Geelong....how do they do it?

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,748]

I was very impreessed with Geelong's young players last night.

Duncan,Walker and especially Murdoch, all looked terrific..And they have Menzel and Christiansen waiting in the wings.

Where do they find this talent? If it was Adelaide or WCE, I'd suspect they'd kept them "under wraps".

I guess it really helps having role models like Bartel and Selwood.

Hawkins is still young, too, and really looks formidable, now. I remember thinking he'd never make it!

Geelong's future looks assured, especially if you take into account their enormous advantage of opposition-supporter-free home games at the uniquely shaped Kardinia Park.

[wattsup 470]

geelongs kids have quality senior players to learn off and how to go about it, melbourne have none thats the difference

[Bonkers 987]

I was very impreessed with Geelong's young players last night.

Duncan,Walker and especially Murdoch, all looked terrific..And they have Menzel and Christiansen waiting in the wings.

Where do they find this talent? If it was Adelaide or WCE, I'd suspect they'd kept them "under wraps".

I guess it really helps having role models like Bartel and Selwood.

Hawkins is still young, too, and really looks formidable, now. I remember thinking he'd never make it!

Geelong's future looks assured, especially if you take into account their enormous advantage of opposition-supporter-free home games at the uniquely shaped Kardinia Park.

Good talent identification as well as development. They are good at recognising what skills & traits at below U18 level will translate into AFL. Eg clean skills, appetite for contested football, football smarts/IQ. Also what wattsup has stated helps.

[Sir Why You Little 36,617]

I agree with the above.

Having big tall forwars got them going in the first Q.

W need them badly.

[Range Rover 1,935]

1. Quality recruiting

2. Quality leaders

3. Big, strong key forwards

[jumbo returns 6,703]

Also, the older players know each other's movements so well - notice, at times, that they simply handball out of a stoppage randomly. But, they know exactly what they're doing because a Geelong player is never far away.

Let's get CLOKE.

[DEELIRIOUS 156]

As Mick Malthouse says, its a system of trust and knowledge of where your teammates are going to be. This is Geelong all over!

[DeeSpencer 24,699]

How did those kids look in the 3rd term though? It's much harder to look good when you are getting smashed each week but I agree some of their kids are sensational. I'm a huge wrap for Mitch Duncan, he has a tonne of composure and I think is very underrated. He'd be our second best midfielder behind Jones.

[jumbo returns 6,703]

Just bumped this up after I found out that they beat the Swannies...

What now Roosy? Nervous?

Out in straight sets? I'd love to see that. Ha!

Lucky Kirky is in the media - good to see Mummy and Goodesy not playing well.

[Sir Why You Little 36,617]

Geelong. Strong chance to go Back to Back if they can avoid injuries to key players.

Won't be asy but if anyone can do it the Cats can. They beleive.

[Guest Rassilon]

Quality system with quality culture. The near 20 million dollars they invest yearly never goes astray. Elite fitness with recovery programme that is second to none.

[Hardnut 327]

The Cats have big, strong bodies (mostly with many kilos, and including their youngsters), and yet they still run and move the ball beautifully - excellent skills - a simple approach to the game, which is to get the ball and keep moving it forward into the 50. What more could you ask for!

I watched both Adelaide and Geelong today (channel switching) - both are big, strong and yet still quick - why can't we build up our players?

[jumbo returns 6,703]

Geelong stand alone as the template for success.

IF Swans go out in straight sets (big chance) does it strengthen the argument that recycled players don't win you flags?

12 of their 18 out there today were from other clubs.

Geelong's have come through the draft and stayed together.

[Sir Why You Little 36,617]

Geelong stand alone as the template for success.

IF Swans go out in straight sets (big chance) does it strengthen the argument that recycled players don't win you flags?

12 of their 18 out there today were from other clubs.

Geelong's have come through the draft and stayed together.

Interesting point that one.

[titan_uranus 24,583]

Try putting those players in our shambles of a side. Highly doubt they'd be anywhere near as effective as they are at Geelong.

As for Geelong, they're in form it seems, but they'll have to knock off Adelaide or Sydney interstate, with supposedly any final played in Week 2 in Sydney at the SCG. I'd be backing both the interstate clubs to beat Geelong at their home ground.

If Sydney loses to Adelaide, then it'll be Hawthorn v Collingwood for the GF. If Sydney beats Adelaide, may well be Hawthorn v Sydney.

[rjay 24,582]

How did those kids look in the 3rd term though? It's much harder to look good when you are getting smashed each week but I agree some of their kids are sensational. I'm a huge wrap for Mitch Duncan, he has a tonne of composure and I think is very underrated. He'd be our second best midfielder behind Jones.

Me too, everyone will wake up to how good he is in the next year or two. One of the best kicks to position in the comp and not a bad shot on goal either.