PREGAME: Rd 15 vs Geelong

[Stu 879]

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

They would if they were Pies, Bombers or Tiger fans, but that of course won't happen, as they never play there.

Essendon do get the privilege of playing there this year - will be interesting to hear if there's any murmurings in the media about the ground capacity it in the lead up to that game.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,049]

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

They would if they were Pies, Bombers or Tiger fans, but that of course won't happen, as they never play there.

True. The problem for me is that this stinks of being a "conditional" home ground for Geelong. Either it is their home, or it isn't. The long-term trend since the 90s seems to be consolidate at the big grounds (allowing generally more attendance). So this exception makes no sense to me (but there are plenty of other things in that category).

[DubDee 21,264]

Oliver in for Spargo with Viney/Sparrow/Trac to spend more time fwd

Bowey stiff unless you drop McAvee which I would not.  Bowey will not have played for 3 weeks so maybe coming back via casey (on the 23rd) is the answer. Hibbo might need an old man rest the following week

[Billy 2,073]

3 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

Hibbo is aging like a fine wine. Has not lost any of his speed off the mark.

We need to bubble wrap him in the lead up to finals, because especially against sides with good medium forwards like Pies and Brisbane, he is absolutely critical. 

How good was that one on one he won haha in the 3rd quarter, can’t remember who it was he beat 

Absolutely one of my favourites 

[Redleg 38,030]

9 minutes ago, Billy said:

How good was that one on one he won haha in the 3rd quarter, can’t remember who it was he beat 

Absolutely one of my favourites 

Mihocek.

[leave it to deever 16,172]

1 hour ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

It does make me think about the long term future of Kardinia Park as an AFL ground. If the Cats play "big" games in Melbourne (eg Easter Monday vs Hawks), then all that is left are "small" games at their ground. Surely we have to go all in on a small number of major venues (ie 9 Victorian clubs at 2 major stadiums rather than 8 or 9 individual grounds) or Geelong play all home games, without exception, in Geelong. The crowd on a Thursday night at Geelong is in danger of being outnumbered by seagulls ...

I really think the home ground advantage at Kardinia has carried the cats a long way for a long time.

 

[Diamond_Jim 12,017]

1 hour ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

It does make me think about the long term future of Kardinia Park as an AFL ground. If the Cats play "big" games in Melbourne (eg Easter Monday vs Hawks), then all that is left are "small" games at their ground. Surely we have to go all in on a small number of major venues (ie 9 Victorian clubs at 2 major stadiums rather than 8 or 9 individual grounds) or Geelong play all home games, without exception, in Geelong. The crowd on a Thursday night at Geelong is in danger of being outnumbered by seagulls ...

Post stage 5 renovations they will have a capacity of 40k from which they will make the same money as from 70k at the MCG.

No incentive to play the lesser Melbourne based teams whatsoever

Stadium control is worth a fortune dollar wise

[The heart beats true 16,485]

45 minutes ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

True. The problem for me is that this stinks of being a "conditional" home ground for Geelong. Either it is their home, or it isn't. The long-term trend since the 90s seems to be consolidate at the big grounds (allowing generally more attendance). So this exception makes no sense to me (but there are plenty of other things in that category).

The other long term trend for Geelong is to get their money making games out of the way at the G early, and then have as many games down there leading into finals as they can. No home games left at the G now, all down there. It’s the same every year.

The Essendon one is going to be fascinating. Huge fan base. They’ll be furious that they won’t be able to go in round 18. They’d get 70,000 in Melbourne.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,533]

29 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I really think the home ground advantage at Kardinia has carried the cats a long way for a long time.

 

I really don't think we should argue this point. Our home ground is where the AFL Grand Finals are always played (apart from World Wars, pandemics, etc). I don't want supporters of a club that has won 9 premierships arguing that our 13 are somehow tainted because we won most of them with a home ground advantage.

In fact, I find this whole "woe is me" argument that we have to play at Kardinia Park when the big teams don't tiresome. It's solvable in a very logical way - become a big team, like Collingwood and Carlton, so that the AFL will choose to play more of our games against Geelong at the MCG.   

[demoncat 647]

Am I correct that there is an option to buy tickets to this game in the designated ‘opposition member bays’? 

A very helpful Demonlander sent me a link to purchase these tickets for our game at GMHBA last year - was hoping that if this is still the case someone may have access to that link as I can’t for the life of me find anything about it online!

 

[Gawndy the Great 7,693]

1 hour ago, The heart beats true said:

The current capacity for the ground is 21,000. They would get 55,000 plus if they played at the G, or 45,000 plus at Docklands.

Its a disgrace. This game should never have been scheduled there this year. The media should be asking why the AFL is locking out 30,000 people?

I hear everyone. But the argument the way is nobody from Geelong gets on the v-line for a Thursday night game at the G robbing their members and in essence making it a Melbourne home game.

We would definitely have a case if the game was on any other day/time, perhaps that is why they insisted with a Thursday night game.

[layzie 29,758]

1 hour ago, Billy said:

How good was that one on one he won haha in the 3rd quarter, can’t remember who it was he beat 

Absolutely one of my favourites 

Yeah down the Punt Rd end in the Olympic stand pocket? Absolute beauty 

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,387]

Geelong $1.73 Favourite... interesting

[Dingo 838]

I thought l had read somewhere , that Clarrie was due to get out of hospital on Sunday.

There is nothing on the club website about him.

Any thoughts?

