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

[dazbroncos]

I'm too hungry at the moment to read anything more than a paragraph vinum.
I'm in a rush, I got two left over Frankfurts or I cut up some salami and fry it with a couple of eggs on toast, which one shall it be?

It was 4 very short sentences.

But yes, get some food.

Clearly you need it.

GO Catters

 

[Live in hope]

Think the MC has selected the best team in their view to beat the bombers, whilst recognising they have to use these games to rotate at least one of the oldies.

Need Domsey * as match up for Daniher
Bombers are quickish hence smaller backline and bringing back Murdoch and keep Nakia. Also why Bews an emergency. Also why GHS not an option for this game. When Bartel out GHS will come in (this is the long term plan as well)


* the big conundrum is - who will handle the monsters when Domsey is gone? Big problem for us. No one else on list can.

 

[Partridge]

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.

Nice insane illogical rant.

Never said he was a gun. I think he's got promise. Still do.

Above all - I'll think what I fecking want.

 

[iameviljez]

I still think a 90 point win is par. I'd live with 70. 40 and I'll be a bit pissed off.

Yeah, 40 is probably unders on current form but I think 90 as par is a bit of a stretch. They have played three games, for two interstate 10-goal losses and a 2-goal win, so expecting a 15-goal win may be setting the bar a little high on exposed H&A form.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

and that's why Clark is only two weeks away, and will remain so until round 20 ....

Money and Hawkins were battling for a position at the end of the season that year.
We might have that at both ends of the ground this year with the key backs and forwards.

 

[Daniel McL]

I'm too hungry at the moment to read anything more than a paragraph vinum.
I'm in a rush, I got two left over Frankfurts or I cut up some salami and fry it with a couple of eggs on toast, which one shall it be?

Both

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

Think the MC has selected the best team in their view to beat the bombers, whilst recognising they have to use these games to rotate at least one of the oldies.

Need Domsey * as match up for Daniher
Bombers are quickish hence smaller backline and bringing back Murdoch and keep Nakia. Also why Bews an emergency. Also why GHS not an option for this game. When Bartel out GHS will come in (this is the long term plan as well)


* the big conundrum is - who will handle the monsters when Domsey is gone? Big problem for us. No one else on list can.

I think Henderson will be able to grow to that role. He hasn't been as flashy as the other recruits but he's done his job so far. He's done well on his opponent as well as running off to spoil other opponents.
And his kicking is very good as he gets more confident he will get more of the ball.

Once lonergon does retire we will realise how good he's been. We can't expect each player that replaces a champion in the team to be as good as that player. Given time collectively they can fill the void.

I know it's early in the season but all of our older players are playing good enough that I don't see any need for them to retire this year. Be interesting to see how they look at the end of the year. But after moving on a lot of vets over the last couple of years the balance is very good now.
And those that are here now are leaders and very much put the team first on and off the field.

 

[dazbroncos]

I think Henderson will be able to grow to that role. He hasn't been as flashy as the other recruits but he's done his job so far. He's done well on his opponent as well as running off to spoil other opponents.
And his kicking is very good as he gets more confident he will get more of the ball.

Once lonergon does retire we will realise how good he's been. We can't expect each player that replaces a champion in the team to be as good as that player. Given time collectively they can fill the void.

I know it's early in the season but all of our older players are playing good enough that I don't see any need for them to retire this year. Be interesting to see how they look at the end of the year. But after moving on a lot of vets over the last couple of years the balance is very good now.
And those that are here now are leaders and very much put the team first on and off the field.

Agreed. Domsy, for all his limitations, will leave a hole.

He is remarkably strong. His job on Cloke in 2011 GF after getting off the chain on HT should never be forgotten. Long on the tooth now and time is catching him but much like Zac Dawson, gets it done wen he needs to. ( and yes Domsy is way better IMO than Dawson and not 1/2 as classless).

I bought a match worn and signed Domsy jumper because of that game. ( not from that game.. I wish...)

GO Catters

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Very sensible to rest Boris - amazing player in fantastic form , so vital we keep him fresh for the business end of the season
Kolo - probably rested if the posters who wrote he had treatment and spent time in the rooms are correct.
Lang - hope he spends some time on the ball to take advantage of his great preseason
Cocky - likewise , let him have a spell in the guts to find a bit more of the footy
Domsy - has to be in to curb big Joey D

Looking for a 4 quarter clinical dissection this week , if we do that the result and % will follow

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

I think in thinking about whether players are picked or left out, we as supporters need to remember a few key things.

1. We dont see what happens Monday to Friday. They are asking players to do specific and intricate things within a game. Those things are small percentages that the highly experienced and expert coaching team believe will come together to make a whole that is capable, if executed correctly will beat the opposition. Kersten being a great example. We as supporters (me included) think he doesnt do enough. Spills marks, doesnt crash enough packs and misses getable goals. But from all reports, the coaching staff are stoked that he's "doing the job theyve been asking him to"

2. Any given AFL team is made up of a variety of shapes, sizes and physical attributes and gifts. You cant have 22 blokes that are 6ft6. Its one of the amazing things about our game - that Sandilands can potentially be in a marking duel with Caleb Daniel - and if that ball hits the ground or is kicked to advantage - will dictate the outcome of that contest. So when discussing a guy like Murdoch, you simply cant ignore the face that he is 6ft3 in the old. He has pace to burn, and has shown in the past the ability to kick clutch goals. So when it comes to "why isnt GHS/Cowan et el playing ahead of Murdoch" Sadly for them, its because Murdoch has physical attributes the coaching staff want in the side. And a track record of producing. Granted if he stinks it up for long enough he'll go out, but he will get more leeway than others due to his unique height/pace combination.

