VFL VFL 2024 - Geelong & the greater league

[bombersboy]

Walking to my car after the match, I asked myself the following in regards to Hawkins,

"Would we have been better off getting to the end of the season asking 'What-IF', compared with playing today and confirming 'What-IS'...

I'm pretty comfortable suggesting that all Geelong fans love Tom, but removing emotion & sentiment from the decision, I don't see Hawkins wearing the hoops again

Looking at Tom coming off the ground it looked like he knew himself as well.

 

[thejester]

He is part of a very tight knit group of young players (dempsey, bruhn, Conway, SDK, Holmes, Knevitt, o henry)…Humprhies has now joined that small group…. And beyond that the younger guys love a lot of the other players…

If Mitch thinks he is a chance of securing a spot in 22 he will stay. But with Smith coming next year and Holmes/Bruhn/Bowes/Atkins all good inside mids along with Danger and Guthrie it is hard to see how he plays his best role in AFL next year?

I hope they manage it well as I have been a massive fan…and the last few VFL games were Dempsey like from 12 months ago

I think the answer is he will play wing in the seniors (initially) with bursts through the middle. Given Tuohy's retirement there's a spot.

 

[CHAWKTS]

From Geelong Addy​

​

CATS IN CONTENTION - SCOUTING NOTES​

Tom Hawkins

Wowed Cats fans with two big moments in the first quarter. His first touch of the footy was a big contested mark in front of his opponent on the wing. Then a few minutes later, he pulled out a classic Hawkins manoeuvre at a forward 50 ruck contest, swatting the big frame of Brayden Crossley

Brayden Crossley

Age

25

Ht

198cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

4.9

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.6

3star

away and snapping through a brilliant goal that had the crowd in raptures. From there he had limited impact, but a lot of that was the fault of his teammates who delivered the ball poorly inside 50. He could have had a few goals, missing two tough set shots from the boundary and a gettable left foot snap in the last quarter, also setting up Mitch Hardie for a goal with a nice pick-up and deft handball. Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Hawkins was his movement around the ground, appearing unaffected by his foot injury, ducking and weaving around an opponent in the third term. Hawkins was better than his numbers suggest, but, unfortunately, it may be the final time we see him in the hoops.

Verdict: Unlikely


Cam Guthrie

Guthrie started his first game since May off halfback but played more through the midfield as the game went on. His third quarter stood out, where he won more of the ball and slotted a set shot after taking a mark on the lead. Guthrie showed some impressive bursts – encouraging considering his achilles issues. However, his legspeed was exposed on one occasion by Jay Lockart in the second quarter when he blitzed away from him into goal. Guthrie’s disposal was poor at times but he had an impact on the inside and outside, laying eight tackles, and also took an eye-catching mark back with the flight in the last quarter. Geelong’s midfield was strong against the Power, but don’t be surprised if Guthrie gets a call-up given their issues throughout the year. There was enough signs there to warrant his selection in an area Geelong has struggled in across the season.

Verdict: 50-50 call


Sam De Koning

Spent most of his time in the ruck and was well beaten in the hitouts by former AFL ruckman Brayden Crossley

Brayden Crossley

Age

25

Ht

198cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

4.9

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.6

3star

, but around the ground was impressive. Some of his best moment came when he pushed behind the ball, taking a few intercept marks, and he showed courage to take a one-handed grab back with the flight on the wing. He displayed some good tapwork and followed up well at ground level, as he has done at AFL level when thrust into the middle. Expect him to come in, but will that be as a ruckman, a key defender, or both?

Verdict: Certain inclusion


Mitch Knevitt

Knevitt needed a mammoth performance to put himself in selection contention and he did just that. The 193cm midfielder did it all - even jumping over the fence to retrieve the ball on the stroke of halftime – with his defensive intent, contested ball-winning, ability to spread and work in traffic standing out. Knevitt was up to 23 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles at halftime and finished with a triple double. The 21-year-old played in their loss to St Kilda in round 23 so it is not out of the question for him to earn an unlikely preliminary berth.

