Unofficial Preview Geelong V the Unofficial Preview - Elim Final V Demons

[dazbroncos]

Put all the chat about the Cats lead up into the Finals Bye week and who we are preparing for here.

Will roll over into the Elimination Final preview thread

Go Catters

Ray Donovan wonderful preview post

Melbourne
B: Neville Jetta,Oscar McDonald,Jordan Lewis
HB
Christian Salem,Sam Frost,Michael Hibberd
C
Dom Tyson,Clayton Oliver,James Harmes
HF
Jake Melksham,Tom McDonald,Aaron vandenBerg
F
Charlie Spargo,Dean Kent,Alex Neal-Bullen
Fol
Max Gawn,Nathan Jones,Christian Petracca
I/C
Angus Brayshaw,Jay Kennedy Harris,Sam Weideman,Bayley Fritsch

Melbourne at the MCG it's a good scenario for geelong melbourne are a very talented side missing a few crucial pieces that will change the dynamics of how they play and perform in the finals. Jesse Hogan and to a lesser extent Jake Lever being out with the possibility of Jack Viney being unavailable as well takes a lot of potential and polish from this side.

I caution with my statistics they may be slightly off. By the numbers Melbourne are ranked
1st # in points per game
1st # inside 50's per game
1st # Tackles per game
1st # Goal assists per game
1st # Hitouts per game
2nd# Disposals per game
3rd # Clearances per game

1st# in list opponent kicks per game
2nd # Least opponent marks per game
2nd # least opponent inside 50s per game

This game will be won in the midfield like most finals the midfield group that gets on top i expect them to win the match. Geelongs clearance work this season has been particularly good #4 for clearances in the league our problem is we give up 14th most opposition clearances per game. Combine that with 16th in team to opponent tackle differential & 17th in opponent tackles this season it gives a clear picture of our inconsistency with applying pressure. Ranked 12th in clangers per game which isn't ideal.

Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Nathan Jones will create a lot of headaches inside expect S.Selwood to tag clayton oliver and Nathan Jones and J.Selwood will stand pretty close all day. We have no answer for max Gawn regardless who plays throwing some mobile players like Blicavs at him in short burst when Abbott / Stanley rest might take the edge of his tank. Just need to keep him working all day he will dominate the hitouts but if we keep Oliver quiet especially and setup well at stoppages this will go a long way to success.

Ablett, Kelly, Duncan, Dangerfield, Parfitt
Vs Tyson, Harmes, Brayshaw, Patracca, Neal- Bullen

The Depth on a big ground like the MCG when we have shown inconsistencies on bigger grounds the geelong midfield group on paper is so much more talented. That by no means its more effective it is a trap i have seen many times this season this group dismantled by a more disciplined group of players. Holding positions around stoppages, blocking shepparding, TACKLING! the 1 percenters all these guys can play inside and out we just need to put it together on the day win as a team and a group it doesn't matter who racks up 30.

Melbourne is ranked #18th in least opponent tackles per game so they are going to give you opportunities if you move the ball well.

Now the reason i put a lot of emphasis on our midfield clearances and stoppage work is it creates a lot of clean entries for melbourne forward of centre. They really do use the width of the ground very well and use the ball efficiently enough to create some great space for Tom Mcdonald, Weidemann and the fleet footed small forward line. Melksham, Spargo, Petracca, ANB, Dean Kent, Bailey Fritsch. Athletic Agile and use the ball pretty well if they get time and space along with winning the ball in the contest it will be a long day infront of a hungry melbourne crowd.

Melbourne ranked 17th in rebound 50's per game
Melbourne ranked 17th in least opponent rebound 50's per game

If we can win the midfield battles and get repeat entries inside 50 and allow geeong to set up our zone defence we can really make them work hard. Salem, Hibberd, Lewis put these guys under pressure they want the ball in these guys hands Jetta, Oscar Mcdonald, Sam Frost are defensively minded if we can shut the first three guys down or lower the influence they have Geelong will have a great advantage on gameday. I think defensively if Chris scott gets a scenario where we can set up our defence against a side who is more conservative out of the backhalf it could be a huge advantage.

Key Potential Matchups

Hawkins - Frost / Mcdonald
Surprisingly i think frost will get first crack tom has been in great form just his speed will give the hawk a few issues needs the ball delivered well.

Jetta - Menzel -
Another really tough matchup for menzel jetta is one of the better small mid size defenders in the league will need to be hitting up at the ball as much as possible.

Blicavs - Tom McDonald
I like this matchup i think they are similar in atheletic ability which is McDonalds strength and blicavs is quite Rangy with his arms.

X Factors
Dangerfield ( Forward )
Ablett
Kelly
Duncan

Melbourne
MAX - We need a find a way to break even with this guy. He will stand down the line all day as well so geelong needs to use the ball smartly or he will be unstoppable genuine match winner if he gets his way!!!

Petracca - Talented in the forward half with bursts in the midfield expect Jed Bews to stand close to him when forward.

Oliver - Midfield beast he is in the Cripps category in 2-3 years will most likely be unstoppable S.Selwood gets first crack

Tom McDonald - Versatile will get up the ground provide an outlet kick, can play key defence and has been a very valuable source of goals this season Blicavs first crack.

