14 minutes ago, In Harmes Way said:

Imagine the lack of productivity at work in the whole of September if we win this Preliminary Final. No work will get done at all.

I think this pre GF bye is a terrible idea.

It’s a momentum killer. Besides that it means two weeks of angst as opposed to one. And lockdown exacerbates this. No chance of successful distraction during lockdown. 😞 

12 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

Maybe we'll bring Hibberd in for Bowey, allowing May, Petty and Smith to take Hawkins, Cameron and Ratugolea, Hibberd goes to Rohan, and that lets Lever run free? Rivers and Salem with Clark/Miers?

Does Hibberd allow a bit more flexibility than Bowey for a taller Geelong forward line?

Its a tough one but i reckon Smith for Hibberd need Bowser's ball distribution and cool head down back.

 

9 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Its a tough one but i reckon Smith for Hibberd need Bowser's ball distribution and cool head down back.

 

With three talls plus Rohan, I don’t think there is any chance of Smith being dropped. We need to free up Lever as much as possible 

I just can't see Geelong winning in the middle.  Selwood has been poor for a while; rated one of the worst vs GWS.  Parfitt out.  Connors out (breathe easy Clayton), Duncan just getting some match practice, Dangerfield has broken fingers.  Stanley needs to back up a good game last week which was against a battered Mumford.  They are patching up their midfield on the run with new additions each week.  Stanley, Danger and Selwood had a great 20 minutes vs us in round 23.  Cameos really.

We will need most of Viney, Gawn, Oliver, Langford, Petracca and Brayshaw to have poor games to lose the mid-field battle.

Just. Won't. Happen.

22 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Its a tough one but i reckon Smith for Hibberd need Bowser's ball distribution and cool head down back.

 

Smith won't get dropped. Geelong play a tall forward line.

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Smith won't get dropped. Geelong play a tall forward line.

Agree. he can take any of their talls, with the exception of Hawkins, so offers terrific flexibility.

And his speed and ability to cover ground will be important on the expanses of Optus Oval, particularly given the cats are likely to try and spread our defence (eg by switching before kicking inside 50) to engineer one on ones.

However IF we win i could see a scenario where Smith makes way for Hunt. 

20 hours ago, DeeZee said:

I think the only danger of us losing on Friday is Geelong winning the centre clearances  by a lot and give their forwards quick looks.

Looking forward to another mongrel animal game from Viney to prevent this from happening.

In support of an animal game from Viney, I have noticed again in the second footage of training for this week (far background only, not the sharp-focussed foreground) that Majak is training in body work and recovery with the big boys of the team. This may be an interesting observation. I have visions of the unexpected Hawkins shut-down, releasing May a little to a more advantageous role with forward penetration (his kicking can be sublime) and to ease potential moves by Geelong to drop in resting rucks and/or talls as forward targets. Could all be speculation, but it still crosses the mind.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

In support of an animal game from Viney, I have noticed again in the second footage of training for this week (far background only, not the sharp-focussed foreground) that Majak is training in body work and recovery with the big boys of the team. This may be an interesting observation. I have visions of the unexpected Hawkins shut-down, releasing May a little to a more advantageous role with forward penetration (his kicking can be sublime) and to ease potential moves by Geelong to drop in resting rucks and/or talls as forward targets. Could all be speculation, but it still crosses the mind.

 

 

There is no crossing of the mind.

No way is Majak Daw playing in a Preliminary Final.

I'd suggest no change; go in with 22 match-fit players.

If the cats want to go 4 tall in the forward line then let May, Lever, Petty and Smith bring it to ground, Salem, Rivers and Bowey dissecting the cats on the rebound.

51 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Smith won't get dropped. Geelong play a tall forward line.

I have this feeling they will stick with Bowey, who is the best user of the ball in the team, with Salem next best. We need good ball use off half back to set up opportunities. I think they might go with Hunt instead of Smith, as he is just a better footballer and faster and swing a surprise matchup. Could they use Hunt on Rohan, or even Cameron, who is not really a pack mark, but more an opportunistic running forward? It is an interesting decision for the selectors. If we back our mids and pressure, then the 4 Cats talls could be starved of clean ball and with good distribution from the back half you create multiple opportunities.

BTW Rohan is the same height as Rivers and Hunt and Smith is just not as good a footballer as them. IMO Smith brings our talent down. 

Edited September 7, 20213 yr by Redleg

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

I have this feeling they will stick with Bowey, who is the best user of the ball in the team, with Salem next best. We need good ball use off half back to set up opportunities. I think they might go with Hunt instead of Smith, as he is just a better footballer and faster and swing a surprise matchup. Could they use Hunt on Rohan, or even Cameron, who is not really a pack mark, but more an opportunistic running forward? It is an interesting decision for the selectors. If we back our mids and pressure, then the 4 Cats talls could be starved of clean ball and with good distribution from the back half you create multiple opportunities.