Verdict: Outside chance

 

[kcattatac]

Agree and I was the same pre-draft. Our obsession with drafting falcons has led to a few mistakes… Clark and knevitt both underwhelming but Clark hurts more given he was a top 10

Another drive by on knevitt. Kid was best on again today and can play but you'll never give him any credit. Move on your opinions are getting boring

 

[supahoops]

From Geelong Addy​

​

CATS IN CONTENTION - SCOUTING NOTES​

Tom Hawkins

Wowed Cats fans with two big moments in the first quarter. His first touch of the footy was a big contested mark in front of his opponent on the wing. Then a few minutes later, he pulled out a classic Hawkins manoeuvre at a forward 50 ruck contest, swatting the big frame of Brayden Crossley away and snapping through a brilliant goal that had the crowd in raptures. From there he had limited impact, but a lot of that was the fault of his teammates who delivered the ball poorly inside 50. He could have had a few goals, missing two tough set shots from the boundary and a gettable left foot snap in the last quarter, also setting up Mitch Hardie for a goal with a nice pick-up and deft handball. Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Hawkins was his movement around the ground, appearing unaffected by his foot injury, ducking and weaving around an opponent in the third term. Hawkins was better than his numbers suggest, but, unfortunately, it may be the final time we see him in the hoops.

Verdict: Unlikely


Cam Guthrie

Guthrie started his first game since May off halfback but played more through the midfield as the game went on. His third quarter stood out, where he won more of the ball and slotted a set shot after taking a mark on the lead. Guthrie showed some impressive bursts – encouraging considering his achilles issues. However, his legspeed was exposed on one occasion by Jay Lockart in the second quarter when he blitzed away from him into goal. Guthrie’s disposal was poor at times but he had an impact on the inside and outside, laying eight tackles, and also took an eye-catching mark back with the flight in the last quarter. Geelong’s midfield was strong against the Power, but don’t be surprised if Guthrie gets a call-up given their issues throughout the year. There was enough signs there to warrant his selection in an area Geelong has struggled in across the season.

Verdict: 50-50 call


Sam De Koning

Spent most of his time in the ruck and was well beaten in the hitouts by former AFL ruckman Brayden Crossley, but around the ground was impressive. Some of his best moment came when he pushed behind the ball, taking a few intercept marks, and he showed courage to take a one-handed grab back with the flight on the wing. He displayed some good tapwork and followed up well at ground level, as he has done at AFL level when thrust into the middle. Expect him to come in, but will that be as a ruckman, a key defender, or both?

Verdict: Certain inclusion


Mitch Knevitt

Knevitt needed a mammoth performance to put himself in selection contention and he did just that. The 193cm midfielder did it all - even jumping over the fence to retrieve the ball on the stroke of halftime – with his defensive intent, contested ball-winning, ability to spread and work in traffic standing out. Knevitt was up to 23 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles at halftime and finished with a triple double. The 21-year-old played in their loss to St Kilda in round 23 so it is not out of the question for him to earn an unlikely preliminary berth.

Verdict: Outside chance

Not sure SDK is a certainty, probability would be my take.

 

[kcattatac]

I think the answer is he will play wing in the seniors (initially) with bursts through the middle. Given Tuohy's retirement there's a spot.

He's not a full time winger. Can rotate their but needs time in middle. Problem is our other mids can't play wing so he gets pushed to there

 

[cats_09]

From Geelong Addy​

​

CATS IN CONTENTION - SCOUTING NOTES​

Tom Hawkins

Wowed Cats fans with two big moments in the first quarter. His first touch of the footy was a big contested mark in front of his opponent on the wing. Then a few minutes later, he pulled out a classic Hawkins manoeuvre at a forward 50 ruck contest, swatting the big frame of Brayden Crossley away and snapping through a brilliant goal that had the crowd in raptures. From there he had limited impact, but a lot of that was the fault of his teammates who delivered the ball poorly inside 50. He could have had a few goals, missing two tough set shots from the boundary and a gettable left foot snap in the last quarter, also setting up Mitch Hardie for a goal with a nice pick-up and deft handball. Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Hawkins was his movement around the ground, appearing unaffected by his foot injury, ducking and weaving around an opponent in the third term. Hawkins was better than his numbers suggest, but, unfortunately, it may be the final time we see him in the hoops.

