Review Cats defeat Saints by 31 points

[Mr Meow]

For some reason our clearance work early in (some) games is so much worse than quarters 2-4.

I remember mid-late first quarter they were leading clearances 13-3 or something, yet by the end they only won them 38-34 - so we went 31-25 for the rest of the match.

It has been a similar story against Brisbane and GWS when we've played them.

A slow start around stoppages in finals could cost us dearly.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Of course stats don't tell the whole story and the eye test showed NWM as better. But he still had 9 turnovers (8 to Holmes) and 9 score involvements (8 to Holmes). Both had 23 effective disposals. Somehow Holmes had decisively better disposal efficiency! NWM had twice as many clearances, but Holmes had more metres gained and rebound 50s.

So yeah, all of that suggests Holmes was pretty good but just had a bunch of frustrating moments that made it feel like hard work.

I think it's the clearances that really do it. He was able to just break away from congestion really well, at least that's the mental image i have. Didn't think he was that sort of player

 

[Play it Sam]

For some reason our clearance work early in (some) games is so much worse than quarters 2-4.

I remember mid-late first quarter they were leading clearances 13-3 or something, yet by the end they only won them 38-34 - so we went 31-25 for the rest of the match.

It has been a similar story against Brisbane and GWS when we've played them.

A slow start around stoppages in finals could cost us dearly.

They do seem to take time to find their groove, and that's a worry - especially when other teams (say, finals) know it, have proved it, and bounce out hoping to get a good lead. Also, notice too many Oppos kick the first goal.
Don't know the answer, but I suggest it lays with the coaches- and between their heads.

 

[And_ROOS]

That is surprising. NWM running through the midfield looked unstoppable

To be fair he has a lot lately. Its a real shame we didn't have an Irish tagger to put on him...

 

[bombersboy]

I'd like to see Mullin and O'Connor play time through the middle at some stage over the next few weeks as we'll definitely need to consider them in those roles against the best midfields come finals. Surely, Bews will be considered for a return at least as a reliever soon.

The one I would like to see get some time in the middle over the next couple of years is Humphries.

 

[standupand]

Watched this one on delay without looking up the result. Really enjoyable game to watch.

Obviously still building towards finals and the cohesion wasn't 100%. Lots of times I thought our handballs went slightly behind the target or we were trying to move it quicker than the skills were up to.

That's ok. We're clearly experimenting q bit with different structures, plans b c and d, so it's expected.

We're a strong team, as good as any this year.

Loved Atkins game today. Played like Joel, just tough and sure-handed and willed us forward. Blitz was solid as ever. And Jez, well he just continues to grow on me. More and more defensive stuff, more and more unselfish stuff. And still leading the goal kicking. Love it.

 

[Jumping Jack]

We're you the one who twittered in about the kids been annoying

Social media is a modern day scourge on society. It has destroyed lives and ruined a generation.

So no, not me posting on twitter.

 

[foxdog50]

I'm wondering if we throw SDK into the ruck, maybe next week against an undermanned North ruck set up just to see if he can get himself into the game and find some touch and confidence as we head towards finals

Its his 1st game back from injury. Let's see how his going in 4 weeks time to judge on how his playing ... give him time

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I wonder if we give Conway 2 more games in the VFL ( touch wood he stays injury free ) and we give Stanley a rest for a game or 2..
Stanley's game was okay today, not but not fantastic

Not fit enough. We will rest Stanley though probably either next week or the essendon game (we need Stanley against grundy) and blicavs or sdk will ruck that week.

 

[cats_09]

 

[hoopla]

Just watched the replay of the Stewart mark which likely got a knock to the knee. How the **** was that not 50m penalty?

Umpiring in this game was diabolical.

I’m also watching the replay. Only one quarter down and the umpiring is completely one-sided. Does it change? I think it was 1 free kick to 7 or 8. Quite a few were missed to the cats.

 

[cats_09]

Its his 1st game back from injury. Let's see how his going in 4 weeks time to judge on how his playing ... give him time

Ummm I'm not criticising SDK, but looking at different scenarios the coaching staff have taken with him over the past 12/15 months

Logic says that Stanley, like other senior players could be in line to be managed at some stage before finals, if the opportunity presents

We've also seen the coaches have liked to use SDK in the ruck at times, with Scott even saying they've done so to try and help Sam find his groove & touch

I'm only suggesting SDK as an option on the ruck next week as North have a very inexperienced ruck group at the moment while Xerri is on the sidelines. It could present Sam with an opportunity to play up around the ball, get his hands on it a bit and be a confidence builder for him

 

[foxdog50]

Not fit enough. We will rest Stanley though probably either next week or the essendon game (we need Stanley against grundy) and blicavs or sdk will ruck that week.