Yeah I think we'll go unchanged this weekend.

2 hours ago, Pates said:

A random question but are they allowing a banner to be made as a run through? Obviously the Demon Army can’t get over there but if local Dees fans can do it would it be permitted? It’s just be great to see the boys run through a banner!

Can’t see it as both teams still in 14 day Quarantine is my understanding so getting on to the ground would be the issue I believe 

25 minutes ago, Redleg said:

BTW Rohan is the same height as Rivers and Hunt and Smith is just not as good a footballer as them. 

But neither are really one on one defenders. Both need freedom to run off their man and float as interceptors 

26 minutes ago, TRIGON said:

I'd suggest no change; go in with 22 match-fit players.

If the cats want to go 4 tall in the forward line then let May, Lever, Petty and Smith bring it to ground, Salem, Rivers and Bowey dissecting the cats on the rebound.

I like that....dissect Cats  :)

I still find it interesting Melbourne & Geelong have never met in a Grand Final being the 2 x oldest clubs.

(Cats and Dogs have never played off in one either for that matter).

2 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

22 dropped this week. Rosebury and Mollison the ins. Suspect we get the 2 surviving umps from the Cats game and add Rosebury. 

God I hope 22 (Nathan Williamson) is not umpiring this week, He has zero feel for the game and always pays those weird block free kicks that have no impact on the game or the contest. super inconsistent with how he officiates insufficient intent too.

Perfect lineup would be Rosebury, Chamberlain and Stevic. 
Donlon and Meredith are pretty decent too

3 hours ago, Cassiew said:

I am scared out of my brains. For football I have never known fear like this before. The fact that this is our best chance to win a premiership in this lifetime and the possibility that this might be our last game for the season is terrifying. I’m almost too fearful to watch the game

Love this post.

I think you speak for a lot of us Cassiew, and this lockdown/isolation stuff is really not helping anyone. Such a pity its not at a packed MCG where we could release the fear and trepidation with almighty screams !

Finals are where legends are born.

Deep breaths....

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

I have this feeling they will stick with Bowey, who is the best user of the ball in the team, with Salem next best. We need good ball use off half back to set up opportunities. I think they might go with Hunt instead of Smith, as he is just a better footballer and faster and swing a surprise matchup. Could they use Hunt on Rohan, or even Cameron, who is not really a pack mark, but more an opportunistic running forward? It is an interesting decision for the selectors. If we back our mids and pressure, then the 4 Cats talls could be starved of clean ball and with good distribution from the back half you create multiple opportunities.

BTW Rohan is the same height as Rivers and Hunt and Smith is just not as good a footballer as them. IMO Smith brings our talent down. 

Ball use is very important. But equally line breaking pace is very important against a slow and aging Geelong. 
Given Geelong are going tall, Smith will need to stay. I would bring in Hunt if fully fit for Bowey. 
Prelims are a big jump in intensity. Bowey is a kid and did look a little nervous against Brisbane (which is totally understandable). Against a very experienced opponent I would prefer Hunt. 

On 9/3/2021 at 10:35 PM, DubDee said:

Anyone else already feeling sick with nerves or just me??

Why get nervous? It won't help the team win.

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

In support of an animal game from Viney, I have noticed again in the second footage of training for this week (far background only, not the sharp-focussed foreground) that Majak is training in body work and recovery with the big boys of the team. This may be an interesting observation. I have visions of the unexpected Hawkins shut-down, releasing May a little to a more advantageous role with forward penetration (his kicking can be sublime) and to ease potential moves by Geelong to drop in resting rucks and/or talls as forward targets. Could all be speculation, but it still crosses the mind.

 

 

There is absolutely no way we will, or should, play Majak Daw this week.

He was always a break glass in case of emergency list addition. There is no emergency.

1 hour ago, binman said:

But neither are really one on one defenders. Both need freedom to run off their man and float as interceptors 

So does Lever.

 

38 minutes ago, one_demon said:

Why get nervous? It won't help the team win.

A rationale thought there @one_demon...why not try and fit-in?

Edited September 7, 20213 yr by TRIGON

9 minutes ago, Redleg said:

So does Lever.

Absolutely.

Which is why Smith is important against the cats becuase he can go one on one against Rohan and/or Cameron, as he did in round 23.

Got my tickets. Go Dees!

To put it simply, we win the battle in the middle and we are in our first GF in 21 years.

1 hour ago, one_demon said:

Why get nervous? It won't help the team win.

you think I'm choosing to be nervous/anxious??