Review Cats destroyate Tuggers by 72 points

[Mr Meow]

Unsure why there’s concern about Stevens playing mids from teams in better form?

Mr Meow mentioned Taranto, Hopper + Prestia. Add Nankervis contributing from the ruck.

patience asked: “Did you see George dispatch that Rick player in the replay?”
That was when, early in the game, Stevens had three Richmond players trying to tackle him. Escaped two + the third, he flicked away like a fly.
He has such strength in his legs, hips + lower back.

While he will be tackled, he just looked like a behemoth yesterday!

Apparently the Richmond midfield were "statues" because their inept forward line and overpowered defence were destroyed.

However 27, 25, 20, 18 and 16 disposals were won by their 5 stoppage ball winners: Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Nankervis and Ross. 21 tackles between them. As usual, their ball use wasn't great, while Stevens' was - but somehow this means we should dismiss the kid's superior skills in congestion.

I'm sure it makes sense to some people but I'm not one of them.

 

[terry_bright]

Apparently the Richmond midfield were "statues" because their inept forward line and overpowered defence were destroyed.

However 27, 25, 20, 18 and 16 disposals were won by their 5 stoppage ball winners: Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Nankervis and Ross. 21 tackles between them. As usual, their ball use wasn't great, while Stevens' was - but somehow this means we should dismiss the kid's superior skills in congestion.

I'm sure it makes sense to some people but I'm not one of them.

Their midfield were statues in transition. The way we ran through the middle and provided overlapping runs was far too easy from their perspective.

 

[Baudolino]

The current threshold for top 4 is a 68.8% win rate, which over a 23 game season works out to be 15.8. Round up to 16. No different to 2024. It's highly unlikely that a side with 16 wins and over 130% misses out on top 4.

To put it another way, the chance of there being 4 teams besides Geelong with 16+ wins and 130+ % is remote. Of all teams, we have a draw that gives us the best chance of improving % as well.

Hmm. You might end up being right, but I do think it's a pretty exceptional year in terms of have few slip-ups the top 9 are having against the also-rans, so imo the threshold for top four will be higher than usual.

 

[Interdimensional Bigfoot]

Stevens has good awareness too, he held onto the ball for the stoppage when he had too and released when it was there. Some players get tackled and feel the need to release and ends up in opposition hands. Too much emphasis on speed, we have runners for days, we need someone who can deliver cleanly and he didn't dissapoint.

 

[Mr Meow]

Their midfield were statues in transition. The way we ran through the middle and provided overlapping runs was far too easy from their perspective.

That affected our uncontested possession kings of the day - Holmes, Martin, Miers, Zuthrie, O'Connor and Cameron - more than Stevens who had a much higher proportion and total of contested possessions.

 

[Generalissimo]

Their midfield were statues in transition. The way we ran through the middle and provided overlapping runs was far too easy from their perspective.

Us slicing them to ribbons rebounding off half back doesn't seem at all relevant to Stevens' contested ball gets at centre bounces.

 

[Mr Meow]

Hmm. You might end up being right, but I do think it's a pretty exceptional year in terms of have few slip-ups the top 9 are having against the also-rans, so imo the threshold for top four will be higher than usual.

I think it's more likely the threshold for top 8 goes up a game because of that, rather than top 4. Remember, the top 4 contenders will keep playing each other. But I guess we'll see.

 

[Gunf]

The concern is that the Richmond midfield, though experienced and featuring big names, is not stocked with the kind of quick players that it's imagined he'd struggle against.

The concern is credible but we don’t know if it's real until we see a combination that is set up against him.

I actually think in our run home north at Marvel would be his biggest challenge. Xerri likely to batter us in the ruck and their ground level players should be able to run away from him.

But it's all theoretical until we see it played out, and I would like to see it play out

If we drop him and don't try him against better opposition we will never know

Give him the next 3 games against GWS, Saints and North

 

[Zouz Kitty]

The concern is that the Richmond midfield, though experienced and featuring big names, is not stocked with the kind of quick players that it's imagined he'd struggle against.

The concern is credible but we don’t know if it's real until we see a combination that is set up against him.

I actually think in our run home north at Marvel would be his biggest challenge. Xerri likely to batter us in the ruck and their ground level players should be able to run away from him.

But it's all theoretical until we see it played out, and I would like to see it play out

Although, Stevens is not the only Midfielder. We have fast Midfielders. Also, I was referring to Stevens being big + strong, who had three Richmond players trying to tackle him, who he shook loose. He disposed of the ball. No turnover.

