Toast Hawkins and Varcoe

[meto]

I guess that means it's curtains for Wojak.

No doubt contested in tight stuff is super important but there are other factors too that some of us are trying to explain

Big difference between Wojak and Varcoe is, Wojak will take on the defensive line, whereas Varcoe will just run from it.

Without a clear path to run, Varcoe will just go sideways and try to get rid of the thing as quick as poss, love the way Wojak runs through swinging arms and flying bodies.

 

[bulletproof]

For a guy who has shown some mental fragility over the years, Hawkins has a pretty good record in big games.

 

[vinum coupe]

Are we there yet ?

 

[Vdubs]

The side who wins on Saturday will not be the one who has more players waiting back for the ball. I'm pretty confident of that.

And how many Cats do that? Varcoe, as you suggest? Anyone else? I don't think so. If he does, it is part of our team structure. His role is obviously to do exactly what he has been doing all year, which keeps him in our team week after week. Could it be that he is doing enough of what the coach requests? His tap-ons, speedy chase downs of opponents with the ball, creating turnovers by his constant pressure, his speedy link-up play, his finishing, his goals, and the odd tackle, not to mention the metres gained every week. And he looksgreat in full flight. Had a crap season according to the experts here, got 5 Brownlow votes. Imagine next year with hopefully a full preseason, no injuries, no surgery, could be awesome.

If we had a dozen Varcoe types, sure that would be unproductive, but he has limitations that don't adversely affect out overall result, and moreover, he has innate strengths which compliment our team and the types of players we have.

 

[nohairandfair]

For whatever reason Trav has lost some of his mojo. His inability to drill the sodas from almost point blank range smacks of someone who is lacking confidence.

In the 2011 finals I was hoping to see some more run-down tackles (like the Buddy one) and just some better overall intensity. Alas, it hasn't eventuated and the frustration by some is understandable.

To attempt to fully understand the team's structures and gameplan is fanciful but clearly Trav is providing something that the coaches want. These are intangibles that the average footy pundit can't discern but are probably associated with running to the right places at the right time and generally not deviating from his specific role.

So while he struggles with a bit of form, he still gives us something and is an integral cog in the Cats machine for this weekend.

Hopefully he snags a couple and plays his part in our winning grand final team.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Had a crap season according to the experts here, got 5 Brownlow votes. Imagine next year with hopefully a full preseason, no injuries, no surgery, could be awesome.

Brownlow?? Sure... Kelly(likely club best and fairest) got 6 brownlow votes. I guess that means Varcoe's year was in the vicinity of Kelly's?

He got his votes in dominating wins at Skilled Stadium, who cares. All it does is raise more questions as to why he's so poor when the opposition apply a lot of pressure and force us to contest, yet dominant against rubbish.

 

[meto]

For whatever reason Trav has lost some of his mojo. His inability to drill the sodas from almost point blank range smacks of someone who is lacking confidence.

In the 2011 finals I was hoping to see some more run-down tackles (like the Buddy one) and just some better overall intensity. Alas, it hasn't eventuated and the frustration by some is understandable.

To attempt to fully understand the team's structures and gameplan is fanciful but clearly Trav is providing something that the coaches want. These are intangibles that the average footy pundit can't discern but are probably associated with running to the right places at the right time and generally not deviating from his specific role.

So while he struggles with a bit of form, he still gives us something and is an integral cog in the Cats machine for this weekend.

Hopefully he snags a couple and plays his part in our winning grand final team.

I've watched footy all my life, but I carn't work it out!

I was always under the illusion that bad form was just plain bad form, guess I'm getting to old to understand the Science.

 

[Partridge]

Brownlow?? Sure... Kelly(likely club best and fairest) got 6 brownlow votes. I guess that means Varcoe's year was in the vicinity of Kelly's?

He got his votes in dominating wins at Skilled Stadium, who cares. All it does is raise more questions as to why he's so poor when the opposition apply a lot of pressure and force us to contest, yet dominant against rubbish.

Did anyone else see Brad Scott talking about how many Brownlow votes Kelly got? The scorn in his voice towards the award was terrific. He also mentioned Scarlett and Enright.

Interesting quote from Nathan Buckley about other factors apart from Collingwood's gameplan:

Secondly, Buckley insisted any game plan came second to more basic matters. ''Fundamentally, games come down to contested football, winning those 50-50s when the time is there, and taking your chances when you get it forward,'' he said. ''It doesn't matter what era of football you go to, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It shouldn't surprise anyone.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...figured-out-20110928-1kxg0.html#ixzz1ZIVJHeOE

Let's be clear, everyone here wants Varcoe to play his part and contribute to a win this Saturday. But what worries me (and others) is that Grand Finals tend to be more fiercely contested than any other game, and if you've got even one player reluctant to put themselves in when required, you're at a disadvantage compared to the opposition. That's the concern.

 

[maxy87]

Big difference between Wojak and Varcoe is, Wojak will take on the defensive line, whereas Varcoe will just run from it.

Without a clear path to run, Varcoe will just go sideways and try to get rid of the thing as quick as poss, love the way Wojak runs through swinging arms and flying bodies.

I believe that's called a spread

 

[you pick one]

Did anyone else see Brad Scott talking about how many Brownlow votes Kelly got? The scorn in his voice towards the award was terrific. He also mentioned Scarlett and Enright.

