which team matches up against us best

[geelong_crazy26]

I think that it is collingwood, I say collingwood because I beleive that they really did test as twice last year when we were playing good football, some will say hawthorn but I just put it down to the fact that we weren't playing well when they have defeated us.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I think that it is collingwood, I say collingwood because I beleive that they really did test as twice last year when we were playing good football, some will say hawthorn but I just put it down to the fact that we weren't playing well when they have defeated us.

I'd say Hawthorn because they've beaten us the last three times. They're style of game doesn't suit our style

 

[PremiersAtLast]

Collingwood and Hawthorn both hard to separate for me.

 

[Brasil2007]

I wouldn't say Collingwood - both games we played against them last year were close only because of poor kicking on our part (I think Moons kicked something like 1.6 in the first game and we kicked 3.8 in the third quarter in the second game).

I'd actually pick Adelaide in terms of the recent past. Personally I thought that was close to our best (ie most satisfying) win for the year last year. Even when we've played them at Skilled they've played well against us (remember that weird game in 2005?) Whether Adelaide will be as good this year is another story...

We had the wood on the Hawks for a number of years, and our loss last year - 4 points at a ground we'd never been to before - wasn't exactly earthshattering.

 

[DanA]

for 08....Hawthorn & Brisbane

 

[geelong_crazy26]

for 08....Hawthorn & Brisbane

brisbane ?

I really think people need to keep in mind that when we played hawthorn in the last 3 games we werent playing good footy.

 

[martyk]

Collingwood EASILY. Why? We played them twice when we were at our peak, and they stopped our game both times.

Hawthorn? Nah. They beat us by a kick or so on a dodgy windy Tasmanian ground when we were playing rubbish football early '07, before that in round 22 of '06 when none of the list gave a dam what was happening. If we had played the Hawks second half of '07 they would have got a belting like everyone else. They're defense would never have managed.

A stopping game is required to defeat Geelong... FACT. Our use of the corridor is so far superior than all other clubs, you can't compete if attempting to play a similar style. Collingwood play a very good game V Cats, which blocks both ends of the corridor.... very effective if they're on the ball. Personally I hate the Collingwood style of using the wings in a keepings-off style pansy game, but very effective against us.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Collingwood EASILY. Why? We played them twice when we were at our peak, and they stopped our game both times.

Hawthorn? Nah. They beat us by a kick or so on a dodgy windy Tasmanian ground when we were playing rubbish football early '07, before that in round 22 of '06 when none of the list gave a dam what was happening. If we had played the Hawks second half of '07 they would have got a belting like everyone else. They're defense would never have managed.

A stopping game is required to defeat Geelong... FACT. Our use of the corridor is so far superior than all other clubs, you can't compete if attempting to play a similar style. Collingwood play a very good game V Cats, which blocks both ends of the corridor.... very effective if they're on the ball. Personally I hate the Collingwood style of using the wings in a keepings-off style pansy game, but very effective against us.

As I said, Hawthorn? Round 3, 2006 - we were on fire, did we play badly? Or did Hawthorn make us play badly? Either way they have beaten us the last three times. That surely can't be ignored

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

I think it has been shown that Hawthorn test you. To say you weren't playing well when we beat you, could show that we do match up well and can shut you down. Collingwood, well people look at the finals last year and 'think wow they got within a kick of Geelong', but really, in my opinion, think they got you on a good week, you were coming off a week break (two if you take into account the North game), big crowd, pressure to make GF. I think that any side who played you in the GF would have copped a pantsing.

This year, Hawthorn and St Kilda will stretch you. Have the tall forwards to test your defence, which is the key to your team. Stop your defencive run ans you go a long way to beating you. Hawks have Franklin, Roughead, Williams and Boyle, Saints have Kossie, Gehrig and Riewoldt.

