Unofficial Preview Round 18 - Geelong v Melbourne @ GHMHBAHBADAHBADAH, Sat 7:25pm

[Lunchlady Doris]

Come on mate dont be one of those people, we were beaten by the better side, we were pretty horrible most of the night, we were lucky to get that close in the end because if they had kicked straight it would have been over a lot earlier.

While what you say is true - it's not mutually exclusive with some baffling HTB interpretations this season.

Have a look at Ablett's 2 HTB pings against the Swans in the 1st half - while Sydney bash their way through tackles and the ball spills out, play on is called time and again.

When Ablett collects it, gets tackled with no prior, the umpire has blown the whistle almost before the ball has been knoced out in the tackle. They can't wait to pay the free against him.

The way the rules are structured right now lend themselves to unconcious bias, and it can be easily defended because everything seems completely open to interpretation.

When you have a number of these decision over the course of a game, it causes greater and greater levels of inferred pressure, and helps lead to some of those horrendous skill errors. The Geelong players know that if they get tackled, they're going to get pinged no matter what.

 

[James1970]

The difference with Menzel to other players is not that he played badly (that is obvious to anyone who watched the game), it is that he just looks like his body might be cooked.

It is sad for such a talented player, and I hope that it was just “rust” from a long time out of the seniors, but I can’t recall a player who looked like he was labouring more than Menz did on Thursday. He had no explosiveness and couldn’t turn. At times he was struggling just to get off the field to the bench. Once the Crows realised this they victimised him on the rebound, it was probably the main reason why we were so easy to score against in transition.

We smashed the crows in clearances and in midfield generally, but we lost the game on transitions from defence. We will be less vulnerable at KP this week because we can squeeze the skinny field, but on a wide ground it is almost impossible if the opposition waltzes out of D50 like they did on Thursday night.

If Menzel doesn’t show more freedom in his movement this week, regardless even if he jags a few goals, then I think we need to rule a line through him. There is a reason why Geelong, or any club, has been unwilling to commit to longer than a 1 year contract for him. And sadly I think we saw why last Thursday.

Menz looked a little 'heavy' to me on Thursday night, as if the pre-season conditioning had softened over the past 10 weeks.

I think the club will give him the next couple of weeks at home to try and get himself right, then the big test being the Tigers game at the MCG.

 

[Hinkley29]

Unless Menzel has pulled up sore,i cant see him being dropped.
Hopefully he will be better for the run from Thursday night.

If Menz doesn’t pull up sore from Thursday, then he is in serious trouble.

If that was him at full fitness (as much as he can be “fully fit”) then he is done.

 

[Grimoz]

If Menz doesn’t pull up sore from Thursday, then he is in serious trouble.

If that was him at full fitness (as much as he can be “fully fit”) then he is done.

He shouldn't be sore, he did sweet fa, has probably done more in his training sessions lately!!! He will play this week and most likely kick 4-5, he plays well at KP.

 

[BUSTER29]

If Menz doesn’t pull up sore from Thursday, then he is in serious trouble.

If that was him at full fitness (as much as he can be “fully fit”) then he is done.

He hasnt played senior football for 10 weeks ,although his performance was ordinary,it wasnt entirely unexpected with the preparation hes had( Thats another conversation).
Agree that he looked flat,no acceleration, nothing in his legs.etc.
Id be surprised if he's not much better and covering the ground better this Saturday night.

 

[Isaac Norm Smith]

I'm reasonably confident of winning this one. I'm really far from convinced when it comes to Melbourne. There is something with Melbourne that hasn't quite clicked, not sure what, but something isn't right with them..

 

[Daniel McL]

I'm reasonably confident of winning this one. I'm really far from convinced when it comes to Melbourne. There is something with Melbourne that hasn't quite clicked, not sure what, but something isn't right with them..

Agreed, I'm just worried about when it does click for Melbourne and hope it isn't this week because I really rate them.

One of the main things I'm excited for is Stanley against Gawn. Stanley's had an impressive 4-5 weeks in a row, no bigger test for him than this week.

 

[candiehappy]

his performance was ordinary,it wasnt entirely unexpected with the preparation hes had

if the MC thought that he would deliver that performance he shouldn't have been selected. Hopefully better to come as others have said.

