Is geelong slipping?

[Fear0411]

The amazing team that is geelong is no doubt the best in the league with that amazing win loss record but does anyone else feel they are just falling back with the pack now?

still an amazing team and I classify them the best in the league right now.

last 4 games

6 point loss to st kilda
42 point loss to brisbane
1 point win over hawthorn
2 point win over adelaide

Who knows this could actually do good for them then they will dominate in finals?

but next year I think we will see a more even spread and not really a stand out team unless saints continue their domination

 

[Generalissimo]

I think you've forgotten our seven goal win over Melbourne.

 

[bulletproof]

16-2. With a huge injury list, they are slipping but gee they were a mile ahead. We won't win the Grand Final by 119 points but it would be a brave man to tip, Selwood, Ablett, Chapman, Steve Johnson and Scarlett ending on the losing team two years in a row. A team of winners.

 

[Power King]

In my opinion, this is the last year of the 3 years where geelong has been a genuine premiership threat, and that's a normal sized window for any premiership contender.

I still think they're capable of say top 4 next year, but to out and out be best team or best 2 teams in the comp? I'm having my doubts.

Anyway, as for 2009, I don't think geelong has really slipped, just that's it's natural with time that other teams catch up - st kilda this year, hawthorn (at their best... though this year they've been like port - not good), bulldogs at their best i guess...

so geelong is still at the top, but when faced with the utmost best of a few other teams, they're relying more on heart/balls to win (see their last 2 weeks) as opposed to natural ability like in 2007.

 

[pjcrows]

They're managing it better this year, and will peak at the right time.

 

[KevinCat07]

The pack may be catching up but the last month probably will make us more hungry. It's hard to see the ilk of Gary Ablett jr and co allowing us to fall.

 

[Pessimistic]

From last year, I'd leave Stokes, Varcoe, Taylor, Ottens, Harley out for the finals. They shat themselves then and havent redeemed this year.

Chapman Mooney and Ablett have atoned so get to play I reckon

 

[Bosk]

Geelong has past it's best - that's just a sheer fact, and only one eyed cats supporters would argue otherwise.

They're still a very very good team, but no longer undisputably the best in the league. And things will get worse for them much Scarlett & co. retire. Personally I can't wait to see it happen.
One flag in 40 years and their supporters have already reached a level of arrogance I'd never of thought possible for such and underachieving team. Lord knows they're in good need of taking down a notch or two because clearly they didn't know how to handle success.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Geelong will not make the GF this year. Not good enough.

 

[bus24]

You can take away that big hiding in Brisbane. The team was really unrecognisable.

But yeah, I think you'd have to say they were slipping. We tried hard today, but were pretty poor with our skills - and they only just beat us.

Don't look anywhere near St.Kilda at the minute.

 

[Pessimistic]

In my opinion, this is the last year of the 3 years where geelong has been a genuine premiership threat, and that's a normal sized window for any premiership contender.

I still think they're capable of say top 4 next year, but to out and out be best team or best 2 teams in the comp? I'm having my doubts.

Anyway, as for 2009, I don't think geelong has really slipped, just that's it's natural with time that other teams catch up - st kilda this year, hawthorn (at their best... though this year they've been like port - not good), bulldogs at their best i guess...

so geelong is still at the top, but when faced with the utmost best of a few other teams, they're relying more on heart/balls to win (see their last 2 weeks) as opposed to natural ability like in 2007.

They will sink like a stone when the umpires catch on to what the commentators call 'clever' play

 

[scooterb]

I think they've purposely slowed down a bit, unlike last year when they were chasing a 22-0 season.

They will be back come finals time.

 

[markr]

I think they've purposely slowed down a bit, unlike last year when they were chasing a 22-0 season.

They will be back come finals time.

This.

Also good teams win close games, and they've done that.

 

[John Dorian]

Geelong are not slipping, thats just what they want you to think.
They put everyone under the impression that they are beatable and then come finals time ... BAM, Geelong win the flag.

