Changes vs Cats 2025

Who’s arguing ? You asked a question: I answered it.

must admit that I was surprised you asked it, you of all people, given your well-earned reputation.

Apparently some dude put $1m on the Cats in that game. His return would have been $90k

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LOL, it was a rhetorical question.

You’re right, of course. And the longest before that was 18 years.

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Time for the big boys to be tried out against Geelong. Although Essendon finished well in the last two defeats. If we give Geelong 6-8 goal start, might as well catch the next train back to Melbourne. A six day break doesn’t help. Last week against Carlton the team looked to short in the key positions. Forget running Carlton down, they are renowed for fading in the second half. Geelong on the G uses the big ground to their advantage. A bit more height, and weight in the key positions would allow our smaller players to also make use of the G. Essendon has a big problem of over doing the handball. A 60 metre kick is better than merry-go-handball which often comes undone.
In: Blakiston, May, McMahon, Tsatas
Out: Durham (suspend). Koko,Perkins, Goldstein.

Perkins out. His possie replaced by Merret
Sheil goes to Merrett’s
Tsatas in for Duz
Vig in for Gold

From the player sponsor mid season draft call it sounded like if there was going to be another debut soon it would most likely be Oscar Smartt so just putting it out there that he could be the one coming in this week or next - who knows really but that was my take

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So good! Thankyou!!!

sounds like only change will be
out: Durham (susp)
in: Smartt

Hobbs/Merrett/Martin more midfield time.
Day-wicks or Smartt sub.

would have liked to see May or Blakiston or McMahon debut too.

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One change

In:Shiel
Out: Durham

And you will LIKE IT

Play the kids; we will tank this season anyway. We dont even have to try by picking heaps of kids.
But most likely we çannot sink to below 3rd last, however hard we try.

While I agree its not the cause, I will argue strongly that playing your best mid at HB when it very obviously doesnt suit him is certainly not helping

If he needs to be moved for periods it should be forward as he has at least shown ability at that end of the ground

No but we have gotten back into the game twice without him having many CBAs

There’s an issue with first quarters is what I’m saying but I’m not sure it’s because of where Zachs playing.

And Zach deffo doesn’t go back when we have some higher calibre defenders out there.

Kingy on First Crack preview did a piece on Geelong’s defence with a bit of vision, and how well Stewart and Henry constantly intercept with great support dropping back in case. Not a new concept, those guys do it week in and out … but I hope the coaches took close note.

Whatever and whoever we go with this game the idea to mark, stop, prop and just bomb it in rather than run it with handballs etc deep into our forwardline or hit a lead will result in a classic Cats demoralising shellacking.

Here’s hoping Brad comes up with a plan our mids and forwards can execute on the G. We’re toast again otherwise… not holding breath on it.

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Certainly keeping their interceptors out of business is the key for an even contest.

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Hopefully Bailey Smiths curious hamstring soreness needs another week to clear the system.

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No I will not.

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I haven’t felt so meh about a game in years.

Just feels like absolute trepidation. Like when we had the post saga fill ins like 12 or so years ago.

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Mason Redman and Angus Clarke were on AFL 360 to promote the country game

Such a great kid Angus glad we have him on our list.

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Are they still doing farm related stalls pre game ?