vs Geelong

[valkorum]

We have the edge in speed, you have the edge in experience and harder bodies

[bunyip]

It was a funny decision to drop Mackie and promote Lonergan, he is considerably slower. Maybe a taller backline for insurance?

[valkorum]

It was a funny decision to drop Mackie and promote Lonergan, he is considerably slower. Maybe a taller backline for insurance?

I think you're right there - brought in to match up against Sandi when he goes forward.

[valkorum]

OK Valky, I want a reasonable argument as to why Freo are going to beat Geelong, you have the floor.........

1)  211 reasons
2)  McPhee - before most of you go WTF!  He has been in some great tagging form of late and will get a job on either GAJ or (IMO) Chapman
3)  Creepy Crowley will get the other tagging job.  He has historically gone to GAJ
4)  Speed - we are a significantly quicker side.  If we can get in to some space and use this to our advantage then that will go a long way
5)  Even though we havent played a game at the 'G' this year and 6 players havent played there at all.... the 'G' is probably the closest (in size/shape) to Subiaco.  We know how to play a big ground.  If this game was at the SCG I would say we are screwed.
6)  Forward pressure.  If we play to the way we have all year our forward pressure has been excellent (we will definitely miss Balla for this) and Geelong havent gone too well against sides (recently) that have put on excellent forwad pressure.

Should be a cracking game and I cant wait for it to start.

[bunyip]

My right of reply........
Assuming Sandi won't ruck : we will win in the center and therefor have first use of the ball on more occasions than Freo. Our forwards are in good touch and we have several options tonight, hopefully Freo won't be able to quell them all.
If Sandi DOES ruck he will win as usual, but hopefully our rovers can rove to him and we may be able to break 50/50.
Our back line should prevail as long as our midfield can harass the ball carriers so we can limit the amount of quality supply. Being a young side, it is my hope that they will be tempted to bomb it in long, and this will suit Geelong.
Geelong have beaten faster teams in the past by simply playing from behind so the Freo runners have to run PAST us rather than away from us. I have seen the cats use this tactic before with good results.
We also have about 3 or 4 players with good leg speed and may catch the FREO backs napping (out of position).
Pods is our X factor. If he is on song, he is good for 4 or 5 goals as well as a few assists.
Then there is the weather. If it pours down rain, it will suit Geelong.
The cats will not want Freo to get 5 goals ahead in the third quarter like they did against St.Kilda, because they won't catch them because the FREO players will grow another leg. So I expect the first half to be a real arm wrestle.
Our finals experience and knowledge of the ground will help, but won't be a decisive factor. Every Geelong line from full back to full forward has either a brownlow medalist or an all Australian in it, except maybe full forward,  so we should have an edge in experience in pressure games like this, which may be important if it's close.
Geelong to win by not much

[Hawka]

i also think mcpharlin and grover will b vital