Cats' Change of Focus

[CatAttack84]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Heaven forbid that posters on a GFC forum speculate on what is happening with the team's tactics/game plan. I guess we should just keep the threads to bagging players and figuring out which types of supporters we hate....

No idea where you got that from my words.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

The rules currently mean there is no advantage being on the bottom of the pack with your hands first to the ball. You are put under pressure to get rid of it in a hurry or you will be penalised

So you are better off either winning it clear, or intercepting their quick kick out of the pack

The counter attack is lethal these days because of the ways teams spread out. It leaves their defensive half completely open

It is a smart strategy, but we are not implementing it very well just yet

 

[burto]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

It could be that the players are hanging back because when they go in hard for the ball and don't win it, we get killed on the spread. Perhaps more defensive setups are being used around the packs to hide our lack of pace

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

At the end of GF last year we where a 30 to 40 point better side then any of our top 3 rivals. From that team that played Pies no Ling and Ottens, Varcoe and Wojo. Have we slide that far already to have Pies now 12 points better then us?

We are fumbly as hell this year, as well as conceding more goals avg a game. (last year was avg 10 goals conceded a game)

Also having trouble with Clearances...

If we have changed to this new style, it almost sounds like "Bruise Free" footy which is like Melbourne are playing...

I have faith in Scott and our boys, but if we are changing style when we where ahead of the pack last year Then not sure why?

You could argue the kids yes, but wouldn't it be better to get them used to playing Contested hard footy??

 

[sarah.13]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Perhaps it's something akin to rovimg to opposition ruckman. When we get some outside run back and kelly,christianson etc back in the packs things will be different.

 

[Frappe]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

On The Couch highlighted our average per week differential of Contested Possesssions as being -8.

They then went onto say that a team with this stat should not be 5-4 and it's almost scary what will happen if it turns around.

You can look at this two ways - either we continue to roll the dice and lose it..or it improves with some inclusions already discussed and we see a much better second half of the year.

 

[topic97]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Meh, I remember we were in similar shape this time last year in that we didnt look up to it and were just winning games by the skin of our teeth.
This year we have lost those narrow ones wheras we won them last year.

But remember that Scotty was priming the boys last year for the later half of the season when the real game plan came out & the awesome press was shown - by then it was too late for the other teams to catch up.

The press in the last quarter of the Pies game was just magnificent, and had it not been for a bit of errant kicking we would have won the game.
I am of the mind that they are just trying a few different things at the moment and honing certain areas.

No point showing your full hand in the first half of the season like the top 3 have!!

 

[FoxC]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

You clearly missed his Mark Neeld work.

Thanks TJ. I am aware of his comments on Neeld, but I meant more specifically about a team's game style. Would love to hear his thoughts on Hawthorn's current game style, or Collingwood's tactical changes under Buckley, or Freo's new choking footy brought to you by Ross Lyin. I don't have anything against King per se; it just seems to me that we receive a lot of his attention compared to other clubs.

 

[Ricketz]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

I am no fan of David King, but to be honest I don't understand what all the panic is about. He made a pretty reasonable assessment and drew conclusions that seem reasonable.

All he said was that we were playing to our strengths and minimising our weakness. He never said that we were implementing a new tactic to win a grandfinal. And he is right, our older players need to be cotton wooled in the first half of the year - which means minimising brutal contested possessions if possible. Our youngsters' bodies are not up to speed just yet for full on contested footy, either. That leaves Selwood and Kelly, with a supporting role from Corey to carry the brunt - which is why we are good at centre bounces, but suffer a little in open play.

We are missing the middle tier - everybody knows this - and the complete composure of Scott betrays little doubt that they know exactly what is going on and they are preparing for the seasons end like we did last year. Come round 15 or 16, if it looks like we wont make the eight I might start getting worried.

