Pre Match: Pies v. Cats - all comments please

[Pied Piper]

O'Bree's been great in his last two games, I don't know how you can drop him swoop, except for some kind of reverse favouritism/discrimination. As for putting in Barham in his place ... ooo-wee. And people complain about Cheesey's foot skills...

[swoop42]

^Yeah he's been good but this is Geelong and I have question marks about his ability to perform at that level against the best opposition.

If Sharrods right I'd replace O'Bree with him and keep Macaffer who I've got earmarked for a big defensive role as I'll discuss later.

Your right question marks over Barham's disposal remain but he's been knocking on the door with his performances the last 3 weeks so expect him to be given another shot soon.

[lanstro]

Geelong are deserved favourites to win the match - if they play at their best and we play at our best I reckon they're currently about 2 goals better.

It'll be a good learning experience win lose or draw for the boys. Our team is younger and are still improving, and may even go past them by September. This is just the first of 2 home & away games against them, and depending on how the finals go, perhaps 2 more finals against them. I'd expect a steady improvement over each of those 2-4 games.

[Monco Matt]

Fraser doesn't seem to like playing the cats.
I have a sneaking suspicion he'd rather wear hoops than stripes!

Just My opine.

Fraser just doesn't perform against quality opposition, not since probably 2003. Fraser + Pressure + Expectation = Skirt of the highest dress size. If he plays Friday night I fear our chances of victory will reduce significantly.

Jollywood produces the only movies I want to see!

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I very much doubt that JA will be dropped. I also trust that the selectors won't be in panic mode as many are on here to make 4 to 5 changes, injuries aside, to a winning line up.

[John Wren]

^Yeah he's been good but this is Geelong and I have question marks about his ability to perform at that level against the best opposition.

If Sharrods right I'd replace O'Bree with him and keep Macaffer who I've got earmarked for a big defensive role as I'll discuss later.

Your right question marks over Barham's disposal remain but he's been knocking on the door with his performances the last 3 weeks so expect him to be given another shot soon.

are you sure you're not mick?

the likes of barham are crucial to the success of the season. he provides that depth and competition for a spot in the side. you'd expect him to get a game in the next 2-4 weeks. may come in for another of our youngsters. even though i don't much like him i hope he does well.

[AN_Inkling]

I very much doubt that JA will be dropped. I also trust that the selectors won't be in panic mode as many are on here to make 4 to 5 changes, injuries aside, to a winning line up.

It's not panic mode. Most of the mooted ins were out due to injury or fitness concerns - Wellingham, Medhurst, Fraser, Presti.

Agree that it's not likely all will come in. But, if they did, it would be first choice players returning from a spell. Not panicked changes for the sake of it.

I'd be tipping Wellingham, Medhurt and Fraser to come in, as they are quite clearly better than the alternatives, as long as they are fit. Presti would have to be a strong chance too, the only doubt being the good form of Brown and Reid.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I think Mick gave the best indication in his presser when he said "posession is 9/10's of the law...yada yada" when queried about other players to come in. To me that suggests, if you manage to miss, then stiff, somebody now has your place and you now have to work damn hard to get it back. I think that is the best way to go given our current situation.

[John Wren]

I think Mick gave the best indication in his presser when he said "posession is 9/10's of the law...yada yada" when queried about other players to come in. To me that suggests, if you manage to miss, then stiff, somebody now has your place and you now have to work damn hard to get it back. I think that is the best way to go given our current situation.

mick has also indicated that all those pressing for selection will get afl game time between now and the break. expect our team to have 1-3 changes each week for the next month.

[Pied Piper]

I tend to think on reflection Wellingham will get a run in the VFL to get back up to match fitness, but I would think Medhurst and Presti are each a monty for selection, emu man. They are simply better options than the present incumbents, as inkling suggested. Wood and O'Bree stay in on form for my money, so it's not about making wholesale changes.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

yeh but that's not 4 to 5

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

sorry, that comment was directed at jmcp

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

I tend to think on reflection Wellingham will get a run in the VFL to get back up to match fitness, but I would think Medhurst and Presti are each a monty for selection, emu man. They are simply better options than the present incumbents, as inkling suggested. Wood and O'Bree stay in on form for my money, so it's not about making wholesale changes.

Agree, although I believe Medhurst would be the only Monty at this stage. So yeh, 1 or 2 changes perhaps, that's as far as I'd go, again, without considering possible injuries.

[swoop42]

One of the key matchups for the big clash.

Travis Cloke & Chris Dawes vs Matthew Scarlett & Harry Taylor
*Well it doesn't get any harder as a forward than going up against the games premier defensive duo. You'd think that Scarlett will take whoever plays the deeper of the two with Geelong having the faith in Taylor to go with Cloke at CHB.

Dawes in particular will face a massive test at still an early stage of his development but he has shown a willingness to work hard and has enough size and strength to worry any defender in a one out situation.
He'll need to be at his very best to make an impact on this match such is the quality of his opponents.

Travis Cloke looks to have finally realised what a monster of a man he is and is starting to physically impose himself on his opponent. This new found belief coupled with his marking, mobility and workrate make him a very difficult opponent for even the best defenders.

He should enter the field of battle on Friday night full of confidence and has the opportunity to take his standing within the wider football community to a new level with another standout performance.

[AN_Inkling]

^^Stan Alves's high of the week?

The form of Travis Cloke.
Made comment about the unfair criticism of a young player when they have a bit of a dip in form. Also mentioned, that even in his "lean" times, he was playing quite well, just not kicking a lot of goals. Stan now rates Trav as one of the best CHFs in the comp.