Preview Round 11: Geelong vs Big Big Sound, Sat 27 May @ 4:35pm at KP

[Sire of Claude]

Regarding the rebuild question that I cheekily raised (acknowledging it was utter heresy) it is true that we're in strife nearly solely because of injuries.

But the other factor is the age of our list and, in particular, of our our premiership players. Was it the case that our GF team was the oldest ever fielded?

Put the two things together and it's hard to prevent the dire word 'rebuild' from infiltrating your scone.

I would submit that we are, even at this moment, in need of a new, classy small defender; several mid-fielders; a fit and able ruckman; and a replacement for Hawkins.

Some of these players may be already on our list; only time will tell. Its hard not to think of Parish but i would be amazed if he left the Bombers: he's already being coached by Scott for one thing.

 

[Finknottle]

There is no way SDK is better than Ceglar at rucking... for the team, and structure SDK will be an All Australian CHB, plays far better as a CHB. Ceglar is a ruckman, not a CHB not a Full Forward, his a ruckman... and does the job...
SDK in the ruck is like driving a Ferrari down a gravel road.... be cringing as it's not rite thing to do

Plus not playing Ceglar is like not playing Stanley in the ruck when we played finals with out a ruck... we have a genuine ruckman, that is currently fit, so let's play him... if he brakes down, so be it.. but you can't think that his going to get injured until it actually happens

I must agree, I don't get playing SDK in the ruck. He's not a ruckman, Ceglar has years of experience rucking. SDK doesn't need any more injuries.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Regarding the rebuild question that I cheekily raised (acknowledging it was utter heresy) it is true that we're in strife nearly solely because of injuries.

But the other factor is the age of our list and, in particular, of our our premiership players. Was it the case that our GF team was the oldest ever fielded?

Put the two things together and it's hard to prevent the dire word 'rebuild' from infiltrating your scone.

I would submit that we are, even at this moment, in need of a new, classy small defender; several mid-fielders; a fit and able ruckman; and a replacement for Hawkins.

Some of these players may be already on our list; only time will tell. Its hard not to think of Parish but i would be amazed if he left the Bombers: he's already being coached by Scott for one thing.

The core of the rebuild has already been done in terms of drafting. We'll be relying on the group of 24-year olds to improve from here and the under 22 players to come on. But we've got the following players having just turned 25 or under who have shown a bit at AFL level:

Bowes, Parfitt, Simpson, Z Guthrie, Close, Ratugolea, J Henry, Stengle, Miers, De Koning, Bruhn, O Henry, Holmes and Knevitt.

That's a good core to start but we need a handful to go on to be stars. Then we've got talented younger players who hopefully come on, especially guys like Clark, Conway, Dempsey and Neale who we clearly rate highly.

We'll probably hit the wall with the current older players at the end of this year or next. It might take us a couple of years to develop the quality and cohesion and bring in a few high quality trades or free agents to really challenge again. But the core for our next flag shot is there.

 

[dont stop me meow]

Might be wrong, but I think back to Scott jumping out of the box when Parf kicked that GF goal, and think he'll show continued faith in him.
Some time ago I was told Parf is championed by Scott because he does certain jobs asked of him.
We just better hope he rises to the occasion.

Yeah apparently he washes Scotty's car at an elite level

 

[Footy Smarts]

I appreciate what Ceglar brings and he's trying his guts out. But his body is shot and the ~95% of the game that is played away from stoppages he's a liability.

I'd personally use Henry as the second ruck now he and SDK are back. I think he's a more natural player around the ground than SDK. But it's marginal and they both give far more around the ground than Ceglar. The last 2 weeks our midfield hasn't had the cohesion to take advantage of his ruck work and then we've been killed on transition. We're not using Ceglar's positives and being killed by his negatives.

I'd only go back to Ceglar if the fitness guys think Blicavs' workload is higher in the ruck than as a mid and he needs a break. And then I'd time it for games at home where the small ground limits transition.

 

[goyoucatters]

I appreciate what Ceglar brings and he's trying his guts out. But his body is shot and the ~95% of the game that is played away from stoppages he's a liability.

I'd personally use Henry as the second ruck now he and SDK are back. I think he's a more natural player around the ground than SDK. But it's marginal and they both give far more around the ground than Ceglar. The last 2 weeks our midfield hasn't had the cohesion to take advantage of his ruck work and then we've been killed on transition. We're not using Ceglar's positives and being killed by his negatives.

I'd only go back to Ceglar if the fitness guys think Blicavs' workload is higher in the ruck than as a mid and he needs a break. And then I'd time it for games at home where the small ground limits transition.

Absolutely appreciate your line of thinking here. Just concerned that offering Jacko up for ruck duties at the moment might be asking for further foot trouble.

I get that it could happen anywhere; just seems slightly more likely to happen when you're jumping at the footy in ruck contests throughout the course of a game.

