Rest, Rotate and Ryan Gardiner
(Note: Mrs W is still away, so the Captain is flying solo again, and, yes, I just referred to myself in the third person.)
Let’s get this out of the way: Resting players, or being overly cautious with injuries and recovery, is smart man management. Yes, the 6 goal loss to Brisbane was like looking through a time-portal to 2005, and yes, being exposed to Kane “the-final-insult” Tenace was the undigested corn in the turd sundae served up by The Cats at the Gabba. But make no mistake about it, coming towards the end of the season, having players had the chance to freshen up will be vital; or has everyone already forgotten last year’s finals when half the team was on one leg?
Unfortunately too many sports writers and commentators in this country are stuck with the 1960’s mentality about “flirting with form” and “respecting the game” and other such mythical nonsense. And I hope Lips and his crew don’t react to al the negative, out-dated journalism and rush back all their stars against Melbourne: Brisbane at the Gabba is one thing, the Demons at Skilled is quite another.
Seven changes, or whatever it was, is probably too many, but I say let’s continue with the rotation policy. Paul Chapman, with his history of soft tissue injuries a recent increased workload in the middle, is a prime candidate for a break. Trent West is worth another look, and 1st year man Shane Mumford could surely use the rest. Jimmy Bartel slammed into the goal post and then almost belted someone; maybe he could use a breather. Plus, let’s take an extended look at Hogan, Wojack, Lonergan, Laidler, Gillies, Djerkurra and Gardiner… I mean, Gamble. We may as well, right? Right?
As long as we finish second. That’s the only qualifier I will put on this. And being three games clear of the Dogs, it’s a pretty safe bet that we will. (Just looking ahead, while we’re on the subject, I reckon 2nd spot will be a better finish for Geelong for a couple of reasons: First, I’d rather play the Dogs in the first final, with a 2nd chance, and second, if Geelong wins they get the Saturday day-time Prelim, thus avoiding the bogey Friday night game.)
All in all, the past two weeks have probably been a good thing for Geelong. It’s reinforced a few things that we probably already knew, namely that we need Otto back, we need Ling to tag the oppositions best player, Scarlett is maybe our second most indispensable player after Mooney, and, increasingly like my hairline, we’re a bit thin down back. (The one thing that has surprised me is how much we miss Josh Hunt.)
The next seven weeks is important for all teams, be it building a run into September or rebuilding Brad Ottens’ knee, $6 million man-style. St Kilda are going to field the same team every week, Geelong will rest, rotate and hopefully arrive in September fresh and hungry.
So rest, rotate and get yourselves cherry ripe for the next 2 and a bit months. It’s the business end, boys and girls.
Captain: WB, Carl, Gee, Bris, Haw, PA, NM, StK
Season Tally: 87-33
Mrs Watson: Is probably drunk somewhere in Illinois.
Season Tally: 78-42
(And don’t forget The Captain on Twitter @BigLeagueLittle)
(Note: Mrs W is still away, so the Captain is flying solo again, and, yes, I just referred to myself in the third person.)Let’s get this out of the way: Resting players, or being overly cautious with injuries and recovery, is smart man management. Yes, the 6 goal loss to Brisbane was like looking through a time-portal to 2005, and yes, being exposed to Kane “the-final-insult” Tenace was the undigested corn in the turd sundae served up by The Cats at the Gabba. But make no mistake about it, coming towards the end of the season, having players had the chance to freshen up will be vital; or has everyone already forgotten last year’s finals when half the team was on one leg?
Unfortunately too many sports writers and commentators in this country are stuck with the 1960’s mentality about “flirting with form” and “respecting the game” and other such mythical nonsense. And I hope Lips and his crew don’t react to al the negative, out-dated journalism and rush back all their stars against Melbourne: Brisbane at the Gabba is one thing, the Demons at Skilled is quite another.
Seven changes, or whatever it was, is probably too many, but I say let’s continue with the rotation policy. Paul Chapman, with his history of soft tissue injuries a recent increased workload in the middle, is a prime candidate for a break. Trent West is worth another look, and 1st year man Shane Mumford could surely use the rest. Jimmy Bartel slammed into the goal post and then almost belted someone; maybe he could use a breather. Plus, let’s take an extended look at Hogan, Wojack, Lonergan, Laidler, Gillies, Djerkurra and Gardiner… I mean, Gamble. We may as well, right? Right?
