MATCH PREVIEW AND TEAM SELECTION - Round 18

[Deemania since 56 6,660]

1 hour ago, MSFebey said:

Wagner? what the hell has he done all year?! (I didn't watch Casey last week)

Goodwin can't keep going down this road though, in/out/in/out/in/out -- Tyson, Weid, T Smith, Tyson, Stretch etc

Wagner has a few problems but these are/have being/been addressed in the main. He is still a good runner for the half-back and has deceptive height at contests, punching the ball clear, and kicks moderately well to position. His big asset is that he has some pace and can read plays early, moving to a position in some space. Worth another try as well, I'd think, and has produced a reasonably enthusiastic few games. Some have not been as good as others, agreed, but he does have his upsides to contribute. 

 

1 hour ago, MSFebey said:

Goodwin can't keep going down this road though, in/out/in/out/in/out -- Tyson, Weid, T Smith, Tyson, Stretch etc

Agreed. Pop-up pop-down players must be confused and might feel cheated not to be able to gather their feet week to week. As for Wagner, I actually like some of his game; at least he goes hard at it most of the time. This trait can only improve and if he is in the side for the Catty Puts, I'd reckon he will intend to hit 'em hard as he can and break away. 

[Deemania since 56 6,660]

1 hour ago, sisso said:

Geelong lost to the baby Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago then beat Sydney at the SCG: conclusion like us they are wildly inconsistent so pretty much any result is possible

So, the pattern hopefully will be: Loss, Win, (Loss), out of the 8.

[loges 6,767]

4 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

So, the pattern hopefully will be: Loss, Win, (Loss), out of the 8.

They've actually lost 3 out of the past 4 , not exactly in ripping form.

[Cards13 9,117]

I lived in Gtown as a young fella, 15min stroll to Kardinia, I loved going there as a kid. The gravel hill, the trees you could climb and watch the game out the back, plus got to spend a lot of time with the old man. 

Would love to head down this weekend but can’t unfortunately.

As to the game hope to be proven wrong but I can’t see is getting up down there. We are relying on Oli and Gus to win the midfield week in week out at this stage of there careers. Jones needs a big one, Tracc needs to be a beast, if Tyson comes in he needs to really help at the coal face and Frosty needs to stop the bell end Hawkins.

Gebus I hope we do get up and stick it right up Selwood. 

[Copuchas 763]

One factor that hasn't been mentioned is the weather...the forecast is for dry conditions but with a stiff northerly breeze continuing in to the evening.   Maybe it drops out later in which case it will be a good toss to win.   

Our ability to modify our game plan and style to the weather conditions (rain / dew / wind) hasn't been compelling over the last 18 months.   I watched on initially with amazement and ultimately disgust in Hobart last year.....

I really hope there's some thought going in to this aspect and that the Casey curtain raiser opportunity means there's ZERO possibility of getting it wrong.   We can absolutely win this game if we avoid rookie errors in the planning and match day coaching decisions.  

Over to you Goody.....

[Engorged Onion 10,223]

17 minutes ago, M_9 said:

I was there (and stuck fat til the end). I don't like to be reminded of it. Despite my post of a week ago, I am going to venture the 20km up the road, buoyed by our performance of the last two weeks.

They really are a feral bunch of supporters, especially coming from 6 hours of drinking in the Barwon Club.

mate they're not that bad... i was in the outer with 2 geelong supporting mates for '187'... and one had the keys to the car for the lift home... those generalisations [censored] me a bit to be frank. plenty of kindly old ducks sit there knitting scarfs too... 

i was also there for - a draw (yze's specky and miller taking a kidney out of Lonergan) as well as '24' in enrights 300th - where the crown celebrated like they had won PRIOR to the game...weird weird stuff.

prediction by a similar amount - 4 goals...either way.

[DeleteUser 638]

25 minutes ago, M_9 said:

I was there (and stuck fat til the end). I don't like to be reminded of it. Despite my post of a week ago, I am going to venture the 20km up the road, buoyed by our performance of the last two weeks.

They really are a feral bunch of supporters, especially coming from 6 hours of drinking in the Barwon Club.

Ah, the Barwon Club. Super memories of falling onto the stage with Joey from Lagwagon and singing.

[binman 43,141]

A perennial - and possibly difficult to answer -  question i guess but i'll ask anyway.

What are the best pubs to watch the game on the west(ish) side of the city?

I don't like the options in the city and not a fan of the Sporting Globe to be hones (any of them). 

I know it is on FTA but keen to watch with a mate at a venue with some atmosphere. 

[DeleteUser 638]

12 minutes ago, loges said:

They've actually lost 3 out of the past 4 , not exactly in ripping form.

Perfectly poised to bounce back with 188 then

[DubDee 25,923]

6 minutes ago, binman said:

A perennial - and possibly difficult to answer -  question i guess but i'll ask anyway.

What are the best pubs to watch the game on the west(ish) side of the city?

I don't like the options in the city and not a fan of the Sporting Globe to be hones (any of them). 

I know it is on FTA but keen to watch with a mate at a venue with some atmosphere. 

West side of the city?  hmm youve got the RMH royal melb hotel on Bourke near King

The Mail Exchange across the street but it is more TAB/pokies vibe.

The Waterside on King / Flinders might be your best bet

(if you're wondering why I know so many pubs near King street, It's not what you think.  Its coz the strip joints are on King St)

[DubDee 25,923]

Lewis looked pumped on 360 last night. He said he couldnt wait for the challenge.

