Review Cats stone Crows with 19 point win

[Heckler]

As much as he played poorly, it was the 3-4 clear times he burnt team mates who were in better positions. He did dish off to Danger once and it resulted in a goal - but generally I think he tends to be very selfish around goal. Not helped at present with him knowing he's struggling and searching for a way to impact the game.

He's the most likely to go out but I think if it's dry on Easter Monday he plays on the MCG given his aerial ability and still requiring a decent match up with a Hawks defender. Reckon he's close to our most frustrating player in the hoops.

Ollie Henry is like most low possession players
He is desperate to kick a goal to hold his spot.
Needs to learn there other ways to contribute.
Chase : Defend : Block : Tackle : Link up : etc.
Footy is a team game, Become a good teammate.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Henry's such an interesting watch in the coming years. He has brilliant hands for his rather short stature (6ft'2). James Sicily was always a similar overhead mark.
Is there any chance he could make a move into defense because he is a good kick, athletic and reads the flight of the ball so well.

Playing in the back half can really free a player up. I guess the issue would be who to move as Mullin & Guthrie are locks for the meantime while Stewart is an automatic inclusion on return.

My issue with O Henry is his approach and work rate on field.

He doesn’t lead hard or make multiple leads, he seems to always opt for the ball to be kicked in and jump with hangtime for an overhead mark. It’s not really working this year for him. He needs to become more mobile and flexible

 

[Kitcat]

As much as he played poorly, it was the 3-4 clear times he burnt team mates who were in better positions. He did dish off to Danger once and it resulted in a goal - but generally I think he tends to be very selfish around goal. Not helped at present with him knowing he's struggling and searching for a way to impact the game.

He's the most likely to go out but I think if it's dry on Easter Monday he plays on the MCG given his aerial ability and still requiring a decent match up with a Hawks defender. Reckon he's close to our most frustrating player in the hoops.

Our coaches can see what we see and I do wonder what they say to OHenry after a match review.

 

[D BRIDGE]

My issue with O Henry is his approach and work rate on field.

He doesn’t lead hard or make multiple leads, he seems to always opt for the ball to be kicked in and jump with hangtime for an overhead mark. It’s not really working this year for him. He needs to become more mobile and flexible

Very one-dimensional player and when that one dimension isn't happening (high marks/goals) the pressure will always come on him.

I wish he was more rounded and had extra tricks up his sleeve... but he doesn't.

 

[Heckler]

COS' follow up work is insane. Just gets to contest after contest after contest.

I can't believe it's the same guy who was running around looking ok but not outstanding in the VFL last year.

Highly talented individuals play better with other skilled players.
Can't anticipate and read play when everyone fumbles and clangers.

 

[Jumping Jack]

I'm not sure I agree with people's comments about Ollie Henry having good hands. No idea what the AFL average is for a mid sized forward but he would be very low percentage for marks taken versus the number of contests / or times he flies for the ball. Just a simple observation, but I think as supporters we tend to get easily seduced by the odd times he does take a good grab.

I see him as a frustrating "almost" player. Every side has them but the parts that worry me the most are the selfish acts - needs to get that out of his game.

And no - Wiltshire is not a straight swap. Completely different players. Wiltshire might sneak a game if we lose Close or Stengle to injury. Polkinghorne more of a like for like replacement for Henry I would have thought.

 

[CoolCat75]

OHenry has been effected by Danger forward, who has basically taken his role. Playing as a deep marking target when Neale or Jezza aren’t an option. Hopefully he can work through it and still contribute as he is only 22 years old.

 

[cats_09]

Tom Atkins turns 30 in September.

When does Blicavs turn 46

 

[Spearman]

Hinge tried to play a bit of a tough guy role when they were on top. That's just great, but when you're not actually tough and can't actually handle the heat when it's applied back on you, it backfires rather dismally and you just end up looking like the soft potato of a player you actually are.

Damn weekday evening games I only caught glimpses and score of first half, but did they target Dangerfield a bit? I noticed them being a little physical with him post tackle etc.

 

[ShadowCat]

Does anyone else feel this is the first genuine replay they are excited to watch this year??

Bar the third quarter, the Freo game was pretty fun

 

[year of the cat]

As much as he played poorly, it was the 3-4 clear times he burnt team mates who were in better positions. He did dish off to Danger once and it resulted in a goal - but generally I think he tends to be very selfish around goal. Not helped at present with him knowing he's struggling and searching for a way to impact the game.

He's the most likely to go out but I think if it's dry on Easter Monday he plays on the MCG given his aerial ability and still requiring a decent match up with a Hawks defender. Reckon he's close to our most frustrating player in the hoops.

He’s not a team oriented player. Not overly likeable either. But he has plenty of ability and is a difficult match up for the opposition. Don’t think he should be dropped (not sure we have anyone that provides his marking power that is ready to play yet) but he definitely should be demanded to play a far more team brand of footy.

 

[joe444]

re Ollie Henry:
I think we also have to accept:

- We have a stacked (overstacked?) forward line, and not everyone can kick 4 goals a game.

- We have added Danger to that equation as a permanent forward. That mix of players is still very, very new to each other. Let alone many / most of our distributors upfield are new ingredients, too.

- Ollie Henry nearly won us that Prelim.

I want that forward line to develop stability and trust in each other. Keep them where they are. It just put up 17 goals.

 

[Play it Sam]

For our overseas friends, thought you'd like this back page of the Hun today.
Love the Crows player in the background looking like a stunned mullet

 

[iameviljez]

OHenry has been effected by Danger forward, who has basically taken his role. Playing as a deep marking target when Neale or Jezza aren’t an option. Hopefully he can work through it and still contribute as he is only 22 years old.

