Preview Round 4 - Essendon v Geelong, MCG, 1:45pm Saturday

[Art Vandelay_]

Those who've been to the recent practice games haven't been that impressed. And I'm fairly sure he hasn't been heavily featured in the 'bests' lists published each week either.

Cannot definitively pass comment on Jed but he mustn't be travelling that badly if he's on the cusp.

Agree that Jed will be in for a small at the back, if required. But why would there not be a place for George as the mid replacement option? Surely the best-performed in that role of the available options.

Maybe this does really signal how clearly his lack of pace is going to count against him in the selection mix right now. If he can't push Jimmy out (who's started the year very solidly, I'd say), perhaps he's destined for a lot of seconds footy in 2016 unless injury strikes the midfield group.

I made a thread about GHS because of this exact reason. Seems as though there's an internal reason for his constant non-selection. As long as Bartel keeps attaining clearances at his current rate (which is roughly 67% more than GHS' career best) he'll keep his place.

 

[Lewy]

He shouldn't have been recalled as early as he was, and that mistake should have been amended this week. The coaches were happy to chop 'n' change this week with other players. Give someone who's been putting his hand up, like GHS, a go against a weak side. Maybe they'll do better than 8 disposals and 2 tackles.

GHS & Cocky are different types of players and are not fighting for the same place. They would play different roles in the team. GHS is likely to get a go when guys like Selwood, Bartel, Caddy, Duncan and Blitz are injured or rested.

 

[Rondog]

I know the field view doesn't usually mean too much but hope Cockatoo in the followers is actually true & he does line up next to Selwood & Danger to start the game. Would love for him to get some good game time in the centre against a lesser quality midfield

Great opportunity for Cocky to work on the chemistry that's been built this preseason.

Tomahawk on 360 said he was expecting Stevie Motlop to turn it on Saturday. I reckon he could be cherry ripe to run straight through the Bombers midfield.

Looking forward to Menzel getting of the chain too.

 

[Lewy]

If McCarthy is being rested why not write managed like they did with Enright.

If he's been dropped then why? He's been pretty good, classy player who has shown a lot more than Kersten. I don't get it.

He is emergency. If there needs to be a late replacement then he will play, otherwise he gets a rest. They obviously want Enright to get a rest no matter what. I think you will see this happen a bit where the player that is 1st emergency is someone that they want to rest (with a small chance that they are a late inclusion).

 

[Lewy]

Keep in mind they were supposedly "managing" Menzel by playing him in the VFL for the first two rounds.

They weren't managing Menzel, he just was not ready to play at AFL level. He had been injured and they needed to get game time into him. Managing is the opposite, it is about resting someone that has had too much game time and the body needs a rest.

 

[Daniel McL]

Calling it: Menzel will kick 7+ Goals

 

[Stig_90]

You seriously still believe team line ups?

Well they don't just pick names out of a hat to determine position, so I think naming him on the ball has to mean something even if he doesn't run into the square before the bounce on Saturday.

 

[Rondog]

Calling it: Menzel will kick 7+ Goals

There is no one there really to stop him? Expecting 3 min. Tomahawk could kick 1/2 doz. My money is on him for top goal scorer....Obviously.

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

So if he plays well it's what is expected. Does that mean no one gets promoted then, because playing well at VFL is expected?

Looking forward to Murdoch and Cockatoo's combined 12 touches and 0 tackles this week.

When will you give this up? For 3 years youve bleated on about this bloke being a gun. He didnt get a game last year in the midfield even when our midfield got flogged. He's not gonna play midfield this year unless there is a spate of injuries. He's not even an emergency. He is a slow, fumbling weak through the core, one dimensional player. And no amount of you bagging his team mates will change that. So give it up Partridge. Pick a new young gun to barrack for, and embrace that he's heading down a "captaining the 2's, will play when we are smashed by injuries, is a great clubman to have around the place" kind of player.