 

[Sttew]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Thanks TJ. I am aware of his comments on Neeld, but I meant more specifically about a team's game style. Would love to hear his thoughts on Hawthorn's current game style, or Collingwood's tactical changes under Buckley, or Freo's new choking footy brought to you by Ross Lyin. I don't have anything against King per se; it just seems to me that we receive a lot of his attention compared to other clubs.

Hawks copped a caning on AFL 360. To be fair, King's "analysis" on Geelong was towards the end of the show and he only spent a few minutes on it. I am NO fan of King, and am convinced he bears a grudge because of the R4 2007 slaughter v Richmond when he was assistant.

 

[FoxC]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Hawks copped a caning on AFL 360. To be fair, King's "analysis" on Geelong was towards the end of the show and he only spent a few minutes on it. I am NO fan of King, and am convinced he bears a grudge because of the R4 2007 slaughter v Richmond when he was assistant.

Thanks for the info. I don't watch 360 so the only time I hear of King is when I listen to him occasionally on SEN or he makes controversial remarks and they get reported in the media. Maybe I read too much into his comments; perhaps our club gets mentioned and analysed more often because Scott's calmness and his coaching record last year with our ageing list.

 

[fpm84]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

On The Couch highlighted our average per week differential of Contested Possesssions as being -8.

They then went onto say that a team with this stat should not be 5-4 and it's almost scary what will happen if it turns around.

You can look at this two ways - either we continue to roll the dice and lose it..or it improves with some inclusions already discussed and we see a much better second half of the year.

Cause for optimism.

I find it interesting that Bartel, Selwood and Kelly have rarely played together all season with all three having missed games. All three played in the Pies game and surprise, surprise it was our best performance (the second half, at least) since round 2 v Hawthorn. I don't think we have the midfield depth to cover any of our AA mids at the moment and whenever one is missing, it is sorely felt.

Varcoe and Wojcinski are significant losses as our two genuine line breakers (Motlop is too, but he's too young and inexperienced to be relied on in a big game - Varcoe and Wojo have proven themselves). I have a feeling that as soon as we get one, let alone both back in the side we will look a lot better. Menzel having an impact this season would be a bonus - it's exciting to think he could be back in the seniors a full 8-10 weeks before the finals, hopefully giving himself enough time to find form.

It's also reasonable to expect that West and/or Stephenson will improve over the course of the season. I thought we should have gone after an experienced ruck at the end of last year (a la Maric to Richmond, Jacobs to Adelaide) and while Stephenson has been OK, he's not yet at the level where he can beat the top rucks around.

I have faith that we'll continue to improve as the season goes on but we need a fair bit to go right from here for us to realistically challenge at the end of the year. Scott has already proven himself as an innovative coach though, and I'll trust whatever strategies he has in place for us.

 

[Username_lost]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

I've thought about this but I know I can't really describe exactly what I saw in regards to Selwood in the first half of the C-Wood game. I thought it really strange at the time. It was the way he was hovering around contested situations, not really going in, but sort of waiting off. That is a really bad description. It didn't continue in the 2nd half. He was back to his usual self. At the time I figured he was saving himself for later in the game. It was the only thing I could think of for what I was seeing, and I reckon I saw this at least four or five times in different situations. I didn't notice anyone else behaving oddly. I'm wondering if it has anything to do with this 'change of focus.' Did anyone else notice this?

 

[topic97]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Nah I didnt notice it, but perhaps it was team orders? Share the contested load to save the bodys perhaps?

 

[Username_lost]

Re: Cats Change of Focus

Not sure. Selwood is usually such an animal at the contest that the fact it was he that was doing it stood out like dog's balls. Anyone else and I probably would'nt have noticed it.

 

[Willo_]

I'm not saying King is right... But he seems to get a great deal of respect from others in the game for his analysis and tactical breakdown... He may have stumbled onto something... Or he may be looking too deeply into us.

I think the blokes a **** as well but I doubt that he deliberately is picking apart Geelong and targeting us, and he's been wrong about us before.... That doesn't mean he will be EVERY time

 

[AM]

I'm not saying King is right... But he seems to get a great deal of respect from others in the game for his analysis and tactical breakdown... He may have stumbled onto something... Or he may be looking too deeply into us.

