Pre Qualifying Final. Pies v. Cats. All comments please.

[rambler]

Geez, these next two weeks are gonna be harrowing with all sorts of permutations arising.

[shawthing]

[scoobydoo]

Get in line for your Preliminary tickets.

[What'sinaname]

[RudeBoy]

Out: Moore (inj), Madgen, Thomas, Varcoe

In: Goldsack, Sidey, De Goey, Stephenson

Thomas and Varcoe would be very unlucky to lose their spots, but they would be replaced by clearly better players.

[3rd degree]

Magden will stay in we need the structure.

[Pies2016]

Fun fact -
Since the bye, the Cats have only won ONCE on any other ground other than their own home dung heap. They beat Sydney at the SCG.
Open wings are their kryptonite.

[K]

Err... how many games have they played away from the cattery?

[Pies2016]

[Jezza]

Geelong's form outside Kardinia Park since the bye:

1. Round 14 vs Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) = -11
2. Round 16 vs Western Bulldogs (Docklands) = -16
3. Round 18 vs Hawthorn (MCG) = -24
4. Round 19 vs Sydney (SCG) = +27
5. Round 20 vs Fremantle (Perth) = -34
6. Round 22 vs Brisbane (Gabba) = -1

[Jezza]

[bally12]

INS:
JDG, Stevo, Sidey, Wells
OUTS:
Madgen, Moore, Noble, Thomas

I liked how the Dopers came at us with their fast slingshot footy, and we took one on the chin, but able to adjust and dominate in general play. I liked our intent and game style...we had players free all over the place towards the end. Our tackling ferocity and run are what will overwhelm teams. We need to err on the side of an extra runner/small rather than an extra tall.

Thomas puts himself in good places but just doesn't have that extra power to put a step on the defender, and for a forward doesn't have the crucial ability to kick around his body.

I'm not comfortable going into finals with Madgen. He's not fast enough to go with a small/medium, and not strong enough to go with the gorillas, and for a basketballer fumbles a lot.

I wouldn't go with Noble either. Against the Dopers there was one instance where the Doper player brushed him out of a pack with one hand. We need shock and awe type pressure, and we need our tackles to stick first time.

WHE - no tackles in the last round, and needs to lift his aggression and intensity. Come on Will. You have the skills but you need to go in harder.

Roughy to go back to cover Moore's absence.

Wells is the cherry on top, and can replace Thomas in the high half forward/wing role.

Aish for Greenwood is the only other change I'd consider. Probably go with Pig because of his ability to tag.

T Brown is a bit of an unknown quantity because we haven't seen him in the seniors this year..next year now for him.
Sier's chance has also gone this year.
Daicos needs another year of physical and athletic development.

I can't help but feel we really need Darcy Moore to be a real chance for the flag. It would be 4 weeks until the Prelim. Assuming we get there, surely 4 weeks is enough for a minor hamstring. Let's hope.

[tbaker]

[K]

[What'sinaname]

Jaidyn is the only certainty to return at the moment

I'd say JDG re-injured his hammy hence the 6 weeks off for hamstring awareness. It's a worry that he has been off for so long.

And we don't know with Sidey. He might be OK, but could easily be out again.