaccurate kicking and too few forwards who could stamp their authority on the match. This year is the year we hope Tom Hawkins can step up to the plate and make his mark. There is an injury cloud on Mooney and Lonergan has been showing signs of the pressure getting to him. Our small forwards with Stokes, Varcoe, Chapman, Ablett are excellent with Johnson and Rooke big contributors. Something tells me if the team can’t get this right then a lot of questions will be asked.


The Geelong Midfield

Simply the best there is right now.

The Geelong Backline

The loss of Josh Hunt, Tom Harley, & David Johnson certainly will put a new look backline for the start of the season. Harry Taylor will take CHB and his preseason form has been outstanding. We also still have Scarlett, Milburn, Enright, Mackie, Wocjinski with Corey, Rooke, Lonergan, and maybe an elevated player like Laidler to fill in. The injuries we have had will certainly test our depth.

Who will win and why?

I think Geelong will win this game because its preseason form has been excellent and the signs during the nabcup GF were ominous. But the Hawks will do all they can to exploit the mozz they have over us that is for sure. It should be a ripper game and I think both teams will have a real crack. As a footy fan I can only hope to see Ablett ripping up the middle, Buddy kicking magnificent goals, Johnson kicking ridiculous goals and Hodge being as tough as the rock of Gibraltar. This game has all the makings of a classic but may be marred by those silly out of form mistakes that all teams make in the first few rounds.
Geelong by 14.

 

[Bill Lawry. Mr. Classy]

Well written and a very good overview...

Basically agree with all your points however I wouldn't discount the role secondary targets up forward could play in the game.

Scarlett and Taylor are guns but you'd imagine they will have to wear Buddy/Rough like gloves all day. With no Harley/Hunt and Rooke likly playing in the forward half I think the Cats look a little undermaned in the small defender stocks.

If Hawthorn can exploit this it's flighty, sharp leading forwards like Williams/Osbourne/Dew/Cyril who could win the damage for the Hawks.

Hawks by 4, should be an absolute ripper

 

[william41]

Ithink the Cats will win this one so they can exact some revenge for last year's loss in the GF.

 

[Philhawk]

Geelong by 10 goals.

We've got no hope.

 

[Disco_Stu09]

Considering Hawthorn have got 3 first gamers playing Geelong should win. Hawthorn have got 6 players missin from last years gf and the cats have 2.

I agree that it will be rooke that will take the job on hodge, Stokes is a better player for us playing offence instead of trying to do a negating role.

Geelong by 25

 

[Roughie]

I think we will see Tom Murphy go to Stevie J. He hasnt done too bad in the past when playing on him. Its going to be a tough game and if we have any chance to win we really need Renouf and Taylor giving our mids first use of the football. But with that said, Ling has had Mitch covered comfortably, we are really going to have to rely on the clearance work of Sewell.

It is likely to see Roughead and Franklin switch between the deep forward position and the true CHF position through out the game which will depict their match ups. Scarlett to take the deep forward, Taylor to take the upfield option. In the hawks two preseason games we tended to bomb the football up alot, this is something we cannot afford to do against Geelong. Their backline is the most cohesive unit in the AFL. They will work their screens and get their 2nd men up with ease. Its definatly going to be a tough match regardless if we were full strength or not.

I personally think Geelong will take this comfortably, but ill disapointed if we dont give a good showing.

For any dream team fans out there, watch Trav Tuck rack them up tonight.