Gawn is in sensational form, need to cover that as a first priority.

 

[Isaac Norm Smith]

Agreed, I'm just worried about when it does click for Melbourne and hope it isn't this week because I really rate them.

One of the main things I'm excited for is Stanley against Gawn. Stanley's had an impressive 4-5 weeks in a row, no bigger test for him than this week.

Yeah they're certainly dangerous when in form, lets hope they don't re-discover it like the Dogs and Crows against us. Good point re Stanley, I'll be watching him with more interest than usual. I don't expect him to beat the best ruck in the comp, but I do expect him to be very competitive and give a good account of himself.

 

[BUSTER29]

if the MC thought that he would deliver that performance he shouldn't have been selected. Hopefully better to come as others have said.

Gawn is in sensational form, need to cover that as a first priority.

Well i think the MC and most supporters wouldve been hoping for a better showing from Menzel for sure.
IMO, he looked like he would have benefited from more actual game time in the VFL too get back up too speed.
Gawn has been very good of late,and all year.
Took alot of defensive intercept marks v Dogs on the weekend.
I think the best we can hope for is that Stanley can nullify Gawn and not let him have a huge influence on the game.
And if Rhys gets forward and has a shot on goal,nailing them,instead of them landing 10 rows back out on the full might be helpful too.

 

[Cronin]

Smith with 45 hit outs in the reserves; time to bring him in for Buzza and get a look at the Smith/Stanley combo that hasn't been tried even once this year.

Also Menzel will be better for the run, give him a chance people.

 

[you pick one]

Rhys has looked better of late but Gawn I think is a bridge to far and not only for Rhys but most Rucks.

 

[Landgraft]

Smith with 45 hit outs in the reserves; time to bring him in for Buzza and get a look at the Smith/Stanley combo that hasn't been tried even once this year.

Also Menzel will be better for the run, give him a chance people.

How do you see Smith and Stanley in tandem playing out? Does Stanley or Smith play primarily forward or are we trying to 50/50 it?

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

I see this as a danger game. The Dee's nearly beat us in round 1 and our guys are very inconsistent. The Dee's have been playing well in recent weeks.

Possible Outs: Buzza (dropped), Simpson (dropped), Henry (rest), Parfitt (rest), & Tuohy (Concussion test pending)
In From: Murdoch, Taylor, Henderson, GHS, Cunico, Smith.

Menzel needs to keep playing and work his way through his issues, and Jones probably deserves another week for the experience. Will they bring in Smith to match up against Gawn? A home game at Kardinia Park is good for us, but other teams know we're vulnerable to a bit of aggressive pressure and the Dee's will be looking to see us off as a finals threat.

 

[Stoney]

Hi quick question about the stadium (I haven’t been since 2009).

Is General Admin still all standing room??

Kind regards

 

[Cronin]

How do you see Smith and Stanley in tandem playing out? Does Stanley or Smith play primarily forward or are we trying to 50/50 it?

Smith plays No.1 ruck, Stanley plays CHF/2nd ruck or even FF/2nd ruck with Hawkins playing CHF.

IMO this is the setup that they should have gone with as soon as Sav went down.

 

[candiehappy]

Smith with 45 hit outs in the reserves; time to bring him in for Buzza and get a look at the Smith/Stanley combo that hasn't been tried even once this year.

Also Menzel will be better for the run, give him a chance people.

what's the go with Crameri ? - I'd rather a reliable forward than a 2nd ruck. Let Stanley do 80% of the ruck duties

 

[Strange Cat]

Smith plays No.1 ruck, Stanley plays CHF/2nd ruck or even FF/2nd ruck with Hawkins playing CHF.

IMO this is the setup that they should have gone with as soon as Sav went down.

The issue is Smith and Stanley don’t play well in the same team together, that’s my only hesitation with that set up

 

[Chappythechamp]

That's the question every coach in the game would be continually asking themselves. How do we get the team working hard enough for long enough? The physicality question is similar, kind of..

