Geelong
Coach – Chris Scott
2019 –
Points For – 2nd
Points Against – 1st
Top 5 Best and Fairest
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Patrick Dangerfield
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Tim Kelly
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Tom Stewart
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Tom Hawkins
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Mark Blicavs
2019 Rising Star Noms
Charlie Constable (Round 2)
Gryan Miers (Round 8)
Jordan Clark (Round 15)
Ins – Cooper Stephens, Sam De Koning, Francis Evans, Cameron Taheny, Bradley Close, Jack Steven, Josh Jenkins.
Outs – Ryan Abbott, Wyle Buzza, Jordan Cunico, Jarmaine jones, Tim Kelly, Scott Selwood, Zac Smith.
My Prediction
Geelong had a stellar start to last season before gradually descending into mediocrity. I have trouble remembering a less threatening minor premier. They didn’t at any stage feel like a premiership threat to me which is bizarre when you look at the numbers. They have a massive home ground advantage and last year they uncovered some good young players but their list still feels like a retirement home.
Their backline performed really well last year, Blicavs has a great year every few seasons and last year was it, Stewart is a great defender and they have Taylor coming around again. I feel like they lack some run off half back but Tuohy makes up for it with his delivery. I think Kolodjasnij will be more important this year as Taylor starts to fall away.
The midfield reads better than it performs and I wonder what another year will do to them. Dangerfield was great last year but I think they are really going to miss Kelly. He gave them genuine run and class. Selwood looks almost cooked, there were periods last year where it looked like the repeated head knocks had taken their toll. Steven is a gun but his career is on the downward slope and I am not sure he brings anything they don’t already have plenty of.
The forward line brings in Jenkins who again I am not sure is different enough from Hawkins to work. Ratugolea is a beast and still working out how to use his body but gives them something different. Ablett looks like playing mostly forward and still has the ability to rip a game open. Miers looked good in patches last year but I thought finals football found him out a little bit and he didn’t look like he enjoyed the heat of it.
The rucks are still a bit of a disaster with Stanley owning the role but he is inconsistent, Jenkins probably is back up now or Blicavs depending on match ups. The coach has kept the team (along with their recruiters) up the top for a long time. He is going to have to find something new this year as they look a little fragile.
I think Geelong is still teetering on the edge of a serious fall down the ladder but I also am not sure it is this year it will happen. They have great players on every line and a pretty good home ground advantage. I think they are a top four team during the regular season and still not a threat for the premiership. I think between 3 and 4 looks most likely.
