Some of the good sides are getting better......

[Sttew]

How is Geelong going to counter these improvements in their most fierce rivals of 2009?

Geelong is not meant to be able to counter improvements in the other top 4 sides. The system doesn't allow a dominant side to continue to dominate. That's why you don't see Geelong active in trading

 

[The Donners]

Bulldogs. FInished top four and seem to be getting closer to that grand final berth each year. They now have that power forward and a game style that will make the most of it.

Bulldogs will never win a flag.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

A few injuries to some key players next year (ie Ablett, Stevie J, Scarlett) and you'll be happy to make top 4.

All of these players had injuries this year (note: injuries - plural). As well as Ottens, Chapman, Hunt, Harley, Taylor, Kelly, Ling and Milburn all missing around a month or more during the year. And the Cats dropped all the way to 18-4. By the same token, you could say if the Cats have a bit more luck with injuries (they certainly didn't have a good run this year), they could improve their W-L ratio next year.

 

[sainter35]

The gap between Geelong and "the rest" is now non existant.

The Cats "awesome depth" was shown this year as.....not so awesome IMHO the Dogs shouldve knocked them off twice but for poor finishing....

They'll be up there again but I also wouldnt be putting the house on them to catch Brisbanes huge record of 3....

 

[JeffDunne]

The way Geelong fans are carrying on post the GF you'd think they went 22-zip in H&A and won the flag by a record margin.

 

[bulletproof]

Ahead? Possibly. Miles ahead? No. Get your head out of your arse. Geelong have very good personel but regardless their forward isn't top knotch and teams found holes in their backline this year as proven by more losses in your home and away season. A few injuries to some key players next year (ie Ablett, Stevie J, Scarlett) and you'll be happy to make top 4. The gap between Geelong and the rest of the competition has closed considerably.

Western Bulldogs, Saints, Adelaide, Collingwood will all be pressing for top four again. You can't write off the Hawks after the horrible 09 they had and the Blues may still be "coming". While Geelong are still great, I wouldn't be putting any hard earned on them at the start of the year

4 games clear of fifth saw us pretty comfortably ensconced in the top 4 and especially when viewed through the fact we won our first 12 and clearly were under a tight hold in second half of year.

Obviously the gap has closed (through coaching innovations, teams being hungrier, fresher, in full health) but there is still a huge gap in the calibre of our players and the rest of the league. Just look at the record over the last 3 years.

If Geelong has a weak forward line, I would love to see a strong one. Chapman and Johnson are two of the finest forwards in the league.

I respect the threat of our opposition but I am just saying that Geelong would not be concerned about a team picking up individual players, because they will still face a gap in personnel quality at the moment. Perhaps in time this will close or perhaps in time a team will be better in the day (like Hawthorn were) but right now a few player movements won’t worry us. As long as they are not our players moving.

 

[JeffDunne]

Geelong are one Gary Ablett knee injury away from the rest of the field.

 

[saintsrule]

You seem to have misunderstood me. I was disagreeing with the comment that Essendon is dropping Lovett because they don't believe he has potential on the field. Didn't I say a change of environment could do him a world of good?

Sorry, wasn't disagreeing with what you were disagreeing with. Just hadn't refreshed. Was disagreeing with gc26 to start with, then things became disagreeable
Yes, Geelong have indeed done well in developing young players. Having persevered with one coach for 10 years paid off (with the help of certain F/S picks). We can only wish.

 

[Durham Hawks]

all the top teams are supposedly getting stronger but there's now officially no incentive to tank at the bottom. all positives...

 

[Bambino]

All of these players had injuries this year (note: injuries - plural). As well as Ottens, Chapman, Hunt, Harley, Taylor, Kelly, Ling and Milburn all missing around a month or more during the year. And the Cats dropped all the way to 18-4. By the same token, you could say if the Cats have a bit more luck with injuries (they certainly didn't have a good run this year), they could improve their W-L ratio next year.

Also note I said KEY injuries.
Ottens, Chapman, Ling and Stevie J (who you missed btw) are Key.
Taylor and Kelly are so-so
Hunt, Harley and Milburn are replaceable.

These personal weren't really out for a long period of time except for Ottens and Hunt. You replaced Hunt with Kelly, and you had backup for Ottens by serviceable ruckmen of Blake and Mumford.

