Teams 2007 Review and 2008 Preview

[Rik E Boy]

Sorry to jump the queue pup but the NAB is but weeks away and if we don't all chip in this thing aint gonna get done.

Geelong 1st

Arrivals- Adam Donohue (FS), Dawson Simpson, Scott Simpson, Harry Taylor.

Departures- Steven King, Charlie Gardiner (St K), Henry Playfair (Syd), Tim Callan (WB), Nathan Ablett (walkabout), Matthew Spencer (delisted)


Best Game vs. Port Adelaide, MCG 2007 Grand Final 163-44

While this match was not one for the neutral or Port supporter, this is the match that will be remembered by all at the Cattery as the day when over four decades of frustration and disappointment were washed away in what was the complete performance. For many years Geelong had been getting it right off the field but during the Grand Final only the most finicky Cat could find fault with Geelong's performance on the day that mattered.

During the lead up the talk was about Port as Choco went on the front foot with the mind games. The Cats kept their heads down and the mouths shut and some might have detected timidity coming from the Geelong camp after an unconvincing Prelim Final victory against those stifling Magpies.

After a few early jitters, Geelong punished Port's inability to score when they looked to have an edge and once the floodgates were open it was party time. Arguably, the match was won halfway through the second quarter with the match highlights being Chapman's screamer over Port skipper Warren Tredrea, Otten's brilliant chase down of Pettigrew and the sensational performance of Steve Johnson that earnt him the Norm Smith Medal.

Worst Game Vs Kangaroos, Skilled Stadium Round 5 118-102

The Kangaroos added to their impressive record at Cat Park with a comfortable victory over a slow starting Geelong outfit, with the 16 point margin definetely flattering the Cats who were only allowed to play one quarter of football by the more committed Roos.

The Roos bolted away in the first half and it was catch up football for the rest of the day as not for the first time, Geelong failed to respect Adam Simpson who collected a swag of possessions in a best on ground performance. In hindsight, this was the match that ignited Geelong's season as Paul Chapman laid down a few home truths to the boys after this match. Geelong lost one more game for the year when Dom Cassisi slipped Gary Ablett Jnr to sneak home the winner in front of a stunned home crowd.

Who Stood Up

Cameron Mooney showed discipline
Gary Ablett moved to midfield and worked harder to shake tags
Steve Johnson got off the grog
Brad Ottens finally answered his critics

In reality it would be harder to find players who didn't stand up for Geelong in 2007.

2007

The 2007 season was the most successful year in Geelong's proud history. After 2007 Geelong can once again hold its head up high in the football world and it would be most surprising to many observers if this current group did not land at least one more premiership to the club. This was in fact the fate that befell the last talented group of Cats as Pianto, Lord, Lord, Farmer, Goggin, Wooller and Wade were destined to be in only one flag for the GFC. This group still has much to achieve.

Geelong won everything except the Coleman medal but it was this lack of reliance on one player that was to underpin the Cats' record breaking and making season.

Players who need a big 08

Mark Blake - Geelong had to move respected ruckman and former skipper Steven King to another club to accomodate Mark Blake who must now repay that faith with a solid season in 2008. Blake has gotten a lot stronger over Summer and he must use the feeling of disappointment of missing last year's flag as a source of motivation in what has to be his best year yet.

Tom Hawkins - Geelong has only lost one of their first choice players from last year and it is Tom Hawkins who will probably be given first opportunity to fill Nathan Ablett's position in the forward line. Hawkins has already shown talent and has the size but at this stage of his career he needs a bigger tank to get through the matches. If Hawkins has not developed this over summer expect the couragous Tom Lonergan to emerge from the VFL.

Player to watch in 08

Andrew Mackie - Like many Geelong players, Mackie had a career best season and the majority of Cat fans are breathing a sigh of relief as the slightly built defender (as he has become) decided to 'stick' (heh heh) around at Geelong rather than cross to Port Adelaide last year. Geelong invested heavily in the former Glenelg junior and now that investment is starting to come to fruition. Mackie is one player who I believe can actually improve on last year's efforts, to the extent of surpassing David Wojinscki in the pecking order down at Catland.

08 and Beyond

Geelong have undertaken something of a clean out of 'VFL only' type players such as Callan, Gardiner and Playfair and have stocked up on some tall timber which might hint of some foresight with the Nathan Ablett situation. Geelong still have great depth but don't expect the VFL side to be quite as strong this season. Third ruckman Trent West should make his debut at some stage this year and their is strong talk of Travis Varcoe being elevated to the midfield rotation.

Geelong's post premiership clean out tends to indicate that this club has no intention of bottoming out and that the next generation of Cat champions will be tudored by the current crop of premiership stars. The next three to four seasons will be an exciting time for Cat fans.

Prediction - Top four at the very least.


Next Up- Back to Pup

regards,

REB

[Pup]

No worries, i was thinking the same, I will get a few sides up in the next couple of days. Good review of Geelong, very hard to find any faults in their 2007 season. The re emergence of Ottens and Johnson were the highlights for me. I also agree on Mackie, 2 years ago was nearly traded to Port and then had a brilliant year of the half back flank in a premiership winning side. He will be looking to back that up again this year and improve again.

[stan]

Carlton 15th

Arrivals- Richard Hadley (Bris), Chris Judd (WCE), Ryan Jackson (R), Aisake O'hAilpin (R), Dennis Armfield (46), Steven Browne (36), Matthew Kreuzer (1), Darren Pfeiffer (2 PD)

Departures- Anthony Koutoufides, Matthew Lappin, Josh Kennedy (WCE), Craig Flint, Dylan McLaren, Anthony Raso, David Teague, Lance Whitnall, Ross Young (R).