I agree with this. I feel like Ollie needs to be given a bit more licence to push up the ground, just free himself from that graveyard that is the pocket.

 

[cats_09]

Since I know it's going to continue being a discussion point across the season, here's some post match comments from Scott on the roles he sees SDK playing, and also from SDK on how he envisages his spot in the team

Reading both of their comments, I think we need to get used to the idea that SDK isn't going to be a permanent defender during his career

Scott:

“He’s an All-Australian-level key defender, that was his quality (from the start), and he’s just had some issues with his knee in particular … that’s limited him. But off the back of a really good pre-season, we think he’s ready to get at least back to that 2022 form,” coach Chris Scott told journalists after the match.

“I’m happy to say he’s not going to play permanently as a key defender; his flexibility is going to be important to us. If I had to guess, I think he’ll play more back, and you need guys (like that).

SDK:

“It’s been fun; I love that I can be that versatile player for the team,” De Koning revealed.

“I really take inspiration from ‘Blitz’ and what he’s been able to do with his career. I think he’s missed something like 12 games his whole career, and that’s because he’s so versatile in filling a spot for the team.

“That’s the player that I want to be, and just going into every game being a yes man for the coach and getting the job done.”

‘All-Australian-level’ Cats weapon that did what no one else could... before spearheading ‘best-ever’ win

How Cats’ ‘All-Aus level’ weapon helped topple ‘three-headed monster’ in huge AFL statement

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[allrighty]

For our overseas friends, thought you'd like this back page of the Hun today.
Love the Crows player in the background looking like a stunned mullet

Thanks. Whilst being OS is a lot of fun there is no way I can keep up live or anything else. Looks like a great win last night.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

I'm not as critical of Ollie Henry as some here seem to be. As it stands, I think he's a role player in the forward line, not a go-to forward at all costs. If he kicks goals, that's a bonus, but it's his forward defensive work that's more important (and the fact the opposition has to put a good defender on him), so the likes of Jezza, Paddy, Shannon, and Tyson get a chance to shine.

 

[catters05]

I want to agree, but there were just passages where I was yelling at my screen saying 'we have to get Henry off the ground, he's going to lose us this game.' I never do that, but last night was something else. He competed, but everything he did when he had the ball/oppo had the ball, was just to our detriment. He had 1 or 2 good passages, but then he cancelled those out with several selfish passages, that ultimately gifted the ball back to the Crows.

Again, this is very unusual for me, as I'm generally someone who just backs our players in and finds the good points. Ollie though, he's just not earning his spot right now.

I agree, he needs a big game, hopefully against the hawks. Sometimes I find him to be the odd one out in our forward line and get into the wrong spots and the selfish plays are extremely frustrating.

 

[And_ROOS]

Was that Miers worst game since being recognised as a good player?

He had a few real stinkers in 2023 where he was non-existent, and he was really bad against the Saints in the loss late last year, but last night he shirked at least 4 contests which is a really bad look for him.

 

[ShadowCat]

I agree, he needs a big game, hopefully against the hawks. Sometimes I find him to be the odd one out in our forward line and get into the wrong spots and the selfish plays are extremely frustrating.

The inside/out banana from the left boundary was the most egregious play of the night. He had no hope with that shot. He's not playing like a team player, and doing all the little things our forwards are known for.

 

[iameviljez]

Was that Miers worst game since being recognised as a good player?

Probably, but honestly I respect the fact that he kept just showing up and managed to do some damage in the second half.

 

[cats_09]

re Ollie Henry:
I think we also have to accept:

- We have a stacked (overstacked?) forward line, and not everyone can kick 4 goals a game.

- We have added Danger to that equation as a permanent forward. That mix of players is still very, very new to each other. Let alone many / most of our distributors upfield are new ingredients, too.

- Ollie Henry nearly won us that Prelim.

I want that forward line to develop stability and trust in each other. Keep them where they are. It just put up 17 goals.

I don't think anyone is asking for Henry to be kicking 4 goals a game

Folks are simply wanting to see bit more of a rounded game from him, where he's having a positive impact on the contest & for teammates - whereas with Henry, it feels like there's times where it's scoreboard impact or not much else


I thought his attack on the contest was better in the first half last night than over recent weeks, but was a little disappointed in his second half. And when he did have a couple of opportunities in the last to have an impact, he took the selfish options looking to kick the miracle goal compared with the team thing and potentially setting up teammates

 

[Lingsface]

re Ollie Henry:
I think we also have to accept:

- We have a stacked (overstacked?) forward line, and not everyone can kick 4 goals a game.

- We have added Danger to that equation as a permanent forward. That mix of players is still very, very new to each other. Let alone many / most of our distributors upfield are new ingredients, too.

- Ollie Henry nearly won us that Prelim.

I want that forward line to develop stability and trust in each other. Keep them where they are. It just put up 17 goals.

I agree with all of this, I see him like Hayward not always going to be the major goal kicker but has his weeks where he is overlooked by defence’s and just adds that extra danger to our forward line. Miers Close Stengle Mannagh have the floor covered Dempsey and Henry add another string to compete in the air and take the odd screamer as well. Has there ever been a wing rotation? Swapping from Wing to forward pocket Henry and Dempsey could be a deadly combination.

 

[iameviljez]

The inside/out banana from the left boundary was the most egregious play of the night. He had no hope with that shot. He's not playing like a team player, and doing all the little things our forwards are known for.

It was the play of a man who has seen very little football all night and tried to overcompensate for it.

 

[Lingsface]

Probably, but honestly I respect the fact that he kept just showing up and managed to do some damage in the second half.

I thought Miers hands were amazing last night! So many handball chains were because of his speed of hands initially.