Verdict: Unlikely


Cam Guthrie

Guthrie started his first game since May off halfback but played more through the midfield as the game went on. His third quarter stood out, where he won more of the ball and slotted a set shot after taking a mark on the lead. Guthrie showed some impressive bursts – encouraging considering his achilles issues. However, his legspeed was exposed on one occasion by Jay Lockart in the second quarter when he blitzed away from him into goal. Guthrie’s disposal was poor at times but he had an impact on the inside and outside, laying eight tackles, and also took an eye-catching mark back with the flight in the last quarter. Geelong’s midfield was strong against the Power, but don’t be surprised if Guthrie gets a call-up given their issues throughout the year. There was enough signs there to warrant his selection in an area Geelong has struggled in across the season.

Verdict: 50-50 call


Sam De Koning

Spent most of his time in the ruck and was well beaten in the hitouts by former AFL ruckman Brayden Crossley, but around the ground was impressive. Some of his best moment came when he pushed behind the ball, taking a few intercept marks, and he showed courage to take a one-handed grab back with the flight on the wing. He displayed some good tapwork and followed up well at ground level, as he has done at AFL level when thrust into the middle. Expect him to come in, but will that be as a ruckman, a key defender, or both?

Verdict: Certain inclusion


Mitch Knevitt

Knevitt needed a mammoth performance to put himself in selection contention and he did just that. The 193cm midfielder did it all - even jumping over the fence to retrieve the ball on the stroke of halftime – with his defensive intent, contested ball-winning, ability to spread and work in traffic standing out. Knevitt was up to 23 disposals, 10 clearances and eight tackles at halftime and finished with a triple double. The 21-year-old played in their loss to St Kilda in round 23 so it is not out of the question for him to earn an unlikely preliminary berth.

Verdict: Outside chance

Interesting about SDK and then suggesting he's a certain inclusion - wonder if the writer forgot Stewart is also to return

After last week against Werribee there was a lot of positives about his game, the feeling he was certain to return from a good number (I suggested otherwise based on playing 4 quarters) and then looking forward to how he went today. BUT after today, it seems a bit quieter in regards to him being a certainty to return for the prelim, and the odd question if he wants to be playing - I wouldn't go that far


As for Hawkins, that first contested mark was actually paid as a holding free kick by the umpire

For once the umpire paid Tom a free kick, but in a situation he took the mark

 

[CHAWKTS]

Interesting about SDK and then suggesting he's a certain inclusion - wonder if the writer forgot Stewart is also to return

After last week against Werribee there was a lot of positives about his game, the feeling he was certain to return from a good number (I suggested otherwise based on playing 4 quarters) and then looking forward to how he went today. BUT after today, it seems a bit quieter in regards to him being a certainty to return for the prelim, and the odd question if he wants to be playing - I wouldn't go that far


As for Hawkins, that first contested mark was actually paid as a holding free kick by the umpire

For once the umpire paid Tom a free kick, but in a situation he took the mark

I think certain inclusion feels too strong…as only role left for this year is Ruck. I wonder whether he isn’t fit enough to be number 1 ruck better than Stanley?

Will be sad (for me) if we can’t find a spot for SDK. But MC will have no sentiment

 

[Footy Smarts]

It's SDK vs Stanley surely. You can't mess with the defence with how it's going and you can't go in with 2 rucks on the G given our game style.

I actually think the decision comes down to fitness as much as anything. Was Stanley struggling with injuries early in the year which is why he was so poor and is better now? Or is he still cooked and this week was his one massive effort? Is SDK 100%?

I'd lean towards SDK. But Stanley's last 2 weeks makes it a really tough choice if they're both running on top of the ground.

 

[And_ROOS]

Bews didn't play 1 on 1 with Rioli. Everyone was rotating through him depending on position. The only direct 1 on 1 shut down role was Mullin on JHF when he was forward. I'm taking Guthrie for that general small defender over Bews any day.

No way can you rely on Cam who has a handful of games in 2 years and who isn't a specialist small defender/rebounding defender.

Could understand Cam as a sub incase Neale or Stanley are ineffective in the PF, but absolutely no way do you play Cam that far out of position.

Wing or MF? Absolutely. HB if Duncan is injured is an option too.

