How do you think Sylvia would go against Ablett in a one on one duel?

Is it worth a go.

How do you think Sylvia would go against Ablett in a one on one duel?

Is it worth a go.

Won't happen - Ablett doesn't play in the ruck.

Dumb idea.

Ablett would smash him, Col just doesn't have the work ethic.

I'd rather see Enright or Mackie on Sylvia when he is at Half Forward. Ablett would run rings around Sylvia, actually he would arguably run rings around anyone in the history of the game.

Won't happen - Ablett doesn't play in the ruck.

:D

Ablett would smash him, Col just doesn't have the work ethic.

When Col gets focussed, his work ethic is of a high standard. Over the journey, sure, it waxes and wanes. But when he's on, he's on.

After watching the Port game a few times this week, I was more and more impressed with Col's game. I even had a quick look at his games when his form was down, and even in the ones where he couldn't get near it, I was very surprised to see how well he's moving, particularly in the midfield.

You know how we all heard/saw footage of him braining the other teenagers when he was a junior? This happens quite a lot where a player looks incredible, and you can't wait til the day arrives that his body in the AFL is about the same ratio to the other bodies running around him as it was when he was a kid. Up until now, with the exception of a few flashes last year, Colin has never seemed to me to recapture the same elements he had as strengths when he was young. Particularly the searing pace...

Looking closely at this game, as well as passages of play during his recent run of bad form, I think I can safely say this is the best I've seen Col "move." And by move I don't mean run quickly, stop, wheeze and stretch his groin. I mean I haven't really seen him barrelling through senior opposition players, tackle with maniacal ferocity (I find myself worrying for the opposition player's safety sometimes when he closes in), bump in hard contests to our advantage AND keep his feet (Watts' second goal), go for what could, and IMO probably would have been 1st and 2nd for mark of the year... and do some of this deep into the fourth quarter. He's never filled me with quite that much confidence.

He may not be kicking five goals like against the Toigs, but I'll encourage everyone to really pay attention to the way he's pulling up after contests, the speed he's putting on, how his demeanour is in celebrations with team-mates, and how he appears late in games when he could be excused for tightening up.

Barring serious mishap, the guy is about to explode. That may not be news to many demonlanders, as most on here think he's already a bona-fide star... so to these people, I would say his climb out of his recent form slump is about to really gain momentum.

No. Sylvia doesn't have the speed or endurance.

No. Sylvia doesn't have the speed or endurance.

I agree with this.

Col just doesn't have the work ethic.

But not this.

They have different strengths.

:D

When Col gets focussed, his work ethic is of a high standard. Over the journey, sure, it waxes and wanes. But when he's on, he's on.

After watching the Port game a few times this week, I was more and more impressed with Col's game. I even had a quick look at his games when his form was down, and even in the ones where he couldn't get near it, I was very surprised to see how well he's moving, particularly in the midfield.

You know how we all heard/saw footage of him braining the other teenagers when he was a junior? This happens quite a lot where a player looks incredible, and you can't wait til the day arrives that his body in the AFL is about the same ratio to the other bodies running around him as it was when he was a kid. Up until now, with the exception of a few flashes last year, Colin has never seemed to me to recapture the same elements he had as strengths when he was young. Particularly the searing pace...

Looking closely at this game, as well as passages of play during his recent run of bad form, I think I can safely say this is the best I've seen Col "move." And by move I don't mean run quickly, stop, wheeze and stretch his groin. I mean I haven't really seen him barrelling through senior opposition players, tackle with maniacal ferocity (I find myself worrying for the opposition player's safety sometimes when he closes in), bump in hard contests to our advantage AND keep his feet (Watts' second goal), go for what could, and IMO probably would have been 1st and 2nd for mark of the year... and do some of this deep into the fourth quarter. He's never filled me with quite that much confidence.

He may not be kicking five goals like against the Toigs, but I'll encourage everyone to really pay attention to the way he's pulling up after contests, the speed he's putting on, how his demeanour is in celebrations with team-mates, and how he appears late in games when he could be excused for tightening up.

Barring serious mishap, the guy is about to explode. That may not be news to many demonlanders, as most on here think he's already a bona-fide star... so to these people, I would say his climb out of his recent form slump is about to really gain momentum.

