Review Cats spay Demons by 39 points.

[iameviljez]

We really defending Neale and Henry after that game? Both were unacceptable. Both very poor over the last fortnight

They were both poor, but there are caveats.

As someone else pointed out, Clohesy had as much impact as Henry but gets plaudits due to the Shiny New Thing factor.

 

[Hinkley29]

Would prefer to give him a shot over Wilshire next week. More of a like for like for O Henry who needs a spell. Plus a game in his home town/state if I’m not mistaken

Ollie Henry doesn’t need a spell.

He is a crucial player for us. Has to play, every single game.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Our barometer stat held true again last night.
The AFL average for possession is 41% of game time.

Since R1 2023 we are now 24-0 when we possess the ball more than the AFL average.

 

[cats_09]

Didn't someone predict this?

Said he'd be a late omission or something......

Article this morning:

After the Cats’ 39-point win at GMHBA Stadium, Scott said Henry had been battling an ankle issue for at least a week but the Cats ultimately decided to play the 26-year-old in the Round 4 clash...

...“We had some challenges pre-game, and that’s not unique,” Scott told reporters on Friday night.

“(Mark Blicavs) going out late threw our plans a little bit, and we actually had an issue with Jack Henry an hour before the game, and it was sort of 50-50 as to whether he might play, and now we’re kind of ruing the decision even though he started so well and it was completely unrelated to the hamstring that he did.

I mentioned watching the warm up that he wasn't doing the running drills like teammates which suggested something wasn't right

Never like seeing an injury, but with Henry hurting his hamstring last night it now forces that time off which will hopefully also help the ankle concern that we may have been less likely to rest him for, at least until JK was also back in the mix

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-round-4-injury-list-marcus-bontempelli-jamarra-uglehagan-train-at-western-bulldogs/news-story/4dd2f4da3ce88676836933cf183c58cb#comments

 

[Hinkley29]

I’m confident Neale gives us what he’s got, Ollie is a difficult watch at times and I hate saying that. The greediness (not last night), the running under the ball in marking contests and body language I’m sure are parts of his game the coaching staff would be constantly working on. Hard to believe he and Jack are brothers, they are worlds apart as footballers.

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial. There is a reason he is one of the first picked every week.

 

[MacStradbroke]

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial. There is a reason he is one of the first picked every week.

Yeah I don’t want him out of the team, just highlighting some of the little things that are difficult to watch. Almost reminds me of Stevie J very early in his career. Immense talent Ollie, his brother is heart and soul.

 

[Jeff76]

Atkins is a tackle machine, huge numbers this year.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[goyoucatters]

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial.

I'm definitely on Ollie fan. But this kind of imprecise statement is veering dangerously close to the logic that was employed by some to defend Shane Kersten's role in the team back in the day.

I don't think modern football allows for players who spend almost all of their time in the forward half and don't generally trouble the stats sheet. I did see him impact a few situations in this game that may not have generated a stat at all. But there is a reason why there is no position in any pundit's team of the week for 'best decoy forward'.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Ollie Henry doesn’t need a spell.

He is a crucial player for us. Has to play, every single game.

Agree on this. Wasn’t long ago he almost dragged us over the line in the last quarter of a prelim final. I developed a lot of respect for him after standing up in that game.

He is out of form a bit, but he is too talented and crucial to our top 4 ambitions to be in the reserves. Needs to work his way back into form in the seniors.

 

[goyoucatters]

Agree on this. Wasn’t long ago he almost dragged us over the line in the last quarter of a prelim final. I developed a lot of respect for him after standing up in that game.

He is out of form a bit, but he is too talented and crucial to our top 4 ambitions to be in the reserves. Needs to work his way back into form in the seniors.

Whatever posters think about how he is contributing more broadly, this appears to be very true. At the moment, he is not generally timing his jumps at the footy and does not look confident at all taking shots at goal, either.

