Review Cats destroyate Tuggers by 72 points

[Play it Sam]

Great to get to a game at KP after a long hiatus, despite a seat in the highest spot in the city. Damned breezy up there - I looked like the Michelin man with about 20 layers of jumpers, coats (and too many years indulging in the paddock!).

All been said about George - great debut- strong, imposing and assured in the midfield . Wasn’t sure where he was playing when not in the guts - did they rest him at half forward?

A comment about our flaky first quarter- I noticed the Tigers seemed to try replicate Brisbane’s tactic - pressure the transition out wide and the Tigs big defenders push hard up from half back (?) Is that what others saw? Lots of poor decisions and execution by us that Qtr but I think the Tigers tactic contributed.

The slow start was a bit of a worry, but you just had to sit there and say they look a bit rusty, and know the slow burn was going to add up over the next three quarters. Home ground and that tactic is risky and needs the personnel to make it work, and they didn't have the class. It's not as easy as it looks to adapt to the late outs, and SDK missing, either. Scott knew they were a bit poor, but patience for falling into the groove won out. Master coach on a significant occasion for him.

 

[catempire]

Unpopular opinion: Dempsey is a big talent, but very, very vanilla.

Needs to go when he has to go. Doesn't always do that. He is clearly a very good player and when on is one of our best, but needs to be more physical when the time comes.

He’s the opposite of vanilla: he’s a spark. But his avoidance of physical contact is starting to worry me as we approach September.

 

[Hinkley29]

Has a player ever been dropped after the game in which they won a rising star nomination?

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Stevens did well but it was just about the perfect midfield mix for him to come up against. Players like Hopper and Prestia are not going to beat you on the spread which is the main issue George is going to face at AFL level, particularly on a bigger ground than KP.

I'm not worried about George's pace anymore - it doesn't matter if 2 or 3 catch him, they won't actually be able to slow him down

 

[small 4wards]

Tom Atkins

30

Tom Atkins

Age

30

Ht

180cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.3

3star

D

6.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.5

2star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.5

3star

D

11.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

approaching the all time record for tackles. He had 17 yesterday, next best from our team was 4.

Currently on 175 and we've still got seven games in the H/A. 27 short of the top spot, he averages 4 tackles a game and he breaks the all time record! What a man.

 

[allrighty]

Stevens should take huge confidence from that game. You're right it was against weak opposition and the plan definitely seemed to be to feed him the ball from the ruck. But the fact he played the whole game. Did the basics really well. Stood up in tackles. Hit his teammates with clean disposal. And he's obviously such a well-liked character internally. To know that he can slot in like that and do a job in an important position and the team has his back- that's massive for him.
I'm one who's prepared to be patient with these younger players. Knevitt and Clark too. They're our next generation. Let's follow their development I say - not judge them too quickly.

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

Stevens surely a big chance to get the rising star nomination. I think it’s a watch how he goes in different conditions/opposition but it’s not a risk to keep playing him. The midfield is an area we’ve been exposed in at times so there’s room for improvement. If it wasn’t working out in game we have other players that can shift or cover if needed. But he also seems like the type of player that would keep pushing in games to impact so the risk isn’t high.
We’ve obviously had a very good season so far but we’ve also carried players in most games that have had negative or nothing in games.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Stevens surely a big chance to get the rising star nomination. I think it’s a watch how he goes in different conditions/opposition but it’s not a risk to keep playing him. The midfield is an area we’ve been exposed in at times so there’s room for improvement. If it wasn’t working out in game we have other players that can shift or cover if needed. But he also seems like the type of player that would keep pushing in games to impact so the risk isn’t high.
We’ve obviously had a very good season so far but we’ve also carried players in most games that have had negative or nothing in games.

The good thing about George in the VFL, apart from his ability to get the ball, his strength and his handball, is his consistency. I cannot recall even a quiet game this year, let alone a bad one. 20 to 30 disposals each week, regardless of opposition, is his style.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Plenty of good current AFL midfields have a couple of slow players in their stoppage rotations. Brisbane, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Bulldogs, Fremantle and Gold Coast come to mind.

Those guys can still spread defensively though.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Atkins will win the BnF

Yeah for a midfield that is perceived as one of the weakest in the league, our three starting mids have had outstanding seasons, and this doesn’t include a ruckman dragged out of retirement playing for minimum chips giving his all every weekend.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Vlaustin got stuck into Danger physically and verbally all night last night. Couldn’t help but think it dated back to the 20 GF maybe.

 

[JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo]

Any word on the crowd? Seemed pretty full on TV, which was encouraging.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Vlaustin got stuck into Danger physically and verbally all night last night. Couldn’t help but think it dated back to the 22 GF maybe.