I like your thinking

Opposition coaches have been attempting to hurt Ablett the other way quite a few times of late. Wellingham and Johnson got quite a few kicks on him, Joseph even got a little loose. But I think the best way of doing it is rotating players through not just one guy. So Silvia could take a short spell on him.

That said I think the inclusion of 2 defenders for 2 midfielders signals the move of Bartram and one of Morton/Grimes to the midfield. I think Bartram might go to Ablett. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jones does another tagging role.

:D

When Col gets focussed, his work ethic is of a high standard. Over the journey, sure, it waxes and wanes. But when he's on, he's on.

After watching the Port game a few times this week, I was more and more impressed with Col's game. I even had a quick look at his games when his form was down, and even in the ones where he couldn't get near it, I was very surprised to see how well he's moving, particularly in the midfield.

You know how we all heard/saw footage of him braining the other teenagers when he was a junior? This happens quite a lot where a player looks incredible, and you can't wait til the day arrives that his body in the AFL is about the same ratio to the other bodies running around him as it was when he was a kid. Up until now, with the exception of a few flashes last year, Colin has never seemed to me to recapture the same elements he had as strengths when he was young. Particularly the searing pace...

Looking closely at this game, as well as passages of play during his recent run of bad form, I think I can safely say this is the best I've seen Col "move." And by move I don't mean run quickly, stop, wheeze and stretch his groin. I mean I haven't really seen him barrelling through senior opposition players, tackle with maniacal ferocity (I find myself worrying for the opposition player's safety sometimes when he closes in), bump in hard contests to our advantage AND keep his feet (Watts' second goal), go for what could, and IMO probably would have been 1st and 2nd for mark of the year... and do some of this deep into the fourth quarter. He's never filled me with quite that much confidence.

He may not be kicking five goals like against the Toigs, but I'll encourage everyone to really pay attention to the way he's pulling up after contests, the speed he's putting on, how his demeanour is in celebrations with team-mates, and how he appears late in games when he could be excused for tightening up.

Barring serious mishap, the guy is about to explode. That may not be news to many demonlanders, as most on here think he's already a bona-fide star... so to these people, I would say his climb out of his recent form slump is about to really gain momentum.

Spot on Dappa.

He was finally released to the midfield on Saturday with Watts and Miller performing well and it was the impetus required for him to turn around his poor form. His best position is not forward, but he has been required to play there. I totally agree that on Sat night he was "moving" like he never has before and is likely to start absolutely tearing games apart in the next month or so.

If he arrived in the AFL last year, this will be the year he will stamp his mark on it.

:D

When Col gets focussed, his work ethic is of a high standard. Over the journey, sure, it waxes and wanes. But when he's on, he's on.

After watching the Port game a few times this week, I was more and more impressed with Col's game. I even had a quick look at his games when his form was down, and even in the ones where he couldn't get near it, I was very surprised to see how well he's moving, particularly in the midfield.

You know how we all heard/saw footage of him braining the other teenagers when he was a junior? This happens quite a lot where a player looks incredible, and you can't wait til the day arrives that his body in the AFL is about the same ratio to the other bodies running around him as it was when he was a kid. Up until now, with the exception of a few flashes last year, Colin has never seemed to me to recapture the same elements he had as strengths when he was young. Particularly the searing pace...

Looking closely at this game, as well as passages of play during his recent run of bad form, I think I can safely say this is the best I've seen Col "move." And by move I don't mean run quickly, stop, wheeze and stretch his groin. I mean I haven't really seen him barrelling through senior opposition players, tackle with maniacal ferocity (I find myself worrying for the opposition player's safety sometimes when he closes in), bump in hard contests to our advantage AND keep his feet (Watts' second goal), go for what could, and IMO probably would have been 1st and 2nd for mark of the year... and do some of this deep into the fourth quarter. He's never filled me with quite that much confidence.

He may not be kicking five goals like against the Toigs, but I'll encourage everyone to really pay attention to the way he's pulling up after contests, the speed he's putting on, how his demeanour is in celebrations with team-mates, and how he appears late in games when he could be excused for tightening up.