He is a confidence player so I believe it can turn quickly. But it would be good to have him break out of the funk, sooner rather than later.

 

[Hinkley29]

I'm definitely on Ollie fan. But this kind of imprecise statement is veering dangerously close to the logic that was employed by some to defend Shane Kersten's role in the team back in the day.

I don't think modern football allows for players who spend almost all of their time in the forward half and don't generally trouble the stats sheet. I did see him impact a few situations in this game that may not have generated a stat at all. But there is a reason why there is no position in any pundit's team of the week for 'best decoy forward'.

Are you seriously comparing ollie with Shane Kersten?

Totally different skill set, totally different work ethic, very different roles.

Kersten was a very limited player, no comparison to Ollie.

I really like the comparison made above of Ollie to a young Stevie J. I don’t think ollie will become an elite level tall midfielder like SJ, but his talent level are very similar.

 

[00VicWard001]

4 games this year. 4 bad 3rd quarters. Wonder what the problem is.

It’s the start of the year.

 

[iameviljez]

Get rid of the tapatalk app it’s schisser

Amen

 

[iameviljez]

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial. There is a reason he is one of the first picked every week.

I disagree with that, if you mean his defensive work. It’s not a strong suit

 

[Hinkley29]

It’s the start of the year.

Was the third qtr last night a bad one?

It was fine. Not good, not bad, just fine.

 

[iameviljez]

I'm definitely on Ollie fan. But this kind of imprecise statement is veering dangerously close to the logic that was employed by some to defend Shane Kersten's role in the team back in the day.

I don't think modern football allows for players who spend almost all of their time in the forward half and don't generally trouble the stats sheet. I did see him impact a few situations in this game that may not have generated a stat at all. But there is a reason why there is no position in any pundit's team of the week for 'best decoy forward'.

Exactly.

I don’t know if it’s coaching or his choice to just sit so deep, but it does him no favours. The same happened with Rohan, and Menzel in his post ACL year - if you are only in 20 or so contests a game, you struggle to influence it.

 

[iameviljez]

Was the third qtr last night a bad one?

It was fine. Not good, not bad, just fine.

Same as the Stk third quarter. Very 3.6 roentgen

 

[iameviljez]

Yeah I don’t want him out of the team, just highlighting some of the little things that are difficult to watch. Almost reminds me of Stevie J very early in his career. Immense talent Ollie, his brother is heart and soul.

It’s very Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh, except they actually speak

 

[D BRIDGE]

Ollie Henry is a very limited player IMO.

Take away his spring and he doesn't have much to offer.

He needs to compete harder in the air... I can forgive him for being a low-possession player if he is throwing everything he has at the contest.

He does require a couple more strings to his bow to be regarded as a good player in my eyes.

 

[goyoucatters]

Are you seriously comparing ollie with Shane Kersten?

Totally different skill set, totally different work ethic, very different roles.

Kersten was a very limited player, no comparison to Ollie.

I'm not comparing them as players. I'm simply pointing out that Kersten being stats-lite was sometimes defended here as 'you don't see what he does off the ball'. In the end, though, he didn't influence games enough to stay on an AFL list.

Ollie is a far more talented player than Kersten. And he's already significantly influenced many more games than Shane ever did. But I would definitely say he's in the team to possess the football, get involved in scoring chains, and hit the scoreboard himself. I haven't seen enough of that this year to suggest that the M.C. would be simply satisfied with him, based on the role he's supposedly playing off the ball.

 

[Warhorse]

I'm not comparing them as players. I'm simply pointing out that Kersten being stats-lite was sometimes defended here as 'you don't see what he does off the ball'. In the end, though, he didn't influence games enough to stay on an AFL list.

Ollie is a far more talented player than Kersten. And he's already significantly influenced many more games than Shane ever did. But I would definitely say he's in the team to possess the football, get involved in scoring chains, and hit the scoreboard himself. I haven't seen enough of that this year to suggest that the M.C. would be simply satisfied with the role he's playing off the ball.

