Preview AFL Round 19 - Geelong v Collingwood, MCG, Saturday 7 August 7:10PM

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: Malthouse v Thompson

No doubt Malthouse is a good coach.... i just can't see how you would call him a great coach. Mainly due to the obvious lack of premierships, but also because his list development and game tactics aren't particularly impressive (although obviously they are travelling beautifully at the moment).

Thompson whilst not the greatest match day coach (although i would also argue here, besides obvious 08' GF) could hardly be faulted for development of a great list (including many players who weren't highly rated) and implementing a style of play that is both exciting and is standing up to all tests.

I wouldn't criticise either coach because they are both fantastic, its just that one is great and the other very good.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

They are very well coached, extremely disciplined and all, but they rely on the same old players who fail in big matches to win games for them.
Thomas, Didak, Cloke, Davis etc.
Nothing new here.

Hate to pick you out on your point here, but I can't resist. Thomas (23) and Cloke (23) aren't exactly old and experienced finals players.

Agree on Davis and Didak though. Fraser, O'Bree and Tarkyn are Collingwood veterans who could be added to that list of players who don't exactly perform under big games, but they're struggling for selection anyway.

 

[witsend]

Hate to pick you out on your point here, but I can't resist. Thomas (23) and Cloke (23) aren't exactly old and experienced finals players.

Agree on Davis and Didak though. Fraser, O'Bree and Tarkyn are Collingwood veterans who could be added to that list of players who don't exactly perform under big games, but they're struggling for selection anyway.

Fair points!

 

[Vdubs]

Anyone realistically predicting a Geelong win? It would mean a dramatic return to top form by most of our down players and a bad day for Pies. This is not the same scenario as earlier this season. We are still trying to get where they are in terms of consistency and form.

Yet we are only 1/2 a game behind them!! Scary concept when we do get it together.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Anyone realistically predicting a Geelong win? It would mean a dramatic return to top form by most of our down players and a bad day for Pies. This is not the same scenario as earlier this season. We are still trying to get where they are in terms of consistency and form.

Yet we are only 1/2 a game behind them!! Scary concept when we do get it together.

I'll predict it.

Form line from last game:

Last week both Geelong and Collingwood won easing up by about the same margin.

Geelong's opponent - Sydney - was absolutely pumped to play well. Look at Goodes. He was great and raring to go. The whole Swans outfit were keen. And on their homeground, which is always an ask for any visiting team.

Collingwood's opponent - Carlton - pathetic. The coach almost called their effort cowardly. Their worst performance this year.

Next fact:

Last time we played them we won easily. Collingwood was flying up until that game too. That isn't that long ago.

Collingwood is playing on form.

Form, meet brick wall.


And also, I barrack for Geelong. ****ed if I'm going to predict a loss!

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Solid logic RHS, ill agree with every point but also will add that ****ed if i'm going to predict Collingwood winning anything!!

 

[vinum coupe]

Anyone realistically predicting a Geelong win? It would mean a dramatic return to top form by most of our down players and a bad day for Pies. This is not the same scenario as earlier this season. We are still trying to get where they are in terms of consistency and form.

Yet we are only 1/2 a game behind them!! Scary concept when we do get it together.

Not sure. It depends how they have all pulled up. If they are fit then yes.

But if I was told we'd lose a game over the next 4 weeks and was asked to pick one I'd say the dogs game.

But I am not sure they have beaten anyone this year. Although their form is coming back together a bit.

 

[witsend]

Anyone realistically predicting a Geelong win? It would mean a dramatic return to top form by most of our down players and a bad day for Pies. This is not the same scenario as earlier this season. We are still trying to get where they are in terms of consistency and form.

Yet we are only 1/2 a game behind them!! Scary concept when we do get it together.

I'm not sure I'll predict it per se...but realistically if we come out pumped I predict we will win, and comfortably.
We are playing much better and are fitter than Rd 9 and the PF last year.
They are playing very well, no doubt, but their best is not good enough to beat our best.
Depends what we bring.

 

[CHIEF SMACKAHOE]

there's no reason to assume geelong will lose

the fact of the matter is, we are better than they are, and if we play well collingwood cannot win

 

[couchy555]

I am totally confident, their due for a loss. Plus we are Geelong. Relax, its gonna be fun

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Good article on Westy today:

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/99564/default.aspx

I know he'll probably be dropped for my man tomorrow, but I thought he played really well on Saturday, and well done to him.

 

[cfx_1]

They generally are... it was 1 v 2 earlier in the year when we played them and we've obviously met in a couple of big finals.

The scene couldn't be better set for Saturday night, I'm really looking for it.

