Backline

[COACH__JB]

One thing i noticed on the weekend was that a heap of times the ball would be coming into the Cats forward line (from all directions and very frequently) and our backman were left one on one (mainly mooney and johnson / Pears and Hooker) where a player could have come across and killed the contest... McPhee did it a couple of times...

Do you think this comes down to the lack of experiance made worse without fletch?

 

[geodke]

everyones forgetting pears and hooker are just kids and this is a great learning curve for them. getting belted by stevie g and moonie will only further their development. it teachers the youngens a lesson when they get smashed around the ears like they did on sunday. as long as it doesnt happen everyweek it can only be good for them

 

[shad518]

Fletch and Dempsey have been the best at dropping back in support like that this year. Definately missed them.
I also reckon it was just a case of everyone else worrying about covering their own opponent that they didn't notice that nobody was playing that role of helping the young defenders create a contest.

 

[ghostdog]

I don't know that it's necessarily just because of a lack of experience without Fletch. Personally I reckon even Fletch would have had a tough time against Johnson on the weekend. Let's face it, SJ's a straight up brownlow contender.

I think Geelong had so many potentially damaging ball winners that we found it very difficult to find our own space, and this includes any impact loose defenders may have had. That is, there didn't seem to be time to play the sweeping role of a loose defender because we were constantly on the back foot. The loose defender couldn't get loose. S***, apart from McPhee, I don't even remember who else had a crack at the role... so that either says something about our effectiveness with it or that I have the observation skills of a post... or something else. You'll think of something.

 

[jbct]

I don't know that it's necessarily just because of a lack of experience without Fletch. Personally I reckon even Fletch would have had a tough time against Johnson on the weekend. Let's face it, SJ's a straight up brownlow contender.

I think Geelong had so many potentially damaging ball winners that we found it very difficult to find our own space, and this includes any impact loose defenders may have had. That is, there didn't seem to be time to play the sweeping role of a loose defender because we were constantly on the back foot. The loose defender couldn't get loose. S***, apart from McPhee, I don't even remember who else had a crack at the role... so that either says something about our effectiveness with it or that I have the observation skills of a post... or something else. You'll think of something.

Our backline has been quite good this year bar the Geelong match. Pears and Hooker are doing a great job. Watch them dominate this weekend. Pears will take Walker out of the match

 

[ghostdog]

Our backline has been quite good this year bar the Geelong match. Pears and Hooker are doing a great job. Watch them dominate this weekend. Pears will take Walker out of the match

For sure, I agree. I just don't think Mooney and Johnson's dominance was solely a result of a lack of experience. More a lack of personnel - Dempsey and Fletcher. I keep forgetting Daniher as well. He was impressive early in the season.

Must admit, I don't know Adelaide very well at all. Their defence worries me though. Holding out Carlton for a half is no mean feat, I don't care how poorly Ratts coached on the day. Our backline is definitely going to have to have the run of Dempsey and Pears to penetrate. I've read a couple of other posts suggesting Daniher come into the side as well, which wouldn't bother me. Dude shows plenty of dash from hb, which I reckon is bold in a young player.

The Pears Hurley Daniher combo in years to come will be gold.

 

[Zaka11]

One thing i noticed on the weekend was that a heap of times the ball would be coming into the Cats forward line (from all directions and very frequently) and our backman were left one on one (mainly mooney and johnson / Pears and Hooker) where a player could have come across and killed the contest... McPhee did it a couple of times...

Do you think this comes down to the lack of experiance made worse without fletch?

I think geelong was too good for us all day. Every player was very mindful of where his opponent was, rather than a couple of guys leaving their man for the contest. Dempsey is very good at this and his closing speed is second to none in the comp!

 

[efcboy]

inexperience is an excuse for hooker, pears, houli but what of henry slattery. he's been around a while now and aint getting any better...

 

[Kong]

inexperience is an excuse for hooker, pears, houli but what of henry slattery. he's been around a while now and aint getting any better...

In your opinion.

 

[AndyLesPaul]

inexperience is an excuse for hooker, pears, houli but what of henry slattery. he's been around a while now and aint getting any better...

Just because he's getting low supercoach/dreamteam points doesn't mean he hasn't improved.

 

[resurrector]

daniher would be a good in for mine also, would allow mcphee to go back and play that hit up CHF and make bock a little more accountable.
then we have hooker-tippett, pears-walker and daniher to play on moran or roam loose.

 

[tubbis]

Honestly, I believe our full strength backline can easily match it with the best.

Imagine this:
Fletcher, Hurley, Pears, Dempsey, McPhee, McVeigh/Welsh.

Yes I know McVeigh and Welsh play in the midfield nowadays but they sure were handy dandy in defence back in their younger days.

Hurley and Pears to play one on one with the opposition's best forwards.
Fletcher and McPhee to cut off opposition attacks.
Dempsey and McVeigh/Welsh to set up rebounding attacks.

I just creamed my pants.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Why is Slattery getting slammed and Hooker getting a free walk? Both conceded the same number of goals in the same period although one was against a great player and the other was against a piece of shit front runner.

 

[Big John]

Geelong is probably the hardest team to zone off against in the competition as well. Their whole philosphy is that if a player is free they will use him and they have such great depth you can't risk it.