AFL Autopsy JLT 2: 28 point loss to Geelong

[Milanista28]

It's interesting to me that Parish and Langford were managed so much, They should've been given the keys to the midfield let them lead.

Anyway round 1 next, Cant wait.

 

[Shane Heard]

Some really good analysis of the squad in last few posts. Great stuff that gives clear headed thoughts to the reality of the challenges that lay ahead in the next month.

We have just got to get back to that hot form we had late last year where we piled on relentless pressure all four qrts..and now with the class of Shiel involved when we get the ball back.. we will only improve on top of that.

We played some really aggressive, confident footy 2nd half last year. All without Daniher as a forward and relief centre bounce ruckman.

All too with a plodding unfit Stringer, a lot of games without Fantasia and without the dynamic form of Francis deep in the backline.

We all know that when we have got it going and team confidence is up, we can match it with anyone.

For me, It’s more about looking at the team cohesion rather than focusing on individual player’s form in 3 pre season games.

That Geelong game last year when we reversed our crap form showed that things can change dramatically very quickly if the right team mindset is switched on.

Yes Langford, Parish, Myers, Zakka are a bit of a worry right now but that can soon change.

Heppell dropping back in around halfback to intercept kicks is something I’d like to see more of.

We could afford that luxury if our second tier ramps up in form and Shiel, Merrett, Smith and McGrath are hot every week.

There’s a lot to be excited about this season. But We’re no different to a lot of sides hoping and praying certain players lift and go to a higher level of form.

We’re in the best position to really stake a claim as a genuine force right now...considering how talented the list is now.

It’s taken a long time to repair the damage done from the 12 month bans and rebuild our list from the aftermath.

This is the season that will define the results of all that work and rebuilding.


We’re very impatient fans too. It’s been a long time of frustration.

Just got to grit our teeth and hope for the best.

One week at a time.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I don't see much improvement from last week.

You beg to differ.

Much better effort so far

 

[adsla69k]

I just noticed Kobe Mutch never played in the JLT. I'm kind of not worried about Langford or Laverde coming on because we have players like Ridley, Redman, Mutch that could step up soon. I think Ridley plays most games this year.

 

[freddy mercury]

Thank * that is over. No injuries, results are meaningless.

Dont worry too much, I have no doubt we were just going through the motions, not showing our cards. I have no doubts over anything in our side.

 

[Lore]

I just noticed Kobe Mutch never played in the JLT. I'm kind of not worried about Langford or Laverde coming on because we have players like Ridley, Redman, Mutch that could step up soon. I think Ridley plays most games this year.

Mutch has an injured ankle or something

 

[Squeaky]

I reckon our new midfield would be OK to play 2018 footy (i.e. not 6-6-6)
The rules might conspire against us for 2019.

 

[bacon buster]

thinking about it a bit more, i think the main disappointment for me, across the 2 games, is we didn't really see any new wrinkles or tweaks to our game style

we still looked good when we were able to get our running game going from halfback/defence. that's not an issue. but it still looked to be the only way we could score or look dangerous, which has been the main problem the last 2 years

now, are they holding that back for the 'real stuff'? maybe, let's see. but i'd have thought even if you didn't want to reveal your hand, you'd at least have a play around with some different styles.

 

[KickittoRAZ]

Been said plenty of times already but the results don’t mean much, always reassuring to come away with a win but certainly won’t be getting caught up on the results.

Impressed with Ridley this pre season, thought he should’ve got a few more games last year as well.

The biggest worry from the game would be our entry inside 50. Whether it just be Geelong knowing how to defend their home ground well or not, when we don’t get those rebounds from defence and get out the back to space we look a bit vulnerable. Too many times last night we struggled to control the tempo and would just kick long to a pack or a 2v1 and it would be chopped off, which was a bit of a theme from last year.

Our running game is terrific, but if we can become more effective from slow plays instead of more often than not hoping Joey sits on someone’s head, then that’s when we’ll be dangerous.

 

[2one2]

We seem to celebrate and prefer hangars then eeking out hard nosed wins.

What is our game plan and what do we stand for as a side. If we are going to play high risk game from half back we are going nowhere.

Need to get the manic pressure back.

Need to look at playing Tippa as a centre square specialist.

