At the end of the day...

[DavidSSS]

I said after last year's GF they would be back, then they recruited a couple of quality players. Geelong are well run, but their age profile does point to a falling away. They will have a fair number of retirements over the next couple of years, and you don't simply replace great players all that easily.

Can't see Geelong being competitive in a couple of years, but they are a hell of a chance this year and who knows how many years are left in a few of their ageing players. Geelong must be looking at how they cope with retirements, but the limitations of the draft and salary cap would not be helping.

DS

 

[snags]

this is a valid point, but Geelong had a couple less in 2017, two less in 2018, one less in 2019, and went down to us in 2020. five in total, but big, emotionally draining games.

plus, as champions we have been hunted, bashed, assaulted every week. everyone wants to take the big guy down. geelong have largely been able to methodically grind away home and away wins at their home ground.

In addition the Geelong game plan is much more efficient and does not rely on manic pressure to be successful. The new rules kissed them on the *smile* this year they barely required to tweak anything.

 

[dmc]

In addition the Geelong game plan is much more efficient and does not rely on manic pressure to be successful. The new rules kissed them on the *smile* this year they barely required to tweak anything.

Let's be honest about this...the new rule was built to optimize Geelong's game style. Hocking may not have consciously done this (though I have doubts) but the fact is his view of what the game should look like is influenced by his time at Geelong. It's as simple as that.

 

[deedee]

...it gets really dark!
(Sorry, couldn't help myself!)

And the missus says she has a headache.

 

[French Tiger]

I thought this was about the Justice Crew song lol

Don't forget being in a hub for over a 100 days on top of the shortened pre season, teams like Port & the Swans didn't have to worry about those things.

Obviously would like to be in the finals again, but as supporters like the players we could all do with a refresh as well.

 

[eZyT]

Cats have gone deep for a decade and had the same off-season as us with the oldest best-22 in the history of the game.

We may be burnt out but that's not enough of an excuse for how far we fell.

yeah but studies show its way more exhausting winning premierships,

than losing prelims and grandfinals

 

[Carter]

I thought this was about the Justice Crew song lol

Don't forget being in a hub for over a 100 days on top of the shortened pre season, teams like Port & the Swans didn't have to worry about those things.

Obviously would like to be in the finals again, but as supporters like the players we could all do with a refresh as well.

yep, of course you want to be there in september but winning an EF and going down in a SF would've done more harm than good. we need the weeks and I'm just looking forward to an old-fashioned september now watching teams belt each other up. (old fashioned being richmond not competing)

 

[eZyT]

I was certain Jack was gonna do an ACL and the hawks game would be his last, given how 2021 unfolded

so that was a win.

Im pretty confident Danger will win a Blazer in '22, and Dusty will win a premiership medal

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

So they are doing some things very, very well. Their recruitment? Bigger, stronger players more durable? Strength and conditioning staff? All that sea air, relaxed beach lifestyle? Pure luck?

The Weapon 2.0.

 

[achillesjones]

All our reasons for a poor season are valid and we were due to slide at some point. My worry is that when you look at our elite players (when they wrre on the track), many have had inconsistent years with some below-par performances. Our b and f will be interesting because we have had very few consistent performers this year.
It's like the girl with a curl.
When she was good she was very very good but when she was bad she was horrid.
Tom Hawkins seems to be despised here, but he is one of the most consistent forwards I have seen.

 

[The_General]

Exactly what I've been wondering too. We may love to hate them and for due reasons. But, all the posters including me saying they'll fall off the cliff, too old, or injuries will catch up with them, have been wrong.

So they are doing some things very, very well. Their recruitment? Bigger, stronger players more durable? Strength and conditioning staff? All that sea air, relaxed beach lifestyle? Pure luck?

Wish I knew. But I'm sick of waiting for them to hit that cliff. Whatever they're doing, maybe we need to get some intel? Get Grigga back!!

They keep topping up. I honestly don't know how their salary cap enables them to add Jeremy Cameron, Higgins and Breust, but they find away.
Hungry players find it easier to battle through the mental demands of long seasons. Players with their bellies fully of Premiership cups find those niggles just a little harder to overcome.
As always, it's more nuanced than that as you suggest, but I think the mental fatigue of winning, has a lot to do with it.

 

[leon]

The Weapon 2.0.

Lasting 'lessons' you reckon, TBH? I'm continually amazed by their lack of any serious run of injuries; just the occasional individuals like Duncan currently. Unlike us over last 3 seasons. Yet their list is older. They get to run a very stable lineup therefore.

Wonder how they do it, eh?

 

[kyuss]

we ran out of fuel.

It was something Dimma mentioned. Go deep enough in September for long enough and it's like you've played an extra season compared to other teams.

Considering how players are micro-managed throughout their summer preparations and every week makes a difference, this is huge. And its only huge at the elite level - at VFL and amateur levels the summer is usually long enough to pull things together no matter where / when you finish up.

So much written on the reasons for our fall to 12th position on the ladder. Rules, tactics, injuries, desire, no crowds, COVID disruption.

All those things have impacted us (some of them will continue to impact us) but it is Dimma's simple observation that has me feeling zen about things.

After a full summer of recovery, we'll be back.

Absolutely. Couldn"t agree more.

 

[craig]

Im pretty confident Danger will win a Blazer in '22, and Dusty will win a premiership medal