2020 Team Preview – Geelong

Written by Huttabito on February 7 2020

Shout out to Trats for providing us this review…..

Before we get into anything Supercoach related I would like to start with the changes at Geelong during the off-season and their best 22:

Ryan Abbott > St. Kilda (DFA)
Oscar Brownless (delisted; rookie drafted by Geelong)
Wylie Buzza > Port Adelaide (DFA)
Jordan Cunico > Northern Blues (delisted; VFL)
Lachie Henderson (delisted; rookie drafted by Geelong)
Jamaine Jones > Lara (delisted; GFL)
Tim Kelly > West Coast Eagles (traded)
Scott Selwood (delisted; coaching Collingwood)
Zac Smith > Gold Coast Suns (traded)

Best 22:

B: Jed Bews, Mark Blicavs, Mark O’Connor
HB: Zach Tuohy, Harry Taylor, Tom Stewart
C: Jordan Clark, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan
HF: Brandan Parfitt, Esava Ratugolea, Luke Dahlhaus
F: Josh Jenkins, Tom Hawkins, Gary Ablett
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Steven
INT: Cameron Guthrie, Gryan Miers, Jack Henry, Nakia Cockatoo
EMG: Tom Atkins, Sam Menegola, Charlie Constable, Quinton Narkle.

  • O’Connor will come out of the squad when Kolodjashnij has recovered from his injury.
  • Cockatoo, Constable and are Narkle fighting over the last bench spot, I think Cockatooo will get first shot at it.
  • Constable will be the first-choice replacement mid if someone gets injured.

Defenders

Lock and Load: There is no bigger lock in the Geelong backline than Tom Stewart ($533,200) who plays a Supercoach friendly role as a rebounding and intercepting defender which, had aided him in becoming a consistent scorer in 2019. Stewart has a great kick to handball ratio and was over 4:1 in 2019 with an average of 18.9 kicks per game (ranked 1st in the AFL last year). He took 185 marks (60 more than the next defender at the Cats in Blicavs and ranked 2nd in the AFL last year) over the course of the season at an average of 7.4  and had a total of 202 rebound 50s at an average of 8 per game (ranked #1 in the AFL last year). Stewart was also ranked in the top 5 for intercepts with 168 (6.7 per game) which included his finals campaign. Stewart also contributed with 3.3 1 percenters per game. Stewart’s disposal efficiency (82%) last year and his lack of clangers (only 2.5 on average) helped him to the second top points scorer at Geelong with 2160 at an average of 98.2 with great durability playing all 22 games (and 3 finals). Stewart’s stats show he can go to another level this year and I think he will break the 100pt average in 2020. At 26 years of age, Stewart is at the age for a defender to announce himself.

The downfalls to Stewart is he doesn’t have a high ceiling but he did have 3 scores of 120 or above to go with 12 scores between 85 to 105 which is unlikely to help you win league matches but those scores will not cost you. Stewart did have 3 scores in the 70s in 2019. Stewart scored okay against GWS (scores of 83 and 124 in ’18 and ’19), which is the same for Gold Coast (104, 96 and 88 in ’18 and ’19) but he hasn’t put up a 100+ score against WCE (74, 97 and 98 in ’17, ’18 and ’19). Therefore, you might be able to pick him up cheaper in Round 6.

Stewart’s groin injury set back is a concern because a limited pre-season can result in players starting the season slower.  A golden rule in Supercoach is never pick a player with an injury that is over 3 weeks, this rule still applies for pre-season. Geelong are still confident he’ll play Round 1 though.

Money maker: Zach Guthrie ($190,000) is the only rookie priced Geelong defender that I can see playing a game this year. I highly doubt it will be early in the season but if injuries occur in the Cats backline then Guthrie could be the first-choice to replace injured players in the Geelong defence, Guthrie’s stats and Supercoach scores have been hampered by a lack of opportunities and he is still a developing player.

In the future Guthrie will be worth adding to your watch lists. He has been ‘knocking on the door’ for a while now and as the likes of Kolo, Taylor and Tuohy are all ageing players. He’s in the next generation of defenders at Geelong.