 

[martyk]

As I said, Hawthorn? Round 3, 2006 - we were on fire, did we play badly? Or did Hawthorn make us play badly? Either way they have beaten us the last three times. That surely can't be ignored

I guess it depends how far back you want to take it. Thompson had us playing a defensive stop start game in '06, which didn't gel with the team at all. The way we played in '07 was totally different. Collingwood is still the most legitimate contender. We were punishing teams every week (avg winning margin 39 points in '07) but we couldn't break them, AT OUR BEST! We were losing to everyone in '06 and our form early in '07 was terrible.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

I think it has been shown that Hawthorn test you. To say you weren't playing well when we beat you, could show that we do match up well and can shut you down. Collingwood, well people look at the finals last year and 'think wow they got within a kick of Geelong', but really, in my opinion, think they got you on a good week, you were coming off a week break (two if you take into account the North game), big crowd, pressure to make GF. I think that any side who played you in the GF would have copped a pantsing.

This year, Hawthorn and St Kilda will stretch you. Have the tall forwards to test your defence, which is the key to your team. Stop your defencive run ans you go a long way to beating you. Hawks have Franklin, Roughead, Williams and Boyle, Saints have Kossie, Gehrig and Riewoldt.

but it wasn't just in those games we played against hawthorn were we played poorly, we had a terrible o6 and we couldnt beat the dogs or north at the start of last year

 

[martyk]

I think it has been shown that Hawthorn test you.

Although results support your point of late, if we'd had the opportunity in the 2nd half of the season, Hawks would have copped a hammering. No way that defense you've got would have stopped our forwards... no chance. We had you covered all over the ground.. Don't forget you lost (in the finals) to the side who got pumped by over 100 points by the GF loser, Roos. I feel uncomfortable when we're playing Collingwood.

 

[BigBadCam]

They only resason Collingwood always look good against us is because they beat this team by more than 100 points. It gives them a mental edge. The team that I think matches up well on us is Adelaide. They've got the running defenders to worry us and a multi pronged forward line. With the Roo gone now though, we would dominate in the middle. We play a similar game to the Crows of the last few years. Gary Ayres being at Geelong and Adelaide, and our current fitness coach being an ex crow might have something to do with this.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Although results support your point of late, if we'd had the opportunity in the 2nd half of the season, Hawks would have copped a hammering. No way that defense you've got would have stopped our forwards... no chance. We had you covered all over the ground.. Don't forget you lost (in the finals) to the side who got pumped by over 100 points by the GF loser, Roos. I feel uncomfortable when we're playing Collingwood.

I have facts, you have could of's. I'm just saying that based on results, we have shown we can test you and beat you. This year we will be better as Williams will be back, Franklin and Roughead are maturing, and our young list have finally played finals. You forward line isn't that great, it is your midfield and defence that win you games (which I know sounds stupid seeing as you kicked big scores). Mooney, Stevie johnson, Stokes and Chappy are guns, but in reality probably suits our defence more than say Stkilda's which is bigger.

In saying that, still think you will win the flag again this year. I'm pushing more for us next year.

 

[cancat]

Collingwood EASILY. Why? We played them twice when we were at our peak, and they stopped our game both times.

Hawthorn? Nah. They beat us by a kick or so on a dodgy windy Tasmanian ground when we were playing rubbish football early '07, before that in round 22 of '06 when none of the list gave a dam what was happening. If we had played the Hawks second half of '07 they would have got a belting like everyone else. They're defense would never have managed.

A stopping game is required to defeat Geelong... FACT. Our use of the corridor is so far superior than all other clubs, you can't compete if attempting to play a similar style. Collingwood play a very good game V Cats, which blocks both ends of the corridor.... very effective if they're on the ball. Personally I hate the Collingwood style of using the wings in a keepings-off style pansy game, but very effective against us.

The only reason Collingwood got anywhere near us in the prelim final was down to disgraceful umpiring.

The Dawks beat is narrowly in Tassie when we weren't playing well.

If we play at our best there is no team that comes close right now. If we are off our game then there are 14 teams that could beat us.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Hawks and Pies, going by last year's form (and the last 2 years, to be fair).

 

[catattack007]

Although results support your point of late, if we'd had the opportunity in the 2nd half of the season, Hawks would have copped a hammering. No way that defense you've got would have stopped our forwards... no chance. We had you covered all over the ground.. Don't forget you lost (in the finals) to the side who got pumped by over 100 points by the GF loser, Roos.

