Preview AFL Round 14 - Geelong v North Melbourne, Skilled Stadium, Sunday 4 July 1:10PM

[Vdubs]

Re: Kangaroos will win this week

Will not be surprised if we get beaten

So NEGATIVE!!

Think you're right though. Really looking forward to our selected team this week. It'll still look good on paper

TBH, I am always more comfortable with us when we're NOT favourites , or raging favourotes, to win

 

[Big Fozza]

Why don't we bring in Ben Johnson to be our second tall in the forward line. It would mean we didn't have to tamper with the backs by bringing one of them up forward. BJ has been playing some great footy in the twos and is a mature body (194cm, 92kg, 23yo)! It would be great to have two first year MATURE AGE rookies holding down the Geelong forward line. This is the very situation for which they drafted BJ to be a rookie. Last week he kicked 4 goals in a team that go thumped by Sandringham. What do people think? I think it's worth a go this week until Ottens and Hawkins get back, surely?

i like this

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Clearly Ottens' best days are behind him, but he is such a presence and is rarely, if ever, beaten in the ruck. Plus if he does drift forward, he demands a lot of attention, which gives our other talls more scope. If Blake drifts forward, pretty much no-one notices. But let's remember there are 9 games to go before finals. Any time in the next 3-4 weeks would be more than enough lead up time.

You are right. Although I am a bit worried about our forward line structure (once Mooney/Hawk are back) being thrown out by Otto playing up there too much because he can't go for long periods in the ruck until his match fitness is built up.

This is one reason why I would've liked him to come back through the two's so to build up the fitness. Oh well.

 

[True Blue Cat]

Well i have already marked down Pods' 5 goals. North are traveling well but i can't see how they could have us beat.

 

[Copernicus]

I sure hope Smithy is ready for this game. I suspect he'll get pretty limited game time unless we are somehow being smashed in the middle. Let's hope he pulls up well afterwards.

I'm a little worried that neither of Otto or Hawk came up. Pods is going to be a very sore boy and I hope that groin of his doesn't really deteriorate. It must be hampering him a fair bit. Hopefully we get at least one of those back against Hawthorn.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I sure hope Smithy is ready for this game. I suspect he'll get pretty limited game time unless we are somehow being smashed in the middle. Let's hope he pulls up well afterwards.

I'm a little worried that neither of Otto or Hawk came up. Pods is going to be a very sore boy and I hope that groin of his doesn't really deteriorate. It must be hampering him a fair bit. Hopefully we get at least one of those back against Hawthorn.

I agree...henceforth I am not happy with Moons this week.

That said, I don't think we should panic because Pods is such a professional about his and other people's fitness that if playing was making his injury much worse, he would let the club know and they would give him a spell.

Here's hoping that he and Smithy can get through the game fine.

 

[vinum coupe]

Re: Kangaroos will win this week

So NEGATIVE!!

Think you're right though. Really looking forward to our selected team this week. It'll still look good on paper

TBH, I am always more comfortable with us when we're NOT favourites , or raging favourotes, to win

Ha.
It just reminds me of the Brisbane game last year.
They'll realise they can't get all the structures right without taking risks on players so they'll just try and wing it.

By the way. I don't care if we lose as long as no one is risked

 

[SJ]

Re: Kangaroos will win this week

Kindly borrowed from the North Board:

Roos vs. Cats 1985-2009​

R5, 1985 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 93 vs Cats 119
Ablett takes the mark of the year over Passmore in the goal square at the city end.

R5, 1986 (MCG) – Roos 154 vs Cats 92
The second leg of the first ever ‘double-header’ in VFL history produces the Roos highest score against the Cats.

R17, 1986 (Waverley) – Roos 142 vs Cats 123
Trailing at half time by 20 points, the Roos kick 11.4-70 in the third term (a record vs Cats), and win.

R4, 1987 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 136 vs Cats 127
Schimmelbusch becomes the only Roo to pass 300 games and plays his part in a fighting Roos win. (Greig had played his “300th” in ’85 but official records changed to not allow state games to count as club games and so his official Roos tally changed to 294.)

R1, 1989 (MCG) – Roos 125 vs Cats 123
The Cats jump the Roos early but nine goals in the second term even things up for an arm wrestle in the second half where the Roo just hang on. Blight’s first game as Cats coach.