3.Doctors and Physios. Just because you may have had a hammy injury playing for Leopld reserves - that doesnt mean you have an insight into AFL standard management. These guys have their entire bodies tested and tested and recorded on an almost daily basis. Every part of their diet is pretty much governed. When a guy is "managed" - its about more than just "he looks a bit tired lets give the boy a spell. That "spell" comes on the back of specific data, science, blood and sugar etc testing. Each body type is different. And what works to get Joel Selwood fit, and what percentage he needs to be at to be effective is vastly different to what Mitch Clark needs for example. So when looking at a guy like Menzel for example, supporters were just about tearing up their memberships because he was in the VFL while Kersten ran around in the 1's. Reality is that the doctors/scientists/physios would have been all over Menzels testing, scans, blood work, and known that he physically wasnt up to competing at the level required in the first 2 games.

I could go on but hopefully some of you get the point. So when looking at selection, trust that we arent looking at Anglesea footy club rooms on a Thursday night over a $12 roast as the coach reads out the side, and we wonder why Johnno kicked 5 in the 2's and didnt get promoted. Understand that there are a million things we dont see or quite frankly understand that go into selection, and that a guy like Chris Scott who has the best medical and fitness guys around him, while also being a Premiership player and coach, probably knows what he's doing. Ahead of us, with our footy knowledge that we've gleaned from watching the Winners rebooted and AFL 360.

If the bolded is true I'm mounting a coup to get rid of the Coaching Staff.............
I think the first part is right - he's not doing enough but if he can carry on with the last quarter form V Lions he might start justifying his selection

 

[Catsmaninamerica]

Nice insane illogical rant.

Never said he was a gun. I think he's got promise. Still do.

Above all - I'll think what I fecking want.

hahahaha and thats why we love you!

 

[Turbocat]

Good way to go if you want another Murdoch.

Biggy surely you would agree that all players are different. Murdoch and NC are different players.. If playing a heap of games in VFL made all the players more likely to succeed then id be all for it...but is it? Will GHS become a player in the AFL because of his heap of games..(Michael Tuck like) or will he just acclimatise to the level , and lock in his deficiencies and never make the jump.

I think most players that come up from u18 have a different mindset , playing a different game..and have to learn it..but most probably have a VFL body..and struggle with the bigger bodies. Gregson (maybe due to his background) stepped straight in.. Mackie seemed to take quite a time from memory. Every case is different , and there is no perfect method. However one adage is often repeated.. players need a seasoned body and need a bank of game eg. 50/75 , before being more than an inconsistent fringe player .. ...so from my pov , the sooner he gets those games and learns..the better.

 

[Seeds]

Define ordinary... your definition.

I thought he's been quite good playing his role down back.

Reading the play poorly and not getting to enough contests and losing contact with his opponent too often.

 

[maculosus]

Just the Spurs fans, c2r had me stumped for a while.

COYS

 

[BlightysCats]

Looking for another big one from Kersten to really start having the confidence he can play at AFL level. I'd also love Cocky to take a run and kick a Michael Long circa '93' GF type goal.

 

[Boxhead_31]

We are lucky we are playing them twice.

But if we were playing them once % would be critical on Saturday.
Let's say we take it easy, win by 45.
But all our peers take the sword to Essendon. That's just wasted percentage.
An opportunity lost.

I still think a 90 point win is par. I'd live with 70. 40 and I'll be a bit pissed off.

 

[Pivo]

I remember seeing that ad and thinking Clarko's quote needs to be thrown back at Hawk supporters.

 

[Turbocat]

Nice insane illogical rant.

Never said he was a gun. I think he's got promise. Still do.

Above all - I'll think what I fecking want.

I agree GeorgeHS has a huge amount of potential... if he could just work his way into the side. How does he do it..thats the question. Every time a slow player goes out , we seem to replace him with more pace. When Bartel goes , he is not really playing that much on ball any more. Could we play Danger or Selwood more elsewhere... and bring him in. If givin the same sort of handling some other are given , can he become a legit best 22 at Geelong? Or will he end up elsewhere? Id have thought , a game V the Dons would have been ideal.

 

[Turbocat]

.... till you have your place locked in the 8 , top 4 by multiple games...then its time to rest a player or two... Thanks Ross.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Geelong is paying $1.03 for the win tomorrow.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I remember seeing that ad and thinking Clarko's quote needs to be thrown back at Hawk supporters.

Chappyuk STP18 chefmeister can you confirm this is now our standard response to the bottom feeders?

 

[ChappyUK]

Chappyuk STP18 chefmeister can you confirm this is now our standard response to the bottom feeders?

Just tested it out.

 

[longtimecat]

I agree GeorgeHS has a huge amount of potential... if he could just work his way into the side. How does he do it..thats the question. Every time a slow player goes out , we seem to replace him with more pace. When Bartel goes , he is not really playing that much on ball any more. Could we play Danger or Selwood more elsewhere... and bring him in. If givin the same sort of handling some other are given , can he become a legit best 22 at Geelong? Or will he end up elsewhere? Id have thought , a game V the Dons would have been ideal.

Horrible idea, leave Danger and Sel right in the guts, at least we are getting clearances for the first time in years.

 

[Seeds]

This thread is reading a lot like the Melbourne pre match thread last year. This is a tougher game than Brisbane last week who were playing interstate with their three best mids out.

 

[Turbocat]

Horrible idea, leave Danger and Sel right in the guts, at least we are getting clearances for the first time in years.

We do not play him/them in the middle all the time now... but Im certainly not saying its something we must do but the way to get a really deep midfield is to expose the role to your less lights.... then go to your A team when required.