Tonight, the AFL announced the 2011 All Australian team at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. The team was cut down to 22 players from the 40 man squad named earlier on in the month. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Matthew Scarlett’
2011 All Australian Team
Monday, September 19th, 2011Geelong vs. Hawthorn – Round 15 Match Preview
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Geelong vs. Hawthorn
SportsBet Odds: $1.35 vs $3.25
1st vs. 7th
Games between these two clubs in recent years have produced some classic encounters. This game again shapes as a great match with Hawthorn being one of the form sides of the competition over the past two months. The Cats are sitting equal top of the AFL ladder and will be looking to continue to put forward good performances going into September. (more…)
Geelong Mid-season Review
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010Current Ladder Position: 1st
Flag Odds: $2.75
ContestedFooty’s start of the year preview
2nd – 4th The Cats have one more chance at a premiership with their current list. Key players like Scarlett, Milburn, Ottens and Mooney are all beginning to get towards the end of their carrers. Geelong still have plenty of options across the ground and will welcome back Josh Hunt. The Stokes saga will hopefully have little impact on the list but only time will tell. Top 4 is a must for the Cats to defend to 2009 premiership. See the preview here. (more…)
Brisbane vs. Geelong – Round 8 Match Preview
Thursday, May 13th, 2010SportsBet Odds: $3.50 vs. $1.31
9th vs. 3rd
Geelong goes into this game as red hot favourites against Brisbane after a very impressive performance against the Swans last week. The Lions started the year in impressive fashion winning their first 4 games but since have dropped the next three. (more…)
Geelong vs Sydney – Round 7 Match Review
Sunday, May 9th, 2010Geelong – 19.12 (126)
Sydney – 9.5 (59)
Geelong has defeated Sydney at Skilled Stadium in a dominant performance to win by 67 points. The game was tight in the first half with Sydney being able to stay close. However after half time the Cats kicked clear out scoring the Swans 12 goals to 4. (more…)
Geelong vs. Sydney – Round 7 Match Preview
Thursday, May 6th, 2010SportsBet Odds: $1.29 vs. $3.75
5th vs. 1st
Ladder leaders Sydney make the trip down to Skilled Stadium to face the Cats. Sydney has been very impressive in season 2010 and will be looking to claim a big scalp this weekend.
The Cats welcome back some big names this week with Ablett and Scarlett both returning to the team, while brad Ottens will miss due to a foot injury.
The odds for this game seem a little bit outrageous considering the way Sydney are generally close to teams when they do not actually win. This is also the first time big Shane Mumford returns to Skilled Stadium since he left the club last season. (more…)
Injuries and Suspension – SuperCoach Watch
Thursday, April 8th, 2010As round three is almost upon us here is a look at this week’s suspensions and injuries that may affect your supercoach teams. The list is not of every player who is in doubt but those who will definitely be missing. Some tough calls will have to made on some players in the list whether to hold onto or to trade out. (more…)
Geelong Cats Season Preview
Sunday, February 14th, 2010Last Year
Last year Geelong finished second on the Premiership table with 18 wins and 4 losses. The Cats went on to win its second premiership in 3 years in an epic clash against rivals St Kilda.
It was well reported that Geelong needed nothing short of a flag for 2009 to be a success and they managed to deliver. After 2008 questions were asked of the squad that seemingly lost a Grand Final it should have won. 2009 saw the Cats mange its list into the finals and unlike 2008 went into the Grand Final with a fit 22 players.
Backline
The Cats backline in 2009 was again one of its big strengths. Though not as dominant as previous years it still managed to be ranked 4th in the league. This season will see the return of premiership player Josh Hunt to the backline mix.
The loss of Captain Tom Harley will be felt but is covered by the return of Hunt and the addition of Marcus Drum to the list. Scarlett is still a huge key to the backline but with the emergence of Harry Taylor (who in my opinion could have easily received the Norm Smith medal in last years Grand Final) and Andrew Mackie options are aplenty. Milburn is aging and it will be interesting to see how he performs this season. The run of Enright, Kelly and Wojcinski from defence all points towards a good year from the backline.
Jeremy Laidler was given an opportunity in 2009 and provides a Back up to Scarlett and Taylor. Drum who stands at 191cm is also another taller option for the Cats.
