Preview AFL Round 19 - North Melbourne v Geelong, Etihad Stadium, 7:40PM Saturday 2 August

[Rankin_1925]

Do you think the bulldogs would bite at something like Brown, Smedts and our first round for theirs?

Given we managed to offload Peter Street to them, I think the answer is a resounding "Yes". Probably would only need to throw one player into the mix, not two...

 

[Jon Douglas]

Just cannot see us trading Smedts - but for the right player you might consider it. But I do not think he has much currency. That probably applies to Brown as well. Maybe Schroder has bit more currency as he won the VFL medal.

 

[sarah.13]

Do you think the bulldogs would bite at something like Brown, Smedts and our first round for theirs?

You want to trade 3 rd 1 picks for an upgrade of 5-6 positions?
Pass on that!

 

[sarah.13]

Do you think the bulldogs would bite at something like Brown, Smedts and our first round for theirs?

You want to trade 3 rd 1 picks for an upgrade of 5-6 positions?
Pass on that!

 

[Jon Douglas]

First of all we need to know how many live picks we will have at season's end before we start considering trading players for an upgrade on draft picks.

Will we have 2 live picks plus Blitz as an upgrade ? Or will we go for 3 live picks and a Blitz upgrade ?

I assume we will have around pick 14-16 at this stage and therefore pick 32-36. I suppose this might be a bit worse if Frawley leaves Melb. and they get a high first draft choice as compensation.

I would trade THunt, who might have a little currency for a team like Richmond or Saints if we could upgrade our second round pick to say pick 24-28. There seems to be always someone looked over in the 20's and Wells could do well with such a pick (like he did with Duncan).

But no point getting extra picks if we are only going to have 2-3 live picks - only upgrading picks would make sense in this case.

 

[manboob]

You want to trade 3 rd 1 picks for an upgrade of 5-6 positions?
Pass on that!

We are getting nothing, I repeat nothing out of them. Smedt's may turn it around. It would be an upgrade of closer to 10 positions btw.

 

[An Individual]

I dont know who goes out but I think all being fair Schroder should get a game. We have played others before him , and he has had his injury concerns but we are lacking a forward mid. He can help out forward and kick goals when playing mid. Hartman has shown he will have his time , Bews has too...I think its time to let Schroder see if he can put his hand up for a spot next year playing the big boys.

I know we have Bundy and Blitz to come back in , but we are talking the make up of our future here and will Schroder be a part of it. If we are going to keep guys who are perpetually injured we should at least give others who are playing well a chance to stay as well.

TC -
Our future lies in the next 9 weeks. Screw the draft, screw next season, as I write P&P's are on top, we are top four, and despite this being a less than stellar year, here we are at the pointy end and it is very pointy. No more giving chances this year. Settle the team. Those that are in must know they are now in a position to play ultimate footy. Give them confidence - play them. We are a definite chance.

The thoughts of An Individual

 

[Pal22]

Had the TV on mute so didn't hear what was said but one of the betting agencies on Ch7 showed the odds for the game next week and has North as $1.60 favourites and us as $2.30 outsiders!

If that's the case fine with me, would love the media to spend the week hyping up the Roos recent record vs us at Etihad and just let us just quietly go about our business.

 

[year of the cat]

Had the TV on mute so didn't hear what was said but one of the betting agencies on Ch7 showed the odds for the game next week and has North as $1.60 favourites and us as $2.30 outsiders!

If that's the case fine with me, would love the media to spend the week hyping up the Roos recent record vs us at Etihad and just let us just quietly go about our business.

Nah. The exact reverse on www.tab.com.au

 

[Turbocat]

TC -
Our future lies in the next 9 weeks. Screw the draft, screw next season, as I write P&P's are on top, we are top four, and despite this being a less than stellar year, here we are at the pointy end and it is very pointy. No more giving chances this year. Settle the team. Those that are in must know they are now in a position to play ultimate footy. Give them confidence - play them. We are a definite chance.