Midfielders

Lock and Load: Patrick Dangerfield ($625,500) is not a normal premium but he’s Uber premium in Supercoach, nothing more needs to be said about this Supercoach pig. With Telly not in the team (traded to WCE due to family reasons) I expect Danger to spend more time in the engine room and float forward less this year (will explain later). Dangerfield will struggle in Round 1 with the tag from De Boer (196,108 and 66) but he should play well against Gold Coast (187,100 and DNP) and may struggle again against West Coast with the Hutchings tag (previous scores of 141,100 and 94).

Dangerfield excelled in many stats like score involvements with a total of 174 (average of 7.3, ranked 2nd in the AFL last year), marks (average of 5), clearances (average of 5.8), disposals (average of 27.1), contested possessions (average of 14.5, ranked inside the top 5 in the AFL last year), tackles (average of 4.3) and 141 inside 50s (average of 5.9, ranked #2 in the AFL last year).

There’s a couple of stats that stand out as a worry for me and they are disposal efficiency (DE for short; which was only 67% – for a midfielder you would want that around the 75-85% range) and clangers which he averaged 4.5 per game (ranked 3rd in the AFL last year ).

Those 2 stats get outweighed by the stats he excels in but the DE% and clangers are Supercoach score killers. This is what stops him from say getting a score of 160 odd instead it’s in the 130-140s. Yes, it’s only 20-30 points (40-60 point difference as C/VC) but it’s stopping him from being a permanent captain/ vice-captain in your Supercoach teams.

Feeling lucky: Mitch Duncan ($560,600) has had an interrupted pre-season with hip and shoulder injuries. As of last week, Duncan was still in the rehab group. In no way do I recommend starting with him but look at him as a mid-season upgrade. Duncan mainly plays on the wing and will be a great POD.

From his 23 games last year he averaged 25.3 disposals (14.8 kicks to 10.5 handballs equaling a ratio of close to 1.5:1), had a DE of 76%, a very handy average of only 3.3 clangers, 5.8 score involvements, a total of 172 marks at an average of 7.5 per game (ranked 5th in the AFL), 3 tackles, 2.7 I50s and 2.6 R50s. See how he goes early in the season if you thought about trading in him as a POD in your teams.

Duncan’s Supercoach scoring was overall a good one with a nice range of scores in the 110 or above (10 scores). He only dropped below 100 8 times (1 score in the 90s, 3 in the 80s, 3 scores in the 70s and a score in the 50s). If he can improve on the scores that were 80 or below I can see him going close to an average of 110.

Break out contender: I’ve changed this part of my write from money maker to a breakout contender due to Geelong only having a couple of Supercoach midfield rookies so it is highly doubtful they’ll break into the team. This is a speculative pick (but aren’t most potential break out contenders). Brandon Parfitt ($427,400 MID/FWD) has shown as glimpses of his playing ability and Supercoach scoring potential.

Parfitt’s strengths are his kick to handball ratio (which is close to 1:1), his tackling (average of 5.3 tackles per game), his contested possession compared to uncontested possession is relatively good considering his age (9.9 to 8.8) and he isn’t a full time mid yet. He’s involved in the scoring chain with an average of 4.4 score involvements per game and an average of 3.1 I50s, also his lack of clangers with an average of 3.2 per game. My concerns with him are his ability to impact on the scoreboard (4.4 from 20 games), his disposal efficiency (64%), his marking ability (he only averaged 2 marks per game and no contested marks), his clearance work when he’s in the middle or at a stoppage (average of 3 per game) this is understandable though since Geelong have a stacked midfield.

Parfitt’s SuperCoach is inconsistent to say the least, taking out his injury affected games last year with scores of 35, 48 and 64 his lowest score was 59 with a high of 104, most of his scores fell between 95 and 75. If he can turn those scores of 70s into 90s, I think he’ll go close to close to averaging somewhere in the 90s.