R8, 1991 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 150 vs Cats 119
The Roos trail all day but kick eight goals to none in the last to win easily.

R3, 1993 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 108 vs Cats 84
On the Easter Monday Longmire kicks six and the Roos cause an upset by coming from behind to win.

R19, 1993 (MCG) – Roos 72 vs Cats 166
Ablett needs two to be the equal quickest to 100 in a season. He gets it in the first 15mins on his way to 10 in a huge win as they charge (unsuccessfully) to the finals.

R4, 1994 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 105 vs Cats 120
The Roos and Carey in particular had begun the year in dominant form but ran into Ablett in big form with 7 goals. McGrath did the job on Carey as the Cats led by 45 at the last change before the Roos won back some respectability in the last term.

R20, 1994 (Princes Park) – Roos 77 vs Cats 78
Even game all day. Ablett again needed 2 to his 100 but had to wait for a lucky free midway through the last to do it. It disrupted play and the Roos momentum halts. The Cats just hold on.

PF, 1994 (MCG) – Roos 103 vs Cats 109
One of the great finals of all time. The Roos control three quarters but Hocking and 7 goals to nil in the second quarter wins it. Poor accuracy and umpiring hinder the Roos but they hit the front late in the game. Ablett, who’d been quiet all day, takes a mark in the goal square on the siren as Tudor’s kick drifts over Martyn’s head and kicks the winner. Carey was awesome with 6 goals and 14 marks.

R6, 1996 (MCG) – Roos 104 vs Cats 93
The score was level 14 times until the Roos sneak away at the end. McKernan, who was reported early in an incident with Barnes that cost him a Brownlow, kicks the winner with a volley kick in the goal square.

3QF, 1996 (MCG) – Roos 131 vs Cats 71
The Roos win easily in wet conditions to eliminate the Cats in Ablett’s last game. Allison kicks 7 to break the club record for goals in a final.

R15, 1997 (MCG) – Roos 92 vs Cats 102
The Cats appear gone at several stages – particularly when they were 6 goals down in the second term. But the Cats go to the top of the ladder with an impressive comeback.

3QF, 1997 (MCG) – Roos 79 vs Cats 61
On a wet Sunday night the Cats start favourites against the reigning premiers. But Carey has other ideas and despite a quiet, injury ravaged season, plays one of his greatest by equalling Allison’s record with 7 goals out of 11. Archer and Schwass were both suspended and Schwass does not play for the Roos again.

R1, 1999 (MCG) – Roos 135 vs Cats 141
Fabulous comeback win for the Cats after conceding 15 goals and a 40 point lead to half time.

R16, 1999 (SCG) – Roos 143 vs Cats 88
The week before kicking 10 against the Dons, Carey has 7 to half time and ends with 9.

R4, 2000 (Docklands) – Roos 104 vs Cats 99
Both clubs’ first match at Docklands ends in stunning fashion. Bizzell’s torp from 75m easily makes the distance but just sails wide to give the Roos a narrow win instead of a draw. Colbert receives a tough reception in his first game against the Cats.

R19, 2000 (Docklands) – Roos 124 vs Cats 85
McKernan kicks a career best 8 goals as the Roos win easily.

R4, 2001 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 53 vs Cats 33
A water-logged Cattery plays host to an old fashioned slog in driving rain and strong winds. The Roos benefit with the gale in the first and kick 5 of their 7 goals. King’s 3 is a match-winning effort.

R18, 2002 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 115 vs Cats 51
The Roos continue their hold over the Cats away from home with an easy win. Harding kicked 6.

R12, 2004 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 84 vs Cats 94
Kicking into the wind the Roos open with the first four goals but the Cats steady and lead by quarter time. The Roos have every chance in the last term but fail to make the most of their opportunities.

R9, 2005 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 61 vs Cats 146
After winning the first five games of the year the Roos slumped to a fourth straight loss. Despite the hiding, Grant was outstanding with 36 possessions in a lone hand.

R2, 2006 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 69 vs Cats 138
The first loss of a bad year was another hiding at the Cattery. The win had the Cats installed as flag favourites. Former Roo, Kingsley kicked eight goals.

