VFL Report

[Dasher39]

Here is my report on the day at Skilled. A bit disappointing.

I just got home from the VFL today, I went with CatAttack and gocats2002, it was really disappointing cos we could've won, and should've except for some appauling Umpiring decsions in the last Qtr that cost us the game in the end. Anyway here is my report.

GEELONG VS BOX HILL
Skilled Stadium, Geelong

Crowd: Approx 1500

GEELONG: 3.1 7.2 13.3 18.3.111
BOX HILL: 7.1 10.2 15.4 19.6.120

Goals: Geelong: Kingsley 5, Mackie 3, Lonergan 3, Bartel, S.Johnson, Playfair, Rahilly, Street, Byrnes, Cook.

Best: Geelong: Finnin, Mackie, Grgic, Byrnes, Rahilly, S.Johnson.


As I said the umpiring cost us the game today, there are few occasions when you can say that, but today is one of them. 2 ridiculous decisions resulting in 2 goals in the end cost us a win. A free was paid against Tim Callan for a high hit on a BH player. But this is the best thing, he didn't even hit him. The umpire got sucked in by the BH player. That was bad enough, then he called advantage when clearly he shouldn't have, and they got a goal. The second was a mark to a BH player about 45-50m out, then for some unknown reason the umpire about 50-60m away paid a 50m penalty. Costing us another goal, if you take those 2 goals out, we win by 3 points.

IMO, best on ground would have to go to Brent Grgic. He showed today why he should be in the seniors, and I expect he will be recalled next week for the game against Adelaide. He was strong all day, always getting to the front and marking, and if not marking, spoiling his opponent.

Kent Kingsley played great today in Umber 31?? Dont know why he was wearing Chambo's no. but it worked. He kicked 5.0. He provided an option and worked hard up the ground, and worked hard for his crumbers.

Andrew Mackie was brilliant, he showed today why we picked him up. His kicking today was sensational on both feet. I remember on specific occasion when he was on the boundary line and kicked it on his left foot from about 40m out to the top of the square perfectly to Tom Lonergan who kicked truly. Mackie worked hard up the ground hitting the packs hard and winning the tough balls. He was cruely denied a mark in the 2nd qtr (I think) when it was clearly was a mark, but we managed to get a goal about 2 mins later. So it was OK. Also he managed to kick 3 goals, all at pivotal times.

Ben Finnin was really good down back. He ran hard out of defence and took on the opposition and with his long booming kick it worked really good for the boys.

Overall it was pretty solid performance by all the boys and it was hard to pick out great players. But we still lost, which was disappointing. Box Hill were second on the ladder and to beat them would have been really great. But there is always next week, when we play Tasmania in a Curtain Raiser to the Crows game.

That is just about it, not a lot to say this week, we played well and deserved a win, but we didn't.

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by Dasher39
As I said the umpiring cost us the game today, there are few occasions when you can say that, but today is one of them.

Geelong never led at any stage of the match. In fact they trailed by over 4 goals for over 90% of the game, but they deserved to win?

Very interesting theory.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Chris_23
In fact they trailed by over 4 goals for over 90% of the game

Yet they were within four goals at EVERY change.

Seems impossible to be down by OVER four goals for 90% (about 90 minutes) of the game, yet be within said margin at every change.

Geelong must have kicked most of its 18 goals in the final 2.5 minutes of each quarter.

VERY Interesting theory that one;)



I didn't see the game, but i dare say the first quarter played more a part in us losing the game then the umpires.

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Yet they were within four goals at EVERY change. How does that work?

Interesting theory. ;)

I didn't see the game, but i dare say the first quarter played more a part in us losing the game then the umpires.

I think you'll find that the Cats kicked late goals towards the end of the final three quarters. Obviously the whole percentage thing is a point you can argue, but i'd pretty close to the mark.

My point is that I can't see how a side can deserve to win when they never led at any stage.

[Dasher39]

Look, I dont mean to be rude, but where any of u even there today. This has been a minor problem for me over at Cats Claw, people have a go at me for what I write, but dont even go themself. Look the first qtr played a part we were pretty dismal, but we were playing the side no. 2 on the ladder and were competitive all day, and when we got on a roll we looked simply awesome. The umpiring did cost us the game, as I have said, take out those 2 goals and we win by 3 points it's as simple as that.