Rucks: There is only one ruckman at Geelong this year and Rhys Stanley ($467,300) has shown what he can do but he’s going to have his work cut out for him. Ratugolea will play as the 2nd ruckman, Hawkins will help in the forward line and Dangerfield may help around the ground at times. Stanley can’t compare to the likes of Gawn, Grundy and Goldstein. Stanley might be a good draft option if you need a ruckman.

Stanley averaged 27.8 hitouts (ranked inside the top 10 for the year) which is good considering he only played 18 games but the concern is he only averaged 7.1 hitouts to advantage, an average of 2.9 marks (0.8 contested) and this isn’t the only problem with his game. From what these stats tell you is that Stanley is not an elite ruckman which his stat illustrates. He is better around the ground and can sneak forward and impact on the scoreboard.

Stanely’s scores aren’t the greatest either but that tends to happen when a player becomes the number 1 ruckman and has been in and out of a side. Last year only scored above 100 5 times with a high of 129 and a low of 54; most of his scores were within a range of 70-90.

Forwards

Risk vs Reward: Tom Hawkins ($465,000) kicked the most goals this year at Geelong with 56. He’s also durable playing 21 games (24 games in total) last year. It is normally best to avoid picking key position forwards in your team due to their inconsistent scoring, with a forward like Hawkins it’s a risk vs reward; be prepared to ride the highs with the lows. Due to this it’s better to trade them in later in the season if they are well priced and have hit a purple patch due to a favorable run home. Also, there’s an option that by this stage of the season a key position forward could became an F7 loophole option. Hawkins is also known to get into a bit a trouble with the MRO and/or the tribunal, he’s been charged 6 times in the last 3 years.

Since Hawkins is a forward you would expect him to be involved in scoring chains, take marks and kick goals, well Hawkins does exactly that. His average per game were 2.3 goals, a total of 172 score involvements at an average of 7.2 per game (ranked 3rd in the AFL), 5.3 marks, a total of 70 marks I50 at an average of 2.9 (3rd ranked forward in the AFL last year).

Feeling Lucky: Jack Steven ($361,700 MID/FWD) is new to Geelong after requesting a trade from St. Kilda due to personal reasons. Some experts say it’s highly unlikely Geelong will set-up with a 3 tall, 3 ‘small’ forward line. The is speculation surrounding if this will happen or not. Steven only played 7 game last year and only averaged 74. This is not his true output. Back in 2013 Steven averaged 110 as pure on baller and played all 22 games. In 2015 and 2016 he averaged 104.3 and 103.

From his 7 games Steven averaged 19 disposals (11.1 kicks, 7.9 handballs), 3.4 clearances, 4.7 score involvements, 3.3 tackles and 3.1 I50s.

Money Maker: Nakia Cockatoo ($148,200 MID/ FWD) is as injury prone as they get. Cockatoo didn’t play a game last year, played 2 games in 2018, 11 in 2017, 10 in 2016 and 11 in 2015. This means he’s missed out on a total of 81 games so far in his career, I would proceed with caution.

Let’s go back to 2017 to get a bigger and a better sample size of his stats as a mid/fwd. where he averaged 9.4 disposals, 4.1 score involvements, 2.2 marks and 3.8 tackles.

Now I know this isn’t a lot to go by and it was 3 years ago but if he can get his body right and improve on these stats (among others) he could be anything.

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27 thoughts on “2020 Team Preview – Geelong”

  1. Good analysis Hutta, i agree with most of the points made! Very few supercoach options at Geelong if im honest. Ill add a few of my points:

    Firstly our predicted 22 only has 1 different with myself having Jenkins missing the best 22 and Atkins being in the side. Personally i think Jenkins, Hawkins and Sav (plus Stanley ruck) is too tall considering we also have midfielders who rest forward such as Dangerfield and now Steven. And also not that its relevant to supercoach but theres no chance O’connor get drops for Kola as he is turning into a great defender (Henry, Bews or Taylor will make way).

    Narkle, Constable and Menagola the next in line to come in pending injuries or poor form from players on the edge of the team such as Atkins, Cockatoo, Guthrie, Parfitt.