Why? It's clearly the edge you need to win a flag today the way the game is played, especially in getting through a finals series. Talent alone doesn't get it done. Richmond and the Bulldogs won flags in the current climate with intensity, going both ways. Unrelenting pressure and drive to work for teammates, to not just work hard defensively, but run into position positively in offense. To ALWAYS go when it's your turn.

The physicality one is related, but some players just aren't physical (eg, Duncan, Guthrie, Thurlow, Parsons, Menzel), and will never have a significant presence in this regard. As a team, you either accept this and hope these types of players have enough 'upside' to offset this issue, or take the Collingwood approach in 2018 and raise the standards, don't pick players who don't meet certain physical standards no matter what. This is the type of initiative that could raise an overall team standard perhaps.

I've said time and time again, I'd like to see such players who don't meet intensity or work rate standards to be dropped, if only to make a statement. With every intention to bring them back. What harm could it do? Chris Scott won't do it, he's more in the camp of - keep playing the most talented players, hopefully they just get better with time. Well, we have the culture we have. A team who's intent from week to week is very questionable (media all over it!), a list of relatively 'soft' players that's too long, who don't work hard enough defensively, especially. A culture that doesn't demand a high enough standard in this regard.

Don’t forget Zac Tuohy he imo is our softest player...hardly any tackles or contested possessions per game and turns it up . Tats don’t fool me.

 

[Strange Cat]

what's the go with Crameri ? - I'd rather a reliable forward than a 2nd ruck. Let Stanley do 80% of the ruck duties

This

Gawn is going to smash anyone in the ruck, let’s have a reasonable strong forward line and worry about what we can control

 

[Cronin]

what's the go with Crameri ? - I'd rather a reliable forward than a 2nd ruck. Let Stanley do 80% of the ruck duties

If we had a ruckman even close to Max Gawn then I'd agree, but we don't.

But IMO a combo of Smith/Stanley can cover both the ruck positions and put in a better performance than Buzza(sorry Buzza).

 

[you pick one]

This won't get a lot of applause but the Elephant in the room is last week Menzel, Buzza and Guthrie best on ground for the Crows according to my Adelaide mate over the road, cost us 4 points,and we will only omit Buzza,now it will be almost impossible for the other two to be that poor again we will need a couple of goals from Menz and Guthrie to give up two less this week and we will win,but if we get the same as last week from them it's probable game and season over,huge and challenging week for the selectors.
I'd consider going with just one Guthrie but not deep back and not kicking in that's for sure.Menzel we all acknowledge he's a match winner when up and about but me I'd take the pressure off him and set him for the next two weeks in the 2s to build fitness and hopefully some confidence and hope he can come home with a wet sail and an A1 finals series should we make it .

 

[Daniel McL]

Don’t forget Zac Tuohy he imo is our softest player...hardly any tackles or contested possessions per game and turns it up . Tats don’t fool me.

A defender’s contested possessions and tackle count would fluctuate quite a lot I’d suspect compared to an inside midfielder for example.

Tuohy, a running defender, had 7 contested possessions out of 22 in total, with 3 tackles.

Jayden Short, a very impressive running defender from Richmond, had 4 contested possessions out of 23 in total, with 0 tackles on the weekend.

Or Laird (13 contested out of 43 total, with 2 tackles) or Atkins (10 contested out of 28 total, 1 tackle).

I don’t think those players are soft, and I don’t think Tuohy is soft. Tuohy can make poor decisions & execute poorly when under intense pressure like our team does.

 

[Cronin]

The issue is Smith and Stanley don’t play well in the same team together, that’s my only hesitation with that set up

They haven't played much footy together as just No.1 ruck and CHF/2nd ruck because Blicavs was always in there and then they decided to throw Taylor forward too.

But now Blicavs is at FB, Sav is injured and IMO Taylor should either be in defence or not playing, it's time to play these two in those positions and see what they've got.

 

[Strange Cat]

They haven't played much footy together as just No.1 ruck and CHF/2nd ruck because Blicavs was always in there and then they decided to throw Taylor forward too.

But now Blicavs is at FB, Sav is injured and IMO Taylor should either be in defence or not playing, it's time to play these two in those positions and see what they've got.

I’m too cautious to screw up Stanley’s form at the moment so close to the finals

Agree to disagree