Review Cats destroyate Tuggers by 72 points

[Frank Bunn]

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

There were a lot of empty seats at the start, probably because of the long lines from the new security checks looking for Collingwood supporters. The stadium filled up to 30,000 by quarter time.

 

[terry_bright]

Some of the OH criticism here is OTT.
Has he been good this year? No.
But last night he did a lot of the things that have been lacking from his game this year (he also did v Bris in his little game time). He stuck his tackles, he harassed, he smothered. It’s clear the coaches have told him he has to improve in those areas and is making an effort. The rewards will come on the scoreboard if he continues to put in the effort like he did last night.

 

[Strange Cat]

Some of the OH criticism here is OTT.
Has he been good this year? No.
But last night he did a lot of the things that have been lacking from his game this year (he also did v Bris in his little game time). He stuck his tackles, he harassed, he smothered. It’s clear the coaches have told him he has to improve in those areas and is making an effort. The rewards will come on the scoreboard if he continues to put in the effort like he did last night.

Yeah I have been noticing that when he’s been playing this year there’s a strong tackle focus for him now , as bad as he is at time ..and players are allowed form slumps at times..but as bad as he in the sense of his goals contribution he has improved a little in the defensive areas

It’ll click for him eventually we just have to hope that the next few weeks he starts improving in all areas

 

[you pick one]

The team trains at Deakin Oval (??? name), which has similar dimensions to MCG.

It was suggested on our board as part the reason we’ve lost at KP recently.

So how did the day at the footy go with mum take the knitting and footy franks in the thermos?

 

[cats_09]

Left the ground thinking that even though it was against a poor opposition Steven's had gone straight past Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy. Was impressed with how clean he was and how good his disposal was by hand and foot. Has a game that translates well into Seniors. I think he is even better at AFL level because he has better players around him, who are more predictable.

Also could not help noticing how popular and respected he seemed with the playing group. Pretty impressive for a 20 year old. Impressed by how happy he seemed to be, to be out there. After the game I think he went to everyone on the fence from about the far end of the Selwood stand round to the race. Sharing his joy with the fans.

That's one thing I've noticed about him everytime I've watched him in the VFL - can't recall too many occasions where he hasn't had a smile on his face

He just seems to enjoy the this opportunity which is great to see

 

[Gunf]

I would give Stevens at least the next 2 and if he keeps playing well he may be hard to dislodge.

 

[Mr Meow]

Those guys can still spread defensively though.

For whatever reason it seems like your mind is made up on this one. Stevens just had our best midfield debut in years. I'd be surprised if the coaches looked at that performance and thought "nah, he'll be a liability against x opponent on y ground". We'll see.

 

[Hamingja]

Some of the OH criticism here is OTT.
Has he been good this year? No.
But last night he did a lot of the things that have been lacking from his game this year (he also did v Bris in his little game time). He stuck his tackles, he harassed, he smothered. It’s clear the coaches have told him he has to improve in those areas and is making an effort. The rewards will come on the scoreboard if he continues to put in the effort like he did last night.

I'm not a fan of OH but I did think he looked a little sharper yesterday compared to most of the season, albeit that is a low bar. Had some nice defensive efforts and actually leapt at the ball in a few marking contests. Pretty convinced he is playing injured to be honest and perhaps the bye helped freshen him up a bit.

 

[Kitcat]

I'm not a fan of OH but I did think he looked a little sharper yesterday compared to most of the season, albeit that is a low bar. Had some nice defensive efforts and actually leapt at the ball in a few marking contests. Pretty convinced he is playing injured to be honest and perhaps the bye helped freshen him up a bit.

OHenry will be a very different proposition if he can learn to hold his marks. They aren’t sticking often enough at this stage of his career. He also rarely gets the ball on the lead. I suspect this is tactical, as we have Cameron, Danger and Neale claiming that territory, but I wonder if he could make more effort in this aspect of his game.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

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.

I kind of read the first quarter as us playing our run and gun at all costs mcg game plan in a ground that is easy to defend. I think every attacking foray they had early on was basically because we pushed up hard and left space behind us.

If you're not losing anyway then better to make sure we just get more practice at plan A

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Tom Atkins 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.

17 tackles?! I didn't think Richmond players had the ball enough for him to track that stat up

 

[CatToTheFuture]

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.

Stone cold spitting chips because he was watching from the stands with the test of his team all September that year?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

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.​

That is a wild and unexpected observation

 

[Gunf]

For whatever reason it seems like your mind is made up on this one. Stevens just had our best midfield debut in years. I'd be surprised if the coaches looked at that performance and thought "nah, he'll be a liability against x opponent on y ground". We'll see.

Not just mid but best debut period for a long time that doesn't include recruits from other clubs e.g Danger/Smith etc

 

[Gunf]

That is a wild and unexpected observation

He is probably correct though as some players actually perform better with less time to think

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

OHenry will be a very different proposition if he can learn to hold his marks. They aren’t sticking often enough at this stage of his career. He also rarely gets the ball on the lead. I suspect this is tactical, as we have Cameron, Danger and Neale claiming that territory, but I wonder if he could make more effort in this aspect of his game.

Not sure what his role is now to be honest.
At his best he was close to goal and was targeted a fair amount.
The F50 is completely different now with Neale , Jezza and Danger as marking targets and Stengle/Close/Mannadh and Miers in support
He can't do the running up and down the field the other smalls do - I'd have him play higher up in F50 a bit more and use his marking to our advantage.
I can't see him flourishing in starvation corner and being the 4th or 5th target.