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by Dasher39
Look, I dont mean to be rude, but where any of u even there today. This has been a minor problem for me over at Cats Claw, people have a go at me for what I write, but dont even go themself. Look the first qtr played a part we were pretty dismal, but we were playing the side no. 2 on the ladder and were competitive all day, and when we got on a roll we looked simply awesome. The umpiring did cost us the game, as I have said, take out those 2 goals and we win by 3 points it's as simple as that.

Ahhh, yeah. I'm a Box Hill member. I go every week, and I was there today.

You're entitled to your opinion. You're obviously adamant that two decisions in 120 minutes of football has cost you the game. Of course I could say that John Barker could've received some free kicks when he was being mugged by Grgic (who played very well I might add, he beat Barker for most of the day) and we could've won by 4 goals.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Chris_23
I think you'll find that the Cats kicked late goals towards the end of the final three quarters. Obviously the whole percentage thing is a point you can argue, but i'd pretty close to the mark.

My point is that I can't see how a side can deserve to win when they never led at any stage.

I agree, but the 90% thing is complete and utter bollocks and you know it.

Geelong were down by 24, 18, 13 and 9 at each change, yet you said they were OVER 4 goals down for 90% of the game.

It's best advised not to greatly exxaggerate when you're ripping on someone else for doing exactly that.

Best of luck tomorrow, you won't need it. :(

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
I agree, but the 90% thing is complete and utter bollocks and you know it.

Geelong were down by 24, 18, 13 and 9 at each change, yet you said they were OVER 4 goals down for 90% of the game.

It's best advised not to greatly exxaggerate when you're ripping on someone else for doing exactly that.

Best of luck tomorrow, you won't need it. :(

Yeah probably. My point is that we were ahead comfortably all day. We were challenged late in the game (we kicked the first three or four of the final term and looked home) but it was all under control.

We tend to get plenty of luck in the close games against the Cats, but we could do with some more for tomorrow. Should be interesting to see who wants to lose it more. I'm backing in my pea-hearts for that!

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Dasher39
Look, I dont mean to be rude, but where any of u even there today.

What has that got to do with anything?

Both myself and Chris_23 are making general points about your comments.
I don't believe that one or two umpiring decisions (or non-decisions) that COULD have lead to goals, would necessarily change the result.

Nor do i believe that umpiring costs any team a game. No doubt they can influence the result, but blaming them is a cop out.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Chris_23
Should be interesting to see who wants to lose it more. I'm backing in my pea-hearts for that!

Geelong have pretty much tanked the year, so if your mob can't give us a pounding then you too may as well follow our lead and give it away.

On paper, we can't kick more then 10-12 goals, so as long as one of your forwards fire, you should win comfortably.

Rawlings, forward or back?

BTW Did all your emergencies play today? I know one of ours pulled out.

[Chris_23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Geelong have pretty much tanked the year, so if your mob can't give us a pounding then you too may as well follow our lead and give it away.

On paper, we can't kick more then 10-12 goals, so as long as one of your forwards fire, you should win comfortably.

Rawlings, forward or back?

BTW Did all your emergencies play today? I know one of ours pulled out.

Depends on how many talls the Cats go with. Hay can take one, as can Smith if need be. Rawlings is definitely more dangerous down forward at the moment, but he'll probably start in defence.

Our emergencies played, so there will be no change. Aaron Lord came off the ground very early in the second term for the Cats, and he didn't appear to be injured. In fact he wasn't sighted whatsoever after he left the field, he wasn't even on the bench. Maybe he's also been brought into the side?

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Dasher39
This has been a minor problem for me over at Cats Claw, people have a go at me for what I write, but dont even go themself. Look the first qtr played a part we were pretty dismal, but we were playing the side no. 2 on the ladder and were competitive all day, and when we got on a roll we looked simply awesome. The umpiring did cost us the game, as I have said, take out those 2 goals and we win by 3 points it's as simple as that.

Thanks for doing your VFL reports Dasher39, please keep posting them on here as they're most appreciated, especially by those who can't attend the games. :)

As for people having a go at you, I can honestly say I haven't seen anything on here to suggest that. I can't comment for the Cats Claw board, but I will say that just because someone doesn't agree with your opinions doesn't mean they're having a go at you... the world would be a very boring place if everyone thought the same things!!

Anyway, this is a really good board with intelligent people who post on a regular basis about the Geelong Football Club and football in general... one of the best team boards on this site in my opinion.

