Was having a friendly shot at you on the lottery thing 'Macca', I understand your viewpoint on it. Not sure if I fully agree, I think a really good recruiter has a better shot at getting it right.

I've loved watching the Cats play, at least its made footy bearable over the last number of years when our club hasn't but I think they now face a difficult time.

Organisations are always said to be well managed when they are at the top of their game but it's amazing how quickly things can change. Lose a few games and questions start to be asked, trouble makers come out of the woodwork.

The dominance of the Australian cricket team in the Taylor, Waugh,Ponting era is a case in point. We supposedly had the best coaches, best development systems, best management....lose the champions and that changes. Suddenly your management is no good, the shield and development system need an overhaul, our coaches are garbage...

GC & GWS have artificially kept teams like Geelong and Hawthorn at the top of the ladder, now comes the downhill part of those clubs effect on the top teams. Free agency may help them but if they think Frawley will be good for them as a swing man or that Taylor can make it as a forward they have another thing coming.

By the way, as you know there was no percentage to be had in the Port game 'Macca', it was a final. Geelong's poor percentage was due to them being on the slide, they weren't resting they were not as good as they have been. They just had enough in the tank to win the close ones, players like Selwood will them over the line but there is only so much he can do.

You make some good points rjay but there are examples in pro sport where teams just don't drop away. The cynic in me wonders how all these financially secure clubs are going to spend their excess dollars (the Pies made a profit of 16 million last year and are 31 million in the black)

Free Agency can help any team but the way it's been set up, it tends to favour the teams who are well set financially and who are successful on the field. We're not even in the game and we need to be. The gap therefore can remain. If we lose Frawley to the Cats then one could interpret that as a bottom club giving 2 of their better players to a top club and the top club gives up nothing.

The Port game I mentioned because the commentators were banging on about Hinkley not being happy about the drop off in intensity by his team. Personally, I don't reckon he gave a rats. The next game was all that mattered to him when the scoreline was 80 to 8.

You make some good points rjay but there are examples in pro sport where teams just don't drop away. The cynic in me wonders how all these financially secure clubs are going to spend their excess dollars (the Pies made a profit of 16 million last year and are 31 million in the black)

Free Agency can help any team but the way it's been set up, it tends to favour the teams who are well set financially and who are successful on the field. We're not even in the game and we need to be. The gap therefore can remain. If we lose Frawley to the Cats then one could interpret that as a bottom club giving 2 of their better players to a top club and the top club gives up nothing.

The Port game I mentioned because the commentators were banging on about Hinkley not being happy about the drop off in intensity by his team. Personally, I don't reckon he gave a rats. The next game was all that mattered to him when the scoreline was 80 to 8.

I don't think Hinkley was overly concerned either 'Macca', he would have been if Boak, Grey or more particularly his ruck had of gone down with an injury.

On the other, there is no doubt we are coming from a long way back and the competition is set up to favour the clubs at the top of the tree with cash to spare.

How long has Wells been at Geelong? He doesn't have a wiki page so I don't have the answer. I'm assuming he's been there for 15+ years but I stand corrected. He's certainly got an eye for talent outside the top 5 picks.

Since 1996 and probably further back, they have never had a top 5 pick. They've also only had a handful of picks between 6 & 10 (of which they've snared Corey (8), Mackie (7), Bartel (8) & Selwood (7)

Sure, they got lucky with their F/S (Hawkins, Ablett & Scarlett) but often, you make your own luck.

... the following players were also snared in various drafts ...

Josh Hunt (44)

Wojcinski (24)

Chapman (31)

Ling (38)

Enright (47)

Kelly (17)

Stevie J (24)

Lonergan (23)

Egan (61)

Varcoe (15)

Stokes (61)

Taylor (17)

Motlop (39)

Taylor Hunt (49)

Duncan (28)

Christensen (40)

Guthrie (23)

Podsiadly (58)

... and then there's the trades that they've arranged (Caddy, Ottens etc) Now there's free agency to keep clubs like Geelong up (Rivers has been an acquisition and so might Frawley if he goes there)

... and, who's to say that their more recent draftees won't shine in the future ... as most know, it usually takes between 3 & 5 years for a draftee to start showing his real worth. They've got a good track record of developing their players well.