Nah bro, one of the first picked

 

[goyoucatters]

Exactly.

I don’t know if it’s coaching or his choice to just sit so deep, but it does him no favours. The same happened with Rohan, and Menzel in his post ACL year - if you are only in 20 or so contests a game, you struggle to influence it.

Chucky was a different proposition to me. If you believe players could be highly valued in the team despite low possession numbers, he was just about the quintessential example. He continually pressured and harassed opposition defenders as they worked to clear the area, resulting in many turnovers upfield as the rushed disposal didn't find its target.

I believe this was a clear reason why he was so beloved and trusted by Scott and the M.C. By contrast, the ball often exits the area after Ollie is involved in a contest in a clean, quick and unpressured mode. Different players, I know. But when you're not getting stacks of footy from game to game, making your time without the football count to contribute to the team's defensive game plan really matters.

And, no, he doesn't have to be a Rohan. He just has to be better.

 

[cats_09]

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial. There is a reason he is one of the first picked every week.

I can name the best part of a dozen players from last night's team that would have their magnets on the board before Ollie, and then a couple more who missed due to injury & illness. In alphabetical order:

• Atkins
• Cameron
• Dangerfield
• SDK
• Guthrie
• J. Henry
• Holmes
• Miers
• Smith
• Stengle
• Stewart

When available Blicavs & Kolodjashnij also

No one's questioning Henry's talent, but right now he's down on form and think it's fair that folks are questioning the impact he's having on matches and if a run in the VFL to find touch & confidence could be good for him


During week someone commented that it's rare for Henry to have a one goal game and he's normally good for 2 or 3 goals - the latter perfectly describes his 2023 season where in 22 games he had just 6 with a single goal & 2 goalless games

Last year in 23 games, it was 9 single goal games with 4 goalless games. He started in great form last year with 21 goals through to round 10, with his indifferent form starting after then, almost like he's missing Hawkins up forward more than anyone else

From round 11 last year (his first goalless game) through to now, Henry's played 17 games kicking multiple goals on only 4 occasions & never in consecutive weeks, to go with 6 goalless games & 7 single goal games

Henry is def in something of a funk, not sure there's anything wrong with saying that

 

[Romeoh1]

O Henry does so much work that never gets on the stats sheet. But his role is crucial. There is a reason he is one of the first picked every week.

Curious as to how you know he is one of the first picked every week?

 

[Hinkley29]

I disagree with that, if you mean his defensive work. It’s not a strong suit

Unrewarded running that creates space for others. Contesting against bigger opponents in the air.

That is just as important as defensive work, and even less glamorous.

I can name the best part of a dozen players from last night's team that would have their magnets on the board before Ollie, and then a couple more who missed due to injury & illness. In alphabetical order:

• Atkins
• Cameron
• Dangerfield
• SDK
• Guthrie
• J. Henry
• Holmes
• Miers
• Smith
• Stengle
• Stewart

When available Blicavs & Kolodjashnij also

No one's questioning Henry's talent, but right now he's down on form and think it's fair that folks are questioning the impact he's having on matches and if a run in the VFL to find touch & confidence could be good for him


During week someone commented that it's rare for Henry to have a one goal game and he's normally good for 2 or 3 goals - the latter perfectly describes his 2023 season where in 22 games he had just 6 with a single goal & 2 goalless games

Last year in 23 games, it was 9 single goal games with 4 goalless games. He started in great form last year with 21 goals through to round 10, with his indifferent form starting after then, almost like he's missing Hawkins up forward more than anyone else

From round 11 last year (his first goalless game) through to now, Henry's played 17 games kicking multiple goals on only 4 occasions & never in consecutive weeks, to go with 6 goalless games & 7 single goal games

Henry is def in something of a funk, not sure there's anything wrong with saying that

When was the last time Ollie played in the vfl for Geelong?