Review Cats destroyate Tuggers by 72 points

[catempire]

Admittedly not much since about April. Here's what I thought after the game against the bullants.



I may be wrong, but at least I'm consistently wrong

Was this the round 2 game?

Interesting that was your main observation from a game in which he had 34 touches and 7 coaches votes.

Charlie Constable has really scarred you.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Was this the round 2 game?

Interesting that was your main observation from a game in which he had 34 touches and 7 coaches votes.

Charlie Constable has really scarred you.

My main observation then was the same main observation I had today, that he's proving my initial thoughts wrong. I could not be happier about that.

 

[FootyLad0]

So with Georgey boy and Bowes both having a big debut and nice return game with Baz and Tyson also to come straight back in….the question now becomes who goes out?

I know it’s sucks to say it but I reckon Duncs gets the chop from sub and this one might cause a stir but I reckon Mullin is the other one.
I know Oisin has had some big tagging games but if George is in and Baz comes back we don’t need another guy to play midfield with Bowes who can go in as well when needed as he’s a utility.

Just my opinion but team will look like this going into Giants game barring no late changes or injuries this week.

FB:	O’SULLIVAN	BLICAVS (RK)	HUMPHRIES (KO)
HB	STEWART (VC)	J.HENRY	Z.GUTHRIE (KO)
C	BOWES	HOLMES	DEMPSEY
HF	MANNAGH	CAMERON	MIERS
FF	STENGLE	NEALE	DANGERFIELD (C)
FOL	STANLEY (RK)	SMITH	ATKINS
IC	O’CONNOR (DEFENDER)	STEVENS (MID)	MARTIN (UTILITY)
	CLOSE (FORWARD)
SUB/EMG	O.HENRY (SUB)	MULLIN (EMERGENCY)	DUNCAN (EMERGENCY)

Key:
RK = Designated Ruckmen
KO = Designated kick outs

 

[Hinkley29]

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

Prestia in 2025 has been a non-factor.

I am not saying he hasn’t had a very good career, and he has been a great recruit for Richmond, but in 2025 he has not been good. If he is your best midfielder in 2025 then your midfield sucks.

 

[Hinkley29]

So with Georgey boy and Bowes both having a big debut and nice return game with Baz and Tyson also to come straight back in….the question now becomes who goes out?

I know it’s sucks to say it but I reckon Duncs gets the chop from sub and this one might cause a stir but I reckon Mullin is the other one.
I know Oisin has had some big tagging games but if George is in and Baz comes back we don’t need another guy to play midfield with Bowes who can go in as well when needed as he’s a utility.

Just my opinion but team will look like this going into Giants game barring no late changes or injuries this week.

FB:	O’SULLIVAN	BLICAVS (RK)	HUMPHRIES (KO)
HB	STEWART (VC)	J.HENRY	Z.GUTHRIE (KO)
C	BOWES	HOLMES	DEMPSEY
HF	MANNAGH	CAMERON	MIERS
FF	STENGLE	NEALE	DANGERFIELD (C)
FOL	STANLEY (RK)	SMITH	ATKINS
IC	O’CONNOR (DEFENDER)	STEVENS (MID)	MARTIN (UTILITY)
	CLOSE (FORWARD)
SUB/EMG	O.HENRY (SUB)	MULLIN (EMERGENCY)	DUNCAN (EMERGENCY)

Key:
RK = Designated Ruckmen
KO = Designated kick outs

Unless he is injured, there is no way Mullin doesn’t play against GWS. He will get a key role against one of their mids.

They would drop Stevens or Martin or Bowes before they dropped Mullin. And rightly so.

 

[FootyLad0]

Unless he is injured, there is no way Mullin doesn’t play against GWS. He will get a key role against one of their mids.

They would drop Stevens or Martin or Bowes before they dropped Mullin. And rightly so.

If you dropped any of those 3 after the way they played on the weekend you’d get chased out of town with pitchforks because you’d be dropping 3 guys who were in our best players on the weekend and that would be an insane move.
I’d question if you even watched the game at all.