There overall list management and recruiting has been first rate and I can't see all that reversing all of a sudden and them bottoming out. They're too good a club and we can only wish that we were as well run (we might be on our way with PJ & Roos)

If Frawley goes to the Cats then that is James' decision alone. No one is forcing him to do anything - if he leaves, it's on him.

Huh hmmm how many of those on that list are Falcons boys Macca? It may help having a TAC side sitting in your backyard while you having out the laundry.

I don't think Hinkley was overly concerned either 'Macca', he would have been if Boak, Grey or more particularly his ruck had of gone down with an injury.

On the other, there is no doubt we are coming from a long way back and the competition is set up to favour the clubs at the top of the tree with cash to spare.

All year, many were "concerned" about Geelong's percentage but they still won 17 games and for that, they got 2 home finals. I'm just not as enamored with the whole percentage thing as others might be.

More and more, coaches are going to "rest" their game breakers when the game is won. Why thrash them? It happens in a lot of overseas sports and there's no reason why it won't happen here. The game is brutal and we've already got the players association wanting more byes and certain teams are now giving their players a game off here and there when they can.

Years ago, many of the players never came off the ground and they were never "rested" from games. It's an exhausting game to play these days.

In reference to the bit I've highlighted, it's a lot harder to climb back up the ladder than it was even 5 years ago. You need the right people in place and even with all that, there's a whole lot of hard work needed. And luck plays a big part also, especially with those draft picks

All year, many were "concerned" about Geelong's percentage but they still won 17 games and for that, they got 2 home finals. I'm just not as enamored with the whole percentage thing as others might be.

More and more, coaches are going to "rest" their game breakers when the game is won. Why thrash them? It happens in a lot of overseas sports and there's no reason why it won't happen here. The game is brutal and we've already got the players association wanting more byes and certain teams are now giving their players a game off here and there when they can.

Years ago, many of the players never came off the ground and they were never "rested" from games. It's an exhausting game to play these days.

In reference to the bit I've highlighted, it's a lot harder to climb back up the ladder than it was even 5 years ago. You need the right people in place and even with all that, there's a whole lot of hard work needed. And luck plays a big part also, especially with those draft picks

In Geelong's case I don't think they were resting or backing off in games this year. It was a real struggle for them to win, it was very rare for them to have a game under control. Winning a lot of games by around a kick is not the best way to run a season.

In Geelong's case I don't think they were resting or backing off in games this year. It was a real struggle for them to win, it was very rare for them to have a game under control. Winning a lot of games by around a kick is not the best way to run a season.

Fair point ... I'll concede on that one rjay.

I still believe that certain stars are going to have their game time "managed" going forward and that can and will effect a teams percentage. Every year the game gets a little faster and more brutal and because of that, the stars are more likely to be protected once the heat has gone out of a game.

Let's not forget that they only lost by a kick last night - they were far from disgraced. I'm not ruling a line through them yet as a finals chance ... like us, they might have grand plans to improve their list immeasurably.

The flo gs on sen didnt really follow him up on it either. I assume his manager just happened to be in the cats rooms last night after the game and they bumped into each other thus having a chat.

maybe, they be rubbed up against one another? and I guess they were just meeeowing over the warm spring weather? wonder if any catnip was exchanged.

Pprrrrrrrrrrr....

After watching tonight live whilst Dawson had a great game. Mcpharlin is going to struggle to go around again and Michael Johnson will be 30. Maybe Lyon and Lloyd will be giving Chips manager a call and offering a bit more than the Cats. Lyon made reference to targeting the right free agents moving forward during his press conference.

yep, I reckon.

but won't it be Ironic if GCSuns replace the Cats in the top 5 going forward.