Injuries to key posts such as Scarlett and maybe losing 2 of your best 4 mids (Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood) would start to test your depth. Also remember that a long term injury maybe 10-12 weeks requires the person coming back to get back in form. This is highlighted by Johnson's awesome game in the first final but horrible in GF (even though Baker wore him like a glove).

KEY injuries buddy. That word is important

 

[watermelonslice]

The Cats "awesome depth" was shown this year as.....not so awesome IMHO the Dogs shouldve knocked them off twice but for poor finishing....

They'll be up there again but I also wouldnt be putting the house on them to catch Brisbanes huge record of 3....

I wouldn't say we have "awesome" depth, but we have pretty good depth. We suffered various injuries to our side throughout the year and still only lost 4 games.

 

[sainter35]

4 games clear of fifth saw us pretty comfortably ensconced in the top 4 and especially when viewed through the fact we won our first 12 and clearly were under a tight hold in second half of year.

Obviously the gap has closed (through coaching innovations, teams being hungrier, fresher, in full health) but there is still a huge gap in the calibre of our players and the rest of the league. Just look at the record over the last 3 years.

If Geelong has a weak forward line, I would love to see a strong one. Chapman and Johnson are two of the finest forwards in the league.

I respect the threat of our opposition but I am just saying that Geelong would not be concerned about a team picking up individual players, because they will still face a gap in personnel quality at the moment. Perhaps in time this will close or perhaps in time a team will be better in the day (like Hawthorn were) but right now a few player movements won’t worry us. As long as they are not our players moving.

Im always happy to have sides measure themselves on pure "personnel"....I reckon thats how the Cats lost the "unlosable" in 08....

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Also note I said KEY injuries.
Ottens, Chapman, Ling and Stevie J (who you missed btw) are Key.
Taylor and Kelly are so-so
Hunt, Harley and Milburn are replaceable.

These personal weren't really out for a long period of time except for Ottens and Hunt. You replaced Hunt with Kelly, and you had backup for Ottens by serviceable ruckmen of Blake and Mumford.

Injuries to key posts such as Scarlett and maybe losing 2 of your best 4 mids (Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood) would start to test your depth. Also remember that a long term injury maybe 10-12 weeks requires the person coming back to get back in form. This is highlighted by Johnson's awesome game in the first final but horrible in GF (even though Baker wore him like a glove).

KEY injuries buddy. That word is important

I didn't miss Johnson...you named three players (Ablett, Scarlett, Johnson). I replied that all those three were injured during the season (more than once) and then provided you with a list of other players from the Cats' best 22 who were out for extended periods. Geelong lost Scarlett and Taylor (the two key defenders) during the game against Hawthorn (with Roughead and Buddy playing) and still came back to win.

Can you give me a contending team that wouldn't be affected by losing an AA player out of their spine and two of their top four midfielders?

 

[Dazb86]

To the guy saying Geelong are one Ablett injury away from collapsing I'd have to say I disagree. They are very strong in the midfield area and went through the season with many injuries yet managed to still win the flag.

The saints this year were pretty lucky with injuries and if anything I'd have to say they are one Reiwoldt injury away from being average.

The same could be said of the bulldogs if Lake went down.

IMO the cats team is the best on paper still with a few clubs catching from being well coached. On talent alone Cats are a clear #1.

 

[Bambino]

4 games clear of fifth saw us pretty comfortably ensconced in the top 4 and especially when viewed through the fact we won our first 12 and clearly were under a tight hold in second half of year.

Obviously the gap has closed (through coaching innovations, teams being hungrier, fresher, in full health) but there is still a huge gap in the calibre of our players and the rest of the league. Just look at the record over the last 3 years.

If Geelong has a weak forward line, I would love to see a strong one. Chapman and Johnson are two of the finest forwards in the league.

I respect the threat of our opposition but I am just saying that Geelong would not be concerned about a team picking up individual players, because they will still face a gap in personnel quality at the moment. Perhaps in time this will close or perhaps in time a team will be better in the day (like Hawthorn were) but right now a few player movements won’t worry us. As long as they are not our players moving.

Two things here.

1. Your last 3 years can't be taken into account as we are talking about the present time. Right now at this moment, your list is not far superior that other lists. In 2007 and 2008 yes your list was much stronger but right NOW it is not.

2. I did not say weak forward line, I said not "top knotch". I would prefer St Kilda's over yours, Western Bulldogs (highest scoring and now have Hall) and Adelaide's was phenomenal in the last 5-10 weeks.

