M_9

Only looking to see the Blues strengths and weaknesses. Fair chance we’ll be playing the Blues with them coming off two losses.

IIMO the difference in forward structures tonight is akin to what we’ll see tomorrow night. One team with two bigs and not much by way of small goal kickers, and the other with one tall (yet to score) and one or two dangerous smalls (Elliot, Daicos).

Blues starting to panic.

Pies not bad with the long bomb i50. They’ve stolen our game plan … previous game plan?

First kick a goal. Well done son.

Ah, the beauty of having two power forwards a la Blues and Cats. One stays put (Curnow, Hawkins) the other drifts to the wing or further back (McKay, Cameron). If it’s TMac on Cameron tomorrow night probably McKay’s his man next week. Just don’t see May up to that much travelling.

Pies have given up 6.3, 6.1 and tonight 5.4 in the first quarter of their last 3 games.

Pies have Elliot - that is all.

Pies defence NFI.

OK, I may be able to say it but I'd have all fingers and toes crossed. You don't need me to point out that his performance in the last 4 games (not the Hawks where he played back against rubbish opposition) has been very poor. In his last 2 games Petty has had a total of 8 disposals, taken 5 marks, laid 2 tackles, had no goal assists, and of most significance, booted only one goal. Good opposition, such as the Cats, will easily run off him. TBH he is overrated as a forward on this board. Purely on the back of one standout game. Since his bag of six goals he's managed a total of 3 goals in the 4.5 games since where he's played as a forward. The FD will persist with him regardless of his output until he 'comes good' or there's a suitable replacement (McAdam maybe albeit obviously not like for like). Harrison needs to start marking the ball. That's his one strength. Look at his stats last year - 10 marks, 11 disposals (Tigers), 8 m, 13d (Saints), 7m, 17d (Bombers), 6m, 17d (Giants) etc Don't get me wrong. I love him as a player. He's highly skilled. He is a forward. He needs to be kicking goals.

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)