    On Parfitt he really needs to take the next step and lift his game this season if he wants to assert himself as one of the main ones to replace TK. He has struggled the last season or two with consistency as you mentioned and often finds himself completely missing and out of form. However he is in the good books at the club with him rarely being dropped despite often deserving too. He has the talent for an 85-90 average but in conclusion he is largely supercoach irrelevant.

    WATCHLIST MONEY MAKERS:
    DEF
    – Jacob Kennerley (123,000) is having a solid pre-season and after having a good debut season in the VFL may eventually get a role off half back or on a wing if the likes of Clark or Touhey find themselves in bad form or in need of a rest. Probably one to watch out for next season.

    MID
    – Cooper Stephens (139,800) could potentially see some game time at some stage making him a potential downgrade option. Bigger bodied midfielder who once he gets some VFL form could be rewarded. However as seen with Constable he might have to really knock the door down to have an impact at AFL level.

    – Sam Simpson (123,000) won our VFL BNF and has bulked up in recent times. Like Stephens he may make an impact at some stage in the season.

    FWD

    – Cameron Taheny (117,000) is a forward goal sneak from the SA who Corey Enright (Geelong forward coach) has given praise too after he was drafted. Has some X-factor to put pressure on Atkins, Miers and Cockatoo.

    Doubtful these guys get a regular role but some to look out for during the season!

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      1. It’s all good.

        You’ve raised some good points.

        I did think about those rookies but I think it’s harder to pick the rookies at the start compared to the middle of the season.

        I’ll give you an in depth response when I can.

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        1. People have been asking me about, why do I have Jenkins in my best 22?

          Well, you’re going to get the answer now.

          When Ratugolea went down last year Hawkins was the only fit key forward in the team and there were times he struggled to kick goals against opposition teams with a well-structured backline.

          Now with Ratugolea back that changes but this is where the method to my madness comes in. 

          It’s a similar set-up to what most teams are doing now 2 key forwards and either medium (can play tall or small) and/or small forwards, but in this case, it’s 3 tall with 3 ‘small’ forwards. This is where Ratugolea comes in, for me he would be used as the link-up fwd. 

          Having someone of Jenkins’ capability and partnering with Hawkins will make defenders second guess themselves. If Hawkins or Jenkins can’t take a mark cleanly at the ground level they’ll have Ablett, Partiftt, Dahlhaus as well as Miers and Cockatoo to crumbing.

          Ideally, there should be more space in the forward because one of Jenkins/ Hawkins will make room for the other one to lead into. This could also help out Miers and Rohan (I’m unsure where Rohan fits into the team).

          This is all just my opinion and Scott may think differently but I think their forward line seems better with Jenkins in it.

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          1. Sorry Trats but i can’t agree. Exactly what you described Jenkins doing is what Sav flourished in already last season.

            “Jenkins’ capability and partnering with Hawkins will make defenders second guess themselves”. This is precisely what happened already with Sav at FF and Hawkins the lead up target pushing up the ground (where Hawkins is his most damaging). The double teaming of Hawkins for so long released when Sav played in the goalsquare.

            Bringing in Jenkins is not going to allow something game changing for Hawkins. It already happened through Sav who is better than Jenkins.

            There is 0% chance Sav isn’t in the team yet with your comment here theres no explanation as to how Jenkins in affects him apart from saying he becomes a link up forward (a role which Sav isn’t best utilised in). If you would explain what you precisely mean by link up forward it may clear this up!

            Now IF Sav, Jenkins and Hawkins all play together it won’t make space. It will make the forward line crowded especially if Danger and Steven are spending time forward too. Geelong had a forward tactic where whoever got the first jump at the ball would attack it and everyone would spread away and create space. Having 3 big men who naturally want to go to the contest only negatively impacts the ability for this tactic to take place.

            Geelong had a problem for years that we were unable to lock the ball into the forward due to lack of smaller guys. We have finally built a list which includes these smaller forwards (Cockatoo, Miers, Atkins, Dalhaus, Parfitt etc). Having 3 big men and leaving only 3 smaller guys will only make locking the ball in the forward harder to achieve.

