Preview Rd 23 - Geelong V Melbourne - Sat Aug 21 725pm @ GMHBA

[xtatik222k]

One thing people don't speak about enough is that our rucks will get a helping hand from Hawkins up forward. Literly cuts down 30% of the ground coverage the rucks would otherwise need to worry about.

And they were missing Fantasia, Butters, Duusrma, Clurey, Marshall & Lycett.

Butters and Duursma are the only ones worth talking about in that crop

 

[My Tilly]

Butters and Duursma are the only ones worth talking about in that crop

But then you are relying on depth just as we were without Dangerfield, Cameron, Guthrie, Henderson or Duncan. The whole team suffers.
Now those players are back in the lineup and have recent games under their belt, it brings them up to our level where they are fully capable of knocking us off in a re-match.
I think if we get to play them over here or in W.A, we should be too good but if it's in Adelaide . . . it'll be a repeat of last years qualifying final.

 

[Shadow89]

If this weeks game is a fair dinkum contest - which im highly doubtful about - because its a dead rubber basically - and no player will be risked on either side if they have even the slightest injury

But StKildas 1st qtr - and i didnt think Geel were asleep - some times you just have to give the opposition credit ( and they did towel up the red hot Swans by 5 goals the week before ) - but the Saints crisp ball movement - it reminded me of when Melb beat us earlier in the year . Yes Geel were underdone that day - Duncan was missing - but he is missing again - i dont think Cameron had made his debut yet

But how StK moved the ball in the 1st qtr - is exactly how Melb moved /transitioned the ball when they beat us earlier in the year - because i can remember at the time thinking - why cant Geel move the ball like this into their forward line

The big difference is - Melb is a more talented version of StkILDA .

Geelong were missing 9 players: Danger, Cameron, Sav, Miers, Higgins, Rohan, Parfitt, Simmo and Dahl from our Best 22 that day - basically didn't have a forward line/or even any hybrid forwards who could play the role - such was our decimation forward of the ball.

Still managed to be only down by 12 at 3/4 time against a full strength Dees side, and only lost by 25 overall - when we were largely hamstrung by injury and had no-one who could kick a score. Duncan also played.

Far different proposition now.

 

[ShaunWDT]

I dont actually think we are that arsed if we have to play Port in Adelaide in the end, all they wanted was the double chance, hearing Cameron and Danger's tone post game I'd be surprised if we go all out this week.

 

[And_ROOS]

I think the worst team to face week one of the finals is Melbourne, and I would imagine if we lose to them this week we finish 3rd unless Melbourne smash us and ruin our percentage and the Bulldogs get a narrow win over Port.

Happy to face the dogs without Bruce, and we play AO well, Melbourne are the big threat in finals this year with a full strength team.

 

[ShaunWDT]

I think the worst team to face week one of the finals is Melbourne, and I would imagine if we lose to them this week we finish 3rd unless Melbourne smash us and ruin our percentage and the Bulldogs get a narrow win over Port.

Happy to face the dogs without Bruce, and we play AO well, Melbourne are the big threat in finals this year with a full strength team.

Melbourne have been genuinely pathetic any time the heat has been put on them and thats exactly whats going to happen come finals, isn't really a side to fear provided we play our best footy.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Melbourne have their forwards push up and then they back their backline to win the ball and push back into the forward line quickly where they're often left unguarded. The key to beating Melbourne Is to lower the eyes going forward and not bomb it long where Lever and may can intercept.

 

[fpm84]

Dogs will beat Port.

Judging from Scott’s post match comments on Saturday, we really wanted the pre-finals bye. Not only would it be an extra week off for the likes of Miers, Duncan and Tuohy but we likely had a strategy about testing senior / sore players on the assumption there would be a week off pre-finals.

Off the top of my head, only Smith and Henderson have been managed in recent weeks. Selwood was rested v Carlton but that’s a while ago now.

If we enter the Dees game knowing a trip to AO is off the cards, I see absolutely no incentive to win. I’m far more concerned about the health of our list heading into finals.

If that’s the case - I’m all for us resting the likes of Hawkins, Selwood, Blicavs and/or Stanley on Saturday. Let’s see what a Cameron/Ratugolea forward line can do. Give Fort a run in the ruck just in case we have to call on him due to injury etc.

