Autopsy Cats lose to GWS* AFL trust fund babies by 26 points.

[cats_09]

O’Connor either suspended or sent back to the VFL after that performance. That was almost as bad as his game Vs GWS at GMHBA earlier in the year. And I think he was dropped after that.

Merrick has played in all 17 of our matches this season, and received coaches votes the week after we played GWS earlier this season in what was arguably a career best game

 

[geelong_crazy26]

They're not infallible, and sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.

If a coach ever went against the advice of a medico, that medico would have every right and a lot I know take this stance.. they would hand in their resume the next day.

Trust between medico and coaches/players is crucial

 

[Art Vandelay_]

O’Connor either suspended or sent back to the VFL after that performance. That was almost as bad as his game Vs GWS at GMHBA earlier in the year. And I think he was dropped after that.

Such a frustrating footballer. Once a month you go 'okay, this is what he can do'. Then outside that you wonder how and when we can replace him for a better role player.

But he's better than his compatriot.

 

[frggr]

Will he play next week?

I wouldn't have thought so.

He was getting extensive work into his groin and then struggled to chase his opponent who ran off him the rest of the game

 

[Cataholic]

In being fairly fit in my lifetime, I know when I’m injured.

It’s then up to you in being honest and having some leadership to say I’m not good.

He clearly wasn’t good.

He needed a Matt Stokes kind of honesty here.

It was obvious to all observers that he wasn't right, no matter what he claimed.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I liked his second half but it wasn’t a game that would be in his top 100 best games.

Not sure it needs to be. Lofty set of great games he's had.
He'd be one of a very small number than held his own and played well today. Far more lowered their colours.

 

[catempire]

Not sure it needs to be. Lofty set of great games he's had.
He'd be one of a very small number than held his own and played well today. Far more lowered their colours.

Yep. We (or I) judge him by the standards he has allowed us to become accustomed to. His game was fine but not noteworthy for mine.

 

[frggr]

All the talk about CoS should take into account the midfield shitting themselves.

Feelings defence works best with midfield pressure and barely works without it

 

[foxdog50]

Honestly Jack Martin

19

Jack Martin

Age

30

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.7

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.6

3star

isn't in our best 22.. I can see him keep getting games even though he doesn't deserve to... But many Cats fans will get angry he keeps getting games, even though he doesn't deserve to

 

[Generalissimo]

O’Connor either suspended or sent back to the VFL after that performance. That was almost as bad as his game Vs GWS at GMHBA earlier in the year. And I think he was dropped after that.

He was woeful, but he's otherwise having a pretty good season. I wouldn't drop him unless he's genuinely out of form.

 

[Hinkley29]

You're being a bit harsh on Stewart here. Best game of the season.

Given the injury, I thought Stewart was great.

When he hurt himself (again, happened right in front of me), he could not move and had no power in his legs. We thought he would be subbed out for sure.

It probably was not visible on the tv, but when he was not involved in play he was struggling massively to move. The fact that he was only exposed a couple of times was a minor miracle.

All things considered it was amazing that he played as well as he did.

 

[Hinkley29]

agree CE, but then again I also thought Scott and co didn't get Holmes involved early on; didn't see him attending many (any?) CBs in the 1st quarter, few in the 1st half in fact. Dude had 36 disposals last week yet Stevens got the nod early doors tonight. Not sure it was the best move.

That is the issue with Stevens - he cant play anywhere else other than inside mid, which means that other players get forced out.

Holmes has shown in the past that he can be effective as a half back, so he gets squeezed out.

The Stevens experiment is not going to last long.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

George more suited to a slower contested game maybe? This one was fast and full of turnovers would have been tougher for his style.

Yeah I reckon poor George was on a hiding to nothing today. He was never going to have an impact in a game like this

 

[Play it Sam]

O'Sullivan has had a massive season.
Huge plus for the club.
I wouldn't mind seeing him up the ground once SDK returns, depending on match-ups.
I had a mild crack at COS early in this thread - well, not really, just acknowledged he was beaten - but the sky is the limit for Connor.

There are things he can work on and improve going forward no doubt but there is so much to work with.

He can't do it all on his own, they were purely too nippy and hungry for our backs. He was out marked by a stronger Cadman, but I notice COS was at least flying to contest, while his mates were caught flat footed. Cadman was ace, but also the recipient of a few dodgy calls.
We've got to remember how young COS is, carrying big expectations and needs time. Tends to lose sight of the ball/opponent, gets knackered near the end of games. He's not going anywhere, so I try to extend my patience when he stuffs up, and at least admire his blue boots determination and beautiful long kicks.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Given the injury, I thought Stewart was great.

When he hurt himself (again, happened right in front of me), he could not move and had no power in his legs. We thought he would be subbed out for sure.

It probably was not visible on the tv, but when he was not involved in play he was struggling massively to move. The fact that he was only exposed a couple of times was a minor miracle.

All things considered it was amazing that he played as well as he did.

The AFL needs clubs sending weekly enquiries over the standard of surfaces. SCG and Engie are disgraceful and that's the 3rd time since R1 2023 that Stewart has got injured from shit turf.

 

[thegerman]

Get to finals. Danger in the guts

He couldn’t win a ball in the forward line.

 

[Heckler]

Hard to stay optimistic when reality bites.
Cats needed the Star players to shine
Team started hungry then got starved.
The gap to the kittens is still too vast.
All the team flaws get brutally exposed
Defensive game plan relies on pressure
Instead players were caught ball watching
Coaches know what the problems are.
Cats fail badly against good midfielders.
The Future Rucks are young and frail
Midfield depth is a work in progress
Focus Draft and Trade on midfielders.

 

[thegerman]

If a coach ever went against the advice of a medico, that medico would have every right and a lot I know take this stance.. they would hand in their resume the next day.

Trust between medico and coaches/players is crucial

absolute bullocks.

 

[you pick one]

I wouldn't have thought so.

He was getting extensive work into his groin and then struggled to chase his opponent who ran off him the rest of the game

I thought the drop punt for goal instead of across the body round the corner was telling.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

absolute bullocks.

You clearly known nothing with this response. I have known other physios who take this stance but sure mate, you know best

 

[Cataholic]

I thought the drop punt for goal instead of across the body round the corner was telling.

Noticed that too.

Scott claimed in the presser that Cameron had copped a knock to his hip, but they were probing, and out on the ground Cameron was holding, his left leg near the groin.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

O’Connor either suspended or sent back to the VFL after that performance. That was almost as bad as his game Vs GWS at GMHBA earlier in the year. And I think he was dropped after that.

Aside from the hit i actually thought he played ok. Busted his gut defensively covering the holes that were popping up like a game of whack a mole. I think if we're talking about MOC tonight we might be having the wrong conversation

 

[cats_09]

Statistically both teams stood up in front of goal

 

[CatToTheFuture]

We are paying the price for Bruhns non availability and Jye Clarke's lack of development

Double price on Bruhn when you look at Darcy Jones tonight

 

[Hinkley29]

Yeah I reckon poor George was on a hiding to nothing today. He was never going to have an impact in a game like this

He was on a hiding to nothing, and as predicted by some this game was always going to be a massive challenge for him.

However, therein lies the problem with George - the games that matter are going to be played like tonight’s game. They will look nothing like a game at KP against a pedestrian midfield. If he is not suited to a game like tonight then he is not really a viable player.

I am not giving up on him - he is still very young and inexperienced. But I don’t know if you can teach what he needs to improve on to be able to impact games like tonight. And that could be a problem.