Bews can actually defend and I would go with Bews on Papley before Guthrie.

 

[Glen Quagmire]

Geez that Shark #5 is fast - why hasn't he been in the AFL somewhere (or has he?)

Jacob was on Gold Coasts list, was a teammate of Jack Bowes at Cairns Saints.

 

[supahoops]

Cuthrie will train the house down and be the absolute role model for those who miss, as will Hawk. Realistically he may be only a couple of injuries away from a sub role in a GF best case scenario.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Looks like he may not be able to get back into the 1s then?

He was never going to

 

[cats_09]

Cuthrie will train the house down and be the absolute role model for those who miss, as will Hawk. Realistically he may be only a couple of injuries away from a sub role in a GF best case scenario.

Both guys will

Hawkins knows what it's like to be the young up & comer, stepping into the shoes of the premiership veteran

Interestingly and something that's often forgotten or overlooked is the Mooney & Guthrie connection in the 2011 grand final team selection:

• Knowing he'd likely be named an emergency, Mooney spoke to Scott about how realistic his selection chances in the case of a late change and Scott explained he'd be a long shot even as an emergency
• From there, Cam made the suggestion that if he wasn't at all in the selection frame that he'd prefer that spot on the emergency list go to a youngster; give them a taste of grand final week, the parade and such, with what's hopefully to follow in their career

This was our grand final emergencies: Shannon Byrnes, Darren Milburn, Cameron Guthrie

Guthrie hadn't played senior football since round 2 & he would never have been in line to play that day, but he got a taste of what that week was all about


I have no doubt that both players will do absolutely everything they can to ensure the team & teammates are best positioned for what lays ahead

 

[Vdubs]

I would.

He's nowhere near being able to play a final imo.

sub?

 

[Cataholic]

sub?

Not unless we're desperate

 

[Vdubs]

If we're playing Sydney, does Bews get the job on Papley?

Thinking Jed may not lose his spot now we're in the finals

Let's get past GWS first- that'll be massive. They were a bit stuffed after today, but they are imposing. I can see them still beating Brisbane next week

 

[thejester]

He's not a full time winger. Can rotate their but needs time in middle. Problem is our other mids can't play wing so he gets pushed to there

Definitely not his natural position, but I think he's shown enough there at AFL level to get games there. I would hope in a season or two he transitions full time to midfield.

 

[Chinacats]

Anyone can come in? Knevitt racked them up or clohesy ?
They’re speedy and hungry? Don’t mind speed , youth & hunger…
I think Guthrie , Rohan & Hawkins miss the PF.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He's not a full time winger. Can rotate their but needs time in middle. Problem is our other mids can't play wing so he gets pushed to there

Thats because he has a bigger running tank which will be needed when blitz goes. Given i think next year will be blitz last i hope knevitt stays.

 

[Vdubs]

Anyone can come in? Knevitt racked them up or clohesy ?
They’re speedy and hungry? Don’t mind speed , youth & hunger…
I think Guthrie , Rohan & Hawkins miss the PF.

we don't need to change the line-up; hard enough dropping an unlucky player for Stewart . Just heard our prelim is Saturday- 16 days off- unprecedented..!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

It's SDK vs Stanley surely. You can't mess with the defence with how it's going and you can't go in with 2 rucks on the G given our game style.

I actually think the decision comes down to fitness as much as anything. Was Stanley struggling with injuries early in the year which is why he was so poor and is better now? Or is he still cooked and this week was his one massive effort? Is SDK 100%?

I'd lean towards SDK. But Stanley's last 2 weeks makes it a really tough choice if they're both running on top of the ground.

Look id drop blicavs and play both but that wont happen.

On stanley its a valid question. Earlier in the year i thought his knee was cooked and he still might be but he looks much fitter the last month. Maybe with the week off he can get through 2 more finals.

 

[Generalissimo]

Look id drop blicavs and play both but that wont happen.

LOL, what possible basis could there be for dropping Blicavs after his game on Thursday night?

 

[Hamingja]

Would be good if they could organise a scratch match against someone next weekend.

 

[cats_09]

This also happened yesterday - ****, best of luck in recovery, Chuckie