R18, 2006 (Manuka) – Roos 90 vs Cats 60
The Cats went from flag favourites to out of the finals race with a month to go after this upset loss to the Roos. The Ross jumped them early, the Cats lost Ling and Ablett by quarter time, and the game was effectively done and dusted.

R5, 2007 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 118 vs Cats 102
A huge upset which changed the fortunes of both clubs for the year. For the Roos it gave them the belief that got them all the way to the Preliminary Final, For the Cats it was the wakeup call they desperately needed and they lost just one more game on their way to the premiership. North were six goals up at half time and despite a late rally from the Cats, they won quite comfortably.

R20, 2007 (Docklands) – Roos 91 vs Cats 118
The Cats’ 15th straight win after their loss to the Roos earlier in the year. North had their chances early but inaccuracy cost them dearly. The Cats clicked into gear in the second half and were never really troubled. Mooney kicked 5.

1QF, 2007 (MCG) – Roos 50 vs Cats 156
A disastrous start to the finals for the Roos. A small melee during the warm-up was the most fight they showed. Promising signs early but the game developed into a procession after quarter time. The Cats had 31 more scoring shots – the fifth worst in North’s history. Chapman and Mooney each kicked 5.

R11, 2008 (Docklands) – Roos 114 vs Cats 127
A brave effort for the Roos against the unbeaten Cats. North were never out of the game at any stage but were undone by a brilliant game from Ablett. Another big game from Mooney with 7 goals was also significant.

R21, 2008 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 82 vs Cats 115
Not bad performance from the Roos but disappointing anyway after six straight win and a top 4 spot up for grabs. Most notable for Hale’s eight – an out of the box effort that had the club mistakenly following the path of Hale being a permanent full-forward. Also, Rooke laid one almighty shirtfront on Power.

R8, 2009 (Kardinia Park) – Roos 49 vs Cats 119
A really awful performance from the Roos who were taken apart early and never allowed back in by the Cats. The Roos’ biggest losing margin in an ordinary year.

 

[vinum coupe]

"R4, 2000 (Docklands) – Roos 104 vs Cats 99
Both clubs’ first match at Docklands ends in stunning fashion. Bizzell’s torp from 75m easily makes the distance but just sails wide to give the Roos a narrow win instead of a draw. Colbert receives a tough reception in his first game against the Cats."

Ha ha. I remember that well.

I was sitting int he medallion club. Someone handed the ball sideways to Biz just inside the square so he could have a crack at it.

There was an older lady in front of me who was quite upset at the loss and I tapped her on the shoulder and said "don't worry about it, if the team really has that much confidence to gamble like that then one day they'll be unstoppable"

 

[SJ]

That game was on 7TWO recently, amazing finish. If it went through it possibly may have been the greatest finish of all time.

 

[winty]

That game was on 7TWO recently, amazing finish. If it went through it possibly may have been the greatest finish of all time.

The 1994 Prelim is on 7Two at 3.45am Saturday morning too.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

I think this week we will certainly rely on a spread of goal kickers... but we often do.

I'm hoping our midfielders will contribute to that.

We will certainly miss SJ, but Chappy back in should help.

No Mooney, and no Hawkins, I'm hoping Pod's steps up. He doesn't need to kick a bag, but I would like to see him present well and lead up the ground.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think this week we will certainly rely on a spread of goal kickers... but we often do.

I'm hoping our midfielders will contribute to that.

We will certainly miss SJ, but Chappy back in should help.

No Mooney, and no Hawkins, I'm hoping Pod's steps up. He doesn't need to kick a bag, but I would like to see him present well and lead up the ground.

He will, even on friday night he competed and contested, and he will do the same on Sunday. Big game for the smalls to get at his feet and do their job, and for our midfielders to kick goals also. Oh, and if there was ever a game for mr Gamble to try and step up and earn himself a future with us, this would be a good time for him to go forward and do it.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Brad Scott is confident of his side beating the Cats:

"Be it NAB Cup or not, we got enormous confidence out of beating them (Geelong) Round 1 in the pre-season.

"All their best players started on the ground from memory. Might have been a couple missing, but I dare say they fielded a better side that day than they will Sunday."