            Sav is not a link up forward. He is a goalsquare guy. If you look at the games Sav plays well his leading out of the goalsquare and taking marks bringing it to ground for the guys you mention.

            Just watch this video (link below) on how good Sav is at the top of the square. And how Sav is mostly deep whereas Hawkins is usually 30-50 out on the lead more. This is just one games example. Jenkins doesn’t provide the flexibility Sav does. I can’t see Jenkins adding anything if Sav and Hawkins are already there
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL6gjC5B5eo

            Mentioning when Sav went down is exactly why Jenkins is here. For when that happens. Trading for depth is just as important as trading in a star in certain cases. Its why list management is so important.

            My reasons are not so much being against Jenkins. It’s that Jenkins in the team negatively impacts Sav who has a very bright future and is easily ahead of Jenkins now. Messing with what we saw worked for him last season is not something i want to see.

            Not having a go or attacking your opinion as obviously this is just my opinion too! And we will 100% see Jenkins this season often with Sav and Hawkins but with the team balance i disagree and can’t see Jenkins improving our forward and being anything other than a squad player.

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  2. Great write-up Trats. And supportive piece Zak.

    Danger 99% yes.
    Steven? Will know more after Marsh series. Rookies? Cockatoo if he gets there for Rd1. The rest, we’ll wait and see but GEE rookies (like RIC) tend to go well.

    Thanks Trats!

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      1. FD

        On the whole Frog thing.

        Apart from Boak last year..It seems the Backline General role bucks the trend.
        In the last few years Hurn, Houli and Simpson have all had career best seasons as fully fledged Frogs.
        Simpson (finally) fell of the cliff last year. I’m backing Houli and Hurn to do something similar this season, but who know’s ? one or both could still finish top 6 Defender.
        Also these backline Tadpoles (29/30year olds) Daniel Rich and Dane Rampe both had their best years in 2019. I think both could improve again with more responsibility.

        Maybe a little amphibian is ok, if you get to play loose of Half Back. 😉

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  3. Must agree with the comment a bit above, O’Connor is probably 3rd or 4th picked in the back line.

    They like Narkle as a clearance player & like Parfitt as more of a nullifier at the stoppage,

    The ruck setup will be interesting, if they want to play Jenkins don’t be surprised if Esava is the starting ruck.

    Probably not SC relevant given price & position but watch Jordan Clark improve this season, didn’t have a pre-season last year, basically never done a proper junior one either due to cricket commitments.

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      1. He’s one I’m going to be watching this year.

        When he moved the move from the HBF to the wing, there were signs he was going to be something.

        I wouldn’t get him this year, wait for that extra year and be patient.

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    1. I agree.

      It’s going to be interesting to see which one they go with.

      Personally I like Parfitt move than Narkle due to if they go with Narkle they’ll end up with too many like midfielders.

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  4. Steven is my first picked this year. He will definitely average higher than what you pay for him.

    Everyone is jumping on Cockatoo. Personally, I think he could be a gun, skillful, built like a tank, but I’d be surprised if he will ever be SC relevant. I hope so! because that means he’s dominating games.

    I’m likely to go with Danger again this year, why not? You may have talked me into Stewart too!

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    1. Read an article where Danger says Cockatoo will play the high forward role and pinch hit in the midfield.

      I’m not taking him at the moment because of the injury risk but we’ll see how the Marsh series go.

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      1. Cockatoo is only rookie-priced so you dont need to expect amazing scores or even many games (if you are worried of injury). If you think he will score around the 65-70 mark, not even needing consistency, then he should be a lock.

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    2. Pretty sure I read somewhere that Stewart has had an interrupted pre-season, so I’d steer clear for now. Definitely one to look at mid season though.

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    3. Brad, you may well be right about Stevens’ average being higher, but its points that get you places….I’m worried about his missing games history, age, and why saints let him go.
      Not for me.

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  5. Cockatoo is missing Round 1 so you can take him out of your starting teams.

    Stewart has just resumed to full training. For those who were looking at him.

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