So many unknowns about where we are at

Manic pressure yes, and there were swatches of that stitched into the preseason games, but they were never going to maintain that across the whole match. Not going to run ourselves completely ragged in the preseason given what we need to maintain over a full H&A (+ finals hopefully).

I also genuinely think that Geelong's style of play is more suited to the lighter touch of the JLT. Would you call their win hard-nosed?

 

[rumply]

That was not Francis's fault for two reasons. He hadn't played on when the ump called play on and Hawkins was standing 3m over the mark when play on was called.

Hurley always starts slow am not worried in the slightest.

Cant agree, the umps will be & were blowing the whistle when a player steps a hair over the mark, Francis slid too far to his right straight after marking with Hawkins still right in front of him, got to be more aware in that situation & I'm sure he will be.

 

[rumply]

Parish is a 21 year old mid who has never averaged less than 20 touches. The pessimism around him surprises me.

******* stupid is what it is.

 

[BelleJames]

Don’t mind the reviews on this site. Pretty fair all up.

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl/2019/03/07/jltcatsbombers

 

[JuniorWatch]

It is only JLT but I was having a few concerning flashbacks to early-mid last year.
Langers looking lost, Zac ineffective, Joey flat, Zaha turning it over, fwd line a mess.

However we have been playing 2 teams who've been fielding their best teams at their little boutique training grounds so hopefully everyone gets fit and i'll reserve judgement til round 3.

 

[ScrappyCoCo]

We seem to be bombing it on top of Walla's head a bit too much over the 2 games.

 

[eth-dog]

We seem to be bombing it on top of Walla's head a bit too much over the 2 games.

He's obviously been talking to Alwyn Davey over the off-season

 

[adsla69k]

At our best last year we slayed teams and in them wins we lowered our eyes when entering f50. In the two JLT we just hoofed it long down the wings. I reckon our real game plan will be to go through the middle. Players like Merrett and Shiel are to clever to kick it to the out to the wings.
My main concern is the center bounce. I'm yet to see genuine cohesion between the groups tried in there during the JLT. McGrath is great in there but I seen him pull out a few times and the moment was lost, I'm not sure if that was JLT self preservation mode. Ideally he needs to make the ball or man his at any opportunity otherwise he cant be in the middle.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Don’t mind the reviews on this site. Pretty fair all up.

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl/2019/03/07/jltcatsbombers

Do your advertising elsewhere

 

[Ambrosia]

Cant agree, the umps will be & were blowing the whistle when a player steps a hair over the mark, Francis slid too far to his right straight after marking with Hawkins still right in front of him, got to be more aware in that situation & I'm sure he will be.

Very much disagree with your interpretation of the rules/what took place.

 

[eDPS]

I think we have eased up on the intensity in the JLT, by all reports we where going pretty hard at training in terms of physicality. I expect our attack on the ball and tackling pressure will be on another level once the real stuff starts. You know we arent going all out when Devon Smith finishes a game with less than 5 tackles

 

[rumply]

Very much disagree with your interpretation of the rules/what took place.

Pretty clear to me he played on immediately so what Hawkins did was irrelevant, hard to see how it can be taken any other way.

& also clear the umps will blow play on any chance they get. I dont like it but that looks to be the state of play as we head into a new season.

 

[Bombermania]

I think we have eased up on the intensity in the JLT, by all reports we where going pretty hard at training in terms of physicality. I expect our attack on the ball and tackling pressure will be on another level once the real stuff starts. You know we arent going all out when Devon Smith finishes a game with less than 5 tackles

There could be some truth in that and what people might have forgotten is that Woosha has never liked going hard during preseason games.

 

[Gumby2Hurley]

Play smak

 

[Ambrosia]

Pretty clear to me he played on immediately so what Hawkins did was irrelevant, hard to see how it can be taken any other way.

& also clear the umps will blow play on any chance they get. I dont like it but that looks to be the state of play as we head into a new season.

He sprinted behind the mark I don't know how that can be seen to have played on immediately.

 

[rumply]

He sprinted behind the mark I don't know how that can be seen to have played on immediately.

Went off his line, umps were all over it all night. Not saying I entirely agree with it but thats how they have been interpreting play on in all the JLT's I've watched so far, no leeway for the player with the ball.