I don't think Danger was too interested in him. Vlastuin will go down in history as an average to middling backman, forgotten as soon as he retires, Danger will be a Hall of Fame Legend of the game.

 

[Vdubs]

Bobby..... that's a blast from the past.


Whatever happened to that poster?

even more like Patrick Bateman and his "love" of Cam Guthrie

 

[Sticksman]

Zach Tuohy on K-Rock made an interesting observation. He said WTTE that Geelong when in possession were often presented with so many options resulting in some poor decisions/delivery whereas in a 'hotter' game the first option is the better option.​

 

[CharacterFirst]

17thmond

View attachment 2360397

Hehehe.

Never heard of them.

Are they a new expansion club?

 

[Vdubs]

I don't think Danger was too interested in him. Vlastuin will go down in history as an average to middling backman, forgotten as soon as he retires, Danger will be a Hall of Fame Legend of the game.

Agree about Danger- def HOF Legend material.
Vlaustin is a triple premiership player. Always rated him as he was strong and dependable, every week. Past his best now, 250 games is pretty good.

 

[H E Pennypacker]

1. Rhys Stanley - This guy just keeps reaching higher levels in the twilight of his career. At the start of the year he was the cooked and somewhat brittle veteran just keeping the seat warm for Conway and Edwards. A month later, legit best 22 and consistent contributor. Today he was clearly in our best, won a heap of the ball, used it well, and probably shaded Nankervis around the ground. Key to our September ambitions, and I would not have expected to say that in Round 1.

700. Jeremy Cameron- It was nice to see him slot goal #700, and it was another very good game today. Unfortunately he let himself down with his goalkicking, because the way he played today he should have finished with 8. I do prefer when he stays inside F50.

7. Shaun Mannagh - Mannagh's ability to win the ground ball, lay and wear a tackle, and bust a pack makes him a very valuable counterpoint to the more creative and elusive forward types like Dempsey and Close. The way he accumulates touches sort of sneaks up on you unnoticed, but you look at the stat sheet at the end of the game and see he's got 20 and a goal, and realise he's been an integral part of the win.

9. Max Holmes- Another 36 touches in the absence of Smith, and a goal, but I thought his disposal was pretty poor especially early. He's become such a good and important player that we might be starting to judge him to a higher standard, because I think there's 17 other clubs who'd love to have a "poor" game from Holmes on their side!

12. Jack Bowes - I think it's fair to say he made the most of his unexpected return to the seniors. Fifteen touches and two goals roaming around all over the ground is a valuable contribution.

14. Connor O'Sullivan - I liked his game. He didn't win a lot of the ball, but he didn't have to. He just wore his opponent like a glove, found ways of affecting the contest even when in poor position, and some of those spoils over the goal line were emphatic. It was a professional, no-nonsense game, which I like to see from a young tall defender.

15. George Stevens - What a nice debut, and what a difference a genuine power inside mid makes. Questions about his lack of pace seem irrelevant now. Though I may be jumping the gun just a smidge, I saw shades of Greg Williams. It was awesome to see him slot a goal on debut too.

17. Lawson Humphries - I thought it was a bit of a quiet day for Lawson. A few uncharacteristic fumbles let him down. Expect him to bounce back strongly next week.

19. Jack Martin - Another player who I thought started off woeful, with a few quib efforts and hilariously crap disposal in the first half, but he greatly improved in the 2nd half and was aptly rewarded with his first goal in Geelong colours. While I think towards the end of the year, if we get a full fit list to choose from, he'll be squeezed out for now he's a handy and versatile guy to have.

22. Mitch Duncan - Unused sub.

28. Ollie Dempsey - A bit of a down game today I think. While he got a bit of the ball on the wing, his F50 forays didn't really come off and a lot of the creative things he tried in the midfield didn't work. Still, when things aren't going your way you keep working hard and find ways to contribute nonetheless, and I think Dempsey still did his bit.

30. Tom Atkins - Mister Tackle Beast was at his best again today. I reckon he got dudded a bit by the statisticians because they missed a few and "only" credited him with 17, when it was actually more like 20 or 21. Still, this is an insane number.

32. Gryan Miers - Best on ground IMO. With thirty-odd touches, numerous clearances and contested possessions, he dominated the midfield and his creative field kicking probably set up more scores for us than Richmung managed all day.

33. Shannon Neale - I think he's really settling into his role as the Hawkins replacement. He's sticking marks now that used to bobble out, his speed and pressure insode 50 is elite, and he's a good kick for goals in both set shots and roving- which he does far more often than a 203cm ruckman-sized tall forward has any business doing.

34. Oisin Mullin - Another creditable game as a tagger. When we were killing them in the 2nd quarter he won quite a bit of the ball himself and, crucially, found the ability to stand up in the tackle and get some contested ball wins. I think it's not far from clicking. Then we'll have another inside mid, and one who can also burst off a wing with his crazy pace.