 

[standupand]

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.

2020 GF? Or maybe Vlastuin had money on the swans?

 

[Hinkley29]

For whatever reason it seems like your mind is made up on this one. Stevens just had our best midfield debut in years. I'd be surprised if the coaches looked at that performance and thought "nah, he'll be a liability against x opponent on y ground". We'll see.

I don’t think it is unfair to say that Stevens had the absolutely perfect conditions to have a good debut.

A soft opponent, game at true home ground, an extended run of minutes in your preferred (only?) position, a very low stakes game, support galore from very experienced teammates. If anyone is going to have a strong first game this is the conditions to do it.

He did all he could, he took the chance that was offered to him. But I am sure that players like Clohesy, knevitt, Clark would have looked on in envy just wishing they had such an easy entrance to the big time.

If he performs like that again next week against high level midfield opposition on the road then I will take notice. I very much hope he does because we can use as many quality mids as we can get. But until he has a decent game against afl standard opponents I will keep the pants tightly secured about Stevens debut.

TBH I am not 100% sure that he holds his spot for the next game.

 

[standupand]

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.

This is what it says on champion data website:

Q: A player was tackled as they disposed of the ball. Why wasn’t a tackle awarded?

A: If a player attempts to tackle a player in the act of disposing of the ball, and that disposal is deemed to be effective, then no tackle will be awarded. If it leads to an ineffective disposal or a clanger disposal or prevents a disposal, then a tackle shall be awarded. The defensive player is credited with a tackle attempt.

 

[Play it Sam]

OHenry will be a very different proposition if he can learn to hold his marks. They aren’t sticking often enough at this stage of his career. He also rarely gets the ball on the lead. I suspect this is tactical, as we have Cameron, Danger and Neale claiming that territory, but I wonder if he could make more effort in this aspect of his game.

I watched him closely, and therein lies the problem. You could say he rarely gets the ball on his head! They are looking at clearer options, and he's caught behind or on a few occasions the delivery kick was poor. Of course we won't count Dangers "pass" for a grubber goal in that. Once or twice he was free, but didn't need to be included in the play. I thought otherwise he played pretty well. The big smile when he goaled off Jezza's hand pass was worth seeing, if you have any empathy for the kid

 

[MacStradbroke]

2020 GF? Or maybe Vlastuin had money on the swans?

Yeah sorry, that’s was the one I meant.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

So how did the day at the footy go with mum take the knitting and footy franks in the thermos?

That was @For_ever_ ???

Thanks for asking YPO

My Mum was a Swans’ supporter + we sat in the members’ stand. She was more of a smoked salmon + champagne girl Damask napkins, silver cutlery
She was furious when glasses were changed to plastic

We have two kids in our town, who sell hot dogs on Sunday afternoons, with shallots, onions, gherkins, chilli sauce + cheese. Always have one when we play on a Sunday

 

[standupand]

I watched him closely, and therein lies the problem. You could say he rarely gets the ball on his head! They are looking at clearer options, and he's caught behind or on a few occasions the delivery kick was poor. Of course we won't count Dangers "pass" for a grubber goal in that. Once or twice he was free, but didn't need to be included in the play. I thought otherwise he played pretty well. The big smile when he goaled off Jezza's hand pass was worth seeing, if you have any empathy for the kid

Loved that from Jezza. Channelling the big tomahawk there. Rare occasion he gives it off like that. Also loved when Close gave it off to Jezza for his 700th. It's a tight knit group.

 

[Mr Meow]

I don’t think it is unfair to say that Stevens had the absolutely perfect conditions to have a good debut.

A soft opponent, game at true home ground, an extended run of minutes in your preferred (only?) position, a very low stakes game, support galore from very experienced teammates. If anyone is going to have a strong first game this is the conditions to do it.

He did all he could, he took the chance that was offered to him. But I am sure that players like Clohesy, knevitt, Clark would have looked on in envy just wishing they had such an easy entrance to the big time.

If he performs like that again next week against high level midfield opposition on the road then I will take notice. I very much hope he does because we can use as many quality mids as we can get. But until he has a decent game against afl standard opponents I will keep the pants tightly secured about Stevens debut.

TBH I am not 100% sure that he holds his spot for the next game.

I'm fine with calling it unfair. Taranto, Hopper and Prestia have largely been good performers this season. They just don't have class to compliment them and there are so many deficiencies elsewhere.

The factors you mentioned likely inflated some of Stevens numbers (e.g 14 score involvements), but I have not seen our other young midfielders (Clark, Knevitt, Clohesy) impact like that against any opposition.

No worries if you need to see more to get excited or aren't convinced he gets a go next week. Everyone has their own level of caution. On this one I'm happy to be more on the optimistic scale. Let's see what happens next.

 

[Kitcat]

I watched him closely, and therein lies the problem. You could say he rarely gets the ball on his head! They are looking at clearer options, and he's caught behind or on a few occasions the delivery kick was poor. Of course we won't count Dangers "pass" for a grubber goal in that. Once or twice he was free, but didn't need to be included in the play. I thought otherwise he played pretty well. The big smile when he goaled off Jezza's hand pass was worth seeing, if you have any empathy for the kid

For a player out of form and on the fringe, it was a real pressure kick for OHenry, but he goaled. Imagine if he had missed.