Perhaps GlenMiddlemissed expressed it better:
“I have been a big fan of George all year in the VFL (and last year) but even I didn't think he would do that well. He's already answered the question as to whether he could step up to AFL footy, he bloody well can! Loved the play where he had 3 richmond players hanging off him and they still...”

+

“I'm not worried about George's pace anymore - it doesn't matter if 2 or 3 catch him, they won't actually be able to slow him down ”


Exciting to see how he plays against better teams with faster Midfielders. Keen to see his role in the team develop.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Apparently the Richmond midfield were "statues" because their inept forward line and overpowered defence were destroyed.

However 27, 25, 20, 18 and 16 disposals were won by their 5 stoppage ball winners: Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Nankervis and Ross. 21 tackles between them. As usual, their ball use wasn't great, while Stevens' was - but somehow this means we should dismiss the kid's superior skills in congestion.

I'm sure it makes sense to some people but I'm not one of them.

As you said previously, Prestia was only effective without Mullin on him.

Yes, George definitely had superior skills in congestion + in his debut game.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

I find it amazing on here that there are some who want to cast a pall over a first gamer who played better than we had any right to expect, because, apparently, the "opposition wasn't good enough". It was his FIRST game, what do they expect for a first game, a Gary Ablett Snr 12 goals????

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Apparently the Richmond midfield were "statues" because their inept forward line and overpowered defence were destroyed.

However 27, 25, 20, 18 and 16 disposals were won by their 5 stoppage ball winners: Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Nankervis and Ross. 21 tackles between them. As usual, their ball use wasn't great, while Stevens' was - but somehow this means we should dismiss the kid's superior skills in congestion.

I'm sure it makes sense to some people but I'm not one of them.

Can it not both be true that he did exceptionally well against experienced opposition, performing well above expectations, and that there are also qualifiers around whether that translates to other types of midfields and if it can be replicated?

 

[Mr Meow]

Can it not both be true that he did exceptionally well against experienced opposition, performing well above expectations, and that there are also qualifiers around whether that translates to other types of midfields and if it can be replicated?

Not once have I stated he would replicate yesterday's efforts against other midfields. My comment was on the performance itself. When he performs poorly against other midfields, then we can talk about that. Sound reasonable?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If we drop him and don't try him against better opposition we will never know

Give him the next 3 games against GWS, Saints and North

Those are also the three games I'd most like to see him in of the run home too. GWS is a qualify football side with a good midfield. Saints is one he could have a real impact in. North is a game we really should win regardless but also one where the mix won't favour him.

It's perfectly set up for him in my opinion

 

[ShaunWDT]

Apparently the Richmond midfield were "statues" because their inept forward line and overpowered defence were destroyed.

However 27, 25, 20, 18 and 16 disposals were won by their 5 stoppage ball winners: Hopper, Taranto, Prestia, Nankervis and Ross. 21 tackles between them. As usual, their ball use wasn't great, while Stevens' was - but somehow this means we should dismiss the kid's superior skills in congestion.

I'm sure it makes sense to some people but I'm not one of them.

They are all slower than my grandma thats the point, its not a midfield thats going to expose his weaknesses at all.

 

[Mr Meow]

They are all slower than my grandma thats the point, its not a midfield thats going to expose his weaknesses at all.

Well only time will tell.

Other midfields have beaten us despite being torched for pace by Holmes and Smith. We have arguably the best suited midfield in the league to add a slowish extractor. It already has two speed demons and a defensive beast.

 

[Cataholic]

Is it really that hard to acknowledge a kid's debut game as being a good one in the circumstances, even if it wasn't against the ladder leader?

Is it that hard to say 'yep, well done, we look forward to you growing against better opposition' ?

Sheesh.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

They are all slower than my grandma thats the point, its not a midfield thats going to expose his weaknesses at all.

On the contrary, with no Baz we weren't as quick as we normally are either. I'd like to see him shoveling it out to both Holmes and Baz, and see what that looks like.

I'd give him two more weeks at a minimum. If he's poor next week, he deserves one more to show which week was the outlier, and you make the decision from there.

If he's good again next week, he might be this year's equivalent to Humphries or Mannagh. We'll wait and see how it plays out.

I think it's fair for posters to be excited, particularly when many who are talking him down have told those same posters to keep the faith with the Knevitt and Clark types, who haven't shown anything against similarly s**t opponents.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Fair enough. I hope to be as excited as you are in 7 days time.

