This weeks NAB Challenge against Carlton

[jono2707]

I think Geelong will be the team to beat this year if they have Biclavs, Bliclavs and Blitsavs all lining up alongside Blicavs.

[snajik]

They outplayed the Swans in the second half only, after the Swans had a couple of goals lead at half-time but then seemed to think the game was over. It was possibly the most disappointing performance by the Swans for the year. But they lost by slightly less than they beat the Cats by in the first meeting of last season, where Parker was super and the likes of Mitchell, McVeigh and Kennedy weren't too shoddy either.

There's no denying that Selwood and Danger are quality players but both finished below both Kennedy and Hanners in the AFLCA awards and Brownlow count last year. Those two aren't half bad either. Motlop is a small forward who occasionally rotates through the midfield. He's yet to show he's a proper midfielder. Duncan's a good player but so are Jack, Parker and Mitchell. I'd take any of those over Gregson who's only entering his second season (and is still just a part time mid) or Guthrie, or Murdoch (or Caddy, who you didn't mention). Indeed, Gregson's not much more of a midfielder yet than Heeney is. I know I'd take Heeney first.

I don't deny Geelong has a pretty decent midfield. We don't have anyone to compare to Biclavs (though they don't have anyone with the attributes of Tippett either). Sydney's list has holes - everything beyond the first 15 or so players, for instance. But I rate our top half dozen or so mids, especially the ball winning mids, as a stronger and more proven bunch.

I think also that it should be remembered this was Goodesy's 'comeback' game after he took himself out of the game for the previous match against Adelaide. Much energy went into making his return to the game as accommodating as it could have been, which is just how it should have happened. It no doubt would have been an emotional week for the team (emotional couple of weeks) and it wouldn't surprise me that these external issues had an emotional toll that consequently affected their performance at Kardinia Park, and possibly compounded by Geelong wanting to get it right for their spiritual leader Joel Selwood who was playing his 200th. Probably not the ideal game in which to assess the team's performance.

[wolftone57]

They outplayed the Swans in the second half only, after the Swans had a couple of goals lead at half-time but then seemed to think the game was over. It was possibly the most disappointing performance by the Swans for the year. But they lost by slightly less than they beat the Cats by in the first meeting of last season, where Parker was super and the likes of Mitchell, McVeigh and Kennedy weren't too shoddy either.

There's no denying that Selwood and Danger are quality players but both finished below both Kennedy and Hanners in the AFLCA awards and Brownlow count last year. Those two aren't half bad either. Motlop is a small forward who occasionally rotates through the midfield. He's yet to show he's a proper midfielder. Duncan's a good player but so are Jack, Parker and Mitchell. I'd take any of those over Gregson who's only entering his second season (and is still just a part time mid) or Guthrie, or Murdoch (or Caddy, who you didn't mention). Indeed, Gregson's not much more of a midfielder yet than Heeney is. I know I'd take Heeney first.

I don't deny Geelong has a pretty decent midfield. We don't have anyone to compare to Biclavs (though they don't have anyone with the attributes of Tippett either). Sydney's list has holes - everything beyond the first 15 or so players, for instance. But I rate our top half dozen or so mids, especially the ball winning mids, as a stronger and more proven bunch.

Our mids are wonderful at getting the ball but are wasteful. When we don't have one mid in the top 100 efficient disposers then we need to look at ehat they are doing with it. In fact the first of our mids on the disposal efficiency is over 300. That's pretty crap. yes they get heaps of the ball and if it weren't for our forwards and their wonderful pressure and the backs moving up to cut off the fast rebound the mids would have a lot of egg on their faces. Far too wasteful. don't know if it's game plan or just low skills level but we need to be far more efficient to beat Hawks in a grand final. I think you will also find this year sides will start to exploit out inefficiencies much more.

We have to be better. It's not that these players can't do it, they did in 2012 and Mitchell did for the most part in his matches last year although he is not a naturally gifted pass or position kick. Heens has wonderful skills. Hewett if he plays tonight might just get to show off his skills. So far I have not seen great skills because the game plan simply doesn't allow for great skill. Bombing the ball constantly to the forward line is not skilful it is insanity.

[ugg]

CARLTON
Out: Jason Tutt, Charlie Curnow, Ciaran Byrne

SYDNEY SWANS
Out: Jack Hiscox, Daniel Robinson, Brandon Jack

Means the final changes from last week's team are

In: Rose, Hewett
Out: Jordan DAWSON, Brandon JACK, Xavier RICHARDS, Daniel ROBINSON

[aardvark]

Glad to see Rose finally getting a game, I don't mind Hewett either.

[churry]

Happy with those team changes.

[aguy]

I would have been happy to see hiscox get a run and rest either reg or laids. Neither of the latter two need the run. They have been good. And it's the last chance to see a young guy play at top level.

[liz]

That is pretty much my wishlist of changes that I posted earlier in the week, so I'm happy. Interesting that they are retaining the 3rd ruckman but it probably makes sense. While Big Toby is unlikely to be in the round 1 team, we're likely to need him sooner rather than later, given how injury prone ruckmen tend to be. It's helpful to get him as much senior level exposure as possible.

[wolftone57]

Scrappy so far. delivery still crap.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Good to see the off season kicking under pressure/duress drills are reaping dividends..[emoji15]

[Levii3]

Newman looks ok so far, jack started back 6

[aardvark]

Young Papley is a ripper. Hard at it and good skills.

[aguy]

Looking a little better this week. Still plenty of turnovers from dropped marks but at least targets are Being identified more constistently. The field kicking has been noticeable better as has the separation

[wolftone57]

Papley looks the goods. Newman other than that one kick has been impressive with delivery. Scrappy. All the attacks have come from rebound footy as usual. Need to clear the ball. Not impressed with the centre set ups so far.

[aguy]

Definitely looks the goods. Papley go