Rebecca Maddern has delivered her Unconventional Club Review of Geelong for season 2020.
The club’s no.1 ticket holder answered a number of questions on SEN Breakfast relating to the Cats and their performance this year.
Who is Geelong’s next All-Australian?
Maddern: “He was in the 40 but he should have been in the best 22 - Sam Menegola, easy.”
Tim Watson says: “I’m going with Mitch Duncan. Knocking on the door this year, I think he might just about bang open the door next year.”
Have the Cats got the right captain? If not, who?
Maddern: “I think Joel Selwood, on and off the field, has been one of, if not the very best, captain at the Geelong Cats.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant. For next year, he’s absolutely the right captain. I think he’s phenomenal.
“Honestly, Joel is the sort of person who will not captain that club one day more than he thinks he should.”
Watson says: “I think it’s time to make a change. As great as he (Selwood) has been and as much as we all love him but I think it might be time to make that change.
“I’m going with Mitch Duncan again. I’m liking what I’m hearing from Mitch Duncan. I think he understands what leadership is all about.
“I think he’s ready to step up.”
If “player x” plays well, the Cats are always a chance of winning?
Maddern: “Either Hawk (Tom Hawkins) or Paddy (Patrick Dangerfield).”
Watson says: “I’ve gone with Danger. You can’t go past Danger.”
Left-field trade option?
Maddern: “It still breaks my heart because he will eventually be an absolute gun and that’s Nakia Cockatoo.
“We have not seen him live up to his full potential at Geelong and I think that is a darn shame.”
Watson says: “He’s been a really good, solid player but I reckon they may just have to move past him and that is Jake Kolodjashnij.
“You’ve got other players that you can shuffle around and make do with. I just think that there are a couple of flaws in his game, I know he does some great jobs but I would be looking at him.”
Left-field trade target?
Maddern: “It’s been an issue of contention for a little while, it's our ruck stocks. In saying that, I think Rhys Stanley had a really good season.
“But I think our ruck has always been a bit of a question mark. I don’t know who specifically we would target but maybe another ruck option would be a good idea.”
Which player is deserving of a pay rise?
Maddern: “Tom Stewart. I think he deserves a pay rise.”
Watson says: “I think Hendo (Lachie Henderson) needs a pay rise.”
Who deserves a pay cut?
Maddern: “I don’t think Geelong is a team of overpaid players.
“One of our highest paid players would be Dangerfield and the only reason I say Dangerfield is because if he builds another level on his house at Moggs Creek, he’s going to interrupt my view.
“So just to keep him to two levels and not three at Moggs Creek so he doesn’t affect my view of the ocean, let’s give him a pay cut.”
Watson says: “What did Jack Steven get paid this year? He might need to hand some back.”
Expect a big 2021 from?
Maddern: “Jeremy Cameron!
“But I’m going to throw another one at you, Sam Simpson. I love the way he plays footy.”
Watson says: “I’m a big fan of Jordan Clark. I reckon they’ve handled him well, they’ve held him back. He’s got enormous talent this kid.”
Big positional change in 2021?
Maddern: “Gary Rohan. I don’t know where to put him. He’s a good runner and he’s a good tackler. But where else can he go?”
Watson says: “He (Clark) is exactly what they need for the positional change. Him to half-back and I think they’ll get a lot more run, drive and creativity from their back six.”