Geelong

[EasternWest]

Re: Geelong

At least a quarter of Geelong’s lineup that took to Optus Stadium on Friday night were battling symptoms from a virus that swept through the club, according to Fox Footy’s Tom Morris.

The report states that up to six players - including Cam Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Brad Close, and Lachie Henderson- were unwell in the lead-up to their preliminary final.

Geelong doctors were reportedly so concerned about the health of some players they felt compelled to inform the AFL in preparation for the possibility of several late changes.

I heard it was a mix of finalsitis and oldmanitis.

[josie]

Re: Geelong

Man that’s horrible. Would explain them looking flat as a pancake. Presumably Demon players could catch it? I hope not. Would not want to us or Port to win a GF that way. Unlikely but if they do catch it hopefully in 14 days they’ll be ok.

[Mitcha]

Re: Geelong

At least a quarter of Geelong’s lineup that took to Optus Stadium on Friday night were battling symptoms from a virus that swept through the club, according to Fox Footy’s Tom Morris.

The report states that up to six players - including Cam Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Brad Close, and Lachie Henderson- were unwell in the lead-up to their preliminary final.

Geelong doctors were reportedly so concerned about the health of some players they felt compelled to inform the AFL in preparation for the possibility of several late changes.

Is Gout transmissible?

[Mofra]

Re: Geelong

Man that’s horrible. Would explain them looking flat as a pancake. Presumably Demon players could catch it? I hope not. Would not want to us or Port to win a GF that way. Unlikely but if they do catch it hopefully in 14 days they’ll be ok.

I was actually thinking about this today. The week-bye before the GF might save them even if a few players did get sick.

[Bornadog]

Re: Geelong

Scott has been given a further two years

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Geelong

Scott has been given a further two years

Playing or coaching?

[Bornadog]

Re: Geelong

Playing or coaching?

Haha , Chris Scott the coach

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: Geelong

Haha , Chris Scott the coach

Thought he might fit the age profile to play …

[Twodogs]

Re: Geelong

Thought he might fit the age profile to play …

Nah, too young.

[GVGjr]

Re: Geelong

Just listening to Trade radio and I didn't realise that Geelong only had 2 first rounders drafted by Geelong in their premiership team in De Koning and Selwood.

Obviously Dangerfield was a first rounder by Adelaide and Cameron was an underage priority selection but there must be a bit clubs can learn from Geelong.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Geelong

Just listening to Trade radio and I didn't realise that Geelong only had 2 first rounders drafted by Geelong in their premiership team in De Koning and Selwood.

Obviously Dangerfield was a first rounder by Adelaide and Cameron was an underage priority selection but there must be a bit clubs can learn from Geelong.

Their ability to identify talent is second to none.

Also shows the importance of continually knocking on the door.

2016 Prelim
2017 Prelim
2018 Elimination
2019 Prelim
2020 GF
2021 Prelim
2022 Flag

I do believe their home ground advantage is the biggest in the league considering they don’t have to travel like the non Victorian sides and it’s not shared with anyone, they train there, opposition can’t get in, unique shape etc etc .

[comrade]

Re: Geelong

Their ability to identify talent is second to none.

Also shows the importance of continually knocking on the door.

2016 Prelim
2017 Prelim
2018 Elimination
2019 Prelim
2020 GF
2021 Prelim
2022 Flag

I do believe their home ground advantage is the biggest in the league considering they don’t have to travel like the non Victorian sides and it’s not shared with anyone, they train there, opposition can’t get in, unique shape etc etc .

They have some significant unfair advantages but they absolutely milk them to their maximum.

The home ground is obviously the huge one, basically 8 wins guaranteed a year means finishing top 8 is pretty straight forward each year. But the introduction of free agency will continue to make them uber competitive, with the coastal living element very appealing for players of a certain age. On top of that, having lived in Geelong in the mid 00s, the players are treated like rock stars wherever they go and the red carpet is laid out. Free meals, free rounds of golf, free everything. It’d be naive to think there aren’t plenty of under the table deals going on from well off supporters that makes the whole package pretty appealing.

It then becomes a fly wheel that spins faster and faster. More success, more free agents coming on board, more money to spend on coaches, more money on strength and conditioning, more on talent ID. Now the GFL is a semi professional league, funnelling more talent into their VFL program, leading to some incredibly cheap pick ups that have made big differences (Stewart, Atkins).

I’m still dirty on them getting Stengle. Blind Freddy could see he was going to be a great pick up if supported correctly and they used those above advantages to bring in Betts to provide that support and it paid huge dividends. Did we have a crack? Did we even consider it? If not, why?