Barring serious mishap, the guy is about to explode. That may not be news to many demonlanders, as most on here think he's already a bona-fide star... so to these people, I would say his climb out of his recent form slump is about to really gain momentum.

Great post, DD. I re-watched the game recently and wondered why Colin didn't receive the praise he deserved for last weeks game. He may not have had 35 touches, but every one he had was brilliantly effective. A number of times he released a team mate with a fantastic handball or lead up well to mark on a lead, or kept his feet (as you say) against a seemingly bigger Port body, which is something I look for every week from a Melbourne player-- that is the importance of keeping ones feet. If he can manage to have a game of that standard consistently, he'll be a real leader for our club.

Another point on Colin's game that I thought of whilst watching the game live last Saturday, was the fact that Colin entered the game knowing he may have to stand in for Jamar and that the team was relying on him heavily for rucking reprieves. This may just be what allowed him to focus on his work ethic and primed him for a bigger game. I hope Bailey gives him another challenge this week. Perhaps on Ablett, but I think I'd rather Jones tag Ablett (as he did the speedy Pearce last week). Use Colin in another role, perhaps even the role he played last week.

James McDonald will run with him. Did a great job on him in one match last year, and is in even better form this year. One of those players that can tag and still get a few touches himself.

Bartrum to Chapman, Jones to run with Bartel, Garland to Steve Johnson, Rivers to Mooney, Frawley to Hawkins (assmuing he plays higher up the ground), Bruce to varcoe Grimes to stokes. Maybe even Jetta to stokes and Grimes in the middle.

It will be interesting to see who Ling goes to, who do Geelong see as the biggest threat? Davey, Sylvia, Moloney?

I expect that Junior will take Ablett at the centre clearances with Jones the follow him there after. If Jones wants to be in our 22 in 2 years time the tagging role he must make his own. He has the necessary tools of strength and endurance but just needs the application to focus on the man first and ball second.

Defensive match ups for mine this week are:

Warnock to Mooney

Rivers to Hawkins

Frawley to Podsiadly

Bruce to Johnson

Grimes to Chapman

Bartram and Garland to take Stokes/Varcoe/Byrnes

Chapman for mine is the worry but I think Grimes is up to the task and can hurt him offensively. Joel Mac to relieve as required.

I expect that Junior will take Ablett at the centre clearances with Jones the follow him there after. If Jones wants to be in our 22 in 2 years time the tagging role he must make his own. He has the necessary tools of strength and endurance but just needs the application to focus on the man first and ball second.

Good point, BRFE. I agree whole heartedly. Do you have a similar stance on Moloney's position on the list? I feel that both players have similar strengths and weaknesses, but at this stage, Jone is slightly ahead. Both attempt to take on too many tacklers, when in reality they should play the percentages. Get the ball and handball to a receiving team mate.

I expect that Junior will take Ablett at the centre clearances with Jones the follow him there after. If Jones wants to be in our 22 in 2 years time the tagging role he must make his own. He has the necessary tools of strength and endurance but just needs the application to focus on the man first and ball second.

Defensive match ups for mine this week are:

Warnock to Mooney

Rivers to Hawkins

Frawley to Podsiadly

Bruce to Johnson

Grimes to Chapman

Bartram and Garland to take Stokes/Varcoe/Byrnes

Chapman for mine is the worry but I think Grimes is up to the task and can hurt him offensively. Joel Mac to relieve as required.

Not going to work. I'd go Joel MacDonald to Hawkins, Rivers to Podsiadly and Frawley to Johnson. Let Bruce play looser.

Not going to work. I'd go Joel MacDonald to Hawkins, Rivers to Podsiadly and Frawley to Johnson. Let Bruce play looser.

I think BRFE is correct. Pods will be too strong for Rivers and Bruce should have the capacity to cover Johnson. I'd like the idea of Frawley running iPod around and making him accountable.

I think BRFE is correct. Pods will be too strong for Rivers and Bruce should have the capacity to cover Johnson. I'd like the idea of Frawley running iPod around and making him accountable.

I also like the idea of Frawley on Pods but I just can't see Bruce keeping up with Johnson, especially after a week off with a hamstring injury.