If someone like Rohan is fit to play but would benefit from another week off, don’t play him.

On top of that, the minor premiership is a bit of a poisoned chalice. Last minor premier to win the flag was Hawthorn in 2014. The last three minor premiers (including us in 2019) have failed to even make the GF.

This all goes out the window if Port win on Friday - in which case we need to throw everything at the Dees to avoid a trip to AO in week one. We can beat Port over there, but it’s clearly a lesser preferred option to Dogs at a neutral ground for example.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Dogs will beat Port.

Judging from Scott’s post match comments on Saturday, we really wanted the pre-finals bye. Not only would it be an extra week off for the likes of Miers, Duncan and Tuohy but we likely had a strategy about testing senior / sore players on the assumption there would be a week off pre-finals.

Off the top of my head, only Smith and Henderson have been managed in recent weeks. Selwood was rested v Carlton but that’s a while ago now.

If we enter the Dees game knowing a trip to AO is off the cards, I see absolutely no incentive to win. I’m far more concerned about the health of our list heading into finals.

If that’s the case - I’m all for us resting the likes of Hawkins, Selwood, Blicavs and/or Stanley on Saturday. Let’s see what a Cameron/Ratugolea forward line can do. Give Fort a run in the ruck just in case we have to call on him due to injury etc.

If someone like Rohan is fit to play but would benefit from another week off, don’t play him.

On top of that, the minor premiership is a bit of a poisoned chalice. Last minor premier to win the flag was Hawthorn in 2014. The last three minor premiers (including us in 2019) have failed to even make the GF.

This all goes out the window if Port win on Friday - in which case we need to throw everything at the Dees to avoid a trip to AO in week one. We can beat Port over there, but it’s clearly a lesser preferred option to Dogs at a neutral ground for example.

If players need to rest they'll rest. There's no point playing sore players in the hope we don't play Port in Adelaide if that's the case ... It'll backfire whoever we play.

Just rest the sore bodies and back ourselves to win anywhere.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

Rohan, Miers and Atkins will be big ins if they’re available. Rohan and Miers will help to make the forward line more dynamic. And we’ve missed Atkins ground ball work in defence.

Despite not being a fan of his work earlier I think Higgins is starting to play a good role through the middle. His fumbling and poor kicks have decreased. Not surprisingly he plays better when he’s through the middle rather than forward.

On recent form demons should be favourites. But I’m hopeful we can hit back and win. And despite wanting the extra time to get players back a win this week and momentum into the finals should be good for geelong.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Melbourne have their forwards push up and then they back their backline to win the ball and push back into the forward line quickly where they're often left unguarded. The key to beating Melbourne Is to lower the eyes going forward and not bomb it long where Lever and may can intercept.

Weve got the forward line to actually make them defend, unlike majority of the competition.

 

[bulletproof]

I don’t care who we play in the first week of the finals. I am not that interested in making another Grand Final and losing. I think they have to believe they can beat (and lose to) anyone.

I don’t think our form at Geelong is any better than at MCG or Optus Stadium this year. And even if we secure the home final we are at mercy of opaque AFL decision making process and COVID.

I would have no issue with leaving out 7-8 players this week if that is what the players need.

 

[calder_daddy]

Melbourne have their forwards push up and then they back their backline to win the ball and push back into the forward line quickly where they're often left unguarded. The key to beating Melbourne Is to lower the eyes going forward and not bomb it long where Lever and may can intercept.

Not necessarily, one thing we have in our favor is 2 a grade forwards, I don’t think you will see many 3rd man ups this week.
May has to worry about Hawkins, as does Cameron.
That to me is the most interesting part for me, if we get on top of them this week.
Come finals they have a serious problem to worry about

 

[Catterzzzzz07]

While Stewart loss for the season I still think the cats are mature enough to adjust… I think they need a general down back who organises maybe Henry as a floating back and blitz on the key forward…. I think in a final you put bews on fritsch but Saturday night have kolo on him with bews on Pickett…
I think we need O’Connor play that lockdown mid that he did so well earlier in the year…
I think we have the firepower up forward to challenge their backs 12 goal will be enough to beat them on any day IMO…
Lastly I think the mids and the ruck challenge against Gawn and Jackson is gonna be glaring…. I don’t know if he can 50/50 the contest for more than 50 mins of the game….
I think our best is as good as anyone but we have got injuries at the worst time of the year I think dees will win but I don’t think it will be the end of the world

 

[Commando]

If we are guaranteed to not play port away I’d expect wholesale changes!

