Crows v Geelong

[Rik E Boy]

N Ablett is lucky to be in the side

I have watch a fair bit of Geelong this year and everyt time he has been disappointing, it should be easy playing forward in the Cats side each year

Definitely understand that all 3 will not play as ruckman, but in my view it chokes your structure and flexibility

Ottens has proven this year he is a better ruckman than forward, Kind and Blake a better ruckmen than forwards

I am a true believer that you play your best players in their best positions, playing one of these players up forward means you are not playing him in his best position, in additon it also may push a natural forward out of the side, someone like N Ablett or Hawkins

My view, the Cats are flirting with Danger playing all three ruckmen, even if this enables them to play one of them up forward

My view is that you're clutching at straws. King was solid yesterday without being brilliant in and hindsight perhaps Otto was never going to start (a virus? hmmm). Ablett N has deservedly got a gig ahead of Hawkins this year but if King can go on with it then Otto might take his spot up foward. I believe that the re-emergence of King was a significant factor behind what was Mark Blake's best performance in Hoops yet.

regards,

REB

[sydney-dog]

Clutching at straws???, so any different strategy opinion is clutching at straws

all I was saying, in my view you should pick your best players in their best positions, by playing 3 ruckmen this means that at least one of those ruckmen will play up forward which is not necessary their best position and restrict the teams flexibility in other areas, for example midfield rotations.

REB, In your own omission, you just said playing 3 ruckmen allows the Cats to push Otto forward.

What I am questioning, playing Ottens forward removes him from his best position, as a ruckmen, lets not kid ourselves, Ottens ruckwork this year is a key factor in his career best form and the Cats success, so why change

Only time will tell if playing three ruckmen is sustainable, in my view the answer is no,

Yes the cats got away with it yesterday, but lets be honest, the tigers are not exactly quality opposition, you would of beat them yesterday playing 5 ruckmen

Come finals, when you need to beat sides like west coast, who's midfield and runners run so deep, in my opinion the cats would be better served by playing an extra runner instead of three ruckmen, so why not prepare for this now

Regardless of this week's result, I confidently predict that the Cats will not and can not beat a side like the Eagles come Sept playing 3 ruckmen

and that my friend is not clutching at straws

[Psyber]

If three ruckmen are your best big players, play them. If you have other key position players who are better then one of the ruckmen and can fill in if one of you two ruckmen gets injured play them instead. Simple really.

If your key ruckman is aging or of marginal fitness it is probably worth playing three as insurance, and to develop them as replacements, if they are good enough in general field play as well to not be dead wood you have to carry. I would like to see Maric and Griffin both sharing the load with Hudson. Any of the three would be useful forward leaving room on the bench for three mobile players.

[Wedgie]

Yes the cats got away with it yesterday,

70 points is just getting away with it?
Christ, I'd hate to see how much they'd win by if it was actually successful!

[Rik E Boy]

Clutching at straws???, so any different strategy opinion is clutching at straws

Yes. Your team plays the Cats this week. Your three ruckman 'in September' theory (my calendar must be broken) appears to be an attempt to hang your hat on something..but that is only my opinion.

all I was saying, in my view you should pick your best players in their best positions, by playing 3 ruckmen this means that at least one of those ruckmen will play up forward which is not necessary their best position and restrict the teams flexibility in other areas, for example midfield rotations.

REB, In your own omission, you just said playing 3 ruckmen allows the Cats to push Otto forward.

What I am questioning, playing Ottens forward removes him from his best position, as a ruckmen, lets not kid ourselves, Ottens ruckwork this year is a key factor in his career best form and the Cats success, so why change

Only time will tell if playing three ruckmen is sustainable, in my view the answer is no,

Yes the cats got away with it yesterday, but lets be honest, the tigers are not exactly quality opposition, you would of beat them yesterday playing 5 ruckmen

Exactly. This is why they chose this week's match to have a look at all the talls. Adelaide are another side where we can have a squiz at our talls and do damage to the opposition at the same time..

Come finals, when you need to beat sides like west coast, who's midfield and runners run so deep, in my opinion the cats would be better served by playing an extra runner instead of three ruckmen, so why not prepare for this now

We are preparing for the finals now. Bringing in King now gives him some invaluable game time in preparation for the finals. In past years we've been forced to rush King back and as a result he has broken down repeatedly. Heck, this even happened earlier in this year. Many people would no longer rate King based on the last couple of years but having an All Australian ruckman fit and firing come September will turn out to be a finals wildcard for the Cats.