I think a previous poster said it best when they said that the salary cap and draft picks make it pretty hard for the top teams to be active come draft time. I'm not knocking your club but you are totally wrong when you think Geelong is miles ahead with their team compared to others

 

[madfootyfan]

The way Geelong fans are carrying on post the GF you'd think they went 22-zip in H&A and won the flag by a record margin.

lol na this geelong fan knows we only lost 4 games for the year and beat the saints by a couple in the GF.. i'll take that any day as i'm sure you would have if your mob had done the same.

 

[JeffDunne]

To the guy saying Geelong are one Ablett injury away from collapsing I'd have to say I disagree..

That would be me except I didn't say anything about 'collapsing'.

Try reading what is written not what you think was written.

 

[Bambino]

I didn't miss Johnson...you named three players (Ablett, Scarlett, Johnson). I replied that all those three were injured during the season (more than once) and then provided you with a list of other players from the Cats' best 22 who were out for extended periods. Geelong lost Scarlett and Taylor (the two key defenders) during the game against Hawthorn (with Roughead and Buddy playing) and still came back to win.

Can you give me a contending team that wouldn't be affected by losing two players out of their spine and two of their top four midfielders?

No I can't. All teams would have big problems losing their top two mids and some of the spine. That's not my point. My point is you have an injury plagued season (if any team did) it would be a great effort to get to top 4 and would test your depth.

By your last comment it appears you agree with me.

 

[JeffDunne]

lol na this geelong fan knows we only lost 4 games for the year and beat the saints by a couple in the GF.. i'll take that any day as i'm sure you would have if your mob had done the same.

No doubt, I'm simply saying the gap isn't as great as some of your fellow supporters would like to believe.

 

[saintsrule]

4 games clear of fifth saw us pretty comfortably ensconced in the top 4 and especially when viewed through the fact we won our first 12 and clearly were under a tight hold in second half of year.

Obviously the gap has closed (through coaching innovations, teams being hungrier, fresher, in full health) but there is still a huge gap in the calibre of our players and the rest of the league. Just look at the record over the last 3 years.
If Geelong has a weak forward line, I would love to see a strong one. Chapman and Johnson are two of the finest forwards in the league.

I respect the threat of our opposition but I am just saying that Geelong would not be concerned about a team picking up individual players, because they will still face a gap in personnel quality at the moment. Perhaps in time this will close or perhaps in time a team will be better in the day (like Hawthorn were) but right now a few player movements won’t worry us. As long as they are not our players moving.

2007 you could argue the case, the comp was way behind. 2008, well no, Hawks were better, when it mattered, even though Cats were way superior in the h/a season. 2009 Saints fell 10 points short after kicking inaccurately, which argument Cats claimed the year before! Where is the so called huge gap now? Saints were better in 2009, if you are judging by games won. 2010, Bulldogs, Hawks uninjured, Pies etc. I think you will find the gap is even smaller.

 

[madfootyfan]

Im always happy to have sides measure themselves on pure "personnel"....I reckon thats how the Cats lost the "unlosable" in 08....

to cocky in 2008 but made up for it in 2009, learnt our lesson pretty quick.. lets see how quick your mob learns its lesson..

 

[SA HAWK]

Don't forget the Crows. They improved a fair bit this year and still have a fair bit of improvement left in them.

They are my tip for next years flag.

 

[boncer34]

The way Geelong fans are carrying on post the GF you'd think they went 22-zip in H&A and won the flag by a record margin.

And the way Saints fans are carrying on you'd think they'd managed to actually win the flag.

Geelong are one Gary Ablett knee injury away from the rest of the field.

St Kilda are one Riewoldt knee injury away from falling back so whats your point?

 

[Zahki]

Next year is undoubtably going to be one of the toughest seasons yet. This year St Kilda and Geelong were clearly the best sides, with Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Adelaide trailing not far behind.

All these teams should either improve, or stay where they are. With Hawthorn coming into the mix again after a horror season the top 4 is possibly going to be up for grabs between 6 teams the entire season. It's really hard to see the top 2 being locked in from round 11 next time around.

Exciting times ahead.

 

[rich_]

Geelong is still a fair way ahead of their rivals on player quality. St Kilda’s style of play, like Hawthorn, nearly brought them undone, but for sheer quality of personnel, Geelong is a mile ahead of them.

What a load of BS.