Autopsy Cats lose to Lions by 41 points.

[Gyno79]

Everytime we play Brisbane recently i find myself reflecting on the class of their players and access to high draft picks. The game were forced to play against them only seems to accentuate the many a graders they have and lower skill roll players we've accumulated from non typical drafting strategies that are very good in our system when we play our way. Brisbane are elite around stoppages and congestion. I was in awe of the way they block for each other and the slick handball chains. Fagan seems to have Scott's measure also tactically recently. Would love to have that young forward Logan morris in the hoops, what a talent! Ah well, no shame in being beaten by a better team on the night. Brisbane were very good. We looked off right from the start, seemed to lack the pressure and intensity of previous weeks. It didn't look like the cats right from the start and didn't improve. People on Facebook saying Danger had covid during the week, who knows. Something definitely looked off.

 

[GlenMiddlemissed]

Seems like any team that runs hard on the spread when they have the ball, and run hard at us when we have the ball, simply rip us apart. BTW, not that it affected the result, but umpiring is in crisis. And I don't blame the people with the whistles. It's like they've been told to officiate the game as though it's a reaction in a test tube - the tiniest infraction, even though it has no affect on a player's ability to get a fair go at the ball, is penalised.

Totally, absolutely completely agree with you on the umpiring, tommy. And I don't mean just in regard to decisions against Geelong, as overall, apart from that horrible little umpire 22, I don't think we are umpired any worse than most of the teams. But now, after 50 years of following VFL/AFL, watching any game, any 2 teams, I just find the umpiring the worst aspect of watching the game. It is much worse with the 4 umpires, because you get 4 different interpretations of the same play. ALL the new rules are worse, "stand" is infuriating, "insufficient intent" now may as well just become "kick it, it goes over the line, free kick" and, as you say, the frees and, worse, game changing 50m penalties for the most innocuous contact is ruining the game.

 

[goyoucatters]

It wasn’t just a bad game.
It was horrific.
Getting beaten like that at home for the captains 350th.
Unforgivable. They clearly have a mental edge over us now.

It was clearly a very poor game from us. You don't lose like that without being outplayed in plenty of key moments.

Having said that, as the coach pointed out, the underlying numbers were quite even and didn't point to a shocking lack of effort. And we actually 'should have won', based on expected score. I get how 'coulda, shoulda, woulda' that sounds. But it does indicate that it was our execution more than anything that failed us a lot throughout the game.

In essence, seems like they flipped the script on what we've been routinely doing to other teams, and consistently torched us on turnover. That's really disappointing, for sure. But it's not an outcome that has me thinking we're no show against them if we meet again this year. Just need miles better execution and fluency from us than we showed this time around.

For me, then, how much of our ineptitude was truly out of our control (based on how they 'made us play') will actually be the really interesting watch the next time we come up against them.

#keepthefaith

 

[you pick one]

So further to posting about no luck, if you can make the connection, here's Scott:

"We thought we were getting enough chances to be competitive, but it just felt like one of those nights where, I sort of said this to the players, what could go wrong did go wrong. That happens, it happens to the best teams."

I hope he looks a lot deeper into the game and comes up with something more concrete than that starting with the basics winning ground ball, tackling, pressure and composure all of which were missing last night by a good 70% of the players for the majority of the game.I'd want them all in Monday for a drill down review. I don't agree with sweeping those sorts of efforts under the rug.

 

[Kyuss]

Very dissapointing.

Butchered the ball. Wasted the chances we did create. Our best playmakers like Miers turning it over time and time again. Just one of those nights.

Brisbane made most of theirs count. They were good. We were bad.

Enjoy the bye, freshen up and know we are capable of playing much better more often than not.

Also Atkins is a gun. Wish a few more of our players had his desire to win a contest when the heat is on.

 

[small 4wards]

We don't deserve Tom Atkins

30

Tom Atkins

Age

30

Ht

180cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.3

3star

D

6.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.5

2star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.5

3star

D

11.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

1.2

4star

sometimes

 

[Heckler]

This was named the Whiteout Game
It started by waving the White Flag
Quickly turned into the Wipeout game
Lions came ready to play from the start
Quick clean ball movement shocked Cats
As Cats swarmed Lions the got ball away
Lions quick play-on, left Cats behind
Every tackle or mark became a Lions Free
This made Cats hesitate at the contest.
Cats couldn't get their hands on the ball
Worse was when they did, It got wasted
Cats tried to switch, it was intercepted
Lions tore Cats apart... Cats assisted.
Cats could not find a single lucky break
Cats uncharacteristically group panicked
They collectively froze & stopped leading
Lions were playing against Witches Hats
Nothing changed after the long break
Demons of the past two games returned.
Scott tried to Whitewash them, not address.
Every Lions mark or free saw quick play on
Meanwhile Cats raced back to set a zone
Cats defense was porous as a sieve, again!
Scott is yet to devise a plan to beat Lions.
Would love to forget this like a Bad Dream
Cats will still have nightmares come finals.
This was a Wake-Up call to the coaching group
Great teams find a way to win.