5 things I hope to see:

1. Gaz to continue his ripping form
2. JPod to kick 3+ and prove he can perform on the big stage
3. Enright to absolutely smash Didak
4. Ottens to reprise his 2007 prelim heroics
5. Scarlett and Harry to keep Cloke and Dawes to one goal between them

1. Absolutely love Gaz and I hope he continues his form too. Watching him in full flight is a privilige.
2. JPod will get the human glove Presti (if he is fit). If Brown is up I can't see him matching PODS in the contest for strength.
3. Didak will start in the middle and unless enright starts on him I believe MaCaffer will go to him as a defensive forward... Did a great job on Gilbert against the Saints and I hope much of the same to come, given that Enright has been quiet to his standards of late.
4. Ottens V Jolly - A match made in heaven. Should be a UFC title fight!
5. Scarlett on Dawes? Scarlett will tear him up. I hope to the high heavens that Dawes kicks 5. Just don't think he's there yet. Love him though and will be great with more time. Cloke...... Just please kick it straight. Don't know if Harry will get the matchup but Cloke's around the ground work and contested marking has been up to his Coleman Medal standards this year. Pity that doesn't equate to more goals.

 

[Goldencats]

I am totally confident, their due for a loss. Plus we are Geelong. Relax, its gonna be fun

I'm very confident as well, we are just going about our business as usual, this doesn't mean that much to us, they are the ones who are building it up as usual, this is arguably going to be our strongest side on paper, it's nice to admit that for once, unlike the Pies who have been pretty much full strength all year

 

[Roos08]

Who do you think will play on Beams He cut us to pieces in Round 9 and is more of a concern than Davis! Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere... I don't see an obvious match-up despite being supremely confident Bomber and co. will find one!

Cats by 20 odd

 

[Goldencats]

Who do you think will play on Beams He cut us to pieces in Round 9 and is more of a concern than Davis! Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere... I don't see an obvious match-up despite being supremely confident Bomber and co. will find one!

Cats by 20 odd

Hunt played on him last time and was pretty ordinary, in saying that I thought a lot of the play just fell Beams' way that night, I think maybe Mackie might be the one

 

[Spoony]

I'm very confident as well, we are just going about our business as usual, this doesn't mean that much to us, they are the ones who are building it up as usual, this is arguably going to be our strongest side on paper, it's nice to admit that for once, unlike the Pies who have been pretty much full strength all year

What have Collingwood done to build it up? they're playing it down as much as Geelong. It's the media who are building it up.

 

[Roos08]

Hunt played on him last time and was pretty ordinary, in saying that I thought a lot of the play just fell Beams' way that night, I think maybe Mackie might be the one

I think your under-selling his performance; he was fantastic!! I reckon Hunt may be the man now that he's in better form... I know our recent history against Collingwood is good, I just think we're a little tall down back against their relatively small forward line. I think this is where they will try and exploit us. Anyway, i'm not being negative, i just don't think things will be quite as easy as some are predicting

GO CATS!!!!!

 

[vinum coupe]

I am totally confident, their due for a loss. Plus we are Geelong. Relax, its gonna be fun

Ha ha, I love this concept. It's how I view games.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Hunt played on him last time and was pretty ordinary, in saying that I thought a lot of the play just fell Beams' way that night, I think maybe Mackie might be the one

Mackie as an accountable defender doesn't generally work, not because he's crap, he's a very very good player, but he doesn't have the mindset/application for it and hence his player usually gets off the leash (see Green as one of several examples). I would think that it will depend where Beams plays, but you'll probably see Hunt try and do the job he did on Milne in round 3. Enright might also even go there (it would help him avoid a tag if nothing else).

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Beams was very good in Round 9, but he let a lot go the other way when he tried to play a bit loose. I don't think we will extend too much defensive pressure on him, rather i imagine we will try and burn the Pies through quick movement from defensive positions, backing Mackie, Enright, Taylor, Wojack and Scarlett over blokes like McCaffer, Beams and Sidebottom.

I think our trump card will be that we could move Kelly to the back pocket if Sidebottom or Beams look like blowing the game open, but i think that is a last resort policy.

 

[Kellymagic]

It will be a great game lets go geelong

 

[re cat]

Is this game the type of game we usually lose?

 

[Poetic Justice]

If Collingwood continue to feel the pressure from Geelong like they did in Round 9 by kicking it long to a competition repetitively out of defence then I cannot see them beating Geelong.

However, Geelong face a big task in breaking their zone. That is the one thing that I saw that could have decided the round 9 game early in the game - we were not breaking it very well at all! Even towards the end of the game it did not feel like we were 6 goals in front!

 

[MagpieJoel]

If Collingwood continue to feel the pressure from Geelong like they did in Round 9 by kicking it long to a competition repetitively out of defence then I cannot see them beating Geelong.

This will not happen again IMO. I feel we've tweaked our game slightly, and we aren't rushing our kicks as much as earlier in the season (or last year).

Even towards the end of the game it did not feel like we were 6 goals in front!

Possibly because the game was relatively even, apart for about 15 minutes when the Cats tore the game apart.

 

[Kellymagic]

i think it will be a great close game