Best Game Carlton Vs Essendon Rnd 3 MCG   125-122
One of the games of the season between these two arch rivals. Essendon stormed out of the blocks to lead by 8 goals, only for a Fevola inspired Carlton to over run them late in the game. Fevola was brilliant with 8 goals, and Scotland was good with 26 possesions. Brownlow votes went to Fevola, Scotland and the ever reliable Jimmy Hird.

Worst Game Carlton Vs Brisbane Rnd 16, Gabba.   163-46
What can you say about this game. This was the Jonothan Brown show. 14 marks, 10 goals 1 and he was unstoppable. This was a game to forget for the Carlton faithful with Brisbane and Brown utimately deciding the fate of Dennis Pagan in the 117 point belting. Brown, Lappin and Copeland all got Brownlow votes for the winners.

Who Stood Up- Andrew Carazzo, Fevola, Simpson, Scotland, Waite and Marc Murphy.

2007
What a year for this proud club with such a terrific history. It started with the Mitchell and Pagan incident, then the Whitnall family feud which was hardly ideal either. Then came the tanking issue, Did they or Didnt they? There is no doubt they did not lose games on purpose but they where certainly not going all out to win them. They lost their last 11 games and in 5 of them they were in a winnable positions late in the game. The Nick Stevens injury really hurt them leaving young gun Marc Murphy with the best tagger which was a big ask in only his second year. Andrew Carazzo was wonderful and was not far off being All Australian. Bryce Gibbs got a full year season and improved as the year went on despite heavy expectations and injury troubles. Simpson and Waite showed some good signs and Fevola still remains the key for this side and had a pretty reasonable year considering.Heath Scotland polled very well in the Brownlow and the B and F but IMO needs to do more with the footy to become a genuine worry for other sides. It was a sad way for a premiership coach in Pagan to go out but to be honest the writing was on the wall for him since last year. Also what a fall from grace for Lance Whitnall, B and F winner, Captain and then dumped all in one season, how quickly things can change.All in all 15th is not good enough for this club who have been so sucessful in the past.

Players who need a big 08

Jarrod Waite- His spot is in no danger but we have all seen what he can do, just about anything. He can play Key back and forward, run through the midfield. Is an excellent mark can kick and run. He could turn into a superstar, we just need to see it now week in week out.

Cain Ackland- Got thrown big money and a longer contarct to cross to the blues from the Saints to be the number 1 ruckman. His last two years have been pretty ordinary really and in 07 Ackland was ranked 16th with only 14 HO per game. Personally there is 10-18 ruckmen that i would rather play. he was being outshone by Cameron Cloke earlier in the year before he injured his shoulder. if Cain does not improve and Cloke can get his shoulders right and Kreuzer can develop slowly then, Ackland will find his spot in severe trouble at years end.

08 and Beyond
The big winners already from trade week/draft day already. They picked up the best player in the country who is a Premiership captain, Norm Smith medalist, browonlow medal winner, and someone who will lift the club on and off the field. They did not really break the bank to get Judd either, they lost pick 3, a decent KP prospect who in all honesty will never become a out and out star. and a speculative pick 20. They kept pick 1 and used it on talented ruck/key forward Matt Kreuzer who fitted their requirements perfectly. They picked up Hadley with a late pick which was a bonus IMO, if he can stay injury free then he will be a big bonus and will bolster the midfield. They are building a magnificent midfield, Murphy, Gibbs, Scotland, Judd, Simpson, Carazzo, Stevens and throw in Kreuzer in a few years, it could develop into a midfield not unlike the WCE one of 2005/6 or the Brisbane one of 2001/2/3. (A big maybe). The future looks very bright with a good midfield and a reasonable forward line led by the brilliant Fevola. The big problem is the back line and has been for a while, tyoo often Carlton have scored 18-25 goals only to lose.  Thornton is their only quality Key Back, with Waite only a pinch hitter not unlike Adam Hunter. The future looks a lot better than it did at this time last year but that does not change the fact that until the backline finds a way to sturdy up then they will struggle to beat top 6 sides.

Player to watch in 08
Marc Murphy- He had the best tagger in 07 due to Stevens injury and Scotlands inability to hurt sides by foot, and it was only his second year. He was still very servicable regardless. Next year with Judd and Stevens into the side, he will be given a much more free reign. Expect him to improve dramatically and have a terrific 08.

Pups Prediction
Will improve, with the inclusion of some excellent players but may not be enough to make the 8. IMO will finish 9th-13th most likely 10th

Next Up- Essendon

Dont think I commented on this one, but would like to. Carlton...well it will be interesting. Now they have a dynamic midfield that would do well with a good ruckman. Damn you carlton supporters are probably saying as young kruezer is a few years away. Judd will find it hard as he wont have the hand of Cox feeding him now. Although he will still be dangerous around the ground an espeically for those 50/50 stopages around the ground. But depending on there ruck situation. Ackland is not good enough to be the number one ruckman for any side. Cloke is better but not great. He would make a good second ruckman, so that means theres plenty on the shoulders on young kruezer or cruezer, something like that.

I think this year will be tough for them, but they will get a few up sets along the way. But I think there better than 15th this year and 9 -13th is probably a good bet.