Can North upset the all conqering Cats?

[mufassa]

Would you back Nth to roll the Hawks...

Yes - but only if every Hawk player tilted their heads and saw blue and white hoops instead of stripes. Then we just wait for them to choke on chicken and take the 4 points.

 

[StringyDog]

I think the over-handballing game is going to get found out big time against a high quality, high intensity opposition, can't see it holding up and it could get ugly for roos against top side yet again

 

[awesome wells]

North by 8

 

[mark73]

They're about 1 more pre season away physically. After that they can do what they like. At the moment, no.

 

[Tas]

I think the over-handballing game is going to get found out big time against a high quality, high intensity opposition, can't see it holding up and it could get ugly for roos against top side yet again

It is not really handballing for the sake of handballing, when players run with numbers and there are guys spreading into space they are generally a good first option than say kicking it to a contest.

It will work if players can get into good position and we hit targets, it wont if they can't.

I think we still kicked long, but when the opportunity was available we played on and used handball rather than be caught in a static scenario where a press or zone could form and clog up the space.

 

[BZAROO]

what is this gibberish?

Read through... For example Melbourne and bulldogs supporters say north are no chance... Haven't seen one positive statement from these supporters towards north... Are these clubs lesser? Up to you lance....

 

[GoodFootyNorth]

No idea, but looking forward to seeing North play a proper football match against a proper football team (one of the great teams, no less) after the debacle of last Sunday.

Also another chance to see my favourite non-North player Jimmy Bartel play live and wonder what would have happened if we'd taken him instead of David Hale in the 2001 draft...

 

[Tippett2Goal]

No.

No way.

No way in hell.

Hope for a good contested though...

(cue 50+ loss when Brad Scott starts his 'measuring stick' talk)

/thread

 

[Tas]

We can talk about North's youth and Geelong's matured champion side all we like but the real question is, can North actually match up on Geelong? The answer, probably not.

The answer last year was definitely not. The answer this year is maybe?

I think last year Geelong had something like +3 years of age and +60 odd games on us, based on teams last week it is just over 1 and under 20 games. Looking at the team Geelong fielded against Hawthorn, there were 10 players with 100+ games of footy, it was 15 last year. I think the loss of experience brings the Cats back to the field a bit, which is why I think Geelong lost to Freo and Hawks should have won on Monday. Hawthorn's refusal to recruit anyone that is a legitimate key defender and choking up forward in the last quarter I think were telling factors.

Cats had something like 12 marks inside forward 50, in the wet, with Hawkins and Pods running amok. That should never have happened, not from a flag contender.

North will have to man up on Hawkins, Pods, Johnson and Bartel (who has been pushing closer to goal every year now) in the forward line and I just can't see them managing all three (especially Hawkins and Pods.)

Yep, that is going to be the challenge. We have genuine options, they are just not seasoned.

Hawkins is 197cm/101kg and Pods is 193/102kg.

Our options are:
Hansen 197/97, Tarrant 196/96, L.Delaney 194/97, Thompson 193/93, Pedersen 193/100 and Grima 192/96.

Only one of those played last week in Thompson, Delaney is probably our best calibre full back and did a decent job on J. Brown last year, don't ask me why he isn't in the side. Tarrant was in the side round 1, missed last week with a strain but he is okay now I think. Hansen missed the last few weeks with a minor injury but came back last week via the VFL and had a good game in defence. Grima has missed a few weeks with a injury but is okay now as well.

Bartel is problematic, really good overhead for his size, I'd like to see either Thompson or Grima (if picked) on him when he goes forward because they can play on mediums and are very good overhead for their size.

SJ usually runs amok against us, he and Chapman usually. I think those two might be more problematic for us than the key forwards.

Petrie is a gun but Lonergan and Taylor have proven themselves more than capable and without a super strong forward line on the opposing team Scarlett won't be missed as much.

Edwards is under-rated, he doesn't get a lot of the ball, usually, but he is usually deadly accurate so doesn't need many shots on goal to do some damage.

The question is will McIntosh do any damage up forward, he isn't the greatest overhead mark going around but is somewhat made up for by being 203cm. Our problem against the cats recently has been getting enough quality ball inside 50 to try and take advantage of any matchups in our advantage. Ultimately that has to change or the game is over before it begins.

In the middle you have the advantage in the ruck, but our mids still outclass in both top-end and depth. Selwood, Bartel, Chapman, Corey, Kelly, Christensen, Duncan and co. are just a class above you guys.

Next year, maybe, not this year.

You would say the same against Fremantle but it didn't quite equate to the dominance you would expect. Duncan and Christensen are good talent but they don't have the consistency and don't have the experience in anything other than fringe roles. They are good quality and may become very good players but they probably struggle with the ability to play four quarter footy. Both midfields Geelong has played against so far have got plenty of the ball.

