HANDBALL & RAIN...

[Leo.J]

The Cats avareage just over 30 more handballs a game than us.

Handballing alot in the wet can be dangerous, especially against a side that apply alot of pressure.

So imo the rain will suit us, with the Cats potentially having to play a more direct long kicking game, which again will suit us with our numbers behind the ball.

The rain could be a blessing for us, as I don't think we'll have to adjust what we usually do too much.

Yet it may force the Cats to change their plans, forcing them out of their comfort zone before the ball has been bounced.

[BaysideSaint]

The Cats avareage just over 30 more handballs a game than us.

Handballing alot in the wet can be dangerous, especially against a side that apply alot of pressure.

So imo the rain will suit us, with the Cats potentially having to play a more direct long kicking game, which again will suit us with our numbers behind the ball.

The rain could be a blessing for us, as I don't think we'll have to adjust what we usually do too much.

Yet it may force the Cats to change their plans, forcing them out of their comfort zone before the ball has been bounced.

bang on the money Leo bang on

[InkerSaint]

Ablett says the Cats play better in the wet.

They have never faced the St. Kilda pressure machine in the wet.

Bring it on.

[degruch]

Ablett says the Cats play better in the wet.

They have never faced the St. Kilda pressure machine in the wet.

Bring it on.

No, but they beat the fearsome Fremantle and Brisbane 2nds in the wet...lookout St Kilda!

[Thinline]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

[Leo.J]

Ablett says the Cats play better in the wet.

They have never faced the St. Kilda pressure machine in the wet.

Bring it on.

No, but they beat the fearsome Fremantle and Brisbane 2nds in the wet...lookout St Kilda!

Exactly, they haven't done too much damage in the wet have they?

[st.byron]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

They also have Byrnes, Varcoeand Steve Johnson. And Bartel isn't shabby in the forward line.

[Leo.J]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

Agreed.

[BaysideSaint]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

and they are ALL very good points TL.
truth is that they lose a lot when it comes to control.
we're better at ground level anyway but in the wet that fact is magnified.

[Thinline]

Agreed, St Byron, but in a congested game I suspect most of those mentioned will be fairly well occupied in the middle of the ground for the most part...My point is that we have two small low centre of gravity specialist goalsneaks who may be in their element if things pan out.

Byrnes and Varcoe are dry surface runners aren't they? Johnson will be checked VERY closely in an arm wrestle in the wet. But yes, Bartel becomes their biggest weapon. He's a gun.

[Leo.J]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

and they are ALL very good points TL.
truth is that they lose a lot when it comes to control.
we're better at ground level anyway but in the wet that fact is magnified.

Everyone talk of the Cats midfield being mudlarks, yet we have Luke Ball, and Lenny Hayes, who are genuine wet weather performers. Dal has played some rippers in the wet.

And Rooey has kicked goals in the wet over his career.

[degruch]

I appreciate there's a tendency to rationalise these things in a biased way, but really, when you think about it:

1 For all the talk of how good the Cats might be in the wet - who DON'T they beat at that sh_t of a home ground of there's? And who have they beaten in the wet down there this year? I can't think of any significant wet weather slogs in which they've emerged gloriously triumphant.

2 We FLOGGED Port Adelaide in the wet.

3 In less than ideal conditions our gameplan is simpler and safer.

4 We have small forwards. They have Mooney and Hawkins.

They also have Byrnes, Varcoeand Steve Johnson. And Bartel isn't shabby in the forward line.

They're the ones I'm most concerned about, plus Chapman. However, I've got a feeling lack of match practice and (possibly) injuries might limit the effectiveness of these two. Byrnes and Varcoe have been hot 'n' cold late in the season, but are both capable of banging a few goals through. Must be worn like a glove...thankfully neither is a Bartel/Ablett/Selwood, so may be easier to curb their influence.

Milne and Schnieds will be dangerous at our end, plus Mini. Pushing forward you'd expect Monty/Goddard/NDS to be a danger too. Geelong's big forwards are not noted for their flexibility (although Baby Huey is not sloch at ground level), Roo is good to go in any conditions.

Overall, the forward situation looks pretty even to me, regardless of the weather. Geelong's achiles heels is their defense when pressured...and the pressure will be turned up with the wet weather IMO.