Regardless of this week's result, I confidently predict that the Cats will not and can not beat a side like the Eagles come Sept playing 3 ruckmen

Who says that when we bring Otto back in that it will be a running type player who gets omitted from the side? IMO it might be Nathan Ablett that misses out if Geelong were to play all three ruckmen. Here's something else about the unbeatable Eagles that you haven't mentioned. Not one of Geelong's three ruck options is a John Barnes and capbale of running with Cox. With three ruckmen about the place we won't need any one ruckman to follow him. They'll be able to zone off..everywhere Cox goes there's a Cat ruckman. Ruckman can also drop into space, cutting off valuable running room for the opposition while setting up such play with a handball. Have a look at Mark Blake if you don't believe me. Whenever Blakey gets the ball there is usually a Wojinski, a Mackie or a Scarlo rebounding off half back to set up the play. The Cats peel off their man to assist their team mates and there is no reason why the ruck options cannot do this.

and that my friend is not clutching at straws

I'm not sure what the Cats' best 22 will look like come September but I can't see too many negatives by giving Kingy a run right now. The next two matches will tell us plenty if it will work or not I would think. Adelaide work very hard as do the Roos so if we are short of runners as you suggest it will soon become evident to the match committee I would have thought.

I can tell you two things though: Firstly, we've made a lot more right moves than wrong ones this season and secondly Bomber will not be showing anyone what our plans will be for the finals this far out. As fans of other clubs have been telling us all year 'flags aren't won in April/May/June/July/August'.

regards,

REB

[sydney-dog]

what am I hanging my hat on/

Please tell me, when was the last successful side to play three ruckmen in the same side?, this would mean at any given time 2 ruckmen would need to play on the field, it's just my view, this is not sustainable and would place the Cats Premiership chances at serious risk

the Cats have gone 15 and 3 this year without playing 3 ruckmen, so son't fix it if it is not broken

Ottens is in Career best form playing in the ruck, considering playing him forward to squeeze in three ruckmen is a risk

Considering playing more then one ruckmen to zone off Cox is a strategy full of stupidity and a move that will create a defensive mind-set and play right in to the hands of the Eagles, this too is a risk

Considering dropping a natural forward so a ruckman can play a make-shift forward role is a risk and serious threatens your goal scoring capability

tELL ME, When is the last time a ruckman has played forward and kicked consistent bags of goals, Paul Salmon???

Considering dropping a running type of player to play three ruckmen is a risk, given the top challengers have deep midfields

In summary, I conceed, playing three ruckmen gives you flexibility to stretch a defence, however it starves you of flexibility in so many other critical areas

I think it is yourself clutching at straws thinking this strategy will give them a finals edge, my advise, stick to what has worked for you all year

[Psyber]

what am I hanging my hat on/

Please tell me, when was the last successful side to play three ruckmen in the same side?, this would mean at any given time 2 ruckmen would need to play on the field, it's just my view, this is not sustainable and would place the Cats Premiership chances at serious risk

Not really, if game conditions required it you could sit two of them on the bench. However, it might be silly to go in too big if the weather predictions said wet and slushy! But with two ruckmen you do need someone who can pinch hit in case of injury to one of them. One guy rucking all day just doesn't work. Ask Lade.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Yes the cats got away with it yesterday,

70 points is just getting away with it?
Christ, I'd hate to see how much they'd win by if it was actually successful!

150 odd

whatever the margin was the last time we played them

[Rik E Boy]

Syd dog you don't read so well. Who says we are going to play 3 in September. What I am saying is why not try it now to give King maximum game time prior to the finals? I'd be more worried about your mob.

btw, Paul Salmon. Yep, that sounds about right.

regards,

REB

[the joker]

i think the crows can win. geelong have to lose soon. and as shown on saturday night crows a good in wet and windy conditions and when the have there backs against the wall

[sydney-dog]

REB

Point taken

Regards
SD

[stan]

Geez, I remember some dark days at Cat Park as a Crows supporter

I remember some dark days at Footy Park as a Cats supporter!

I remember some dark days at Waverly oh hang on that was only one night.

[sydney-dog]

Good news for the crows

Bock, Rutten and Radar are all likely starters

[Blue Boy]

Good news for the crows

Bock, Rutten and Radar are all likely starters

Not sure on rutten yet !!!

[NFC]

In: Reilly, Bock
Out: Douglas, McGregor

Rutten won't come up IMO.

[sydney-dog]

believe me, the Truck will play

[Rik E Boy]

i think the crows can win. geelong have to lose soon. and as shown on saturday night crows a good in wet and windy conditions and when the have there backs against the wall

Er....could you please explain why Geelong have to lose? And you think a wet day in Geelong will somehow provide the Crows with an advantage? Of course the Crows can win but they probably won't.

regards,

REB

[MW]

It's an interesting point though....
REB, Wedgie and other Geelong supporters, would you rather drop one now or go through to the GF on a 19-20 game winning streak?
I remember North Melbourne having a 11(?) game streak going in against the Crows in 1998, although if they'd kick straight that day it would be a non issue today.

[Blue Boy]

Geelong are lookin a 10 goal better side than us and they are playing there kids !!!

Just seein if it works again

[Wedgie]

It's an interesting point though....
REB, Wedgie and other Geelong supporters, would you rather drop one now or go through to the GF on a 19-20 game winning streak?
I remember North Melbourne having a 11(?) game streak going in against the Crows in 1998, although if they'd kick straight that day it would be a non issue today.

I don't subscribe to the have to lose one theory but if we are going to lose one I can see it being in the last round, we send up half a side to Brisbane and Brisbane continue their fine form.
Christ, we could lose 3 games by 100 pts and still be on top of the table!