 

[moond0g]

I understand the concern with Ceglar. He looks quite slow and there are concerns about his ability to run out a game.

I just don't really see much of an alternative. Plus, he was recruited for this exact reason. SDK is a much better player, but purely as a ruckman I'd be taking Ceglar. Not to mention SDK is a better KPD than other people who are currently playing, so it seems we'd be worse off in both positions.

I understood it previously with Esava. The club rated him, but without playing him in the ruck he couldn't get gametime in the side. But SDK doesn't have that issue, he'd be our first picked tall defender.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Absolutely appreciate your line of thinking here. Just concerned that offering Jacko up for ruck duties at the moment might be asking for further foot trouble.

I get that it could happen anywhere; just seems slightly more likely to happen when you're jumping at the footy in ruck contests throughout the course of a game.

Ruckmen basically never jump around the ground. That's just grappling.

He might attend 5-10 centre bounces. Which is way less than the number of marking contests where he jumps per game. And if it's a worry, which I don't think it is, he can do what Blicavs does where he moves across the centre line and stays grounded.

 

[catempire]

Regarding the rebuild question that I cheekily raised (acknowledging it was utter heresy) it is true that we're in strife nearly solely because of injuries.

But the other factor is the age of our list and, in particular, of our our premiership players. Was it the case that our GF team was the oldest ever fielded?

Put the two things together and it's hard to prevent the dire word 'rebuild' from infiltrating your scone.

I would submit that we are, even at this moment, in need of a new, classy small defender; several mid-fielders; a fit and able ruckman; and a replacement for Hawkins.

Some of these players may be already on our list; only time will tell. It’s hard not to think of Parish but i would be amazed if he left the Bombers: he's already being coached by Scott for one thing.

The list looks in the best shape it has for a decade because of the rebuild on the run that has our under 25 cohort looking solid.

The midfield and ruck gaps will be filled through FA and trade over the coming years.

 

[bombersboy]

If we get Rohan. O Henry and SDK back it certainly improves us but with Holmes out it is hard to see a competative midfield rotation. What is the likely group? Atkins, Blicavs, Parfitt, Bruhn, Knevitt. Maybe part time OÇonnor (if SDK back), Tuohy, Meirs, Close, Cameron (especially if O Henry and Rohan play).

 

[goyoucatters]

If we get Rohan. O Henry and SDK back it certainly improves us but with Holmes out it is hard to see a competative midfield rotation. What is the likely group? Atkins, Blicavs, Parfitt, Bruhn, Knevitt. Maybe part time OÇonnor (if SDK back), Tuohy, Meirs, Close, Cameron (especially if O Henry and Rohan play).

The really illuminating insight here is the midfield rotation we could muster simply by employing all the players who are currently on our injury list.

Dangerfield, Cuthrie, Duncan, Holmes, Bowes, Menegola, and Clark. That is a perfectly fine AFL midfield in its entirety that is unavailable right now.

Absolutely incredible, really.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

The boots are sensational, do they have any one artist/collective attached to them for credit?
Would have cost a bomb, maybe AFL supported? Just interested in their creation, I know the reason.

Bartel had a financial/operational interest in a company that made personalised football boots for AFL Players - sensational boots to wear and play in etc

And Josh Kennedy the former champion key forward for the WestCoast Eagles bought a pair of specially maded/fitted boots from Bartels company for $6000 - i remember reading that at the time

 

[fpm84]

The really illuminating insight here is the midfield rotation we could muster simply by employing all the players who are currently on our injury list.

Dangerfield, Cuthrie, Duncan, Holmes, Bowes, Menegola, and Clark. That is a perfectly fine AFL midfield in its entirety that is unavailable right now.

Absolutely incredible, really.

Plus our premiership ruck in Rhys.

 

[goyoucatters]

Plus our premiership ruck in Rhys.

Of course. And he is a massive out as well. The post I was quoting only mentioned the possible mids rotation, though.

I fully accept that other clubs have very damaging injury lists at the moment. But for sheer volume of quality in one part of the ground, we have them all covered by a stretch. If it weren't for the estimable depth at the club right now, we simply wouldn't be a chance of winning games against anyone but the absolute also-rans, based on the number of AFL standard mids missing from our line-up.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I appreciate what Ceglar brings and he's trying his guts out. But his body is shot and the ~95% of the game that is played away from stoppages he's a liability.

I'd personally use Henry as the second ruck now he and SDK are back. I think he's a more natural player around the ground than SDK. But it's marginal and they both give far more around the ground than Ceglar. The last 2 weeks our midfield hasn't had the cohesion to take advantage of his ruck work and then we've been killed on transition. We're not using Ceglar's positives and being killed by his negatives.

I'd only go back to Ceglar if the fitness guys think Blicavs' workload is higher in the ruck than as a mid and he needs a break. And then I'd time it for games at home where the small ground limits transition.

