Round 5 - Geelong

[swans_premiers]

Mooney is very important to the cats, if he doesn't play we are a very good chance. Even without him I wouldnt put it past us. Plus it's a day game...and we always seem to do well on daygames

[ShockOfHair]

I'm tipping the Swans by a couple of goals, on the principle of 'the Cats are due to lose a game'.

Also, they've been absurdly over-hyped - they're a good team, but some of the stuff written about them is ridiculous. They came tenth just 18 months ago and they haven't been tested this year. Port - Port! - came within nine points. Melbourne within five goals -- that's a win for Melbourne.

They got roundly beaten in clearances by Saints last week, so they have some vulnerabilities.

Will be good to have Davis back for this game. He loves terrorising the Cats. After three weeks in purgatory he's ready to chase and tackle.

And the Cats will be confident, too confident. After this week's headlines, they'll be unbackable.

So, a walk in the park. I've already banked the four points.

[mcs]

I voted for geelong by 10-19 points but I really reckon we will give them a good shake and might you never know sneak a win. If mooney is out it will hurt them- our defence is playing very well at the moment. The biggest issue is shutting down their run off the halfback flank. Id like to see ROK playing somewhere where he can alleviate the run of Scarlett- as a direct opponent if possible at either CHF or FF but at least in close vicinity. Take that run out of them and they will find life a bit more difficult. Granted Scarlett is not the only one to give them this run but shut him down and you are part of the way there.

Im quietly confident about this one, there will be no pressure on the boys at all as itll still be the hype round Barry Hall even by Saturday. If they have a good week of preparation and we start the game well (Remember last year at skilled awful first half but roared home to give them a fair scare in the 2nd half) then who knows. I certainly am tempted to have a go at those odds- would be very nice I would expect on the margin market (Ie Swans under 39.5 points).

[swansrule100]

i voted swans by more than 40 because if i believe they will win they will win

[TheMase]

Perhaps Bevan in a defensive role across half forward on one of their HBs to negate their influence and provide forward line pressure.

[mcs]

perhaps Mase that would work. If we can apply enough pressure across the backline and remove that link it will give us a big shot. Take that out of their game and suddenly its all up to the midfield battle for Geelong. At times they play with almost 2 midfields with a bunch of defenders playing like quasi midfielders allowing the real midfielders to play so far up the ground and make life very difficult. Take that out of the equation and make the defenders stick to defending and you give yourself half a hope I feel.

[NMWBloods]

Perhaps Bevan in a defensive role across half forward on one of their HBs to negate their influence and provide forward line pressure.

The best way to create forward pressure is not to tackle them once the ball spills, but to create goal kicking opportunities.

[gossipcom]

If Brennan is retained in the lineup, I wouldn't be surprised if he's plays a role like he did on the weekend, both back and forward lines.

[AnnieH]

Geez I'd love to be proved wrong here, BUT, the cats are gunna rip us a new one.

40+

(Thank goodness our percentage is healthy four weeks in for a change.)

[Bloody Hell]

I hope we put in a good effort - though not confident of victory.

Hate to be touched up by the reigning premiers after a strong start to the season.

[Cheer Squad]

Geez I'd love to be proved wrong here, BUT, the cats are gunna rip us a new one.

40+

(Thank goodness our percentage is healthy four weeks in for a change.)

Why so pessimistic Annie? We have matched up well against the Cats over the past few years, and are less predictable this year given the injection of new players. I can't see us getting a 40+ flogging.

[AnnieH]

Why so pessimistic Annie? We have matched up well against the Cats over the past few years, and are less predictable this year given the injection of new players. I can't see us getting a 40+ flogging.

Because when they were up against it last week vs the ainters, they dug really deep and pulled off a stunning win.

I doubt the swans will be able to match that.

Like I said, I'd love it if I were proved wrong.

[hammo]

Swans are playing exceptionally well at the moment. Even without Hall, we should go there with some good confidence and with nothing to lose. There is no reason why we can't win by a couple of goals, when you consider Melbourne got within 5 and we are a much better team than them.

[NMWBloods]

Geelong played particularly poorly against Melbourne though. Then again, StKilda matched them pretty well in the first qtr. High intensity is the key. However, you need to maintain that all game, combined with good execution, because Geelong does. This will be our first test this year of top quality 4 qtr football.

[barry]

After dreading this game, I am actually looking forward to it. To counterbalance Hall, geelong have lost Mooney.
In my mind Mooney is a bigger loss. Who else do the cats have as a power forward. That Tom Hawkins is severly overrated IMO.

We have a ready forward replacement in Davis. The cats would normally replace him with playfair but he's ours now (What astute trading!).

Ottens out, Mooney out, Everitt out, Hall out. Its all even.

Unfortunetly, I think without our power forward, Roos will adopt a lock-down game plan which wont be pretty to watch.