As long as we finish second. That’s the only qualifier I will put on this. And being three games clear of the Dogs, it’s a pretty safe bet that we will. (Just looking ahead, while we’re on the subject, I reckon 2nd spot will be a better finish for Geelong for a couple of reasons: First, I’d rather play the Dogs in the first final, with a 2nd chance, and second, if Geelong wins they get the Saturday day-time Prelim, thus avoiding the bogey Friday night game.)
All in all, the past two weeks have probably been a good thing for Geelong. It’s reinforced a few things that we probably already knew, namely that we need Otto back, we need Ling to tag the oppositions best player, Scarlett is maybe our second most indispensable player after Mooney, and, increasingly like my hairline, we’re a bit thin down back. (The one thing that has surprised me is how much we miss Josh Hunt.)
The next seven weeks is important for all teams, be it building a run into September or rebuilding Brad Ottens’ knee, $6 million man-style. St Kilda are going to field the same team every week, Geelong will rest, rotate and hopefully arrive in September fresh and hungry.
So rest, rotate and get yourselves cherry ripe for the next 2 and a bit months. It’s the business end, boys and girls.
Captain: WB, Carl, Gee, Bris, Haw, PA, NM, StK
Season Tally: 87-33
Mrs Watson: Is probably drunk somewhere in Illinois.
Season Tally: 78-42
(And don’t forget The Captain on Twitter @BigLeagueLittle)
posted by the captain at 7:36 pm
8 Comments:
Just to reinforce the point about the value of Scarlett, have you ever seen someone get trousered like Tom Lonergan did? I reckon I could've kicked a bag on him. And I've got no legs! Or arms! And my torso's in really bad shape!
For me, these losses don't mean shit. Did the Lions ever finish on top in their premiership years? I reckon we go for fourth. That way everyone writes us off, St Kilda keep jerking off over themselves, and we remind Robert Walls that, actually, we're not half bad and his turncoat prediction that we win the flag comes true.
Incidentally, does anyone else get the vibe that Rohan Connolly likes seeing Geelong lose?
Captain: I pretty much echo everything you wrote this week.
The most disappointing thing about last week was how incredibly average the young kids looked. Travel is always much harder on young kids (ask Fremantle and West Coast)but gee none of them looked like they were ready. I guess its a good thing that most player's careers aren't judged on their first game.
Lonergan did look very shabby. I seem to remember Gamble playing some good football last year, surely its too early to compare him to Charlie Gardiner?
Who is Rohan Connolly?
-Tee from the VANOC offices
Is there a bigger insult to Mark Blake to not only be dropped, but to be dropped in favour of... no one.
Geelong would rather go into a game with a single rookie ruckman than have him pull on the hoops - wow. I wonder if Balme went round to his house and shot his dog as well, just to rub salt into the wound.
Assuming they don't out in West at the last minute, who will rotate through the ruck? Mooney is too valuable to risk, would they maybe put Hawkins in there to help him harden the f_ck up?
Interesting about Mark Blake. Does Taylor go into the ruck?
I came online because I was just watching On the Couch and thought it interesting how much Dean Bailey looks like Phil Collins.
How about a look-a-likes column and throw it open to the fans.
Shane Mumford and the late great Heath Ledger. I can do this all day!
-Tee from Vancouver
Tee, I thought I was the only one who saw a young Heath Ledger in Shane Mumford, we must drink the same brand of Tequilla!
FYI Rohan Connolly is an ass hat that dribbles on his keyboard for The Age in Melbourne.
Captain and Attila, I have it on good authority from a source in Trent West's home town of Wonthaggi that he will be asking to be traded at years end. If I can find that out, then perhaps the Cats selectors have a fair idea also.
Could it be that Tom Lonergan's exploding kidney and Mark Blake's heartache on grand final eve 2007 are not enough to guarantee them a game?
Fuck I hope so.
...fustercluck...
Oh yeah I forgot the euphemism.
How about "bowling like Mitchell Johnson"
...fc...
Is that Ryan Gamble doing the TV ad for KFC?
Maybe he has seen the writing on the wall and is already looking for a career beyond football?
- Basso Divor
Say what you want about Walnut Thomas but how was this for a quote:
Caroline Wilson: I'm just saying, who's got the better list (Kangaroos or Richmond)
Thomas: Yer, ahhh, I couldn't care less, I couldn't be less interested to be honest
I almost spat a mouthful of tofu at the screen
-Tee from Vancouver
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