I did notice Jack Henry taking a few hit outs in the backline on the boundary. I was definitely wincing and thinking about his foot

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Cats superstar eyes round 12 return

FRUSTRATED Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield is hopeful of returning from a hamstring injury next week, ruling himself out of Saturday's clash against Greater Western Sydney.

Dangerfield has been sidelined since round eight, the club taking a conservative approach with the 33-year-old superstar.

"Certainly the plan is to be right and ready to play next week," Dangerfield told SEN on Thursday.

"I'm around the mark but it’s just getting days in the legs and high-speed metres in.

"It's a more conservative route which kind of makes sense with hamstrings I suppose.”

Heading into the round 11 clash at GMHBA Stadium, the defending premiers have lost their last two matches to sit seventh on the ladder.

The losses to Richmond and Fremantle followed a five-game winning streak after a poor start to the season with Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

48

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

's side battling a large injury toll.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Would love to see Willis named this week... Don't think it will happen but if it does it'll be exciting to blood another youngster.

 

[Play it Sam]

Bartel had a financial/operational interest in a company that made personalised football boots for AFL Players - sensational boots to wear and play in etc

And Josh Kennedy the former champion key forward for the WestCoast Eagles bought a pair of specially maded/fitted boots from Bartels company for $6000 - i remember reading that at the time

The boots are by individual artists according to Cats Twitter, but not named there or on website.
The Brisbane broncos students have done very similar work for them, so may be outsourced there.
I'm sure the artists would take great pride in them, but short of emailing the Club they seem anonymous to all but the wearer, which is a great shame.
Beautiful work anyway, Hope they come with many goals!

 

[Footy Smarts]

I looked back at the Hawthorn game which was the closest we've been to full strength all year. We only had 6 players attend centre bounces (bolded out this weekend):

Blicavs (23 centre bounce attendances)
Dangerfield (21)
Stanley (21)
Atkins (20)
Guthrie (18)
Holmes (9)

We've only got 2 players that attended a centre bounce that day available. Also no Bowes who would be probably next in line at centre bounces from that team (along with O'Connor). And no Duncan who has gone in there a few times this year and received 8 coaches votes that day.

Most of the midfield that were smashed by Box Hill that day will be running out for us in the AFL this weekend (plus likely Parfitt and Ceglar who didn't play at either level).

 

[FredLeDeux]

Bartel had a financial/operational interest in a company that made personalised football boots for AFL Players - sensational boots to wear and play in etc

The company was the successor to Blades.
David Miers, Gryan's father, designed the original Blades boots, and later licensed the rights to manufacture and sell them to the company in which Bartel invested.
Some 30 or more years ago, he also designed and sold a range of the Blades boots incorporating indigenous-style art similar to those now being given to the current players.

 

[Footy Smarts]

For the meat tray:

Ins - Rohan, SDK, O Henry, Dempsey
Outs - Ceglar, Holmes, Tuohy, Knevitt (managed as sub)

Henry to play forward and 2nd ruck. O'Connor and Cameron to play virtually full time in midfield with Simpson and Close to get a run through there as well.

Tuohy and Bews don't look right so I expect one of them to miss.

 

[FredLeDeux]

For the meat tray:

Ins - Rohan, SDK, O Henry, Dempsey
Outs - Ceglar, Holmes, Tuohy, Knevitt (managed as sub)

Henry to play forward and 2nd ruck. O'Connor and Cameron to play virtually full time in midfield with Simpson and Close to get a run through there as well.

Tuohy and Bews don't look right so I expect one of them to miss.

Tuohy can look as "not right" as he likes, if he keeps playing as well as last week.

 

[Willo_]

I'd be fine with SDK playing in the ruck as I thought he looked ok there in his brief run there..
But I'd also be happy to see him and Jack go back to the backline and try settle back into the cohesive group we had there last year... Sav is the agent of chaos who is growing in confidence and belief. Chuck him back into the ruck to see how it goes, can always rotate SDK there if need. Get rid of Ceglar for players that are going to compete and contribute for the rest of the game outside of the centre bounces. Blitz to 2nd ruck but I am really worried about his workload that being said.

Parf hasn't really deserved to hold his spot but will out of necessity, I'd name Willis sub which I don't like as a first gamer but feel his game is more built on power and explosiveness so he's more likely to be able to come on and have an impact.

Can't do worse that when Dempsey was sub last week or Whyte in round 2 anyway.

Out: Ceglar, Holmes, Dempsey
IN: SDK, one of Rohan/Henry, Willis

(I have no idea what sign off is needed for a nut injury so no idea of OHenry will actually be OK... If he is then he'll play and I think Simpson sub and no Jimmy)

 

[fpm84]

Mullin is in!

 

[cats_09]

Mullin, Sam & Ollie H all back