Easy to critique, provide who is actually going in and out and we can hold it up for discussion.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

Mullin for the most part played on prestia and did a pretty good job, granted Prestia would be far easier than daicos or richards. I went to look for Steven's defensive game and he was equal 3rd with about six other players for tackles (4) he was equal 6th in the team for pressure acts with Close, Dangerfield and Neale. Those aren't bad numbers at all for someone who we thought would be miles off in defensive pressure due to speed

Stevens used to be a defender.

 

[Play it Sam]

Did they end up playing a song for George's goal?
I was there and hearing aid couldn't tell in all the babble.

Maybe you have to kick more than one to earn song rights.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

So with Georgey boy and Bowes both having a big debut and nice return game with Baz and Tyson also to come straight back in….the question now becomes who goes out?

I know it’s sucks to say it but I reckon Duncs gets the chop from sub and this one might cause a stir but I reckon Mullin is the other one.
I know Oisin has had some big tagging games but if George is in and Baz comes back we don’t need another guy to play midfield with Bowes who can go in as well when needed as he’s a utility.

Just my opinion but team will look like this going into Giants game barring no late changes or injuries this week.

FB:	O’SULLIVAN	BLICAVS (RK)	HUMPHRIES (KO)
HB	STEWART (VC)	J.HENRY	Z.GUTHRIE (KO)
C	BOWES	HOLMES	DEMPSEY
HF	MANNAGH	CAMERON	MIERS
FF	STENGLE	NEALE	DANGERFIELD (C)
FOL	STANLEY (RK)	SMITH	ATKINS
IC	O’CONNOR (DEFENDER)	STEVENS (MID)	MARTIN (UTILITY)
	CLOSE (FORWARD)
SUB/EMG	O.HENRY (SUB)	MULLIN (EMERGENCY)	DUNCAN (EMERGENCY)

Key:
RK = Designated Ruckmen
KO = Designated kick outs

Think you've pretty much nailed it FootyLad0: so no qualms from me with O. Henry and Mullin still a show given circumstances. Wanna see the MC keep backing our excellent group of young players including George Stevens cos most of them are ready now and the more games we get into them before finals the better with SDK also still to come back into side at some point if fitness and form permits, if so then he's a certainty.

 

[frggr]

How spoilt are we to be able to argue the merits of an outstanding debut

 

[Hinkley29]

If you dropped any of those 3 after the way they played on the weekend you’d get chased out of town with pitchforks because you’d be dropping 3 guys who were in our best players on the weekend and that would be an insane move.
I’d question if you even watched the game at all.

Easy to critique, provide who is actually going in and out and we can hold it up for discussion.

We shall see.

Mullin has far more credits in the bank than either Stevens, Bowes or Martin.

There is no way that he will be dropped.

If Stengle is available he will play, as will smith.

Duncan will likely drop out of the 23, o Henry will probably be dropped, and then still leaves a sub to be selected.

Stevens would be a poor choice as sub (not an impact player). Against gws we need Bowes to play in the midfield. Martin is a strong possibility to be sub.

 

[Mr Meow]

So with Georgey boy and Bowes both having a big debut and nice return game with Baz and Tyson also to come straight back in….the question now becomes who goes out?

I know it’s sucks to say it but I reckon Duncs gets the chop from sub and this one might cause a stir but I reckon Mullin is the other one.
I know Oisin has had some big tagging games but if George is in and Baz comes back we don’t need another guy to play midfield with Bowes who can go in as well when needed as he’s a utility.

Just my opinion but team will look like this going into Giants game barring no late changes or injuries this week.

FB:	O’SULLIVAN	BLICAVS (RK)	HUMPHRIES (KO)
HB	STEWART (VC)	J.HENRY	Z.GUTHRIE (KO)
C	BOWES	HOLMES	DEMPSEY
HF	MANNAGH	CAMERON	MIERS
FF	STENGLE	NEALE	DANGERFIELD (C)
FOL	STANLEY (RK)	SMITH	ATKINS
IC	O’CONNOR (DEFENDER)	STEVENS (MID)	MARTIN (UTILITY)
	CLOSE (FORWARD)
SUB/EMG	O.HENRY (SUB)	MULLIN (EMERGENCY)	DUNCAN (EMERGENCY)

Key:
RK = Designated Ruckmen
KO = Designated kick outs

For me it's:

Stengle in for Henry. Forward pocket for forward pocket.

Smith in for Duncan. Self explanatory.