[Lord Travis 10,268]

Was shown in the coaches box on broadcast during the game. He ran laps of the MCG after the game too. Goodwin said in his after match press conference that he’ll be right to play next match.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,007]

He was spotted at the game yesterday and running laps after the game on the G.

[The heart beats true 16,485]

45 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I really don't think we should argue this point. Our home ground is where the AFL Grand Finals are always played (apart from World Wars, pandemics, etc). I don't want supporters of a club that has won 9 premierships arguing that our 13 are somehow tainted because we won most of them with a home ground advantage.

In fact, I find this whole "woe is me" argument that we have to play at Kardinia Park when the big teams don't tiresome. It's solvable in a very logical way - become a big team, like Collingwood and Carlton, so that the AFL will choose to play more of our games against Geelong at the MCG.   

I’m not arguing about playing in Geelong.

Im arguing that this year, when the crowd capacity is halved, it makes absolutely no sense. 30,000 Geelong members are locked out too. It’s not just about us.

[Go the Biff 3,208]

20 hours ago, titan_uranus said:

I said this in the post-match but I am hopeful that the decision to sub Spargo off, and the lack of impact having one fewer small forward had on us, is a sign that we're thinking now about dropping one small forward and adding a midfielder.

IMO it should be Oliver for Spargo. We lose little forward of the ball and don't have anyone else to drop who is more worthy.

I love Hibberd and have loved his season, and I think right now he holds his spot over Bowey. I'm not sure there's a spot for Bowey anywhere else right now, other than perhaps as sub.

If Petty's fit, I think he gets a run at Casey first. JVR and Smith are doing enough right now. I think we have to reward them and let Petty convince us that he is a forward.

So for me it's Oliver for Spargo and that's all.

I agree with a fair bit of this but I'd be intrigued to see another tweak to our set-up forward of centre once Petty returns - unlikely as that is for the Geelong game.

The main drivers behind this are 1) Spargo's best is great but he's been poor since he managed to get himself knocked out. 2) I don't have faith in Smith as a KPF, especially going into September.

So, I'm wondering how it would look if we replaced Spargo with Smith. We lose a bit on footy smarts, ground ball gets & ball distribution (not losing a lot on Charlie's recent output) but we retain tackling pressure & speed with Smith. He can also push up to perform the connecting role from defence that Charlie sometimes does. Additionally he can give us an aerial option that Spargo can't. As well as that, he could be switched to a negating forward option should an opposing intercept defender (e.g. Tom Stewart) get off the chain so this gives us some strategic versatility as well.

This obviously depends on a couple of other things going right. First, Petty has to continue to develop. He's our best CHB but I think he'll end up being our best CHF as well. Tomo also has to hold his form. The "two talls plus Hibbo" was trialled and in my view made our defence less effective. Old mate Tomo has gone from cast-off to critical in a matter of days !

Edited June 13, 2023 by Go the Biff
sp

[Maldonboy38 6,034]

We have to respect strong form. On form, no way should Tomlinson or Smith be dropped. They are playing their role too well. 

Tomlinson is shorter than Petty, a much better kick, but not as mobile. Petty is a much better mark/spoil. So despite form, perhaps we do need Petty to run around with Cameron. 

Smith's athleticism and attack on the ball looks like a strong variable that other backlines might struggle to cover. And he can take a contested mark.   

OUT: Spargo

IN: Oliver.

Bowey really stiff, but who in the backline comes out for him?

[Binmans PA 26,492]

22 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

From what I remember seeing of Bowey as a junior he wasn’t really a natural at making play when he was at half forward or at pressuring. Looked better on the wing  

I wouldn’t mind seeing him as the 3rd winger and a very high half forward coming up to stoppages and even as a midfielder post centre bounce.

More of the role Nibbler 

But I’d have to trial it at Casey first.

I wondered about this wing role option for Bowser too, although I think he could be really exploited with his lack of height and potentially even his tank at this stage on a wing.

[Engorged Onion 9,499]

16 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

I don't have faith in Smith as a KPF, especially going into September.

I hear you , and do you recall that if it wasn't for injury he would have played in the GF - so clearly the FD see something that we don't from the outside.

Edited June 13, 2023 by Engorged Onion

[Deebauched 1,219]

2 hours ago, Stu said:

Essendon do get the privilege of playing there this year - will be interesting to hear if there's any murmurings in the media about the ground capacity it in the lead up to that game.

Wouldnt  be surprised if there is pressure to move it. 70k at the G as a home game would be  tempting. 

[Go the Biff 3,208]

Just now, Engorged Onion said:

I hear you , and do you recall that if it wasn't for injury he would have played in the GF - so clearly the FD see something that we don't :)

Same could be said of Jayden Hunt who I suspect would have been selected ahead of JS. Anyway, I'm not advocating dropping him. Just moving him (on Petty's return) to a position where I think the two of them might give us a competitive advantage.

I should have also mentioned in my post that this notion is also dependent on Smith not breaking various parts of himself or knocking himself out !!!

[Demon_spurs 1,708]

I would replace Hunter with Jordan, for a guy that supposedly has elite foot skills Hunter misses a lot of targets, and has for quite a few weeks now, Jordan plays the wing role very well (see 2021) 

[Red and Bluebeard 2,049]

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Post stage 5 renovations they will have a capacity of 40k from which they will make the same money as from 70k at the MCG.

No incentive to play the lesser Melbourne based teams whatsoever

Stadium control is worth a fortune dollar wise

Does that mean all Geelong home games will be at Kardinia Park? That is at least logical (so the AFL will find a way around it! :-) )