We don’t have those built in advantages so no point wringing our hands about it. We have to unearth and utilise our own advantages, even if they aren’t as potent or obvious as Geelong’s. But we would be well served looking at how they are structured on and off the field and taking some cues, particularly how they bounced back from a humiliating finals loss last year and got better. We experienced a similar loss yet it felt like we learned nothing from it.

Chris Scott infuriates me but it’s probably due to envy than anything. His win:loss record is incredible and Bevo’s record against him is laughable. What is he doing as a leader of that club to help make that fly wheel spin? What can we learn? Is it more support around him? Does he delegate more? Are his on field leaders stronger than ours (I would say this is a definite yes).

Now, I know we’ve all been saying it for years but I do believe the flip side is they will take a step back slightly when Hawkins, Selwood, Smith, Danger all finish up over the next few years. They won’t plummet, it’ll be more like they become a 5-8 side while they replenish their top end talent (which they will!). We need to be ready to fill the void when it happens.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Geelong

They have some significant unfair advantages but they absolutely milk them to their maximum.

The home ground is obviously the huge one, basically 8 wins guaranteed a year means finishing top 8 is pretty straight forward each year. But the introduction of free agency will continue to make them uber competitive, with the coastal living element very appealing for players of a certain age. On top of that, having lived in Geelong in the mid 00s, the players are treated like rock stars wherever they go and the red carpet is laid out. Free meals, free rounds of golf, free everything. It’d be naive to think there aren’t plenty of under the table deals going on from well off supporters that makes the whole package pretty appealing.

It then becomes a fly wheel that spins faster and faster. More success, more free agents coming on board, more money to spend on coaches, more money on strength and conditioning, more on talent ID. Now the GFL is a semi professional league, funnelling more talent into their VFL program, leading to some incredibly cheap pick ups that have made big differences (Stewart, Atkins).

I’m still dirty on them getting Stengle. Blind Freddy could see he was going to be a great pick up if supported correctly and they used those above advantages to bring in Betts to provide that support and it paid huge dividends. Did we have a crack? Did we even consider it? If not, why?

We don’t have those built in advantages so no point wringing our hands about it. We have to unearth and utilise our own advantages, even if they aren’t as potent or obvious as Geelong’s. But we would be well served looking at how they are structured on and off the field and taking some cues, particularly how they bounced back from a humiliating finals loss last year and got better. We experienced a similar loss yet it felt like we learned nothing from it.

Chris Scott infuriates me but it’s probably due to envy than anything. His win:loss record is incredible and Bevo’s record against him is laughable. What is he doing as a leader of that club to help make that fly wheel spin? What can we learn? Is it more support around him? Does he delegate more? Are his on field leaders stronger than ours (I would say this is a definite yes).

Now, I know we’ve all been saying it for years but I do believe the flip side is they will take a step back slightly when Hawkins, Selwood, Smith, Danger all finish up over the next few years. They won’t plummet, it’ll be more like they become a 5-8 side while they replenish their top end talent (which they will!). We need to be ready to fill the void when it happens.

Well said comrade. Except the hand wringing. I'm doing it!

They had a ridiculously easy draw this season too for a top 4 side not sure how that works.
Kardinia also let's them manage players without too much worry of a loss.

[The bulldog tragician]

Re: Geelong

Their resilience is under appreciated. Five prelims without a flag but they continued to stay their course, including after last years humiliation which could have broken their spirit as I think it did break ours. It’s funny how we think finals failures are uniquely Bulldogs - that record and the manner of some of those losses where it did seem their top 4 positions were overly flattering could have killed their self belief. I don’t like them but their leaders have great competitive spirit and drive and Scott also shows an ability to adapt. His comments post GF were interesting - they absolutely did doubt and question their strategies at times which is a healthy thing to do.

[comrade]

Re: Geelong

Their resilience is under appreciated. Five prelims without a flag but they continued to stay their course, including after last years humiliation which could have broken their spirit as I think it did break ours. It’s funny how we think finals failures are uniquely Bulldogs - that record and the manner of some of those losses where it did seem their top 4 positions were overly flattering could have killed their self belief. I don’t like them but their leaders have great competitive spirit and drive and Scott also shows an ability to adapt. His comments post GF were interesting - they absolutely did doubt and question their strategies at times which is a healthy thing to do.

My respect levels for everyone at Geelong have increased quite a bit after this win. I know they have inherent advantages as a club that others don’t, but they also don’t just give out flags and we all know how hard they are to win. As you say, they’ve faced set backs and doubters and stayed the course. I have my fingers crossed we are on a similar path but my head tells me we’re not and it’s time to revamp things completely. We’re nothing like Geelong (on and off the field).

We should be taking cues from that they’ve done the last 10 years and make adjustments based on our own characteristics.