[BaysideSaint]

i reckon you're right and i reckon varcoe will be slowed so much so that raph can go onto him

[degruch]

i reckon you're right and i reckon varcoe will be slowed so much so that raph can go onto him

We'll see I guess...never discount the influence of the 'third team' when playing against Scarlett, Gablett and Selwood. Selwood's well documented ability to milk a free when putting his head over the ball will be even tougher to counter in the wet, when laying a clean tackle is tough.

[BaysideSaint]

i reckon you're right and i reckon varcoe will be slowed so much so that raph can go onto him

We'll see I guess...never discount the influence of the 'third team' when playing against Scarlett, Gablett and Selwood. Selwood's well documented ability to milk a free when putting his head over the ball will be even tougher to counter in the wet, when laying a clean tackle is tough.

you're reading my mind or something.
we were talking about selwood the other day and saying something like that ie. how to tackle him.
bally is a master and if i were RL i would maintain that if it rains and selwood gets the pill bally has to stick it.

[Moccha]

Ablett says the Cats play better in the wet.

They have never faced the St. Kilda pressure machine in the wet.

Bring it on.

Ablett is a **** egotistical punce who only cares about himself. He's now fulfilled that he's won his Brownlow

[st.byron]

Agreed, St Byron, but in a congested game I suspect most of those mentioned will be fairly well occupied in the middle of the ground for the most part...My point is that we have two small low centre of gravity specialist goalsneaks who may be in their element if things pan out.

Byrnes and Varcoe are dry surface runners aren't they? Johnson will be checked VERY closely in an arm wrestle in the wet. But yes, Bartel becomes their biggest weapon. He's a gun.

I hope you're right about Byrnes and Varcoe. The input of the small forwards is shaping up as crucial isn't it. If we can snag a bag out of Milney, Schneids and Mini to take the pressure off Roo and Kosi, we'll be half way there. Same goes for their smalls IMO. If we can keep Byrnes, Varcoe, Johnson and Chapman, who's also a dangerous goalkicker, quiet, that'll put a lot of pressure on Mooney and Hawkins. Critical how the small forwards perform.
GO SAINTERS

[Beej]

Hate to be a spoil sport here but I disagree.

In the wet it's a far safer option to handball than to kick. Foot-skills are more affected by the wet than hand-skills. I think this is why the Cats are seen to be a good wet-weather side - because they prefer to handball.

And it doesn't matter who the Cats have beaten in the wet this year, the thing is they should be more comfortable in wet conditions considering they've been exposed to it more than we have.

[SainterK]

It's raining it's pouring, the premiership cup is calling!

[axcellence]

What people don't realise is that wet will also slow the cats down - as the number of contests increase - it will bring Luke Ball increasingly in the game - his increased output = extra positive for the saints...


Seriously, Geelong is a great side (3 GFs is no easy feat)... but it shouldn't stop St Kilda from giving it a good shot.

[Enrico_Misso]

If Peter Landy was calling the game I think the phrase "SOCCER TACTICS" would get a serious workover.

[Leo.J]

Hate to be a spoil sport here but I disagree.

In the wet it's a far safer option to handball than to kick. Foot-skills are more affected by the wet than hand-skills. I think this is why the Cats are seen to be a good wet-weather side - because they prefer to handball.

And it doesn't matter who the Cats have beaten in the wet this year, the thing is they should be more comfortable in wet conditions considering they've been exposed to it more than we have.

Handball is far more risky in the wet, especially excessive handball.

[saint66au]

Hate to be a spoil sport here but I disagree.

In the wet it's a far safer option to handball than to kick. Foot-skills are more affected by the wet than hand-skills. I think this is why the Cats are seen to be a good wet-weather side - because they prefer to handball.

And it doesn't matter who the Cats have beaten in the wet this year, the thing is they should be more comfortable in wet conditions considering they've been exposed to it more than we have.

Handball is far more risky in the wet, especially excessive handball.

Eaactly..the Cats obsession with flipping the ball around in defence to find blokes clear on the "fat side" will become dangerous...we bring our forward pressure A game and the rain will play into our hands

My only concern with the weather is our slow starts of late...we do NOT want the Cats to jump us then the heaves open in the 2nd half (as theu are forecast to do) with us needing to make up 4-5 goals

We MUST start well and be the better side for as long as the weather holds

[Animal Enclosure]

I think both sides will start with their own game styles & when the heavens open it will be contest, kick long, contest, kick long... repeat.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kosi go up the ground & leave Roo one out in the square with Taylor at his mercy.

The counter attack will be crucial... when they turn it over we must move it fast & long to an open forward line & TAKE OUT CHANCES!

I can't wait....