Davis in, Smith in......

[giant]

Brennan's a great mark, good tackler and reasonably quick. But he's never going to be more than a bits and pieces player unless he can eliminate the worst of his kicking turnovers, especially when he's coming out of defence and has slightly less pressure on him than further up the ground.

This is a real issue for defenders - you seem teams leave Bevan and (last week) Brennan alone at the kick out in order to isolate them with the ball coming out of defence - like fouling the guys with the worst free throw record.

Don't know much about Smith but looking forward to another debut. Good to see Davis back too - you gotta think he scares the crap out of Cats supporters even if not the players any more.

[NMWBloods]

I see Roos says Brennan is out for matchups, so hopefully he gets anothe chance soon.

"Luke is a bit stiff but Geelong haven't really got a huge forward line," Roos said. "So it's just really match-ups giving a tall away for a medium because Geelong have got James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel, Mathew Stokes."

Brennan's not that tall though and much the same height as most of them.

[liz]

Brennan plays quite tall though. He seems more comfortable defending against taller opponents than smaller, slippery ones.

I'm also not convinced by his listed height. I've seen him walking alongside Goodes and it certainly didn't look as if there was a 3 inch height differential.

[NMWBloods]

Yep - I was thinking of the 'playing tall' response too as that seems his style and I expected someone else would also say that. Interestingly Barry is even shorter.

I wonder how Brennan would go against 'smaller' players as he still seems reasonably quick.

[AnnieH]

Again, I'm jumping into the middle of the conversation ... why did they drop Brennan?

I think Brennan's doing ok ... albeit the odd ineffective disposal (like a lot of others!!). I'd like to see him get a little bit more game time as I think he can only get better.

I'd like to see Davo kick 10 against a team other than a regional amateur one!!

[ScottH]

I see Roos says Brennan is out for matchups, so hopefully he gets anothe chance soon.

"Luke is a bit stiff but Geelong haven't really got a huge forward line," Roos said. "So it's just really match-ups giving a tall away for a medium because Geelong have got James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel, Mathew Stokes."

Brennan's not that tall though and much the same height as most of them.

Again, I'm jumping into the middle of the conversation ... why did they drop Brennan?

I think Brennan's doing ok ... albeit the odd ineffective disposal (like a lot of others!!). I'd like to see him get a little bit more game time as I think he can only get better.

I'd like to see Davo kick 10 against a team other than a regional amateur one!!

See NMW's post above.

[Lucky Knickers]

I'm not surprised at Brennan being dropped - we need to kick goals and freak out their defence.
My knickers are feeling particularly lucky today - I think we can leave a surprise in the kitty litter.

[BSA5]

Brennan=hack. Or at least, hackish. No room for him in the side, in any case. He is an excellent emergency.

[Jeffers1984]

Can't have Brennan's kicking skills out of defense hurting us when he turns the ball over. Geelong would be all over it.

[connolly]

Good to see Davis back too - you gotta think he scares the crap out of Cats supporters even if not the players any more.

He scares the crap out of me as well playing on the fast strong Geelong rebounders.

[stellation]

He scares the crap out of me as well playing on the fast strong Geelong rebounders.

Hopefully for half the game they are playing on him.

[NMWBloods]

The best way to beat rebounders is not to tag them but to kick goals on them!

[connolly]

The best way to beat rebounders is not to tag them but to kick goals on them!

Shoot out or blow out?

[NMWBloods]

No. If forwards kick goals then the defenders need to be more accountable and have less ability to rebound. If forward entries are more effective and a team scores more from them then it is more difficult for rapid rebounding. If each forward is a threat and the forward entries are effective then it is more difficult for the defenders to cover for each other which means it is easier to kick goals and it is more difficult for the defenders to operate as a co-ordinated rebounding unit.

[Eala ?ireann]

The much anticipated return of Davis, kicker of bags of goals in the reserves was about as exciting as a 30 minute benediction...