35. Patrick Dangerfield - I think we've got the mix right with PFD at the moment: 75% medium forward, with the ocasional run in the centre square as a carefully managed resource. It'll prolong his career into 2026 and beyond and, more importantly, win us a lot of footy games.

36. Ollie Henry - If you're the sort of person who just takes a superficial look at the stat sheet, you might conclude he had a down day. But his contribution today was mostly positional- working as a decoy for Neale, Danger, and Jezza. What I've liked more about his efforts in his latest few games is a greater willingness to tackle and pressure at ground level, and getting the ball to drop to the benefit of our crumbers in marking contests.

38. Jack Henry - A bit quiet, but this was mostly because Richmond struggled to get the ball inside 50. When he was actually called upon to do something, he generally beat his opponent by reading the ball well off the boot as he always does. A valuable contribution.

39. Zach Guthrie - Best game for ages, and led the field in both kicks and marks. Richmond's terrible disposal inside 50 made life very easy for him, but this is still a top-shelf game no matter how you look at it.

42. Mark O'Connor - He saved our hides several times in the first quarter when Richmond were actually pressing. Drifted out of the game a bit after 1/4 time, but this was a direct consequence of Richmond losing the midfield battle and not getting the ball inside 50 anymore.

44. Tom Stewart - Oddly anonymous game today, though he won his position and disposed of the ball well. Geelong's full of blokes who quietly and unobtrusively beat their opponents, and it's why we just keep on winning games.

45. Brad Close - Excellent again today. While the stat sheet only credits him with 14 touches, he snagged two goals and constructed several others with some creative positional running and deft disposals inside 50.

46. Mark Blicavs - Not a lot of touches, but I thought he was pretty good both as a tall defender and 2nd ruck. He's a bit like the backstage crew at the theatre- working away unnoticed in the background while others get the limelight.

Excellent analysis and I don't disagree with anything you've said.
The only point worth adding is on Atkins' tackle count. I'm fairly sure that a tackle is only recorded as a tackle when the player being tackled doesn't dispose of it legally (holding the ball, ball up).
Where Dwayne Russell commentated and said there's 13 and 14 (or somewhere around there) both players disposed of the ball and they wouldn't be counted.

 

[Vdubs]

I will say what I think when I want and you can move on if you want. But I ain't changing what I think because someone else says so.

No offense but Bobby is better value these days (yes he's on here) than a few prominent members on this board.

We banked % got no injuries and rested Smith and Duncan. Jezza, Patty and Neale all got a good lick. Stevens had a good debut. None of that changes OH performance.

Your posts are great, always thought provoking and insightful- I am an OH fan, and wish he could regain his form asap, and then reading your take on him is cutting.
Is Bobby still Bobby? I used to appreciate his posts and and his honesty- who is he these days?

 

[#cats2021]

Any word on the crowd? Seemed pretty full on TV, which was encouraging.

31,060.

V Brisbane was 35/36k.

 

[Vdubs]

So if we need him for finals, which is entirely plausible.
Then why the disharmony when we're arguing two sides of the same coin.

We need Dangerfield fresh for finals, we also need OH performing in September.
So why can't we call a spade a spade and state he's been poor, which is where this all started. 1 game day comment that he's being a passenger again.

Except he was not a passenger. And the comment was made after a pretty good goal, admittedly a gift, but it's what our team does- looks after its players who are a bit down on confidence. The team is 23 players, and every part makes up the whole- he will never be a high stat player, but he is ever dangerous, and the moments he is left alone, he can score quickly.

 

[MacStradbroke]

I don't think Danger was too interested in him. Vlastuin will go down in history as an average to middling backman, forgotten as soon as he retires, Danger will be a Hall of Fame Legend of the game.

Danger definitely ignored it. Vlaustin is better than you give him credit.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Don’t threaten me with a good time

Ok ok i got it

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Stevens is a classic case of it being better to be good than to be quick. Even if he isn’t quick, look how he gets to the right places to have an impact. Exactly the right type to complement Smith and Holmes too. Strong over the ball and feeding it out to the runners. Persist!

He knows where and when to block. I thought his defensive running would expose but he just positioned to get it on our terms against what is actually a very seasoned group of on ballers

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Stevens is a classic case of it being better to be good than to be quick. Even if he isn’t quick, look how he gets to the right places to have an impact. Exactly the right type to complement Smith and Holmes too. Strong over the ball and feeding it out to the runners. Persist!

His one wood is his inside work but he's also highly skilled by hand and foot.
He looked quick in a couple of transition plays as he was in the perfect position and on the move when he got the ball.

His endurance looked ok as he ran out the game quite well.
A quality inside distributor will be lapped up by our speedsters