Time for the senior boys to earn their money.  I expect big games from Lewis, T Mac, Vince and Jonesy.  and by big games I mean setting the tone and cracking in hard - not how many touches they get

[old55 23,625]

Selection will be fascinating. 

From Goodwin presser Bernie is a lock.  Either Wagner or Joel Smith for Hibbo.

Maybe Tyson for Hannan - narrow Kardinia Park making a contested game even more important (Goodwin said it should suit our style), no Viney so therefore Selwoods sniffing Clarrie and Angus blood.  I think Tyson is feasible because of these factors - if it was at the MCG then no.

It is going to be tough for us with 3 of our best out - will be a memorable victory if we can win.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Has to be Wagner for Hibberd.  He is far more closer to the type of player Hibbo is than Joel Smith.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

4 hours ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Yes, I watched their entire game. 

I'm going off of what we've seen to date.

Geelong lost to a fired up Adelaide away from home and are now in jeapody of losing their position in the 8. Do you believe they won't respond? 

I'm the realist anonymous Melbourne supporter you'll meet. If I think we're a good bet, I'll say so. And I'm simply saying that I can't see us winning this weekend given my reasoning. Which is backed off an entire season of results and trends in our play. We're yet to take a scalp. We're yet to win a prime time game. And we're yet to make a statement. 

Also, there's a difference between "Can't" lead and "leading to the wrong spots far too often". And if you don't agree, I suggest you watch how often Hogan and McDonald get in the way of each other during games. 

I admire what Goodwin has done since his takeover. It's nice to know that we're one of the best contested possession sides in the AFL, even 'the' best. But maybe unlike you, I don't get carried away with those positives due to the good work that comes undone so often in games. 

In short, if those areas of our game are even a little off, we're an extremely vulnerable side because of our inability to stop opposition scores once inside our defensive 50. All the top sides know this. And they've beaten us by outcoaching and outsmarting us. 

 

So you're anticipating them to respond and play better and assuming we won't improve?

And I'm not sure I've provided any evidence of "getting carried away with those positives".

You don't trust our team and I can understand why but my main point is that there's not many teams out there smashing it on all fronts. Everyone looks vulnerable to me and everyone has obvious flaws. We're as good as any of the top 8 - 10.

[whatwhat say what 22,783]

i'd still go joel smith over wagner, but we shall see

they might both come in given our lack of defender options now

suffice to say, demonland whipping boys vince and lewis ain't being dropped

[What 18,810]

In -     J.Smith

Out -   Hibberd  (Misson'ed)

[SFebes 4,884]

1 hour ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Wagner has a few problems but these are/have being/been addressed in the main. He is still a good runner for the half-back and has deceptive height at contests, punching the ball clear, and kicks moderately well to position. His big asset is that he has some pace and can read plays early, moving to a position in some space. Worth another try as well, I'd think, and has produced a reasonably enthusiastic few games. Some have not been as good as others, agreed, but he does have his upsides to contribute. 

What I meant was, what has done to warrant any call up. (IF)

Edited July 18, 2018 by MSFebey

[What 18,810]

Maybe we can bring Tyson in for Hibberd and play Salem in Hibberds role. 

[binman 43,141]

43 minutes ago, DubDee said:

West side of the city?  hmm youve got the RMH royal melb hotel on Bourke near King

The Mail Exchange across the street but it is more TAB/pokies vibe.

The Waterside on King / Flinders might be your best bet

(if you're wondering why I know so many pubs near King street, It's not what you think.  Its coz the strip joints are on King St)

Sorry i was unclear. I mean the Spotswood, Footscray, Seddon, Monnee Ponds (at a pinch), Kensington sort of areas. Preferably near a trains station

[DubDee 25,923]

not my hood, sorry Binman

[jnrmac 20,109]

5 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Watched the second half of round 1 last night. We are a vastly better side than that. 

Wagner - aside from that magnificent tackle on Selwood that nearly broke his leg - was poor. As was Maynard. Hunt looked pretty good.

We should have won that game no doubt - not just because of Max's miss. Guys like Melksham and Hannan weren't great and Oliver has improved a lot since then. Salem was average as was Garlett. Lost count of the marks that Pederson dropped.

What Geelong did well was control the footy with short kicks. They smashed us in number of marks and really controlled the tempo of the game. They were down on rotations with Taylor out early with an ankle. Hawkins was poor and Menzel had a day out (altho he missed a sitter from 12m in the last) 

We can win this and really make a statement to the comp..

 

Dees by 17

 

With Hibberd out I change my prediction to Dees by 16.

[SFebes 4,884]

Hibberd out, Cats by 63

[Gator 17,383]

Geelong are BOG ordinary.  Prior to Viney being a late withdrawal and now Hibberd missing I was confident of a victory.  It will now be tough.

Out: Hibberd, Hannan

In: Smith, Tyson 

Dees by 10 points.

[dl4e 5,851]

14 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Hibberd out, Cats by 63

Said 60 earlier but now with Hibberd out it has risen to 72.

[SFebes 4,884]

I'm now convinced that many of our players are either injured or playing quite sore after the Viney debacle. Viney, Jones, Hannan, Jetta and I wouldn't be surprised if Hibberd has been injured for a few weeks. I could be wrong, but now I'm suspicious. I have lost faith in the medical team and the players to do the right thing. Jetta hasnt really been the same since his head knock and Hannan had scans only a few weeks ago.