Lynden Dunn has kept Ablett quiet (Well quiet by Ablett's standards 29,22, 25 & 40 touches in his last 4 vs Dees) , to the extent that Melbourne is Ablett's 4th worst team (statistically speaking) across his career. To that end I thought Lynden might get a call up this week,, especially since we've dropped 3 midfielders, and only brought 1 true mid in to replace them. I wouldn;t be surprised if there's a late change with Dunn coming in. As far as others go, I reckon Chapman is our biggest problem, he will man handle Grimes if he plays on him, and too mobile for most others, I would play Bruce on him, but even still expect Chapman to be very damaging.

I also like the idea of Frawley on Pods but I just can't see Bruce keeping up with Johnson, especially after a week off with a hamstring injury.

Stevie J is not quick. Bruce is rarely beaten when given a shutdown job.

Not going to work. I'd go Joel MacDonald to Hawkins, Rivers to Podsiadly and Frawley to Johnson. Let Bruce play looser.

MacDonald 188cm versus Hawkins 197cm? Rivers vs Podsiadly a leading forward? I am pretty confident in my set up over yours.

Opposition coaches have been attempting to hurt Ablett the other way quite a few times of late. Wellingham and Johnson got quite a few kicks on him, Joseph even got a little loose. But I think the best way of doing it is rotating players through not just one guy. So Silvia could take a short spell on him.

That said I think the inclusion of 2 defenders for 2 midfielders signals the move of Bartram and one of Morton/Grimes to the midfield. I think Bartram might go to Ablett. I also wouldn't be surprised if Jones does another tagging role.

Thats what I was thinking, re Chunk, he has the strength to takle & hold Ablett, I'm not sure if Bartram would stop Ablett with a takle, strength. Combo of Grimes & Jones might be close.

The other way, IF he was fit,,,, could have been, Garland. But he doesn't have the fitness base, I reckon.

Ablett will get about 30 touches no matter who plays on him. We need to force him to rack 'em up in the back half and not let him stream forward to kick goals & deliver lace out for their forwards. I expect Sylvia to come out very aggressively, putting on big tackles and throw his weight around the packs. If he does this early without giving away free kicks then he will have a big game. For some reason he likes playing the stronger (both physical & ability) teams.

This may just be what allowed him to focus on his work ethic and primed him for a bigger game. I hope Bailey gives him another challenge this week. Perhaps on Ablett,

His eyes certainly lit up when he was given an impossible job, didn't they? I think that perhaps characterised him. On any given day, he seems to relish taking on humongous jobs. I remember in 2008 I think it was (may have been 2007) when he kicked 3 goals in quick succession against a mighty West Coast in Perth. I thought then that if he could do it against them, he could do it against anyone. It's when he's just another team-mate that I think he coasts a bit.

but I think I'd rather Jones tag Ablett (as he did the speedy Pearce last week). Use Colin in another role, perhaps even the role he played last week.

I'm going for JMac on Ablett. Nobody is going to be skilled, fit or clever enough to stop him. But with JMac, at least he's not going to be fooled. He might not make every contest, but he will do more than most of our players.

If calamity occurs, there's plenty of backups... Jones, Bartram... even Bruce has the engine if Ablett picks an end.

The problem is that at times Bailey has been unwilling to make a change until it's too late. Hopefully he experiments a bit. I think bottom line, if we go into the game assigning 3 taggers to their best 3 midfielders, then we're just hoping to lose by as little as possible. I'd like to see an attacking midfield put in place. Gysberts, you would think, will be a nice little surprise. I'm sure they won't expect his hands to be as good as they are. Sylvia, as we say, moving as well as he is can be important through the guts... and after that, maybe one negating mid is a good idea.

As long as we approach at least the START of the game positively, I'll be happy. Still a lot of education to take place here. I reckon if we marginally outplay them for the 120 minutes, the home-ground advantage (particularly with marks inside fifty/accuracy at goal) will manifest itself only in the scoreline... which I imagine will be heavily in their favour. Think 16.9... to our 12.16 or something like that.

Stevie J is not quick. Bruce is rarely beaten when given a shutdown job.

Agree. I think this will be the match up.