Predictions for 2013: our young players

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

We lack pace badly; even with the youth injection. A lot of hand wringing over our kicking, but our lack of pace is a major worry.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

We lack pace badly; even with the youth injection. A lot of hand wringing over our kicking, but our lack of pace is a major worry,.

Pace is over rated. Cross has made a career despite being probably the slowest straight line runner of all time. He does make up for it with elite endurance and amazing courage. Despite being slow running is one of his strengths.

We do however have some pace in the young players with Jong, JJ and Tutt all having zip.

[GVGjr]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

When looking through the list of the younger players not many of them are known for their pace and skill level which is a concern.

Will add some thoughts later.

[Mofra]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

We lack pace badly; even with the youth injection. A lot of hand wringing over our kicking, but our lack of pace is a major worry,.

Geelong weren't a pacy side yet still moved the ball quickly enough to get themselves out of trouble - a side that is slow of foot can still be quicker than the opposition when it counts.

[Maddog37]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Pace is over rated. Cross has made a career despite being probably the slowest straight line runner of all time. He does make up for it with elite endurance and amazing courage. Despite being slow running is one of his strengths.

We do however have some pace in the young players with Jong, JJ and Tutt all having zip.

Griff, Cooney and Pearce are not slow either. Hrovat and Macrae cover the ground ok and I am not sure about Prudden.

Clay might be sneaky quick too but it would be nice to have a Jetta/Varcoe type in the mix to break the game up.

[Mantis]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Geelong weren't a pacy side yet still moved the ball quickly enough to get themselves out of trouble - a side that is slow of foot can still be quicker than the opposition when it counts.

That fact Geelong are blessed with a high proportion of elite kickers allows them to play the way they do... If we took the risks they do we would get beat by even more.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Griff, Cooney and Pearce are not slow either. Hrovat and Macrae cover the ground ok and I am not sure about Prudden.

Clay might be sneaky quick too but it would be nice to have a Jetta/Varcoe type in the mix to break the game up.

Dahlhaus anybody? We are talking about pace suprised nobody has brought this little speedster up.. He did also run down Yarran last year in that epic loss we had.. Remmeber Griffen even saying to Yarran, DId you jsut get caught?? with a cheeky smile

[Mofra]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

That fact Geelong are blessed with a high proportion of elite kickers allows them to play the way they do... If we took the risks they do we would get beat by even more.

I think there's a bit of structure invovled here too - yes they have good footskills, but by moving the ball quicker they actually give teammates a little bit of extra time to spot up options under less immediate pressure, which in turn helps disposal efficiency.

Our propensity to give the ball off under pressure to flat-footed teammates is causing us further trouble - it will be worrying if our midfield set-up doesn't change significantly this year.

[always right]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Dahlhaus anybody? We are talking about pace suprised nobody has brought this little speedster up.. He did also run down Yarran last year in that epic loss we had.. Remmeber Griffen even saying to Yarran, DId you jsut get caught?? with a cheeky smile

I might be wrong (unlikely) but I recall it being Tutt who ran down Yarran....but agree that Dahlhaus has pace. He's not lightening quick by any means but he has good acceleration and unique running patterns that make him hard to catch.

Of those who have regularly played senior footy I think we only have three players with genuine break the lines pace....Griffen, Dahlhaus and Cooney (when fully fit). Murphy is the next level down although he also has amazing balance and evasive skills. Wood has good pace in a straight line but is not explosive. After that I'm battling to find many with genuine pace.

Regardless of how well you move the ball you still need a a player on each line that can create something simply by their ability to take the game on with their speed. Unfortunately we have a deadly combination;
- Lack of genuine pace
- Below par disposal skills
- A gameplan that is still in early development

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

That fact Geelong are blessed with a high proportion of elite kickers allows them to play the way they do... If we took the risks they do we would get beat by even more.

Not just blessed. They put a higher premium on it. Geelong has always prized ' flashy ' football.
We get heaps of the ball, but what's the point if it gets turned over?

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Geelong weren't a pacy side yet still moved the ball quickly enough to get themselves out of trouble - a side that is slow of foot can still be quicker than the opposition when it counts.

Geelong has had some good runners in its midfield over the years. We need more pace in our midfield. But not much on the list, so expect many a drubbing this season. Going to get ugly unless we can inject some run and carry - our skills are not enough to make up for the lack of speed.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

I think there's a bit of structure invovled here too - yes they have good footskills, but by moving the ball quicker they actually give teammates a little bit of extra time to spot up options under less immediate pressure, which in turn helps disposal efficiency.

Our propensity to give the ball off under pressure to flat-footed teammates is causing us further trouble - it will be worrying if our midfield set-up doesn't change significantly this year.

I'm with you there.

I wonder if they actually practice moving and spreading in their drills as opposed to standing around a circle and handballing a lot.

[Bornadog]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

I'm with you there.

I wonder if they actually practice moving and spreading in their drills as opposed to standing around a circle and handballing a lot.

In 2005, Rocket decided quick ball movement and getting the ball to the forward line as fast as possible was the way to go. We showed this style in the second half of 2005 and thus a new game plan was born.

Geelong copied our style and took it to a new level, mainly due to a superior midfield and a great backline with some genuine talls in the forward line. To counteract our style and Geelong's, the Saints, the Hawks and the Swans introduced their own negative defensive style. Collingwood took that to another level in 2011 with forward pressure and we saw last year a new style born by the Swans.

Unfortunately, we were found wanting in 2010 with our quick movement game plan, which just goes to show, you have to keep inventing and changing.

[F'scary]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

In 2005, Rocket decided quick ball movement and getting the ball to the forward line as fast as possible was the way to go. We showed this style in the second half of 2005 and thus a new game plan was born.

Memories. We were a great team to watch in that era.

[LongWait]

Re: Predictions for 2013: our young players

Memories. We were a great team to watch in that era.

I still think we were flat track bullies and more often than not couldn't defeat the very top teams each year.