But Taranto, hopper and Prestia would be one of the 2 worst starting midfields in the league. And behind those 3 in Richmond’s team it is even worse.

It is true that Knevitt, Clark and clohesy have never shown the impact Stevens did, but they have never had the dream conditions that Stevens had.

You are selling Prestia way short ther mate - he has been an absolute star for the Tigers , injury prone i will grant that . And the start of the 19PF , and Geel had Rich on the ropes at h/t , in the opening 2nds Prestia got the ball and unstoppable pass to Lynch - It was shades of Barry Price to Peter McKenna it was that good , and the Tigers had the all important goal of the 3rd qtr and the game was on

Idont like Rich or Haw for that matter but you have to be fair , Taranto has been a very consistent performer for them , the big flop has been Hopper

Rich supporters like to bring up their great strike rate in GFs and yes they have had the upper hand against Geel in finals most definitely , but the major downer for their supporters , through their history , is when they crash they crash hard and stay down their for long periods of time

 

[Zouz Kitty]

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

you pick one it was Cats_R_Cool_4_Ever who went to the game with her Mum

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Test will be when he plays against top line mids with genuine burst and power out the stoppage, Richmond are exactly the type of workman like midfield that hes a good match up for.

Richmond's midfield has plenty of experience and a couple of weeks ago 'dominated GWS midfield' on their home deck in a game the Tigers should have never lost. George Stevens at 20 years of age was 'brilliant' against that very same experienced Richmond midfield yesterday and is the best young 'contested mid' we have had at the Cattery 'in years' and anybody that doesn't identify that fact is clueless. We have struck gold with this kid and like with Connor O'Sullivan, we have recruited a young guy into the club that is all class in every sense of the word with George also having tremendous character and for someone so young, that is an outstanding attribute to have..... and GO CATS !!!

 

[Caminocat]

Let's wait and see if this 'Stevens won't like a fast track' is fact or fiction.
And I'm not sure that Bankstown is a fast track anyway.

The game is at Engie Stadium. Engie is not in Bankstown, it's part of Sydney Olympic Park (about 10k from Bankstown).

 

[Cataholic]

On the contrary, with no Baz we weren't as quick as we normal are either. I'd like to see him shoveling it out to both Holmes and Baz, and see what that looks like.

I'd give him two more weeks at a minimum. If he's poor next week, he deserves one more to show which week was the outlier.

If he's good again next week, he might be this year's equivalent to Humphries or Mannagh. We'll wait and see how it plays out.

I think it's fair for posters to be excited, particularly when many who are talking him down have told those same posters to keep the faith with the Knevitt and Clark types, who haven't shown anything against similarly s**t opponents.

He did all that could be asked of him in the circumstances, and yet some want to rain on his parade. Really?

He's a kid who had a a dip against opponents much more experienced than he and did well.

He played inside, right in the guts of it, and extracted the ball cleanly and regularly enough. That's what he does.

He was the grunt, not the speed, and he acquitted himself well. I likened him to a tractor during the game - he mightn't have top speed but he has some serious torque.

It's sad, bloody sad, that we can't collectively enjoy his moment in the sun without having to throw shade.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Fantastic debut from gorgeous George.
He may not be pacy but has the attributes to play the inside mid role.
Apart from his strength and getting first hands to the ball his disposal by hand and foot is first class - so much to like.
Could play a similar role to what Ned Long does at the Pies.

George Stevens is a much better and classier footballer than Ned Long F2G given he is only 20 years old and played only one AFL game. Kid is all class and the best young inside contested mid we have recruited in years, struck gold with George!

 

[Kobe Gryant]

He did all that could be asked of him in the circumstances, and yet some want to rain on his parade. Really?

He's a kid who had a a dip against opponents much more experienced than he and did well.

He played inside, right in the guts of it, and extracted the ball cleanly and regularly enough. That's what he does.

He was the grunt, not the speed, and he acquitted himself well. I likened him to a tractor during the game - he mightn't have top speed but he has some serious torque.

It's sad, bloody sad, that we can't collectively enjoy his moment in the sun without having to throw shade.

All but a certainty for the rising star nom this week, and like others have said, played the best midfield debut we've seen in years.

Probably since TK if we're honest, who was 24 when he made his.

Even if it amounts to nothing in a couple years time, both he, and by extension - we - are allowed to be pleased and encouraged by his efforts.

Worry about the bad times if/when they come.