I beat you a 6 pack of beer Conway will play game or 2 before season's end

 

[foxdog50]

Ummm I'm not criticising SDK, but looking at different scenarios the coaching staff have taken with him over the past 12/15 months

Logic says that Stanley, like other senior players could be in line to be managed at some stage before finals, if the opportunity presents

We've also seen the coaches have liked to use SDK in the ruck at times, with Scott even saying they've done so to try and help Sam find his groove & touch

I'm only suggesting SDK as an option on the ruck next week as North have a very inexperienced ruck group at the moment while Xerri is on the sidelines. It could present Sam with an opportunity to play up around the ball, get his hands on it a bit and be a confidence builder for him

Yeah I don't see it happening

 

[Pollywaffle]

He hasn't been spectacular by any means, but if he's in your bottom 4-5 players you're doing ok on current output.

Might see him build in confidence and output as his injury free run extends

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Not fit enough. We will rest Stanley though probably either next week or the essendon game (we need Stanley against grundy) and blicavs or sdk will ruck that week.

I'd rest him twice tbh. We need him against Grundy for sure, but there should be opportunities elsewhere.

Next week we'll be facing a debutant in all likelihood with CCJ injured and Xerri suspended. With no Larkey we can afford SDK in the ruck.

Would rest him against Richmond too. Against Cameron, ROB, or Big O week one in all likelihood, I want Stanley fresh.

Would rest Danger for similar reasons. Get him in a QF off a two week break and ready to burst in the midfield.

We need a lot to go right to be a chance this year. Any possible trump card and advantage should be exploited, even if it's a 5% thing.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I’m also watching the replay. Only one quarter down and the umpiring is completely one-sided. Does it change? I think it was 1 free kick to 7 or 8. Quite a few were missed to the cats.

The numbers even up a bit but the howlers continue

 

[Mr Meow]

Although NWM terrorised us around stoppages and St Kilda edged us in the clearance count, we still scored 8.6.54 from stoppages compared to their 5.3.33. We also won the territory battle. Raw clearance numbers aren't everything (although you don't want to be smashed). Quality > quantity.

Our midfield rotations were Holmes, Smith, Atkins and Dangerfield - with Miers and Mannagh as the "extras" around stoppages, then Dempsey/Blicavs/Humphries on the wings. It's hard to argue that group of players weren't influential, driving our win.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

For some reason our clearance work early in (some) games is so much worse than quarters 2-4.

I remember mid-late first quarter they were leading clearances 13-3 or something, yet by the end they only won them 38-34 - so we went 31-25 for the rest of the match.

It has been a similar story against Brisbane and GWS when we've played them.

A slow start around stoppages in finals could cost us dearly.

That feels like '12-21 syndrome.

Smashed around the ball early, and actually the better team after quarter time...but the damage had already been done.

Hopefully we can bring the intensity straight away, and find away to tweak the issue over the next few weeks. You'd assume it's psychological given we arrest it eventually.

Wouldn't want to start any final that way, but especially when we're likely to be playing on the road week one (GABBA, AO, or the Pies at the MCG by proxy)

 

[cats_09]

Just for fun

 

[Kobe Gryant]

To be fair he has a lot lately. Its a real shame we didn't have an Irish tagger to put on him...

I don't know, today was clearly a day of experimentation for mine.

Messing around with Danger, Miers, and Humphries up the ground. Martin and Blitz in the forward line.

Building that five goal buffer, they probably didn't feel a need to shift away from those changes just to get Mullin or O'Connor on the ball when we always looked like winning anyway.

Had it been a tight game against Collingwood or Adelaide, and Daicos or Rankine were tearing it up, I doubt we'd have been so negligent to just leave them running around on their own while we messed around with the magnets for s**ts and giggles.

Banking a win, and just throwing s**t at the wall and seeing what sticks is what I took out of today.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I’ve rarely seen a bloke get more leeway than him. He has been poor for years now.

We have a player with more leeway from this board.

 

[hoopla]

I’m also watching the replay. Only one quarter down and the umpiring is completely one-sided. Does it change? I think it was 1 free kick to 7 or 8. Quite a few were missed to the cats.

Nup. I can confirm the umpiring doesn’t improve. It’s actually worse than last week.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

We have a player with more leeway from this board.

Leave Parfitts corpse alone

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Leave Parfitts corpse alone

We'd be better off with Parfitt atm.
He wasn't great but at least he's not a passenger to carry.