Midfield
The biggest strength of the Geelong team is its midfield and the amount of options they have. The names speak for them selves with Ablett, Bartel, Ling, Corey and Selwood are all superb midfielders.
The strength comes from the options that Geelong has Chapman moves through the centre on occasions along with Rooke, Johnson and Byrnes. This season I will be looking for Hogan to get more game time along with Varcoe spending more time in the middle of the ground.
The Cats midfield is another area that again should have a good 2010, the only interesting thing will be what impact the no signing of Ablett will have if any.
Forwards
The forward line is an area for the Cats that is often perceived as the weak link. Despite this Geelong were the second highest scoring team of 2009. Mooney is vital to the structure of the forward line and always pitches in. Geelong benefit from having an abundance of small to medium forwards. Steve Johnson and Paul Chapman being the two most note able.
Tom Hawkins had a better 2009 but still needs to improve and really become the number one tall option. The addition of James Podsiadly also adds another tall option coupled with Brad Ottens. The forward line pressure from Max Rooke, Travis Varcoe and Shannon Byrnes always helps to create opportunities in the forward 50. With Stokes missing until at least round 8 it provides opportunities for the likes of Hogan, Djerrkura, Motlop and Adam Varcoe.
Rucks
The Ruck stocks at Geelong have taken a slight hit after Sydney made an offer to Shane Mumford that the Cats just couldn’t match. Despite this Geelong have Mark Blake who has shown improvement since 2007. Brad Ottens is certainly the key for the Cats in this area and this showed in last season’s finals campaign. Trent West who was backed by Mark Thompson last season again waits in the wing for an opportunity. Tom Hawkins also had a run through the ruck last season which benefited his confidence more than anything but is an option.
Summary
The Cats have one more chance at a premiership with their current list. Key players like Scarlett, Milburn, Ottens and Mooney are all beginning to get towards the end of their carrers. Geelong still have plenty of options across the ground and will welcome back Josh Hunt. The Stokes saga will hopefully have little impact on the list but only time will tell. Top 4 is a must for the Cats to defend to 2009 premiership.
Expected Finish: 2nd-4th
Best 22
FB: Andrew Mackie, Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn
HB: James Kelly, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Joel Corey
HF: Paul Chapman, Cameron Mooney, Travis Varcoe
FF: Max Rooke, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Fol: Brad Ottens, Gary Ablett, Cameron Ling
Int: Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, David Wojcinski, Josh Hunt
Top 5 Most Important Players to Geelong
Sunday, February 14th, 2010If Geelong wants another premiership in 2010 the following players will have vital roles to play. Remember this is not a Top 5 list but a Top 5 most important.
1. Brad Ottens
Ottens may have only played 6 games in season 2009 but when he is in the team he provides more options. His ruck work stands out as a big plus (25 in the Grand Final). Not only this but Ottens can go forward and provide another big target. This enables either Mooney or Hawkins to take a smaller defender. A good season from Ottens will indicate a good season for Geelong.
2. Paul Chapman
Chapman is the barometer for the Cats, when he is playing well Geelong is generally winning. Chapman played 20 games last season and kicked 37 goals. He was rotated heavily through the midfield and this will surely happen again this year. Without Chapman Geelong would still have only one premiership from three years.
3. Harry Taylor
Taylor has risen up the ranks at Geelong at a rapid rate. Taylor had a fantastic 2009 one in which he managed to stop Reiwoldt on the biggest day of the year having an AFL record equaling 13 spoils (with a broken hand). Harley is now gone and Taylor will have to step up and become Geelongs best defensive player for the Cats.
4. Tom Hawkins
It is time for Tom Hawkins to become the number one big forward for the Cats. Last season he managed 37 goals, this season I believe it needs to be close to 50 for Geelong to be a success. He has been in the system for long enough and showed signs last season that he has what it takes. Mooney is now in his thirties so Hawkins must stand up.
5. Matthew Scarlett
While Scarlett is at Geelong he will continually be named in my top 5 most important players. His poise under pressure in the backline wins Geelong games. He is the general of the back half of the ground and is arguably one of the best full backs in the history of the game. His ability to not only shut down opponents but hurt them on the rebound makes him important to Geelongs structure and attacking plays.