[hawkapatto]

for the Hawks perspective on the match, check out the report on HHQ.

http://www.hawkheadquarters.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2049

Warning: We are all fanatical Hawk Supporters on HHQ, so you might not like some of the stuff thats written.

Girgic (spelling???) was good for you guys in defence, along Lonergan up forward.

I wouldn't have had Finnin as best for you guys, he spent a fair amount of time on the bench, but did some nice things on the ground.

[Dasher39]

ScouseCat, thanks. I know that they aren't having a personal attack at me, but I hate it when I write a report and then people criticise what I wrote when they didn't even turn up. If people turn up and have a differing opinion then thats all fair and well, but if they dont turn up and criticise what I write, then I have a problem with that.

chris_23, where did u sit??

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by Dasher39
ScouseCat, thanks. I know that they aren't having a personal attack at me, but I hate it when I write a report and then people criticise what I wrote when they didn't even turn up. If people turn up and have a differing opinion then thats all fair and well, but if they dont turn up and criticise what I write, then I have a problem with that.

I can understand what you're saying there Dasher39, try not to take it too much to heart mate. :)

[Mattster]

so dash, do kingsley and grgic deserve recalls this week, or another spell in the twos?

[Dasher39]

They definitely deserve a recall, Grgic was superb. And Kingsley provided a focal point up forward all game, and worked hard to earn the ball and dish it off the the small forwards and midfielders.

[Chris_23]

I sat between the Box Hill bench and the Interchange gates.

[Dasher39]

Chris_23, it's only that there were these Box Hill fans in the Hickey Stand completely paying us out, and then made sexual remarks to some 14yo girls. I didn't think it would be you, but I had to check.

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by Dasher39
They definitely deserve a recall, Grgic was superb. And Kingsley provided a focal point up forward all game, and worked hard to earn the ball and dish it off the the small forwards and midfielders.

Who do you drop,apart from D"B"C ?
Mooney & McCarthy should hold their spots.

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
Who do you drop,apart from D"B"C ?

David Clarke??

I would bring either Wojcinski or Hunt in for Clarke and possibly Kingsley to boost the forward options.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
Mooney & McCarthy should hold their spots.

We definitely have one too many talls. I can't see how Graham, McCarthy and Gumby can function in the one forward line against a GOOD team.

I assume Charlie will be dropped, but i'd rather have his versatility then have three dinosaurs.

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky


I assume Charlie will be dropped, but i'd rather have his versatility then have three dinosaurs.

Charlie was off injured [hip] for the 2nd half,so there could be a doubt on him this week.

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
Charlie was off injured [hip] for the 2nd half,so there could be a doubt on him this week.

Ah, didn't see that.

Will make it easier for the selectors anyway.

Charlie and Clarke should go out, and perhaps even Spriggs.

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Charlie and Clarke should go out, and perhaps even Spriggs.

I am happy with Spriggs being in the side as he gives us another option in midfield and up forward. I thought Spriggs wasn't given much of a go when he was in the team at the start of the season, hopefully he'll be able to find some form and retain his place.

[JUBJUB]

I'd like to see Spriggs get another game.James Kelly maybe due for a full game in the VFL soon.

[Mattster]

yeah, give Kelly a spell...and Gardiner has been in and out with injury. Get him 100% fit as well

[ScouseCat]

What seems to be the story with James Bartel?? He doesn't seem to be getting much of an opportunity when he's in the senior team and gets dropped back to the VFL. Is he injured or just not in favour at the moment??

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
What seems to be the story with James Bartel?? He doesn't seem to be getting much of an opportunity when he's in the senior team and gets dropped back to the VFL. Is he injured or just not in favour at the moment??

When you've got great midfield depth, someone will always miss out.

James has been at the bottom of the pecking order since his form dropped off mid way through last season.

I thought James was quite good when he went forward earlier in the season. Perhaps he could replace Spriggs and play forward, with the odd run on the ball if needed.

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
When you've got great midfield depth, someone will always miss out.

James has been at the bottom of the pecking order since his form dropped off mid way through last season.

I thought James was quite good when he went forward earlier in the season. Perhaps he could replace Spriggs and play forward, with the odd run on the ball if needed.

I think there's room for both Spriggs and Bartel in the same team as they're different types of midfield players. I would pick both of them ahead of David Clarke, that's for sure.

I hope for JB's sake he can force his way back into the side in the near future.