Not if, just how soon? If not next year, 2016.

Not if, just how soon? If not next year, 2016.

I just wish he'd hurry up and announce it so we know whats going to happen. it's doing my phantom draft head in !

can someone bring out a Monopoly AFL board game, cause I'm bored hollow with all this next year karaap

afl get the game right. & phuukk the pies & blues & bummers off.

After watching tonight live whilst Dawson had a great game. Mcpharlin is going to struggle to go around again and Michael Johnson will be 30. Maybe Lyon and Lloyd will be giving Chips manager a call and offering a bit more than the Cats. Lyon made reference to targeting the right free agents moving forward during his press conference.

...and the other Scott might be calling as well, the way Hawkins monstered them the other night.

After watching tonight live whilst Dawson had a great game. Mcpharlin is going to struggle to go around again and Michael Johnson will be 30. Maybe Lyon and Lloyd will be giving Chips manager a call and offering a bit more than the Cats. Lyon made reference to targeting the right free agents moving forward during his press conference.

I think it would be great if Chip finished up at Freo. It would reunite him with another free agent who left the club to play finals.

What's his name?

Colin

I think it would be great if Chip finished up at Freo. It would reunite him with another free agent who left the club to play finals.

What's his name?

Colin

Is Col at least playing WAFL finals?

I just wish he'd hurry up and announce it so we know whats going to happen. it's doing my phantom draft head in !

can someone bring out a Monopoly AFL board game, cause I'm bored hollow with all this next year karaap

afl get the game right. & phuukk the pies & blues & bummers off.

dee-luded, your posts have moved into a cosmic level

Edited September 13, 201410 yr by jumbo returns

Well at least Chris Scott has admitted that they are enamoured with Chip and think he is a great player. It is also worth noting that Adelaide lost Bock and Phil Davis in successive seasons, their CHB and replacement CHB and still managed to come up with a good defence. Geelong lost Ablett and the Hawks Buddy so free agency will hurt but we can move on as I doubt that Geelong will provide all the footy success Chip wants. And don't forget PJ has already stated based on our offer to Chip he wont be leaving for money.

i think ross the boss's reference to chasing the 'right free agents' is classic buyer's regret over getting col.

and absolutely they should be targetting chip. their defensive stocks are a worry. their forward stocks are a worry. their midfield is silk.

Is Col at least playing WAFL finals?

Nope none at all. Did his hamstring then had ankle surgery.

well now that the cats are out this week frawley should come out and say he is going. we all know he is.

I think it would be great if Chip finished up at Freo. It would reunite him with another free agent who left the club to play finals.

What's his name?

Colin

What did he play? 3 games?

He'll be a gun one day that boy. Just wait till he gets a full pre-season.

Is Col at least playing WAFL finals?

No Peel finished 8th in the 9 team competition

i think ross the boss's reference to chasing the 'right free agents' is classic buyer's regret over getting col.

and absolutely they should be targetting chip. their defensive stocks are a worry. their forward stocks are a worry. their midfield is silk.

I seriously wonder what Freo paid to get him over there...

Few luckier players than Col.

I'm sure the Club already know and have most of the year and they will be planning accordingly. It makes no difference when he deems to make it official.

I'm sure the Club already know and have most of the year and they will be planning accordingly. It makes no difference when he deems to make it official.

Our interest in guys like Frost, Gwilt and Lumumba speaks volumes - we have literally moved on even without an announcement.

I seriously wonder what Freo paid to get him over there...

Few luckier players than Col.

Had to be something reasonable in the vicinity of $3-400,000 since we got pick 20 something for compensation which turned into Vince. Had a good win there we did.

Had to be something reasonable in the vicinity of $3-400,000 since we got pick 20 something for compensation which turned into Vince. Had a good win there we did.

Again even more reason to be happy with our current recruiting. We got more out of Vince this year than we ever have from Col.