The thoughts of An Individual

Individual , ...I think you have assumed that bringing in a "inform" player costs us some way. Infact it may actaully benefit us. But either way , we have played the whole year in such lacklustre style , I don't see we are an obviously a team that should be preoccupied with the next 9 weeks , or have a strong belief that its for now.We are a team in transition, a club who's list is a donut , and come the end of the year I dont want to lose a 22 year old without play him when he has earned a go.. not just given a go

 

[steady2]

I like Caddy, just get a feeling he's about to lift his game over the next month and that would obviously mean a whole lot when it comes to our midfield issues.
Same with Christensen, those two guys will be fit and firing come September I just hope we have our forward line functioning as it did early in the season.

I think you are right about Bundy, as long as he stays injury free, Caddy was better against GWS and if he can a little better and be consistent he will play a big part this year.

On another note, watching the Swans v Hawks (great game) last night I couldn't take Roughead seriously, everytime I saw him I had to chuckle thinking of your avatar. You bastard you've ruined football for me

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Do you think the bulldogs would bite at something like Brown, Smedts and our first round for theirs?

No they are not that silly i dont think.

Back on topic caddy will definitely stay in and he is building.

 

[Jon Douglas]

Glad to hear some think Caddy is building/getting better. I think he is important because he can improve so much and that would add to our weakness at present - the midfield.

I think if we are to be any chance we need a stronger, more effective midfield. Bundy will help as he regains touch and fitness. SJ and Selwood will be good but then we need at least one more good mid and that will have to be Caddy.

Personally I have been little disappointed in his progress but now he has a big chance to get us all Cats supporters on board.

 

[Lana]

Glad to hear some think Caddy is building/getting better. I think he is important because he can improve so much and that would add to our weakness at present - the midfield.

I think if we are to be any chance we need a stronger, more effective midfield. Bundy will help as he regains touch and fitness. SJ and Selwood will be good but then we need at least one more good mid and that will have to be Caddy.

Personally I have been little disappointed in his progress but now he has a big chance to get us all Cats supporters on board.

On paper he isn't doing a lot less than Horlin-Smith and Guthrie when you take out the games that all three have been the sub/subbed off.
He is averaging only two less disposal per game, and couple extra clangers and one less clearance. He was good last week, kicked two crucial goals when others were missing easy shots.

 

[Vdubs]

First of all we need to know how many live picks we will have at season's end before we start considering trading players for an upgrade on draft picks.

Will we have 2 live picks plus Blitz as an upgrade ? Or will we go for 3 live picks and a Blitz upgrade ?

I assume we will have around pick 14-16 at this stage and therefore pick 32-36. I suppose this might be a bit worse if Frawley leaves Melb. and they get a high first draft choice as compensation.

I would trade THunt, who might have a little currency for a team like Richmond or Saints if we could upgrade our second round pick to say pick 24-28. There seems to be always someone looked over in the 20's and Wells could do well with such a pick (like he did with Duncan).

But no point getting extra picks if we are only going to have 2-3 live picks - only upgrading picks would make sense in this case.

I could see him going to Hawks/ Swans and there, he could be one of those that does come back to haunt us. We have plenty that I'd like to see leave before him- he's young, was quick, aggressive, can goal, can tag, just needs a return of confidence, fitness, and opportunity.

 

[Teriyakicat]

I think you are right about Bundy, as long as he stays injury free, Caddy was better against GWS and if he can a little better and be consistent he will play a big part this year.

On another note, watching the Swans v Hawks (great game) last night I couldn't take Roughead seriously, everytime I saw him I had to chuckle thinking of your avatar. You bastard you've ruined football for me

I reckon Bobby_ should make up 2 dozen avatars like that, with the head of a different Hawks player on each one, then hand them out to any Cats poster who wants to have one. Then, when we play the Hawks and their supporters all flock over to read the Cats' board, all they'll see is a sea of Hawks players looking ridiculous

 

[Shai]

I reckon Bobby_ should make up 2 dozen avatars like that, with the head of a different Hawks player on each one, then hand them out to any Cats poster who wants to have one. Then, when we play the Hawks and their supporters all flock over to read the Cats' board, all they'll see is a sea of Hawks players looking ridiculous

That would b so cool! I mess a lil with graphics, might give it a whirl..