 

[Lester Burnham]

They weren't managing Menzel, he just was not ready to play at AFL level. He had been injured and they needed to get game time into him. Managing is the opposite, it is about resting someone that has had too much game time and the body needs a rest.

I think there is a bit of both with Menzel. His preseason was interrupted so his fitness might not be top notch but he's also coming off a long series of injuries. I still have concerns about his mobility. Against Brisbane he slotted a really good goal then he got a set shot opportunity not long after and was immediately looking to dish it off. He ended up spraying the kick. Just suggested to me that his body is not right. That being said, I love the bloke, and he's been selected again. Hope he kicks a bag.

 

[FredLeDeux]

When will you give this up? For 3 years youve bleated on about this bloke being a gun. He didnt get a game last year in the midfield even when our midfield got flogged. He's not gonna play midfield this year unless there is a spate of injuries. He's not even an emergency. He is a slow, fumbling weak through the core, one dimensional player. And no amount of you bagging his team mates will change that. So give it up Partridge. Pick a new young gun to barrack for, and embrace that he's heading down a "captaining the 2's, will play when we are smashed by injuries, is a great clubman to have around the place" kind of player.

Hang on, are you saying you don't think he's any good?

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

Hang on, are you saying you don't think he's any good?

hahahaha
i actually think he could be a David Cameron type forward pocket. He has good hands and a knack for finding the goals. But he is a small bodied mid in comparison to Selwood, Danger, Caddy etc. He doesnt have the pace to get away with "not being a bull". And whether its because that lack of pace means he is under more perceived pressure, or because he just has poor hands, either way - he fumbles. He is not the best decision maker either. Put simply - GHS is not a mid.
Not ahead of

Selwood
Selwood
Blicavs
Dangerfield
Bartel
Duncan
Caddy
Motlop
Cockatoo
Lang
Guthrie


And thats leaving out Murdoch and Gregson who will at times run through the midfield as well.

 

[Vdubs]

hahahaha
i actually think he could be a David Cameron type forward pocket. He has good hands and a knack for finding the goals. But he is a small bodied mid in comparison to Selwood, Danger, Caddy etc. He doesnt have the pace to get away with "not being a bull". And whether its because that lack of pace means he is under more perceived pressure, or because he just has poor hands, either way - he fumbles. He is not the best decision maker either. Put simply - GHS is not a mid.
Not ahead of

Selwood
Selwood
Blicavs
Dangerfield
Bartel
Duncan
Caddy
Motlop
Cockatoo
Lang
Guthrie


And thats leaving out Murdoch and Gregson who will at times run through the midfield as well.

We have good depth really, don't you think?

 

[Moggy]

I think people massively over-estimate the impact that seeing "McCarthy (8 games) Kolodjashnij (15 games) both rested" would have on the opposition.
Would they even have heard of these players?

Saying that, I think LMc has performed pretty well so far and doesn't deserved to be omitted on the basis of form.

 

[StonedCat]

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and make a bold prediction......

Geelong will win

That is all...go on...move along...nothing else to see here

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Not ahead of

Selwood
Selwood
Blicavs
Dangerfield
Bartel
Duncan
Caddy
Motlop
Cockatoo
Lang
Guthrie

This is why I truly don't know how when he'll get a game, he's got a lot of mids ahead of him. He's fortunate Menegola and Selwood are injured, I like him but atm I wouldn't confidently put money on him playing more than a max of 5-6 games at senior level this season.

I can probably see him getting a run if they, like Enright this weekend, rest a Bartel or a Duncan or a Caddy etc.

 

[vinum coupe]

When will you give this up? For 3 years youve bleated on about this bloke being a gun. He didnt get a game last year in the midfield even when our midfield got flogged. He's not gonna play midfield this year unless there is a spate of injuries. He's not even an emergency. He is a slow, fumbling weak through the core, one dimensional player. And no amount of you bagging his team mates will change that. So give it up Partridge. Pick a new young gun to barrack for, and embrace that he's heading down a "captaining the 2's, will play when we are smashed by injuries, is a great clubman to have around the place" kind of player.