Interesting quote from Nathan Buckley about other factors apart from Collingwood's gameplan:

Secondly, Buckley insisted any game plan came second to more basic matters. ''Fundamentally, games come down to contested football, winning those 50-50s when the time is there, and taking your chances when you get it forward,'' he said. ''It doesn't matter what era of football you go to, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It shouldn't surprise anyone.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...figured-out-20110928-1kxg0.html#ixzz1ZIVJHeOE

Let's be clear, everyone here wants Varcoe to play his part and contribute to a win this Saturday. But what worries me (and others) is that Grand Finals tend to be more fiercely contested than any other game, and if you've got even one player reluctant to put themselves in when required, you're at a disadvantage compared to the opposition. That's the concern.

What's Buckley done, you may as well quote Joffa.

 

[keyboard_warrior]

I believe that's called a spread

im glad someone else understands a little bit about winning the footy

 

[meto]

I believe that's called a spread

How can he be, if he's the one with the ball???? Don't follow that one!

 

[maxy87]

How can he be, if he's the one with the ball???? Don't follow that one!

I think I misinterpreted what you said. When he is not in possession and running away from the immediate contest, he's spreading. When he is, I don't know. I have seen him take people on with his pace before but usually he'll give it off and then go for a big run to be in the next play. That's the way I understand it anyway

 

[meto]

I think I misinterpreted what you said. When he is not in possession and running away from the immediate contest, he's spreading. When he is, I don't know. I have seen him take people on with his pace before but usually he'll give it off and then go for a big run to be in the next play. That's the way I understand it anyway

I get what you mean! I think we agree.

With the weather the way it is, I hope he stays outside around the stoppages and makes himself available to run the ball.

If he's smart with his self -positioning he could be very important to us this weekend, I really hope so.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I think I misinterpreted what you said. When he is not in possession and running away from the immediate contest, he's spreading. When he is, I don't know. I have seen him take people on with his pace before but usually he'll give it off and then go for a big run to be in the next play. That's the way I understand it anyway

This just sounds to me like another excuse for a player who doesn't like to contest for the ball. Whatever he's doing in predominantly contested type games, he's not being effective. Having a total of 19 possessions and 2 tackles in 2 finals games we've even won convincingly just isn't good enough. Again, who is to say that Varcoe spreads / follows structures any better than the next guy?? Such a cop out. Get the guy out of cotton wool for christ sake.

This game is shaping up to be a real struggle for Varcoe, the circumstances don't look to suit him at all. Tight contests, winner of hard ball gets likely to win game, he's ineffective in stoppages(there'll be lots of them), wet weather etc. All I can say is if the balls falls his way, he'd better make damn good use of it.

 

[Cattery]

Now, I have a GF to watch Saturday, supporting every guy in the side!

Amen to that, exactly as every person who's posted in this thread will undoubtedly be doing, supporting "every" player in the blue and white hoops.

 

[maxy87]

This just sounds to me like another excuse for a player who doesn't like to contest for the ball. Whatever he's doing in predominantly contested type games, he's not being effective. Having a total of 19 possessions and 2 tackles in 2 finals games we've even won convincingly just isn't good enough. Again, who is to say that Varcoe spreads / follows structures any better than the next guy?? Such a cop out. Get the guy out of cotton wool for christ sake.

This game is shaping up to be a real struggle for Varcoe, the circumstances don't look to suit him at all. Tight contests, winner of hard ball gets likely to win game, he's ineffective in stoppages(there'll be lots of them), wet weather etc. All I can say is if the balls falls his way, he'd better make damn good use of it.

Varcoe spreads/ uses space better than most due to his explosive pace. It's beneficial for him to remain on his feet running around guarding space, harassing, spreading to "receive" than it is for him to be on the ground at the bottom of packs when we have Bartel, Selwood, Corey, Ling, Chapman who are all better than him in this regard. You are right that Trav is not a good contested ball player, which is why his role is not to be on the bottom of packs. Geelong have always struggled with pace and against those that can exploit our lack of pace on the spread. This is why Varcoe becomes an important cog in the machine. No he's not going to get 20 touches playing the role he does and no not many of them will be contested either. My biggest concern would be his goal kicking accuracy. He's created plenty of opportunities, just shanked them. If you think he's lazy, watch how much ground he covers on some of his big runs.

 

[meto]

He's not fast if he hesitates, rather than going full bore at the loose pill!

Tomorrow its got to be the moment he sees, he goes!
Otherwise he'll be next to useless.

 

[vinum coupe]

Fast?.....Fast?....I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.
I'm fast.
T.V.

 

[you pick one]

Fast?.....Fast?....I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.
I'm fast.
T.V.

Muhammad Ali?

 

[vinum coupe]

who else.
the champ

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

Bateman you flog mate!

How all those doubters feel now?
How good was tv today

 

[Roadie]

trav!!!

i love that man.

 

[vivien]

Never underestimate hawkins, been in red hot form in the right time. Does that mean he can be our key forward if pods is injuried along with m.brown next year?

 

[Crhferrari]

Both Hawk and Trav were having a great game today.
Hope this GF to become a catalyst of lifting to a higher level for them.