I think the blokes a **** as well but I doubt that he deliberately is picking apart Geelong and targeting us, and he's been wrong about us before.... That doesn't mean he will be EVERY time

Really! Who?

This is the bloke who spent five years at Richmond as Wallace's right hand man and who left Dimma with the mess he's only now beginning to clean up.

 

[Willo_]

Really! Who?

This is the bloke who spent five years at Richmond as Wallace's right hand man and who left Dimma with the mess he's only now beginning to clean up.

I have heard SEN and MMM talk him up...
I was surprised as well!!

 

[AM]

I have heard SEN and MMM talk him up...
I was surprised as well!!

Don't listen to SEN. Maybe it was someone like Andy Maher.

For mine he's fairly much the modern day Akermanis.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Really! Who?

This is the bloke who spent five years at Richmond as Wallace's right hand man and who left Dimma with the mess he's only now beginning to clean up.

Quite possible he's a better analyst/talker than he's a doer.
Can't stand his ego but I think he adds value by not being afraid to venture opinions - some will be more spot on than others.
I've no doubt he has been burnt by us as his big theory of Hawkins not being able to play the lead up role was voided by our kicking long to contests and succeeding at it !
I reckon we are at the forefront of innovation but you would need to be at the game to appreciate more about what he is saying about our pressure once the ball is won and released.
Personally it's more likely a combination of who's been available , lack of hunger , later pre-season, loss of key clearance guys ( Ling , Otto ) inexperience and playing lighter bodied kids in greater numbers.
The one point we should acknowledge is the one made on OTC -a team with our stats defecits shouldn't be 5:4 , more likely should be 2:7. We still have the class to be a huge threat provided we get there in good shape and get our key players back available.
This is an incredibly open season and with a lot of inexperienced Teams likely to feature in Finals anything could happen.

 

[AM]

Quite possible he's a better analyst/talker than he's a doer.
Can't stand his ego but I think he adds value by not being afraid to venture opinions - some will be more spot on than others.
I've no doubt he has been burnt by us as his big theory of Hawkins not being able to play the lead up role was voided by our kicking long to contests and succeeding at it !
I reckon we are at the forefront of innovation but you would need to be at the game to appreciate more about what he is saying about our pressure once the ball is won and released.
Personally it's more likely a combination of who's been available , lack of hunger , later pre-season, loss of key clearance guys ( Ling , Otto ) inexperience and playing lighter bodied kids in greater numbers.
The one point we should acknowledge is the one made on OTC -a team with our stats defecits shouldn't be 5:4 , more likely should be 2:7. We still have the class to be a huge threat provided we get there in good shape and get our key players back available.
This is an incredibly open season and with a lot of inexperienced Teams likely to feature in Finals anything could happen.

You could well be describing Aker F2G.

Just think credentials need to be factored in when considering the worth of a commentator. Not the be-all-and-end-all but of significance. If his footy smarts are so good you'd reckon at least one of the four clubs seeking a coach would have given him some leeway over the Tigers wasted five years and seriously considered him this year. None apparently thought he was worth a second look.

Oh! And he was the footy supremo at Carey Grammar. Did a great job there too.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

You could well be describing Aker F2G.

Just think credentials need to be factored in when considering the worth of a commentator. Not the be-all-and-end-all but of significance. If his footy smarts are so good you'd reckon at least one of the four clubs seeking a coach would have given him some leeway over the Tigers wasted five years and seriously considered him this year. None apparently thought he was worth a second look.

Oh! And he was the footy supremo at Carey Grammar. Did a great job there too.

Fair call AM. Maybe the ego gets in the way or his CV looks average and isn't worth the risk. He's probably on a good wicket in the media now so he can keep throwing stones and not be accountable - probably suits his style as he can talk the talk but can't walk the walk !!