I don't know if he's called him a gun. I think he's just said he's knocked on the door through VFL form, a lot.
It's a bit like before the 05 ashes when I was screaming for mike Hussey to be in the team.
Smashing hundreds, triple centuries in county cricket.

But Nup, we waited til that series was over, and gave him a shot the next year.
Some guys earn their shot. And ghs is one.

 

[David the Cat]

I'm happy to gift games to Cockatoo......sometimes these things have to be done when you see an obviously talented young player.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

I'm happy to gift games to Cockatoo......sometimes these things have to be done when you see an obviously talented young player.

Good way to go if you want another Murdoch.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Good way to go if you want another Murdoch.

.... or it could be another Blicavs. That's working out quite well wouldn't you say?

 

[Goggin Our Best]

I feel a bit sorry for Jake Kolo ( who is the future of the club)

If you go back to that game late in the season against the Swans - when the Cats had a very good win

Jake Kolo had a superb game playing on Adam Goodes - outmarked him at times in a one on one - moved well and played very well - even had a shot on goal in the last qtr - he was developing very nicely

So what do Geelong do ( and stifle Jake Kolos development at the same time ) they recruit a failed Carlton hack - no correction - a failed slow Carlton hack in Henderson

Very dissappointed to see Jake Kolo out of the side

 

[Biggy_Boy]

I feel a bit sorry for Jake Kolo ( who is the future of the club)

If you go back to that game late in the season against the Swans - when the Cats had a very good win

Jake Kolo had a superb game playing on Adam Goodes - outmarked him at times in a one on one - moved well and played very well - even had a shot on goal in the last qtr - he was developing very nicely

So what do Geelong do ( and stifle Jake Kolos development at the same time ) they recruit a failed Carlton hack - no correction - a failed slow Carlton hack in Henderson

Very dissappointed to see Jake Kolo out of the side

As well as Jake played in that Sydney game last year, he was our worst tall back in the Brisbane game. Recruiting Henderson wasn't a matter of replacing Kolo in the side; it was a matter of covering for the upcoming losses of Lonergan (32) and Taylor (30). Kolo and Henderson will be playing together regularly in the long-term, but the side can't afford to carry four talls down back at the moment, and thus far, Kolo has looked the weakest of them. I wouldn't have been against keeping Lonergan out for the sake of Jake's development. I think Lonergan is the more reliable option for the moment, though, especially when it comes to handling big, strong KPFs.

Jake will get plenty of games this year - probably more than last year - but you can't gift players games when they aren't performing and you have others who can play the role.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

As well as Jake played in that Sydney game last year, he was our worst tall back in the Brisbane game. Recruiting Henderson wasn't a matter of replacing Kolo in the side; it was a matter of covering for the upcoming losses of Lonergan (32) and Taylor (30). Kolo and Henderson will be playing together regularly in the long-term, but the side can't afford to carry four talls down back at the moment, and thus far, Kolo has looked the weakest of them. I wouldn't have been against keeping Lonergan out for the sake of Jake's development. I think Lonergan is the more reliable option for the moment, though, especially when it comes to handling big, strong KPFs.

Jake will get plenty of games this year - probably more than last year - but you can't gift players games when they aren't performing and you have others who can play the role.

I think Lonergan is our best option for Daniher, certainly the closest to his height. Maybe there's just no match up for Kolo this round with Taylor and Henderson?

I'd say Hendo goes to Brown and Taylor is the loose sweeper.

 

[David the Cat]

I think Lonergan is our best option for Daniher, certainly the closest to his height. Maybe there's just no match up for Kolo this round with Taylor and Henderson?

I'd say Hendo goes to Brown and Taylor is the loose sweeper.

If thats the case, Harry will have a picnic.

 

[dazbroncos]

Bit Yes Ministerish!

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