 

[manboob]

Expect it to come back the other way guys.
Are you expecting rent money from the Hawks soon?

 

[romeoh]

On paper he isn't doing a lot less than Horlin-Smith and Guthrie when you take out the games that all three have been the sub/subbed off.
He is averaging only two less disposal per game, and couple extra clangers and one less clearance. He was good last week, kicked two crucial goals when others were missing easy shots.

View attachment 70213

Exactly-the Caddy dissing is greatly exaggerated his flaws!

 

[Partridge]

We are getting nothing, I repeat nothing out of them. Smedt's may turn it around. It would be an upgrade of closer to 10 positions btw.

So the solution is chop two number 1 draft picks, because we're getting nothing - repeat nothing - out of them. The only problem is we replace two guys with 6 and 4 years in our "system" (to paraphrase Chris Scott), with a kid with 0 years' experience. Even though it's the same recruiter, apparently this number 1 pick is a sure hit. That makes sense.

 

[MotlopMagic]

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic going in to this game.

Their KPF's haven't been setting the world on fire. I'm confident Lonergan, Taylor and Rivers can keep this trend going. Lindsay Thomas is the one who can potentially cause us some headaches. He was relatively quiet against us earlier in the year but still managed to kick 3. Bews should come in and be given the job, IMO.

As always the midfield battle will be crucial. I'd like to see Selwood and Swallow go H2H. Guthrie to play a tagging role on Harvey. Greenwood will need to be watched closely as he has been outstanding this year and picked up 33 possessions last time we met. Ziebell also seems to save his best for Geelong.

I get the feeling Hawkins is 'due'. He has had a great year without really ripping a game apart. This will be his week against an out of form Scott Thompson.

Cats by 29 points.

 

[Catman]

It's funny, this game is causing more concerns than the Freo and Hawthorn games.

North seem to be up for the challenge every time we play them and with the media scrutiny after last week they'll surely come out firing, and we seem to have learnt very little from the losses against them over the past three seasons, that or they have tools that match up well against us (similar to Carlton). Combine that with our underwhelming form for much of the year (how the hell are we equal top?) and our historically laboured efforts after a week off and I'm genuinely worried.

A win is must and will keep us in the hunt for an unlikely top two finish heading into the Freo game. I'm still waiting for a four quarter effort and this week would be no better time to produce one.

 

[manboob]

It's funny, this game is causing more concerns than the Freo and Hawthorn games.

I think for me it's more reflective of the team's psyche heading into September, and that's what's concerning.
A loss to Freo or the Hawks is "OK" as they are genuine contenders.
We simply shouldn't lose to Norf; they're shite and if we do it makes a statement about team psychology - and not in a good way.

 

[Turbocat]

Just cannot see us trading Smedts - but for the right player you might consider it. But I do not think he has much currency. That probably applies to Brown as well. Maybe Schroder has bit more currency as he won the VFL medal.

Right now they would all get us a box of oranges.
Clubs do seem to rate VFL form , FA has changed what they will trade for , unless they are very young only a couple of years in the system like GWS ORourke for instance

 

[Turbocat]

I think for me it's more reflective of the team's psyche heading into September, and that's what's concerning.
A loss to Freo or the Hawks is "OK" as they are genuine contenders.
We simply shouldn't lose to Norf; they're shite and if we do it makes a statement about team psychology - and not in a good way.

Actually a loss to North and beating the other two would probably give us more credit. North have beaten other top sides this year , really are like the girl with a curl.
but imo , we have just about reached the tipping point. If the club is focused and accurate , then we should not lose another game , if they are living in the clouds we win 3/2. Either way the next few week will answer if its a season of blind delusional hope or a very tactical slow build up to a well timed sprint finish