I could have sworn we won the Grand Final, oh well dont mind me, carry on

 

[DanA]

brisbane ?

I really think people need to keep in mind that when we played hawthorn in the last 3 games we werent playing good footy.

Brisbane look very very good to me. They have a well balanced team with perhaps a weak forwardline but with J.Brown it will never be bad.|There midfeild/Rucks are phenominal, possibly has more depth than ours.

Charman, Leuenburger, McDonald, Black, Adcock, Lappin, Power, Selwood, T.Johnson, Notting, Rischelli Sherman, Proud all look good at AFL level.

I think they are contenders this year.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Brisbane look very very good to me. They have a well balanced team with perhaps a weak forwardline but with J.Brown it will never be bad.|There midfeild/Rucks are phenominal, possibly has more depth than ours.

Charman, Leuenburger, McDonald, Black, Adcock, Lappin, Power, Selwood, T.Johnson, Notting, Rischelli Sherman, Proud all look good at AFL level.

I think they are contenders this year.

Brisbane are nowhere. Whilst they played well at times they were also at times, exceedingly average. Take Jonathon Brown out and they are bottom 4 material. What is their backline? Not a contender by a long stretch and absolutely no threat to us

 

[DanA]

Brisbane are nowhere. Whilst they played well at times they were also at times, exceedingly average. Take Jonathon Brown out and they are bottom 4 material. What is their backline? Not a contender by a long stretch and absolutely no threat to us

Well I would put there midfeild in the top 4 for the league and the forwardline has Brown which automatically makes it dangerous but it is there weakness.

I actually rate their backline as not too bad. Merritt, Drummond and Stiller although are young improved massively last year and are very underrated in my opinion. Then if you add Bradshaw there is a respectable foundation for a backline. Joel McDonald looked promising when he came back from knee injury. It's definitely not the worst backline in the league.

They played pretty well in the 2nd half of the season with Adcock in the middle. I am picking the to finish top 4.

 

[bingle]

It seems the majority people are thinking Hawks/Pies which is no surprise however it will be interesting to see where both the Cats and Hawks are come round 17 when they first clash(rediculous scheduling)
I would've said Bulldogs up until R16 last season when we embarrassed them. It just goes to show that when we're in form like that it doesn't really matter about bogy sides.
I do however worry a bit more about Pies than Hawks when we play them, when we're red hot we'll destroy Hawthorn however we couldn't do that to Pies in prelim.

 

[privatopia]

The only reason Collingwood got anywhere near us in the prelim final was down to disgraceful umpiring.

Poor kicking for goal because we pushed you wider? We attacked your gameplan head on? Massive defensive pressure? Too much handballing and an insistence on attacking the corridor and a lack of adaptability?

No, just desgraceful umpiring

 

[TheTimeCometh]

maybe those things private, but does that mean they shoulda been 10+ goal wins instead of 16 & 5 if we hadda "adapted"?

hmmm

 

[winty]

As I said, Hawthorn? Round 3, 2006 - we were on fire, did we play badly? Or did Hawthorn make us play badly? Either way they have beaten us the last three times. That surely can't be ignored

I think for some reason we always deviate from our normal game plan whenever we play Hawthorn. Whether that's because Hawthorn make us do that, or, as was the case in round 4 last year, the coaching staff predicts a different type of game and we adjust accordingly and try and play a game plan we're just not used to.

I agree with whoever said that if we played Hawthorn in the latter stages of the season we'd have thumped them. I would love to see us have a shoot-out with them in Round 17. I'd back our team in to beat them in a shoot-out any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

 

[privatopia]

maybe those things private, but does that mean they shoulda been 10+ goal wins instead of 16 & 5 if we hadda "adapted"?

hmmm

Well yes! Thats footy. I'm not here to troll, just tired of people saying it was a close match purely because of umpiring - its an arrogant, closed-minded cop-out. I'm sure most realistic Cats fans would agree.

I've watched it since, great game, but the subjects been done to death so I'll shuttup! Just looking forward to some more good contests this season.