Then one of Bowes or Martin takes the versatile sub role. The other starts in defence. You can argue that easing Bowes in, or managing a historically physically fragile Martin are both justifications. If Bowes was the sub then maybe it let's us swing Martin forward late

I'd give Mullin the job on Callaghan. Or a shutdown defender role. He could then have a rest next week.

Smith, Holmes, Atkins, Stevens and Mullin as a primary midfield rotation of 5 is about league average. We've just often gone down to 3 or 4 this season, but out of necessity.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

We shall see.

Mullin has far more credits in the bank than either Stevens, Bowes or Martin.

There is no way that he will be dropped.

If Stengle is available he will play, as will smith.

Duncan will likely drop out of the 23, o Henry will probably be dropped, and then still leaves a sub to be selected.

Stevens would be a poor choice as sub (not an impact player). Against gws we need Bowes to play in the midfield. Martin is a strong possibility to be sub.

Hinkley29: I've been a big supporter of Oisin Mullin from the get go as he gradually picks up on the game which requires great patience from all and sundry but he is not getting a game in front of George Stevens for pounds, shillings or pence.

 

[standupand]

Did they end up playing a song for George's goal?
I was there and hearing aid couldn't tell in all the babble.

Maybe you have to kick more than one to earn song rights.

Don't stop me now - Queen

 

[Hinkley29]

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.

That is exactly what is being acknowledged in this thread.

No one has said that his game wasnt good. Some are questioning whether it will translate against better midfields.

Which is exactly what you are asking everyone to do.

So what are you so exasperated about?

 

[Hinkley29]

Hinkley29: I've been a big supporter of Oisin Mullin from the get go as he gradually picks up on the game which requires great patience from all and sundry but he is not getting a game in front of George Stevens for pounds, shillings or pence.

Because of 1 game against a poor midfield? A game that he was not originally even selected to play in?

The MC will place much more credence in Mullin’s larger body of work. As they should.

Mullin will be way ahead of Stevens in the selection pecking order.

 

[standupand]

If Stengle is available he will play, as will smith.

Stengle next week:

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Because of 1 game against a poor midfield? A game that he was not originally even selected to play in?

The MC will place much more credence in Mullin’s larger body of work. As they should.

Mullin will be way ahead of Stevens in the selection pecking order.

Hinkley29: your comment only implies to me that you are somewhat clueless in identifying young talent. I don't mean to be harsh but George Stevens is the best young contested mid we have recruited into the club 'in years' and I will defend him until the cows come home.

 

[Hinkley29]

Hinkley29: your comment only implies to me that you are somewhat clueless in identifying young talent. I don't mean to be harsh but George Stevens is the best young contested mid we have recruited into the club 'in years' and I will defend him until the cows come home.

Gazza Greatness: your comment only implies to me that you cannot see past your own opinion and will revert to immature personal attacks if someone disagrees with you. George Stevens is an honest battler who has had one good game. If you want to make a ridiculous claim that he is “the best young contested mid that we have recruited to the club in years” then go ahead. I am not here to stop you from looking silly.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Gazza Greatness: your comment only implies to me that you cannot see past your own opinion and will revert to immature personal attacks if someone disagrees with you. George Stevens is an honest battler who has had one good game. If you want to make a ridiculous claim that he is “the best young contested mid that we have recruited to the club in years” then go ahead. I am not here to stop you from looking silly.

We agree to disagree Hinkley29: but time will be the end master...... we'll catch up then to see if perhaps I'm indeed the clueless one and if so I'll be man enough to take that criticism.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

For me it's:

Stengle in for Henry. Forward pocket for forward pocket.

Smith in for Duncan. Self explanatory.

Then one of Bowes or Martin takes the versatile sub role. The other starts in defence. You can argue that easing Bowes in, or managing a historically physically fragile Martin are both justifications. If Bowes was the sub then maybe it let's us swing Martin forward late

I'd give Mullin the job on Callaghan. Or a shutdown defender role. He could then have a rest next week.

Smith, Holmes, Atkins, Stevens and Mullin as a primary midfield rotation of 5 is about league average. We've just often gone down to 3 or 4 this season, but out of necessity.

It won't beat Brisbane or the Dogs head to head, but should be able to match - or beat - anyone else we play, particularly when you include Dempsey, Miers, and Mannagh as post CBA mids.

