M_9

Win, lose or draw against the Cats I reckon, similarly, we’ll take away some learnings from this game into the Blues game. Same venue, similarly strong opposition both with two power forwards and both with midfields and a backline IMO we can beat.

I didn’t see the show but I seem to remember Montagne saying that Miers is the best at delivering the ball i50 by some margin. Judd may be the best match there. Need someone to put Miers under more pressure than the Blues backs could muster.

Disco certainly stays as a forward. TMac playing his role well. No place for Petty as a back (even as good as he is as a back man) with Howes and Hore coming along ok. If Petty doesn’t deliver this week then I think he’s Casey bound.

Watching David King on AFL360 analysing Cameron's game. Reckons Nathan Broad last year played him perfectly. Half suggested McVee as a match up. Obviously far too short and light. Trent Rivers not too dissimilar to Broad in physique (4cm shorter and 1 kg heavier). I don't mind it. With May on Hawkins I'm not sure who TMac takes (Blicavs?). I still reckon Lever takes O Henry and zones off at every opportunity. Howes on Close.

Match-ups are going to be crucial this week. I say that because it seems that numerous Cats are extremely versatile. There's the givens: TMac on Cameron and May on Hawkins. I'd be thinking Judd and Howes on Miers and Stengle. Lever on O.Henry. Tuohy was named at HBv the Blues but booted 3.0. He may well be named HB again but there's no match up there for him there other than ANB or Disco. I know I'm stating the bleeding obvious but Petty needs to step up. I think he'll get Kolodjashnij and, at his best, he is a much better player. Stewart to Fritta (break even) and SdK to JvR (break even). Hopefully Clarry can have the impact he's yet to have this year. My tip: Cats by 3 goals.

The latter (Burgo)? An integral part of our premiership team.

Interesting analogy.

Not relevant to anything but: My mate spent the weekend at his in-laws at Tongala. Harley Reid's parents live next door. Harley's parents and two sisters had flown to the Gold Coast to celebrate mum's 50th birthday and surprise Harley who was expected to be playing against the Suns. Harley had the Tongala house to himself!

Not sure of your point. BTW I don't think we'll win as I don't think our forward line is anywhere strong enough. Petty is a liability but we've no alternative. I live 20km from Geelong and hate them with a passion. They'll remain strong as they'll have a huge war chest with the departure of Dangerfield, Hawkins et al.

Rohan, Stanley and Duncan also possible/probable exits at year's end. On other matters: The Cats scored 10 goals in the first half on Saturday. Dangerfield played a major part in about 5. He'll be missing. Tuohy and Ollie Henry booted 6.1 between them. I can't see that happening this week. Hawkins held goal-less the last three weeks. Fair chance we'll make it four. Hopefully Judd can do a better job on Miers than the Carlton backs did. Miers booted 2.0 and a couple of his 22 disposals set up goals.

I listened in from the east coast of Italy. I doubt that Rohan has ever had a better game (16 d and 3.2). I know I’ve been bashing Petty somewhat but I notice he only took 3 marks and had 5 disposals in 84%TOG. I’m hoping he has a ‘round 20’ game this Saturday.

Along with most DL’ers (I assume) I’ll be keen to ‘see’ the performance of McAdam and Fullarton first and foremost. Probably Verrall and Adams next. I’ve little to no interest in the performance of Schache, Hunter, BBB or Jefferson. Harsh, but factual. I think the first two will be delisted at season’s end. BBB may not last that long ie retire.

No change for mine. Petty on notice. His one wood is his marking. No co-incidence that his best performances correspond with him taking a high number of marks (>8). On his day he can out-mark any of the Geelong defenders albeit Stewart and TdK strong in the air. I don't think he'll have either of them. Currently no-one to take his spot. Billings going ok. Will get better IMO.

Interesting comparison. BTW Menegola is no longer on their list. IMO 7 of our 'outs' are hurting us cf only two of theirs (bold). IMO the form of two of our players has dropped significantly as has two of theirs (red) IMO three of our 'ins' have improved us cf 4 of theirs (green). I'm not sure there's much point to this comparison. Our midfield and backline should win on Sat night. It'll come down to whether or not we can make the most of our forward 50 entries. I wouldn't be hanging my hat on Petty improving. As a beckman he had experienced players around him - May, Lever, Salem, Hibberd and Gus. As a forward he has Fritta as the only experienced (tall( forward. Just my two bob's worth. I don't think we'll win, but I do think we'll learn enough to beat the Blues.

Last leg of my 5 game multi (the 5 favourites - money for jam at 16-1)

May to Cameron and TMac to Hawkins or vica versa?

I said if Petty couldn’t beat any of the Cat’s four less experienced back man he didn’t deserve a spot. On current form I agree with you - he wouldn’t beat any of them.

Miller played on Petty. Miller had 9. 7 and 5. (disposals, marks, tackles).. Petty had 6,3 and 1. i watched Petty closely as I don’t believe he’ll ever make a forward. He was lost. Miller dragged up the ground at every opportunity. Petty’s best game post round 20 (6 goals) was round 2 v Hawks when he had 12,9 and 1 playing as a back man.

I haven’t seen much of the Cats. I looked at where Holmes has been named. Rounds 1 and 2 wing. Round 3 F. Rounds 4,5,6 and 7 HB. Petty has been playing HF.

Of the Cat’s back six the only two players IMO that could match Harrison would be Stewart and Tuohy. I doubt he’d be playing on either. If he can’t beat Holmes, Guthrie, Henry or SdK he does not deserve to be in the seniors. Similarly the Blues have a very ordinary back six save for Weitering and Williams.

I’m all for Petty going back to Casey until he is fit and kicking goals. However a major consideration if that were to happen is who he plays alongside. One or two of BBB, Schache, Sestan, Jefferson or Fullarton have to move out of the forward 50. We can’t continue to carry a player who is having no impact - one goal in four games forward. Not taking marks, not tackling, not fit enough to chase. Sub against Geelong. Fullarton to start and subbed out if not succeeding.

I doubt Petty will be dropped but he’s a liability when played on the forward line. I watched him closely tonight. Almost appeared disinterested. I reckon he needs to return to the backline in order to get his confidence back. NFI whose place he takes ~ Rivers to the wing? Correct about Woey. No point of difference and poor decisions a worry.

ABC radio said Clarry was hit behind play. Possibly an open palm rather than a closed ‘fist’. Sounds like he’ll have a case to answer.

Agree on Petty. Must play at Casey as a back man. NFI on how to play forward. .You need to read the commentary on the Casey game. BBB and K.Brown both poor. McAdam needs another run in the VFL. Maybe a Blues debut. Fullerton not bad. Can’t be worse than Petty. Unfortunately, like Petty, glacial slow (apparently). Can’t remember a game when JvR has ‘clunked’ his marks.

Disco forward. Petty west.