 

[cats_09]

 

[gaz love x]

The form of the top teams is so variable at the moment who knows who the best team to play is so like others I'm not that invested in this one. Form, continuity, and fitness the priority and wake me up for the real stuff

 

[Pollywaffle]

Not sure if this is good news really. We need a run at the G and our form at home has been ordinary.

 

[moond0g]

Judging from Scott’s post match comments on Saturday, we really wanted the pre-finals bye. Not only would it be an extra week off for the likes of Miers, Duncan and Tuohy but we likely had a strategy about testing senior / sore players on the assumption there would be a week off pre-finals.

If we enter the Dees game knowing a trip to AO is off the cards, I see absolutely no incentive to win. I’m far more concerned about the health of our list heading into finals.

If we are guaranteed to not play port away I’d expect wholesale changes!

Agreed. if there's no chance we have to play in Adelaide next week then why not go full Ross Lyon and rest half the team.

The interesting thing will be where they play finals next week. Even if we earn a home final there's a chance there'll be no footy in Victoria next week, because they'll be prioritising crowds for finals.

So in theory we could still play 'home' in Adelaide next week anyway.

 

[dazbroncos]

Melbourne have their forwards push up and then they back their backline to win the ball and push back into the forward line quickly where they're often left unguarded. The key to beating Melbourne Is to lower the eyes going forward and not bomb it long where Lever and may can intercept.

Correct - and the Doggies Mids all cheat forward much like our MF used to do and not e accountable the other way. WE have improved defensively a bit.. we can do this if it all goes well for us and we get a bit of luck.

Go Catters

 

[Jumping Jack]

Not sure if this is good news really. We need a run at the G and our form at home has been ordinary.

Not sure a run at the G will end up being of too much consequence (or relevance). I think the GF and potentially both Prelims are odds on to be played in WA/SA/QLD in front of crowds to keep it as a showcase event. Most of the coaches in recent days seem to accept it's most likely going that way.

There's a small chance we get to play week one at GMHBA - and a small chance again that there's a crowd of regional spectators allowed.

Just a hunch, but I suspect that playing finals at the G without crowds is long odds compared to other options being floated. If the finals were a lock at the G I think we'd be getting a narrative along those lines from the AFL, or bein drip fed that via a leak to journos ..... and we're not.

 

[foodles05]

Sounds like the excuse train has arrived early for some cat fans. Quite normal isn’t it!
I’m not buying into any of that.
It’s go time!

hahahahah not buying into injuries to best players being important. WOW do you understand how sport works?? You do realise that the reason a team is good is mostly due to its best players don't you? Surely you do? Please tell me you do? I'm trying to retain some faith in you knowledge of sport. Also just wondering one last thing do you understand the difference between an excuse and a reason?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Agreed. if there's no chance we have to play in Adelaide next week then why not go full Ross Lyon and rest half the team.

The interesting thing will be where they play finals next week. Even if we earn a home final there's a chance there'll be no footy in Victoria next week, because they'll be prioritising crowds for finals.

So in theory we could still play 'home' in Adelaide next week anyway.

I agree.

I think if Port finish top 2 theyll get an AO final..if we finish top 2 itll be at MCG with no crowds (although it should be in geelong)...but if port lose on friday night so theres little chance we have to play in adelaide id honestly rest half the team especially with how many older guys we have. That said we dont have a great record off a bye so maybe we are better to keep the guys going.

 

[JohnZ]

Not sure if this is good news really. We need a run at the G and our form at home has been ordinary.

Seriously? we get shafted on home games as it is. Demons will have played 12-13 games at the MCG this year, we've barely managed to play 9 at KP.

And I don't think there'll be any finals at the MCG either, they'll be played in front of a crowd (KP, Adeaide, Gabba and Optus)

 

[Pickitt]

Seriously? we get shafted on home games as it is. Demons will have played 12-13 games at the MCG this year, we've barely managed to play 9 at KP.

And I don't think there'll be any finals at the MCG either, they'll be played in front of a crowd (KP, Adeaide, Gabba and Optus)

You're right, grand final at KP