 

[Mr Meow]

It won't beat Brisbane or the Dogs head to head, but should be able to match - or beat - anyone else we play, particularly when you include Dempsey, Miers, and Mannagh as post CBA mids.

Our gap has closed further to the Bulldogs (who are 1st) in scores from stoppage differential. We're still in 2nd, but they're within reaching distance. Then we're 4th in scores from centrebounce differential. Very much a quality > quantity clearance profile. The post CBA mids you mention likely have a lot to do with that.

What's bizarre, when you look at their midfield and then how they play against us, is that Brisbane rank 7th and 12th in these areas. Similar to last year. In fact in 2025 their score differentials aren't top 5 from any source. They have coasted a lot and then turned it on for specific games against a few of the best teams, is my guess.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Our gap has closed further to the Bulldogs (who are 1st) in scores from stoppage differential. We're still in 2nd, but they're within reaching distance. 4th in scores from centrebounce differential. The post CBA mids you mention likely have a lot to do with that.

What's bizarre, when you look at their midfield and then how they play against us, is that Brisbane rank 7th and 12th in these areas. Similar to last year. In fact in 2025 their score differentials aren't top 5 from any source. They have coasted a lot and then turned it on for specific games, is my guess.

Well said. To be fair, it's mainly a personal thing rather than data based with them for me.

Have felt all year that Brisbane have a gear to go to that nobody else has, and they've just been coasting bar a few games (like ours).

Only team in the comp to my eye who have a genuine talent gap on the rest. Every other contender is at a similar playing field, usually just spread amongst different areas.

Neale, Dunkley, Ashcroft (x2), McSuitcases, Bailey, and Berry will go past both us and the Dogs once they flex in the business end IMO, but we still should have everyone elses measure as you point out.

If we meet them in finals, we just have to bring our normally excellent turnover game, which was horrific a couple weeks ago.

 

[Mr Meow]

Well said. To be fair, it's mainly a personal thing rather than data based with them for me.

Have felt all year that Brisbane have a gear to go to that nobody else has, and they've just been coasting bar a few games (like ours).

Only team in the comp to my eye who have a genuine talent gap on the rest. Every other contender is at a similar playing field, usually just spread amongst different areas.

Neale, Dunkley, Ashcroft (x2), McSuitcases, Bailey, and Berry will go past both us and the Dogs once they flex in the business end IMO, but we still should have everyone elses measure as you point out.

If we meet them in finals, we just have to bring our normally excellent turnover game, which was horrific a couple weeks ago.

Brisbane are very good at defending strong forward lines and are full of "clutch" players now - two things that help them in heavyweight battles these days. Their midfield do seem to almost tune effort and hurt factor based on quality of opposition - they haven't been "hunting" the weaker sides. They're a bit of an enigma this season. I'm wary of them but more based on our head to head troubles rather than their overall 2025 level.

If we're any chance against them we need Miers, Mannagh and Dempsey firing. Mullin has to check in McSuitcase. And we need to find a good match up for bloody Cam Rayner. I do think Stevens as a big bodied grunt, and Dangerfield for bursts, could be midfield wildcards come finals. Maybe both ideas are fanciful, but we need to try a couple of new things.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Gazza Greatness: your comment only implies to me that you cannot see past your own opinion and will revert to immature personal attacks if someone disagrees with you. George Stevens is an honest battler who has had one good game. If you want to make a ridiculous claim that he is “the best young contested mid that we have recruited to the club in years” then go ahead. I am not here to stop you from looking silly.

I was a little taken aback too...but thinking about it a bit, it's really not as outlandish as it looks at first glance.

Of recent times, I wouldn't classify Holmes or Smith as contested mids. They're able, but they're best suited as first or second receivers, and you wouldn't refer to them as contested bulls.

Outside of them, who else is he up against? Bruhn? Clark? Hardie? Cooper Stephens?

Tom Atkins has him covered comfortably on all available evidence, but that's going back seven years, and that's exactly what Gazza Greatness was getting at.

Whether that's an indictment on our recruiters or a huge endorsement for George is in the eye of the beholder, and history will be the judge of that.

Still though, it's really not as big a call as it might appear to be at first glance IMO.