Preview QF1 Geelong v Collingwood Sat Sept 3 2022, 435pm @ MCG

[And_ROOS]

Wonder what the split is of Geelong fans and the toothless unwashed?

That the one where we dropped Stanley because it was going to rain?

Still triggered by the pre-match chat Scott had on TV where they said it wasn't going to rain and Scott goes "we are still pretty tall" and then we end up with Grundy smashing Esava and Blicavs.

Hopefully they have learned from that, the Chappy vest, etc, and pick the best team we have available because we are the best team in the league and we should act accordingly.

 

[Mr Meow]

Wonder what the split is of Geelong fans and the toothless unwashed?


Still triggered by the pre-match chat Scott had on TV where they said it wasn't going to rain and Scott goes "we are still pretty tall" and then we end up with Grundy smashing Esava and Blicavs.

Hopefully they have learned from that, the Chappy vest, etc, and pick the best team we have available because we are the best team in the league and we should act accordingly.

Given we've played 9 finals since the 2019 QF and nothing similar has ever presented, I think it's safe to say it's something irrelevant heading into this finals series.

 

[year of the cat]

I’ve re done my 23 about 20 times trying to sort out what I think is our best combination. To try fit Z.Guthrie, Kolo, Miers, and Rohan all into the 22 is impossible. O’Connor and Menegola are unlucky omissions as it is.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

In my mind the only team that can beat us are Melbourne, which I said in the finals thread before their Brisbane game. Given our overall finals record it is hard to go into any QF, PF or GF with confidence however.

I'm a bit indifferent. I don't have huge confidence in the QF or PF but I reckon if we make a GF we'll run riot. It'll be like releasing the shackles for the boys I reckon.

All the pressure for us will be on prelim final night, which I think we'll make regardless of the Collingwood result.

In a weird way it feels a bit like '07. So much will be about not messing up this opportunity in a PF that the GF will feel relatively minor in comparison (Or as minor as a Grand Final can be)

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Few thoughts on the game/this season:

In these preview threads I've copped flak at times for being cocky, arrogant or dismissive of opponents as far back as the first Bulldogs game.

From the Geelong side of things, it's as simple as me really buying into what this group has been building, especially as the winning streak has grown. Chiefly the importance of new personnel, game plan changes and improvement in individual player performance.

As far as our opponents, they've largely been middling teams with serious flaws that can be exposed by a quality outfit. The exception perhaps being Melbourne, but they were patchy in form and it was being played in Geelong. A couple of scares aside, I think that reality has played out.

There seems to be complete belief and unity within the team this year, with things feeling refreshed to shake off what was perhaps a stale feel by the end of last season. It doesn't seem like players are out of form or burnt out, with careful management of players resembling some of our more successful years.

As for this game, it's a final against an MCG tenant who have a hell of a lot of momentum. That makes it a danger game and a hoodoo has to be shaken off for at least half of the squad. However I rate this Collingwood outfit below the 2019 Collingwood, 2017 Richmond and 2019 Richmond teams that defeated us at MCG finals. I rate this Geelong side comfortably above those losing ones too, with a gameplan and mix of talents that I see holding up in finals compared to those that seemed ill-fit for September (to a degree). A lot of the "regulars" are back to their 2020 form rather than their underwhelming 2021 seasons. In fact, there's a case that the majority of our side minus Sel/Danger are in career-best form.

Collingwood's defence can be exposed and this is the best Geelong forward line since our last premiership. The midfield might not have the top line talent it has in the past but there is depth and balance there. The backline remains settled and steady without the "too old, too slow" feel of a few in Scott's era.

The main danger I anticipate is Collingwood's sometimes scary clinical edge and ability to turn that into rapid succession of goals. Juxtaposed against Geelong's wastefulness, especially from set shots, then jitters could set in and we could make this much more difficult than it needs to be.

For all that said, I think Collingwood will put in a spirited showing but Geelong run out 4-5 goal winners.