Edited / Reposted : rushed & unfinished last night

 

[Warhorse]

People still haven't clicked to the fact our game is now designed for the MCG?

 

[calder_daddy]

This made me laugh a lot more than It should’ve

 

[Del216647]

People still haven't clicked to the fact our game is now designed for the MCG?

Agreed. But good chance we might have to travel to a Brsbane first up. No chance of winning that and then might have to come up against a team like the Dogs in a semi.

I was hoping for an MCG QF against an interstate opponent. That might be a stretch now.

 

[you pick one]

View attachment 2347513

This made me laugh a lot more than It should’ve

Yeah they can stick the white tees where the monkey stuck his peanuts.

 

[cats_09]

It was clearly a very poor game from us. You don't lose like that without being outplayed in plenty of key moments.

Having said that, as the coach pointed out, the underlying numbers were quite even and didn't point to a shocking lack of effort. And we actually 'should have won', based on expected score. I get how 'coulda, shoulda, woulda' that sounds. But it does indicate that it was our execution more than anything that failed us a lot throughout the game.

In essence, seems like they flipped the script on what we've been routinely doing to other teams, and consistently torched us on turnover. That's really disappointing, for sure. But it's not an outcome that has me thinking we're no show against them if we meet again this year. Just need miles better execution and fluency from us than we showed this time around.

For me, then, how much of our ineptitude was truly out of our control (based on how they 'made us play') will actually be the really interesting watch the next time we come up against them.

#keepthefaith

One thing would be interesting to see bought into AFL stats is what they use in tennis - forced & unforced errors, or for AFL clangers & turnovers which then led to a less than ideal disposal efficiency

How much of our poor field kicking was down to us stinking it up versus the pressure being applied by Brisbane?

I can understand some of the general play missed shots on goal being influenced by Brisbane, but the 12 set shots the only registered a behind plus 2 further set shots that simply missed would be more on us then them. The latter would be especially true for the 8 or 9 set shots we had from within 30 degrees of goal (so minimal angle), including 3 shots that were all but directly in front where we only registered behinds and even a straight up miss from nearly directly in front

Those are our skill errors, but a better break down would be interesting to see

 

[cats_09]

People still haven't clicked to the fact our game is now designed for the MCG?

Opposition teams have

 

[Del216647]

Lions have now beaten us at three different venues the past 12-months. They will have serious belief to beat us anywhere. Not panic stations, but that result won't do much for belief in beating them in September.

 

[Jumping Jack]

I made sure to take a deep breath and chill before responding. Having now afforded myself that time I feel better about what I’m going so say.

— I think most sides will have a banana peel game here or there. That was ours. Now we gather ourselves, learn from it and move on.

— Your weaknesses tend to get exposed against the best. Last night certainly did that for Geelong. Provided the coaches and players assess and learn from it then just get on with it, and get better.

— I’ve watched Jack Martin

19

Jack Martin

Age

30

Ht

186cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.7

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.9

4star

K

7.9

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

4star

G

1.1

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.0

4star

G

0.6

3star

closely the last few weeks. He was filthy bad last night but as a 3 week snapshot I have zero idea what strengths he brings to the team. He looks cooked at AFL level and I can’t see what he adds come finals.
— Mitch Duncan is in the same boat as Martin. He’s been a star for Geelong but his time is up. We got him to 300 and he’s been respected as he should be. But there is no way either he or Martin can be played in finals. Against a hard running / physical team last night, he was made to look second rate.

Overall I think that game is a perfectly timed wake up call. We’re better than that and everyone knows that. But provided the coaches and players learn from it then I think we just take our whack and move on.

No one will remember that result come week one of finals. Just as no one remembers the loss to St Kilda at Marvel before winning 16 games and a flag in 2022.

And the umpiring !! Crikey !! It didn’t affect the result but they’ve got real problems at AFL House if the umpiring dept doesn’t sort itself out before finals. It’s as bad as I’ve seen for a long time.

End of rant

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

People still haven't clicked to the fact our game is now designed for the MCG?

Last night had little to do with game plan and more about our skills and intent.
Play like that and anyone is beating us on the MCG too.

Lethargic is the word I would use to describe the team last night.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

No one will remember that result come week one of finals.

If we play Brisbane week 1, I certainty will remember it.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Atkins?

Atkins destroyed Lachie Neale.

 

[you pick one]

I made sure to take a deep breath and chill before responding. Having now afforded myself that time I feel better about what I’m going so say.

