I understand what they are trying to do - but I would have kept one of Gibbs, Murphy or Simpson in the team. That is surprising to have all those players out. Probably would have rested Gibbs or Murphy, but not all three of these young guns. Robinson - I would have kept him in as well and rested him the following week...but I guess they have their plan.


Looking forward to seeing how Grigg, Hadley, Browne and Kreuzer go. Hope they have big games. Hadley impressed me last week.


Fisher has a long way to go to make first grade based on last week's game.

So we are missing 9 players compared to 7 and we earn the title "Ordinary Brew"

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/ ... 42,00.html

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Mjonc signing off at 8888

Now that's pragmatism at its best.

Well said RH.

It's all part of the journey to the holy grail.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I know where you are coming from jt. Fair enough.

The obvious viewpoint is that a team which finishes 11 is up against a top 2 team with seasoned bodies. Furthermore, with Fev, our only weapon who can beat Scarlett and kick a bag isn't playing, and neither are up to 12 other senior players.

On the flipside, what also should be considered is:

Geelong have not impressed me so far in the NAB
They look a bit rusty.
If they are increasing training workloads, they may have done a North (see their excuse for losing against the Blues)
They have 5 great seniors missing from their best team.
Our kids have some games under their belt, and are a better outfit than 2008.
We have won both of our 2009 encounters against last years top teams (unexpectadly, and with many players missing)

At the end of the day, we have 18 vs 18 on the field so that's even.
With a bit of luck (see hsitory of VFL/AFL?WAFL, VFA etc) the underdog can win.

I don't care either way I'm with Robert Heatley's viewpoint; either way we progress.

But there's always a chance if we turn up to the game with the right mettle (in body and in mind).

That's all. It's a punt.

Is anyone going to put $1000 that Geelong will win by more than 10 goals againsi the Blues this weekend? Why (apart from the fact you have money to burn on a punt) or why not?

It's not rocket science.

Interesting that in the papers this morning Ratts is quoted saying that we will player all our rookies this week.

GO BLUES!!!!

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I agree jt I reckon we'll have it won by half -time!

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Carlton football manager Steven Icke said, "But we've got Simon Wiggins back...Some might say that we're resting players...But we've got Simon Wiggins back."

The only chance we have is the little pocket dynamoes Betts, Garlett and Yarran tearing the Cat's backline a new one.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

I heard he was Franklins cousin

Hey, it is only a practice match...

Not with Gartlett playing.

What about Kreuzer, Pfeiffer and O'Keeffe... stick up for them too.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Typical lazy HUN reporting.

I like that they say that we're being somehow disrespectful by resting players, but


"Only"?!

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Be interesting to see what sort of crowd they get to this. I'm heading away tonight for the long weekend, and I know I won't be the only one. Also - there's many Blues fans who will just watch this on TV...or make other plans.

I don't think the club cares about the trip to WA next week - that will be a good experience for some of the young ones as well - as I wouldn't expect the same senior players to make that trip either.

What I will be watching for is the Aaron Joseph / Matthew Stokes match-up. AJ has played really well the last couple of weeks. He's done well against Harvey and Rioli and Stokes looks to be the match-up this week. Stokes is a classy footballer and by years end I expect him to be bracketed in the 'elite' class with about 5 other of his Geelong teammates under 183cms. AJ will go a long way in achieving his goal of playing a senior game this year if he can shut down Stokes.

Agree, Bondi, it's a huge copout to say we're going to be "lambs to the slaughter" for all of the very good reasons you've raised.

Our list runs far deeper these days. We have to move on from being frightened of these types of challenges if we want to mix it with the big boys again. With 4 or 5 of our best 22 missing, we beat a near full strength Roos by 50 plus points a few weeks ago, FFS.

Their outs (especially if no Bartel), should make this very interesting.

Who cares what they print in the papers?
I'm more excited about this game than the last two games. I want to see how the youngsters fare against a very good side, throwing them in the deep end will be an awesome test.


I wouldn't call them lambs to the slaughter either, there's a lot to be said for the impetuousness of youth, but even if they do lose by 10 goals they'll learn a hell of a lot from the Cats players.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

Yep, they'll learn from that..

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It should actually be a very interesting game to watch, so long as we don't get totally hammered of course.

Lots of young players we can see, and it will be very interesting to see how Hadley goes - this is probably his biggest game so far. Will he be able to step up and be a midfield leader of sorts?

Hopefully Thompson does some experimenting of his own. I heard Steve Johnson on SEN yesterday say that the Cats are trying some other players in the midfield, so maybe we won't be as badly burnt in the middle as many of us fear.

Waite is the only defender missing, and our rucks have been very competitive this off-season, so if we can clog up the midfield/tag the Abletts and Coreys, you never know, it mightn't be as scary as we think.

But for me it will be interesting to see certain individuals. The Hadleys, Yarrans, etc. I am certainly looking forward to this game, despite the fact we have 12 of our best 22 out...

Judd
Fevola
Waite
Gibbs
Murphy
Simpson
Walker
Scotland
Carazzo
Warnock
Robinson
Houlihan

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

I will be cooking lots and lots of large fish this weekend.


Very very large fish.


Probably shallow pan FRYING in a very light virgin olive oil.


Yep shallow pan FRYING my very big fish.


So really wont have time to go this weekend - Juddy and Fev are coming around as well.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

He played on Luke Hodge or Luke Hodge played on him in the Grand Final. Hodge gave him no respect at all and absolutely dated him. I reckon he is an average footballer in a good team. You must have him in your dream team.

Intoxicants started early this weekend have they?

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it