Back to Back Flags for the Geelong Football Club?
Well is there anyone who can challenge the might of the Geelong Football Club in Season 2008? I don’t think they can, maybe Collingwood, have a read here. Geelong was so dominant in 2007 that comparisons were being drawn to the great Essendon side of 2000 (and that was a brilliant side). I don’t think things will stop here for the Cats, let’s take a look at whom they have picked up and who they have let go.
ADDITIONS:
Father/son selection: Adam Donohue (Geelong Falcons)
Rookie elevation: Jason Davenport, Tom Lonergan
NAB AFL Draft: Dan McKenna (Gippsland Power), Dawson Simpson (Murray Bushrangers), Scott Simpson (Dandenong Stingrays), Harry Taylor (East Fremantle)
DELETIONS:
Exchange period – traded: Tim Callan (Western Bulldogs), Charlie Gardiner (St Kilda), Steven King (St Kilda), Henry Playfair (Sydney)
Delisted: Sam Hunt, Stephen Owen, Matthew Spencer, Todd Grima (rookie), Joel Reynolds (rookie)
Nathan Ablett Gone
Well as you can see from that the Cats certainly have not lost much and have gained some youngsters in which they can take 
their time in developing them. All the trades Callan, Gardiner, King and Playfair didn’t have any impact in 2007 and I don’t think they will be missed at all. We all know of the much publicized fact that Nathan Ablett has walked out and he will be one player that they will miss but I think he can be covered. Ablett’s head really wasn’t in it from the start, if he was fully focused it would be scary to think what he could have become. I just don’t think we will see him line up or the Cats again. It would be great to a player like the “Tomahawk” Tom Hawkins step up and take the reigns in the Cats forward line this year and inject some more enthusiasm in the side.
Geelong were DOMINANT in Most Areas
The Cats were dominant in most aspects of the game in 2007 and it is hard to know where the improvements will come from. The disappointment that Mark Blake experienced last year will provide great incentive or him and I think he will come back hungry for the contest and rip into the opposition this year. The Cats were already pretty well off in the Ruck department last year and they were ranked 2nd in hit outs per game. Ottens was just a touch in front of Blake in terms of average hit outs but Blake will be out to prove himself more than ever and I think will take the mantel of Number 1 ruckman in 2008 and the Cats will dominate in the Ruck again.
Great News for the Midfield
That all points to the Cats midfield getting first use of the footy again in 2008. Geelong just have so many options through the middle of the ground it really is mind boggling to think that if an Ablett or Bartel have an average game or two then they still have Chapman, Ling, Kelly and the like who would be leading on ballers at numerous other clubs. When you have the top 6 possession getters in your side all averaging above 20 per game and the next 4-5 a touch under 20 then it shows that you have a lot of options to choose from. You can’t tag their whole on ball division and that is why they are so impressive because of the options they have.
Egan and Blake Hungry for Success!
Matthew Egan is in a similar situation to Mark Blake although he didn’t get left out of the Premiership team he still missed out and that will prove to be a massive incentive for him in 2008. Their defence in the best in the business holding opposition clubs to the least amount in 2007 and other clubs are going to have a hard time cracking their defence. I am a big believer that if you can keep a settled back 6 for an entire season then you are well on the way to having a successful year, all the premiership teams even at local football level have a strong backlines that can negate their opponents scoring opportunities. Another area that sets the Cats up extremely well is the pressure they put on the opposition that results in them taking the time and space away from their opponents, this is highlighted by the fact that they were rated 2nd in tackles for 2007 and also 2nd in the least amount of opposition disposals. These 2 areas went a long way to them having such a dominant year, it si something that Mark Thompson is big on and will no doubt be a key indicator in 2008.
Plenty of Options Up Forward
Cam Mooney will lead the forward line again and as much as he enjoyed playing along side Nathan Ablett he may find himself alongside the big “Tomahawk” in 2008, who may find himself replacing Ablett in the team. What is impressive about this forward line is that they had 5 players that kicked above 30 goals for the year. If Steve Johnson can keep out of trouble off the field then maybe he can be kicking 60-70 goals instead of 49 if he plays a whole year. Matthew Stokes will be one to watch in 08, he seems a likely type and very hard to match up on. Once you start getting 3-4 quality forwards that can consistently kick goals then the opposition start to wonder who they should match up on first. I mean if Mooney gets double teamed then you have Johnson, Stokes, Chapman and vice versa, if Johnson gets taken out then it leaves the others having the lesser defenders. Great position to be in!
Well I can’t seem to stop talking about how good Geelong are but it is hard not to! I am sure the likes of Collingwood, Port Adelaide, and Hawthorn are plotting their demise and it will be fascinating to watch how sides tackle them in 2008.
Ladder Prediction: 1st
Can anyone knock them off this year? Post your thoughts here on the Cats in 2008.
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Next up will be the other 2007 Grand Finalist - Port Adelaide. Stay Tuned
GO THE CATTIESSS !!!!!!
YOU ARE THE BEST TEAM EVA GO THE CATS
AND WIN EVERY GAME IN 2008 LADAZ KYRALIE
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Geelong will dominate the 2008 AFL season and finishi ahead of Hawthron on the AFL ladder. Hawthorn will be an impressive team this year but I will find it difficult to see Geelong lose a game all year. Geelong could end up on 88 points by the season’s end if they win every match which they have shown that they are heads and shoulders above everyone else, why not win every game they play? Harley, Gary Ablett, Mooney, Chapman, Bartel, Scarlett, Ling and company on their day are the finest AFL players.
Back before Geelong’s dominance I though Geelong had so much potential and always though highly of them even though they failed to make an real impact or live up to expectations. But little did I know or anyone how good they would suddenly become. After absolutely smashing Richmond a historuic 222:55 it was then Geelong started their dominance of the AFL. They went on to break records, win 16 games in a row and claim their first flag in 54 years when they won an AFL grand finals highest ever margin 165:45. To this day Geelong remains just as dominant and now starts their defence of the flag five games unbeaten from five games.