Geelong's Christmas List
Geelong's Christmas List:
Changes, and building the team around Hawkins.
They had a review that analysed every part of the club and when it finally concluded nothing had really changed. Trade week promised a lot of things for the Cats but again nothing happened. While Cats fans might like to receive their membership pack for Christmas if their team was also improved it would make them even happier.
Not a lot changed off the field, so with the same coach it is also unlikely that much will change on the field. King and Ottens will have good games, but then either injuries or poor form usually hit them, and the backline will stop some opponents but they need more height and bulk there.
There is the chance that the forward line might be different. They have to play Hawkins but something to watch will be if they are prepared to build the forward structure around him or if Geelong just put him in a forward pocket and use Ottens as their main target.
While the coach wasn't changed the captaincy did go to Harley. This might not change the team's style of play or reputation, but at least it was a change there.
Another thing the Cats might be wishing for is to not win their preseason games, last time they won the preseason cup but then the wheels really fell off. Maybe not the best strategy, but if you look at what happened to the two previous winners of the preseason competition there is definitely a jinx for their regular season.
Maybe things do change at Geelong next season, but their fans have been waiting a long time and they don't want to wait any longer. At least their team received the gift of a huge full forward in Tom Hawkins, and when round one comes along they will be happy to see Hawkins in the goalsquare and not Kingsley. Hawkins and Selwood will be two changes on the field next season but Geelong fans will be hoping for a few more in 2007.
Changes, and building the team around Hawkins.
They had a review that analysed every part of the club and when it finally concluded nothing had really changed. Trade week promised a lot of things for the Cats but again nothing happened. While Cats fans might like to receive their membership pack for Christmas if their team was also improved it would make them even happier.
Not a lot changed off the field, so with the same coach it is also unlikely that much will change on the field. King and Ottens will have good games, but then either injuries or poor form usually hit them, and the backline will stop some opponents but they need more height and bulk there.
There is the chance that the forward line might be different. They have to play Hawkins but something to watch will be if they are prepared to build the forward structure around him or if Geelong just put him in a forward pocket and use Ottens as their main target.
While the coach wasn't changed the captaincy did go to Harley. This might not change the team's style of play or reputation, but at least it was a change there.
Another thing the Cats might be wishing for is to not win their preseason games, last time they won the preseason cup but then the wheels really fell off. Maybe not the best strategy, but if you look at what happened to the two previous winners of the preseason competition there is definitely a jinx for their regular season.
Maybe things do change at Geelong next season, but their fans have been waiting a long time and they don't want to wait any longer. At least their team received the gift of a huge full forward in Tom Hawkins, and when round one comes along they will be happy to see Hawkins in the goalsquare and not Kingsley. Hawkins and Selwood will be two changes on the field next season but Geelong fans will be hoping for a few more in 2007.