Chapman and Corey have been awesome footballers, but they are over 30 now, I am not sure what the longevity is going to be like for Chapman, Corey, Enright and the other 30+. Harvey for us is much older but he hasn't lost his pace and has rarely had any injury of note.

I think Chapman in particular hasn't set the world on fire this year to date, perhaps he is pacing himself for a long year. I am not sure. He is capable of winning a game off his own boot but I am not sure where he is at this season. He usually has a field day against us, so this week may be a good barometer.

As I said earlier, my expectations are for us not to get humiliated, anything more than that is a bonus from where I sit. I hope we can close the gap somewhat from previous years.

 

[macdaddio]

I hope so,but unfortunately No....

 

[caterina]

may as well ask can gws beat west coast

 

[bigf00ty]

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[PowerOfThePussy]

I certainly give Nth a chance. I rate Brad Scott very highly and I think the Cats will have their hands full on the weekend.

Their handballing game certainly appears to be working for them and if they can keep it up against Geelong, then I think they can win.

On paper, the Cats look better, but a good game plan can beat a better team (on paper) IMO.

Hoping for a great game and I think it's going to be a lot closer than most think.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Hansen missed the last few weeks with a minor injury but came back last week via the VFL and had a good game in defence.

He played forward and kicked 4 goals.
http://www.kangaroos.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4912/newsId/132558/Default.aspx

 

[dickballsack]

the cats have them covered in every line. nice stats by tas though, they have height, games, goals, etc, unfortunately they don't measure how good the footballer is.
geelong are a bloody good team and 1 day break wont make a difference at the start of the year.


it will be an interesting game to watch as i think the handball/running in a line gameplan that was used in the 1st half by north was a practice run for the cats game...

 

[davis_756]

I am not sold on the Cats being up there this year, they should be 0-2 if not for a mental block from the Hawks.

But you were 10 goals off them last year so your probably still going to lose by 20-30.

 

[MaddAdam]

No idea, but looking forward to seeing North play a proper football match against a proper football team (one of the great teams, no less) after the debacle of last Sunday.

Also another chance to see my favourite non-North player Jimmy Bartel play live and wonder what would have happened if we'd taken him instead of David Hale in the 2001 draft...

We wouldn't have Kieran Harper now and KHarps is going to be a top line 10 year player for us.

The ONLY what if that's is worth agonising about would be what if Jesse W didn't break his ankle. A bloke of his size and quality who would have played 130 odd games by now if it wasn't for the injury would be so good against a team like the Cats.

 

[Xtreme]

If they can keep the defeat to 5 goals or less, it will be a morale victory for the Kangaroos..... they still won't get the 4 points/actually win the game.

 

[shintemaster]

If they can keep the defeat to 5 goals or less, it will be a morale victory for the Kangaroos..... they still won't get the 4 points/actually win the game.

Not sure Hawthorn supporters would know what a team that can beat them looks like anyway...

 

[Yianni]

I think the over-handballing game is going to get found out big time against a high quality, high intensity opposition, can't see it holding up and it could get ugly for roos against top side yet again

What are you talking about?

It's pretty much modelled on Geelong's gameplan!

 

[Heisenberg_]

What are you talking about?

It's pretty much modelled on Geelong's gameplan!

Not anymore it's not

 

[who_let_the_dogs_out]

Won't get within daylight of them.

 

[catters078]

Big chance for north to be leading at half time and geelong to over run them.

Geelong could come out slow.

Might be worth 10 bucks on north half time geelong full time result.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Read through... For example Melbourne and bulldogs supporters say north are no chance... Haven't seen one positive statement from these supporters towards north... Are these clubs lesser? Up to you lance....

no they're not "lesser" clubs. They aren't as well-performed as Geelong of late, but let's not forget before this current era of dominence the Cats were the heartbreak team, the handbaggers. All credit to them the way they've turned themselves around and latterly become a byword for excellence.

As for Melbourne and Bulldog supporters saying North are no chance, what a ****ing shock. Anyone who spends any time on these boards will know there is a particular vitriol between these combinations of teams supporters. Or, more correctly, North v Bulldogs and North v Melbourne.

 

[astroboy4800]

[/b]

When you say become the hunted... you mean like we have been since 2007 right...

And by aging stars you refer to same guys getting that criticism since 2009...

just so we are clear...

Go Catters

with all due respect you were the hunted in 2008 and got rolled, then again in 2010 you were hunted prelim final night against the pies, so yes im referring to you guys been able to back it up with successive flags in comparison to a team like the lions.

no disrespect to the cats they are awesome.