Yep, coz it's all about the pre season. Beat the Cats in a pre season nuff nuff match, and you can beat them anywhere anytime. Ha!

 

[Brad Roo]

^^^Whilst I wouldn't be having hard currency on North, you blokes are far from invincible this week.

PF, 1994 (MCG) – Roos 103 vs Cats 109
One of the great finals of all time. The Roos control three quarters but Hocking and 7 goals to nil in the second quarter wins it. Poor accuracy and umpiring hinder the Roos but they hit the front late in the game. Ablett, who’d been quiet all day, takes a mark in the goal square on the siren as Tudor’s kick drifts over Martyn’s head and kicks the winner. Carey was awesome with 6 goals and 14 marks.

Don't get me started on this game!

Anyway, If I were a Geelong fan I wouldn't be too fazed about dropping a game in the next couple of weeks as long as the Cats get no more injuries.

 

[Hybrid7]

I like this bit:
"As North Melbourne rounds off its preparation for football's Mission Impossible - Geelong at Skilled Stadium - coach Scott is drawn to what he describes as Brisbane's watershed game of 2001.

The Lions faced the all-conquering Essendon in Round 10 that year, the Bombers free-wheeling on 8-1 after storming to the 2000 premiership."

Yeah only difference between that Brisbane side of 2001 and this North side is that the Lions ended up winning the premiership that season and the following season and were a team of dead set superstars - I guess thats a fair comparison....

I just love it when coaches come out and mouth off to the cats, especially when Bomber is keeping quiet - we all know how that usually works out for opposition teams.

 

[Cataholic]

I noticed the squad shown on TFS last night had Gamble at FF - will he play there, and if so, is that a reflection of our forward stocks at the moment, or one more opportunity for us to 'showcase' his ability for trade later on?

 

[Partridge]

He will, even on friday night he competed and contested, and he will do the same on Sunday. Big game for the smalls to get at his feet and do their job, and for our midfielders to kick goals also. Oh, and if there was ever a game for mr Gamble to try and step up and earn himself a future with us, this would be a good time for him to go forward and do it.

Agree with all of this, and let's hope the delivery to the forwards will be improved from Friday night.

Mind you, it wouldn't take much for that to happen.

 

[SJ]

I noticed the squad shown on TFS last night had Gamble at FF - will he play there, and if so, is that a reflection of our forward stocks at the moment, or one more opportunity for us to 'showcase' his ability for trade later on?

That is just The Footy Show making up the squad. No basis for it other than a guess.

 

[witsend]

Agree with all of this, and let's hope the delivery to the forwards will be improved from Friday night.

Mind you, it wouldn't take much for that to happen.

If the umpires don't allow blatant, blocking, shepherding and holding 50 meters off the ball, our forwards will do just fine. Friday night was the best example I've ever seen of a team being permitted to unfairly hinder forwards without fear of consequence. Seriously...why does anyone think we could possibly be held goal-less for an hour plus?

 

[Partridge]

If the umpires don't allow blatant, blocking, shepherding and holding 50 meters off the ball, our forwards will do just fine. Friday night was the best example I've ever seen of a team being permitted to unfairly hinder forwards without fear of consequence. Seriously...why does anyone think we could possibly be held goal-less for an hour plus?

I have to be honest, I think in the second half especially St.Kilda just worked harder. We were nowhere near as desperate and committed as usual. Hopefully an aberration.

 

[witsend]

I have to be honest, I think in the second half especially St.Kilda just worked harder. We were nowhere near as desperate and committed as usual. Hopefully an aberration.