The funny thing about this year is apart from ourselves and Melbourne, I think the whole competition is struggling and middling opponents.

Both Geelong and Melbourne still have flaws and ways to be beaten, but they're nothing compared to the gaping holes each other side (maybe barring Sydney) has in their personnel and/or gameplan.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

No excuses. If ever there was a year we could win it...

if we win this one, we will go on to win the flag i reckon from here. This game will be on for young and old.

i think collingwood are an exceptional side, and you don't fluke 11 wins in a row like that.

 

[Mr Meow]

The funny thing about this year is apart from ourselves and Melbourne, I think the whole competition is struggling and middling opponents.

Both Geelong and Melbourne still have flaws and ways to be beaten, but they're nothing compared to the gaping holes each other side (maybe barring Sydney) has in their personnel and/or gameplan.

I've felt this way for a while now too and slowly it's started to unfold in such a manner. Geelong and Melbourne favourites, Sydney a smokey, Collingwood a super smokey and the rest irrelevant (sorry Richmond).

 

[Heckler]

I've felt this way for a while now too and slowly it's started to unfold in such a manner. Geelong and Melbourne favourites, Sydney a smokey, Collingwood a super smokey and the rest irrelevant (sorry Richmond).

The Squiggle Analysis would confirm Cats-Demons---Swans---------with Freo still perhaps a better chance than the Pies.

Squiggle 2024

live.squiggle.com.au

 

[Scottland2007]

"Sold out" means exactly how many seats are left?

Not sure. But I couldn’t get one in the area I was looking. (Needed three to take the kids. No chance)

 

[And_ROOS]

Its fun reading some of the Pies theories on BF and on a few other sites and socials. They think Geelong are putting all their eggs in the Round 3 basket, all because the media outlets are playing the clip of Scott saying their game style at the time was not sustainable.

Acting as if everyone hasn't noticed the change in their game plan, which is why they went from starting games strong and running out of steam, to having lulls in the middle of games before running out games strong. As if other coaches haven't seen the significant change to their game style this season.

But they seem to forget in big matches, against Richmond and Melbourne especially, we ran the game out better than our opponents. And we have good conversion. Carlton were only 24 up, if we get those sort of opportunities we will be 40ish up and it will be game over.

 

[Ginnieboy]

To any Collingwood fans in here, this was all hopium for Geelong fans. He has badly torn his hammy and will be out for the QF, my dads mates uncles carpet overheard him talking about it at the local chippy and he is likely to miss preseason as well.

I heard he will never walk again.

 

[Phipppppa]

That the one where we dropped Stanley because it was going to rain?

Don’t remind me...

 

[Drunkcat]

I am sick of losing finals then going on a binge to erase my memory of the game, as it takes me a week to get over the hang over.

 

[Munich]

I am sick of losing finals then going on a binge to erase my memory of the game, as it takes me a week to get over the hang over.

Username checks out

 

[The_Koulouriotis_Fan]

I agree. While he has a history of going missing, many of the finals he's played for us haven't exactly seen competitive performances from most of our team. He might be a bit of a downhill skiier (e.g. 2.2 in last year's semi against GWS or 3.1 in the 2020 PF) but if we have something like parity throughout the field, he can prove useful with his pressure, speed, and goal-kicking.

If we're getting smashed, sure, he'll go missing... but like the past performances, he won't be the only or main reason we lost.

I think the problem with Rohan is when you require him to be a star and pop up and kick 3 goals. This year he's a role player, he doesn't need to kick goals or play out of his skin, just do his job. Suits him and our team so much more.

 

[fpm84]

I think the problem with Rohan is when you require him to be a star and pop up and kick 3 goals. This year he's a role player, he doesn't need to kick goals or play out of his skin, just do his job. Suits him and our team so much more.

Spot on, Rohan can play a valuable role with a handful of possessions alongside tackles and pressure acts. With such a dangerous forward line, we no longer rely on him hitting the scoreboard for us to win, but it's a bonus when he does.

