dlb99 wrote:
tap in 79 wrote:
Scott on AFL360 said a lot about Geelong’s expectations in this time of “equalisation” is that “in their business plan we aim to make top 4 every year.” And it’s a realistic aim cause each year they can take players from other clubs to bolster the young players they bring in. Those young players aren’t thrown to the wolves as they are in poor clubs.
It is not realistic for Geelong to make top 4 every year, they did not do it this year and won't do it next year either. Dalhaus level free-agents will not move the needle at all.
Clearly: Richmond, Melbourne, West Coast, GWS are far better. Adelaide, Collingwood, Hawthorn & Essendon*** likely better too. Heck I expect the Bulldogs to finish higher than Geelong next season.
They missed their chance in 2016, embarrassed themselves against Sydney.
Selwood, Hawkins past 30.
Geelong had a great successful run between 2007 - 2011.
Had a decent, unsuccessful, run between 2012 - 2018.
Won't make finals in 2019.
Will fall off a cliff at some point, sooner rather than later.
I will enjoy seeing the Geelong mafia squirm.
I get the logic of what you are saying....Geelong is playing the wrong style of football, etc, but really a counter argument could be despite their age demographic they do have an ability to draft well WHILST they are raping the best players from other clubs.
That Cockatoo guy should be good, they got that bloke out of the Geelong league etc.
With one or two different umpiring decisions vs Melbourne, if they played Cockatoo etc, they could have perhaps had a different result.
Believe me, no one would be happier if Geelong falls of a cliff than me...but they have Dangerfield, they have Selwood etc. Once those players go I can relax. I think they will still make the finals next year - barring injury- perhaps top 4 is out of reach....but going on the evidence of last 15 years Geelong, Hawthorn and Sydney should make the finals again next year. The system (in particular free agency and trading) is geared to assist them to stay in top 8.
From the start of next season they’ll have 10 players over 29 years old, these include Ablett , H Taylor, J Selwood, S Selwood, Hawkins, Crameri, Tuohy, Hawkins, Hendo, Dangerfield. If they don’t win a premiership in the next two years (which I don’t think they will) they’ll be in serious trouble with their list. Make no mistake, as their ladder position has suggested this year they are on the way down.