 

[Fear0411]

You can take away that big hiding in Brisbane. The team was really unrecognisable.

But yeah, I think you'd have to say they were slipping. We tried hard today, but were pretty poor with our skills - and they only just beat us.

Don't look anywhere near St.Kilda at the minute.

Well this has to go both ways because many supporters said hawthorns loosing was invalid and they should have still won most of the games at the start of the year and around the mid season breal

so I dont except that geelong has and excuse for dropping games or poor form

 

[caitsith01]

I love that this thread is started by a Hawks fan. IIRC you won the premiership last year and it was "scary" how good you were going to be this year because you had won one "early" and were "only going to get better" blah blah blah

Instead you are on track to barely make the 8 or perhaps just miss it.

And you have the temerity to ask whether a team which has been consistently 'up' for nearly three years and is 16-2 despite a huge injury list and every single team that plays us having a massive crack at us because we are allegedly the benchmark is "slipping".

I would say going from 1st to 9th or 10th or whatever you are is slipping. Going from 1st to 2nd to (currently) 2nd and setting yourself for a real run at the finals is not.

 

[Zarrix]

I have compared Geelong in the last 5 rounds, to West Coast in the middle of 2006. During that time, West Coast had a miraculous come from behind victory over Geelong, a last gasp victory over Carlton (Wooden Spooners) at home, a loss to Port Adelaide (non-finalists) and a loss to the Western Bulldogs.

The only difference being that Geelong didn't nearly get bowled over by a lowly team. But the principle is the same, great team just a little bit below their best.


And we all know (especially Sydney fans of course) what happened that September.

 

[Gavin Excell]

They will sink like a stone when the umpires catch on to what the commentators call 'clever' play

just out of interest can you answer this question?

Hawthorns loss to Geelong last week was attributable to:

a) Hawthorns lame arsed, jelly backed weak last quarter effort that saw them cough up a 5 goal lead to a team with only 1 fit player on the bench or

b) umpiring?

 

[Jammer]

There getting close to tipping point aint they?.....In saying that there still a great side......Anyone noticed they have actually kicked straight in these last two narrow wins....
Personally i think The Saints are slightly better but there that close it might be as simple as Kick 15 goals 10 in the GF win.....Kick 10.15 lose...

 

[trystn]

They've slipped but that doesn't mean they'll be playing this way come September. Could easily peak and be unbeatable when it matters.
I lolled at "huge injury list" though, what an insult to your own club.

 

[scooterb]

Why has this thread turned into a Hawthorn vs Geelong debate?

Ridiculous.

 

[Boxhead_31]

They've slipped but that doesn't mean they'll be playing this way come September. Could easily peak and be unbeatable when it matters.
I lolled at "huge injury list" though, what an insult to your own club.

How would you describe it the Trystn?
Have highlighted first choice players for you

GEELONG
Brad Ottens (knee) - test
Nathan Djerrkura (thigh) - test
Tom Harley (knee) - test
Tom Allwright (knee) - 1 week
Steven Motlop (groin) - 1 week
Matthew Scarlett (adductor) - 1-2 weeks
Harry Taylor (groin) - 1-2 weeks
Ryan Gamble (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Bryn Weadon (quad) - 1-2 weeks
Scott Simpson (ankle) - 1-3 weeks
James Kelly (hamstring) - 2 weeks
Ranga Ediriwickrama (hamstring) - 5 weeks
Josh Hunt (knee) - season
Mitch Brown (leg) - season
Matthew Egan (foot) - season

 

[worthy]

Let's look at the facts, they're maintaining an excellent win/loss record with an extensive injury list, including some very good players. Hard to say if they're slipping, maybe a little, maybe a couple of other teams have improved.
Still good enough to win tight games over some tough opposition.

 

[Geelongfor2008]

Geelong will not make the GF this year. Not good enough.

Hawthorn wont make the finals this year. Not good enough from a team that won the premiership.

 

[Power King]

^Hawthorn will make the finals because, well, look at how they've played compared to how port has played over the past month...