 

[Stokey]

I think the problem with Rohan is when you require him to be a star and pop up and kick 3 goals. This year he's a role player, he doesn't need to kick goals or play out of his skin, just do his job. Suits him and our team so much more.

The amount of kicks he sends off target with his run downs and the amount of goals he sets up by crashing the pack is sorely underrated.

Takes one less double team off Tom and Jerry as he can't be left alone.

Watch games with Rohan and ones without. Our forward line is always more open.

 

[PzBlinky]

I think the problem with Rohan is when you require him to be a star and pop up and kick 3 goals. This year he's a role player, he doesn't need to kick goals or play out of his skin, just do his job. Suits him and our team so much more.

Absolutely. I think his first year at the Cats was a bit of a wake-up call, but those first dozen or so games he played for us sent expectations sky-rocketing. It was something like 20 goals over the first 10 games... and then 5 for the rest of the season.

He's a bit like Stanley - can get into an absolute purple patch of form (Exhibit B: kicked 16 goals in 6 rounds last year) and then not do much for just as long. With Stengle now a solid contributor with goal-kicking, we have 3 mainstays in that department, so he can focus on pressure and creating opportunities, and a goal or two would be a welcome bonus.

(Plus Close - while only averaging a goal a game - is kicking a few more as well, so the load is being far more evenly shared.)

 

[Stokey]

Absolutely. I think his first year at the Cats was a bit of a wake-up call, but those first dozen or so games he played for us sent expectations sky-rocketing. It was something like 20 goals over the first 10 games... and then 5 for the rest of the season.

He's a bit like Stanley - can get into an absolute purple patch of form (Exhibit B: kicked 16 goals in 6 rounds last year) and then not do much for just as long. With Stengle now a solid contributor with goal-kicking, we have 3 mainstays in that department, so he can focus on pressure and creating opportunities, and a goal or two would be a welcome bonus.

(Plus Close - while only averaging a goal a game - is kicking a few more as well, so the load is being far more evenly shared.)

We had 10 goal kickers to half time against WC.

The thing I really love this year is the instinctiveness. They just handball knowing someone will be streaming forward.

Just look at Guth's 2nd goal and the handpass from Miers.

 

[Stokey]

Also just putting it out there. I would rather 8 Rohan possessions over 8 Sav possessions.

 

[Grimoz]

Also just putting it out there. I would rather 8 Rohan possessions over 8 Sav possessions.

Putting it out there that if Sav plays in any final for us we can expect atleast 3 cheap goals given away from fumbles or dropped marks....much like Kolo

 

[Pollywaffle]

I think the problem with Rohan is when you require him to be a star and pop up and kick 3 goals. This year he's a role player, he doesn't need to kick goals or play out of his skin, just do his job. Suits him and our team so much more.

Will be interesting to see how he responds in the upcoming games.
Must rile him to be labelled as a ‘finals choker.’
I agree with previous posts. His role has shifted a bit, and with our spread of dangerous goalkicking forwards giving defenders headaches he should have the chance to get off the chain and give a solid contribution.
Easy to forget how damaging he can be on his day.
(On the other hand, another lukewarm turnout from him will see the sharks circling big time.)

 

[Stokey]

Putting it out there that if Sav plays in any final for us we can expect atleast 3 cheap goals given away from fumbles or dropped marks....much like Kolo

I think that's overly harsh on Kol

Will be interesting to see how he responds in the upcoming games.
Must rile him to be labelled as a ‘finals choker.’
I agree with previous posts. His role has shifted a bit, and with our spread of dangerous goalkicking forwards giving defenders headaches he should have the chance to get off the chain and give a solid contribution.
Easy to forget how damaging he can be on his day.
(On the other hand, another lukewarm turnout from him will see the sharks circling big time.)

I just think if your midfield is getting smashed and you're behind. When the ball does go forward you are usually looking for Hawk not the 3rd tall.
It's an unforgiving role.

 

[Drunkcat]

Mate Kolo has had his best year in 2022 i hope he plays

 

[fpm84]