Tip. Geelong by 12 points with a game going down to the wire needs to be a four quarter effort or we will be enjoying mad monday photos

Again, credit to Ray Donovan for this fanstastic preview

 

[Hamingja]

The bye always gets up and plays their premiership against us, leaves us vulnerable the next week every time.

 

[cats_09]

Can they organise a scratch match for next week?

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Don't care who we play we MUST win the first final.
Lose first week and this year is a failure, win it and bomb second week is probably par at this point.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Can they organise a scratch match for next week?

Geelong Cats -v- Big Footy Geelong Board

Name our Team

 

[Spazz Cat]

No-one should go anywhere.
Keep every player around the club.
Hope to see every player at the VFL game next week.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Geelong Cats -v- Big Footy Geelong Board

Name our Team

Ill be the specialist forward pocket. Im Cyril like with my performance to actual performance ratio.

 

[Baby Duck]

Richmond looking cherry ripe to be knocked off that MCG perch, had a few scares recently.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[BotsMaster]

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Who should win between Sydney + Hawthorn, for our benefit?

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Richmond looking cherry ripe to be knocked off that MCG perch, had a few scares recently.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

Was great that the Bulldogs came within three points.

 

[Cronin]

Who should win between Sydney + Hawthorn, for our benefit?

Hawthorn for me.
If Sydney win they'll probably finish 4th, get rolled by Richmond and then we'd cop them in Sydney in the 2nd week of finals if we won.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Was great that the Bulldogs came within three points.

They should of won too. 3 posters and a dodgy free against in the last.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Hawthorn for me.
If Sydney win they'll probably finish 4th, get rolled by Richmond and then we'd cop them in Sydney in the 2nd week of finals if we won.

Oh no! Things are really bad when a Geelong supporter wants the Poos+Wees to win

But, IF, there was a Final in Sydney, I could go to the game

 

[Zouz Kitty]

They should of won too. 3 posters and a dodgy free against in the last.

So the Umpires gave the Tigers a dodgy free to get them into the game? Or to win the game?

 

[Cronin]

Oh no! Things are really bad when a Geelong supporter wants the Poos+Wees to win

But, IF, there was a Final in Sydney, I could go to the game

To be honest, I think anyone from 2nd to 8th could beat each other home or away; Richmond at the G is another story.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

So the Umpires gave the Tigers a dodgy free to get them into the game? Or to win the game?

There was a dodgy call late (like say 1 min to go) from about 40/45 out for the dogs.
Was a clear free to the dogs, not called them pinged them for holding the ball, would have been a shot on goal directly in front.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

There was a dodgy call late (like say 1 min to go) from about 40/45 out for the dogs.
Was a clear free to the dogs, not called them pinged them for holding the ball, would have been a shot on goal directly in front.

Thanks MadHatter

So Umpires influenced the game

 

[Daniel McL]

No changes.

We’ve backed O’Connor in, he’s performed quite well this week and last week so back him in again.

Abbott has performed well in the seniors so keep backing him in. Zac Smith in good form in the VFL is good depth for him if he gets injured. Stanley’s form was great before he got injured but he’s too big a risk with no backup ruck assuming we stick with Henry and don’t bring Esava in for the EF.

The only change I’d consider is bringing Thurlow/Cunico in for Kolodjashnij. Simply because if we’re going to play Kolo on the wing then Thurlow/Cunico I believe are better than him there in that position. But at the same time I understand the importance of keeping a settled side when winning hence why I’m going with no changes.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

To be honest, I think anyone from 2nd to 8th could beat each other home or away; Richmond at the G is another story.

To be honest, I think anyone from 2nd to 8th could beat each other home or away; Richmond at the G is another story.

We managed to come close, three points.

 

[CatRiot]

Play as many AFL listed players as possible in the VFL team this weekend coming!

 

[Daniel McL]

The GOAT returning to finals footy. Can’t f****** wait.

 

[Cronin]

We managed to come close, three points.

I think Richmond's pressure will only increase come finals and so far this season we haven't coped with it from most teams.

The last two weeks have been pleasing because we've applied a lot more pressure and while I'm hopeful, I'm still not convinced that we can execute for 4 quarters under real pressure.

Time will tell.

 

[patience]

The GOAT returning to finals footy. Can’t f****** wait.

Well that's the GOAT's own bloody fault. Even so, I'm looking forward to seeing him play finals.

 

[Max Milburn]

No changes.

We’ve backed O’Connor in, he’s performed quite well this week and last week so back him in again.

Abbott has performed well in the seniors so keep backing him in. Zac Smith in good form in the VFL is good depth for him if he gets injured. Stanley’s form was great before he got injured but he’s too big a risk with no backup ruck assuming we stick with Henry and don’t bring Esava in for the EF.

The only change I’d consider is bringing Thurlow/Cunico in for Kolodjashnij. Simply because if we’re going to play Kolo on the wing then Thurlow/Cunico I believe are better than him there in that position. But at the same time I understand the importance of keeping a settled side when winning hence why I’m going with no changes.

I think they will bring Stanley in. Not sure if they will play Abbott as well, but it might depend on who we're playing.