VelvetSledge
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- May 24, 2007
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- #1
GEELONG CATS
Whilst it's hard to get much of a read on the Cats throughout their two pre-season performances, it's clear that this is a side that is running out of time to get another flag.
The age of the Cats side is well-known; they have, quite easily, the highest number of players aged 30+, but have been a constant high-performer for over a decade now.
This is a side that will feel as though they have let the past two years slip. They've been up there, but have fallen, badly, at one of the final hurdles.
Will this year be the year that the Cats use their wealth of experience to get that elusive flag they've been chasing for eleven years?
Whilst they may be getting on, there's nothing to suggest that names like Hawkins, Dangerfield, and Selwood are slowing down; their output is still as high as ever, and they consistently show up.
The Cats will want to start 2022 on the front foot. There are a number of teams in line for a Top 4 shot, and plenty of pundits are tipping the Cats to drop down the ladder this year.
If there is one thing that Geelong has taught us, however, it's that you can never, ever count them out. Even if their nine lives are running low.
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ESSENDON BOMBERS
Whilst the Cats have endured a long period of sustained success, our beloved Bombers have been at the opposite end of the spectrum.
The Dons made the finals again last year but were thoroughly embarrassed at the hands of the eventual Grand Finalists in the Bulldogs.
The reward for a relatively successful 2021 at the hands of first-year coach Ben Rutten was a fixture forged in the pits of hell itself; rated as the second-hardest fixture behind that of Melbourne.
As such, the media consensus seems to be that we will drop down the ladder this year, back into the mid-table; and we can't exactly argue the reasoning.
This is a young group, led by a man who is one of the best leaders we've had the pleasure to witness. Backed up by a prolific duo, desperate to improve and to bring this team back to the precipice of the AFL. Back where we belong.
Whilst the off-season wasn't exactly busy, with the powers that be opting to continue to stride the path of building our team from the foundations we have already established, we brought in the best lockdown defender in the league in Jake Kelly.
The Dons are starting 2022 with plenty of doubters, and few believers, but this team has made a habit of proving people wrong and doing things the hard way.
Do I expect a flag this year? No. But I don't think improvement across the board, and a finals win, are off the table at all.
GEELONG EMERGENCIES: Cooper Stephens, Francis Evans, Quinton Narkle, Cooper Whyte
ESSENDON EMERGENCIES: Tom Cutler, Andrew Phillips, Ben Hobbs, Aaron Francis
DEBUTS:
Tyson Stengle, Geelong - CLUB DEBUT (Formerly Adelaide Crows)
Jake Kelly, Essendon - CLUB DEBUT (Formerly Adelaide Crows)
Kaine Baldwin, Essendon - AFL DEBUT
Nic Martin, Essendon - AFL DEBUT
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Subs are announced one hour prior to bounce
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Perhaps the biggest surprise for us this week was that Jake Stringer, who has missed both preseason games, has somehow pulled up short in his preparation for Round 1. Whilst he's recovered from injury, it seems as though his match conditioning wasn't up to snuff, and the coaches have simply told him that he's not ready. Personally, I'm a little shocked to see Ben Hobbs miss out for Round 1 considering how solid he's been over pre-season, but we may not be waiting long to see him debut. With Stringer missing and Cale Hooker retired, some forward firepower was needed.
Enter Kaine Baldwin.
The powerful, immensely strong 19-year-old has been picked for his debut after overcoming two ACL injuries. Standing at 193cm and weighing in at 95kg, the key forward is an intriguing prospect, especially considering that he was touted as a Top-10 pick for his draft year prior to injury. The previously mentioned Jake Kelly debuts for Essendon as the best one-on-one lockdown defender in the league. The Bull is a consummate professional; trains the hardest and longest, and always gives 100%. Whilst he was somewhat maligned at Adelaide for his questionable decision-making and disposal at times, he will be keen to make a solid impression at his new home. An absolute bolt from the blue has been Nic Martin; the Subiaco product was taken alongside Tex Wanganeen a few weeks ago and has already been impressive enough to warrant his first AFL guernsey in Round 1. The skillful, 192cm forward knows how to find the ball in dangerous spots, and is an incredible user of the pill under pressure. This could be a really underrated find from the team at the Hangar.
The Cats are handing a debut to Tyson Stengle, who has made his way to the Cattery after a controversial and tumultuous time as a professional footballer. From early appearances, it doesn't seem like he's going to be wasting his chance - the small forward has arguably been the best performing Geelong player all preseason, and will want to translate to the real thing.
This is directed to us, Melbourne.
Welcome back to footy, the way it should be.
The past two seasons have been impacted by COVID protocols, seemingly endless lockdowns, crowd lockouts, isolation periods, and, tragically, thousands of deaths due to this bastard virus. Though as they say, at the end of a storm, is a golden sky. And the storm looks as though it's winding up. The AFL has somehow navigated its way through the past couple of years with help from the state governments, and now we're ready for things to get back to normal.
We're ready for our boys to stay home for a while. To sleep in their own beds.
We're ready to be able to hop on a train and ride into either Richmond or Southern Cross stations, before walking to the MCG or to Marvel Stadium.
To head to the pub before a game, catching up with those we haven't seen in years. To have a parma and a pot over endless tales of footy banter.
To get six of the best tasting hot jam donuts from outside the MCG after a big win, and devouring them all before you even touch your Myki on again.
To pay $17 for a mid-strength beer that is warm and 60% head.
To watch the highlights as soon as you get home, or to watch the full replay if you're too hyped up.
To chat about the game with total strangers on your train back home.
To recall the most obscure details of the interaction you had in the queue for a urinal to your partner.
For her to tell you she really doesn't care and for you to shut the hell up, it's 2 am, you smell like beer and you have tomato sauce in your beard you absolute ****ing slob.
The footy is back in Melbourne. We're at the G.
Other cities have had their turn now, whilst we endured the harshest, longest lockdowns imaginable.
We've suffered, we've watched the game be shared around the country whilst we were confined to our homes. Learning how to make sourdough and trying to entertain toddlers while trying to get our work done for the day. Whilst life isn't the way it was, and it probably never will be, at least we have the constant of footy back in our lives. Games at the G and Marvel, with overpriced food, beer, and merchandise. Huge crowds jammed together trying to avoid the cigarette smoke of the flogs that light up right outside the ground.
Welcome home, ladies and gentlemen. Footy's back in Melbourne.
Soak it in, enjoy it. Win or lose.
ROUND 16, 2021
GMHBA Stadium
2/7/2021
GEELONG CATS 15.8 98
def.
ESSENDON BOMBERS 8.9 57
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GEELONG GOALS: Hawkins 6, Cameron 3, Miers 2, Dangerfield, Rohan, Tuohy, Smith
ESSENDON GOALS: Stringer 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Merrett, Parish, Jones
GEELONG BEST: Dangerfield, Atkins, Hawkins, Stewart, Selwood
ESSENDON BEST: Parish, Stringer, Ridley, Merrett, Snelling
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
GEELONG OUTS: Bews, Miers, Henderson, Narkle, Menegola, Rohan
GEELONG INS: De Koning, Stengle, Ratugolea, Higgins, Z. Guthrie
ESSENDON OUTS: Stringer, Snelling, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Cutler, Jones, Waterman, Hooker
ESSENDON INS: Baldwin, Shiel, McGrath, Kelly, Caldwell, Guelfi, Martin
I was feeling way more confident when we weren't missing 4 of our top 5 goal scorers from last season.
Sigh.
Bombers by 3.
I ain't confident in this tip, though.
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