— I think most sides will have a banana peel game here or there. That was ours. Now we gather ourselves, learn from it and move on.

— Your weaknesses tend to get exposed against the best. Last night certainly did that for Geelong. Provided the coaches and players assess and learn from it then just get on with it, and get better.

— I’ve watched Jack Martin closely the last few weeks. He was filthy bad last night but as a 3 week snapshot I have zero idea what strengths he brings to the team. He looks cooked at AFL level and I can’t see what he adds come finals.
— Mitch Duncan is in the same boat as Martin. He’s been a star for Geelong but his time is up. We got him to 300 and he’s been respected as he should be. But there is no way either he or Martin can be played in finals. Against a hard running / physical team last night, he was made to look second rate.

Overall I think that game is a perfectly timed wake up call. We’re better than that and everyone knows that. But provided the coaches and players learn from it then I think we just take our whack and move on.

No one will remember that result come week one of finals. Just as no one remembers the loss to St Kilda at Marvel before winning 16 games and a flag in 2022.

And the umpiring !! Crikey !! It didn’t affect the result but they’ve got real problems at AFL House if the umpiring dept doesn’t sort itself out before finals. It’s as bad as I’ve seen for a long time.

End of rant

4 umpires isn't working.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Atkins was extremely courageous and probably second best but was very scrappy with the ball. I could not say he played well, but as usual he was the most committed cat on the field.

Come on, Lachie Neale was his opponent all night and was the only Lion mid who had zero impact on the game. Atkins was fantastic, you just got that one wrong.

 

[Catman]

Anyone else worried by Brad Close? His defensive pressure appears down, he's not hitting the scoreboard as often, his disposal isn't clean and his ability to provide a hard running outlet to defence, like he has in the past has dried up. Maybe there's been a role change for him, but I'm struggling to see what he's providing right now.

 

[MacStradbroke]

They both have 1 role they can perform. Mid tagger.
One played in defence as was a deer in the headlights like every other time in defence. The other got walloped by McCluggage.

Looks up Charlie Cameron stats, 10 touches no scores at all, Well played Oisin Mullin .

You can post all you like, he ain’t going anywhere soon I’d suggest.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Looks up Charlie Cameron stats, 10 touches no scores at all, Well played Oisin Mullin .

You can post all you like, he ain’t going anywhere soon I’d suggest.

Was not my point.
And I couldn't give a stuff what Cameron did, he's been shit most of the season.

We got torched in the middle of the ground while he didn't play the role that even the media pundits are now giving him plaudits. Was a poor coaching move that contributed to the loss.

Mid tagger or pick a small defender instead. Has limited football IQ, situational awareness or composure with the ball. Things you need to play in defence.

 

[MacStradbroke]

I made sure to take a deep breath and chill before responding. Having now afforded myself that time I feel better about what I’m going so say.

— I think most sides will have a banana peel game here or there. That was ours. Now we gather ourselves, learn from it and move on.

— Your weaknesses tend to get exposed against the best. Last night certainly did that for Geelong. Provided the coaches and players assess and learn from it then just get on with it, and get better.

— I’ve watched Jack Martin closely the last few weeks. He was filthy bad last night but as a 3 week snapshot I have zero idea what strengths he brings to the team. He looks cooked at AFL level and I can’t see what he adds come finals.
— Mitch Duncan is in the same boat as Martin. He’s been a star for Geelong but his time is up. We got him to 300 and he’s been respected as he should be. But there is no way either he or Martin can be played in finals. Against a hard running / physical team last night, he was made to look second rate.

Overall I think that game is a perfectly timed wake up call. We’re better than that and everyone knows that. But provided the coaches and players learn from it then I think we just take our whack and move on.

No one will remember that result come week one of finals. Just as no one remembers the loss to St Kilda at Marvel before winning 16 games and a flag in 2022.

And the umpiring !! Crikey !! It didn’t affect the result but they’ve got real problems at AFL House if the umpiring dept doesn’t sort itself out before finals. It’s as bad as I’ve seen for a long time.

End of rant

100% agree re Jack Martin. Had his share of touches but he frightfully slow now. I do not have access to direct opponents influence on the game but I’d bet they saw plenty of it. At his peak he had sublime skills and moved unbelievably well, not any more.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Was not my point.
And I couldn't give a stuff what Cameron did, he's been shit most of the season.

We got torched in the middle of the ground while he didn't play the role that even the media pundits are now giving him plaudits. Was a poor coaching move that contributed to the loss.

Mid tagger or pick a small defender instead. Has limited football IQ, situational awareness or composure with the ball. Things you need to play in defence.

Surely you can admit he more than holds his own as a small defender, and then the fact he can actually go and do a role in the midfield is a huge bonus. He’s improving as quickly as anyone on our list. The boy has tools that others can only dream of.

Agree Cameron is cooked.