Absolutely St Kilda worked harder once things started going their way, but there is no way on God's Green Earth a team will ever be allowed to get away with the tactics employed by St Kilda again. I repeat...they were disciplined no doubt but stretched the rules way beyond breaking point in order to keep us goal-less.
I was high in the Olympic stand watching the whole arena and was apoplectic with what was being done to our forwards loooong before the ball arrived. And to rub salt into the wounds, WE gave frees away in contests where we were outnumbered 3 to 1!!
I'm not a believer in umpiring conspiracy theories but that match sorely tested my resolve to give them the benefit of the doubt. And watching it a couple of times on replay didn't change my opinion. Often when I watch a game in the cold light of day, decisions I was angry about at the game seem okay on replay, but not this time. So many contentious decisions, almost all of which went against us. At least 3 goals from 50s for tiggy touch wood pushes or dissent, yet 2 guys manage to rack up 16 weeks suspension, an eyeful of stitches and a broken hand between them, and not one free kick was paid either way???!!! WTF???!!
Check out the free against Moons where he went for the ball and Hayes backed into the contest. Surely the first time ever that a forward leading TO the ball is pinged for frontal contact to a guy running WITH the flight of the ball? And the Hunt/Milne one just summed the night up for me. Arguably the worst decision in AFL history. Inexcusable at every level.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Match Committee from Balme:

Out: Johson (susp/inj), Mooney (susp), Harry Taylor (foot)
In: Chapman, Corey, Kelly, Duncan, Hogan, Menzel

Geelong vs. North Melbourne
B: Josh Hunt - Matthew Scarlett - Andrew Mackie
HB: Corey Enright - Tom Lonergan - Darren Milburn
C: James Kelly - Cameron Ling - Jimmy Bartel
HF: Paul Chapman - James Podsiadly - Travis Varcoe
F: Mathew Stokes - Trent West - Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Mark Blake - Joel Selwood - Gary Ablett
Int : Joel Corey, Taylor Hunt, David Wojcinski, Daniel Menzel, Ryan Gamble, Simon Hogan, Mitch Duncan

I would expect Menzel, Duncan and Hogan to be the emgs with Hogan probably to come in if Bartel doesn't come up.

 

[CharlieMortdecai]

I like this bit:
"As North Melbourne rounds off its preparation for football's Mission Impossible - Geelong at Skilled Stadium - coach Scott is drawn to what he describes as Brisbane's watershed game of 2001.

The Lions faced the all-conquering Essendon in Round 10 that year, the Bombers free-wheeling on 8-1 after storming to the 2000 premiership."

Yeah only difference between that Brisbane side of 2001 and this North side is that the Lions ended up winning the premiership that season and the following season and were a team of dead set superstars - I guess thats a fair comparison....

I just love it when coaches come out and mouth off to the cats, especially when Bomber is keeping quiet - we all know how that usually works out for opposition teams.

Thought the same thing myself. To be fair though, he does say a bit more

"With the direction that we're heading, this is going to be a great day for us. It's going to be a great day for us win, lose or draw, and I'm sure we'll look back in the future, regardless of what happens, and say we learnt a lot from that game."

He also seems to be saying there's no point going in with a pessimistic attitude and just expecting to be reamed.

I just hope we don't learn what it feels like to be on the end of another shellacking. Feel that lesson has already been sufficiently explained to us by Saints, Pies and Freo.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Absolutely St Kilda worked harder once things started going their way, but there is no way on God's Green Earth a team will ever be allowed to get away with the tactics employed by St Kilda again. I repeat...they were disciplined no doubt but stretched the rules way beyond breaking point in order to keep us goal-less.
I was high in the Olympic stand watching the whole arena and was apoplectic with what was being done to our forwards loooong before the ball arrived. And to rub salt into the wounds, WE gave frees away in contests where we were outnumbered 3 to 1!!
I'm not a believer in umpiring conspiracy theories but that match sorely tested my resolve to give them the benefit of the doubt. And watching it a couple of times on replay didn't change my opinion. Often when I watch a game in the cold light of day, decisions I was angry about at the game seem okay on replay, but not this time. So many contentious decisions, almost all of which went against us. At least 3 goals from 50s for tiggy touch wood pushes or dissent, yet 2 guys manage to rack up 16 weeks suspension, an eyeful of stitches and a broken hand between them, and not one free kick was paid either way???!!! WTF???!!
Check out the free against Moons where he went for the ball and Hayes backed into the contest. Surely the first time ever that a forward leading TO the ball is pinged for frontal contact to a guy running WITH the flight of the ball? And the Hunt/Milne one just summed the night up for me. Arguably the worst decision in AFL history. Inexcusable at every level.

I know...I was watching some video footage on the club website today and when I saw Gwilt bear hugging Podsy I was not a happy man.

And don't even start me on the Hunt/Milne decision.