Review Cats relive 22 GF and whack Swans by 43 points.

[Johnny Cattery]

That's nice of you to say, but half of what I say is obvious and the other half is dumb. I'm just the only one pig-headed enough to try to say something nice about all of our players every week.

Don't agree! It's careful, accurate, and beautifully written. Thank you!

 

[Seeds]

I disagree somewhat with that, I don't think he needs to play quite so far up the ground as that. He worked out just fine in 2023 and quite a lot of 2024 in the third-tall role up forward.

I do agree that he needs to get on his bike a bit more, he got stuck anchored too close to goal too much this year and it kept him out of the game. However, there's no shortage of gut running high forwards at Geelong (Mannagh, Miers, Dempsey, Close to a slightly lesser extent).

Jack Martin's role is probably a bit closer to the mark IMO.

Jack martins role would work. But i think thats still quite a lot different from ollie henrys role today. Martins an aerobic small roving half foward who can fill in an take an overhead contested mark when he needs to. Not a marking foward first as ollie henry currently plays.

 

[Turbocat]

Being a NSWelshman I have a lot of friends who’ve been converted from exclusive league followers (I’m a lifelong follower of both codes) to jumping on the Swans bandwagon.

The best way I could describe them - or 90 per cent of them is this way - they could tell you all the names of the swans players and maybe 2-3 of the very best opposition players if the opposition is a good side. They can’t tell you what the swans players do that is good beyond kick goals or rack up a lot of touches. They’re like a Melbourne Demons crowd without the football knowledge.

LOL...

So how do you describe GWS supporters… apart from non existent?

 

[Seeds]

Liked Mannagh’s game yesterday. His last month has been a bit up and down, like he has been getting a bit beyond his staguon, trying to do a bit too much. He was much better and kept in his lane and it showed

Mannagh had 20 touches and 3 goals last week and was in our bests.

The week before he had an equal career high of 26 touches and 3 goal assists and was in our bests if not close to our best.

Yesterdays game was just a continuation of his recent great form.

 

[PhatBoy]

Mannagh had 20 touches and 3 goals last week and was in our bests.

The week before he had an equal career high of 26 touches and 3 goal assists and was in our bests if not close to our best.

Yesterdays game was just a continuation of his recent great form.

His 3 goals against Essendon all came when we had taken the margin out to 40 points. One of them in fairness to him came when Essendon had actually steadied and launched a bit of a mini comeback.

Yes he had a lot of the ball against Port and he did set up a lot of scores but what I’m referring to is some of the shots he has been trying to go for: he kicked 0.3 and from memory some of them were Hail Marys. He’s generally (as highlighted by his goal assists - his numbers in general are high, he gets nearly 1 a game in addition to his goals) got very good vision. Spot someone up and get it to them and let them finish it off. He’s a good kick in his own right I’m not denying that but he’s not a freakish one.

 

[CabWesty]

His 3 goals against Essendon all came when we had taken the margin out to 40 points. One of them in fairness to him came when Essendon had actually steadied and launched a bit of a mini comeback.

Yes he had a lot of the ball against Port and he did set up a lot of scores but what I’m referring to is some of the shots he has been trying to go for: he kicked 0.3 and from memory some of them were Hail Marys. He’s generally (as highlighted by his goal assists - his numbers in general are high, he gets nearly 1 a game in addition to his goals) got very good vision. Spot someone up and get it to them and let them finish it off. He’s a good kick in his own right I’m not denying that but he’s not a freakish one.

Wonder how many goals he will have after 38 games? Apparently he has 41 after 31.

 

[PhatBoy]

LOL...

So how do you describe GWS supporters… apart from non existent?

No, they actually know what they’re talking about. A lot of the small number that have actually attached themselves to the Giants have actually come from rusted-on AFL people. The town I come from (I left there to move to a smaller one nearby in February but lived there for 23 years) had one big AFL club for decades and then about 10 years ago there was a hit of a falling out. So a bunch of people left and decided to start their own. When the Giants started, Sheedy came out and visited and said he wanted to leave a bit of an imprint in country areas and it obviously resonated so these people started initially a Giants junior club which eventually became a Giants senior club as well. That alone has actually spawned a lot of Giants AFL club fans in the local area. A lot of other people I know who had a team previously who came from Victoria have adopted the Giants as a sort of ‘second’ team: even I have to a moderate degree. If I lived in Sydney I’d go watch them before the swans.

 

[Seeds]

His 3 goals against Essendon all came when we had taken the margin out to 40 points. One of them in fairness to him came when Essendon had actually steadied and launched a bit of a mini comeback.

Yes he had a lot of the ball against Port and he did set up a lot of scores but what I’m referring to is some of the shots he has been trying to go for: he kicked 0.3 and from memory some of them were Hail Marys. He’s generally (as highlighted by his goal assists - his numbers in general are high, he gets nearly 1 a game in addition to his goals) got very good vision. Spot someone up and get it to them and let them finish it off. He’s a good kick in his own right I’m not denying that but he’s not a freakish one.

He blazed away a couple of times and missed yesterday when he should of passed with his team mates throwing their hands up in annoyance. I dont see any change on that front in yesterdays game. He has a couple of moments like that every game. But the good is far outweighing the bad.

 

[you pick one]

This doesn't look like a great set up for a kick in I see 6 Geelong players who won't influence the kick.

 

[PhatBoy]

He blazed away a couple of times and missed yesterday when he should of passed with his team mates throwing their hands up in annoyance. I dont see any change on that front in yesterdays game. He has a couple of moments like that every game. But the good is far outweighing the bad.

No I don’t disagree with that I’d far rather have him there than not, he’s been an awesome pick up for us and does some sort of damage to the opposition virtually every game.

I don’t mind him blazing a bit if it’s a reasonably high percentage shot, though, because to me he’s a pretty reliable kick if it’s a ‘normal’ shot on goal. Obviously I’d rather him pass it im not denying that but it’s a bit more understandable if he’s got a full look at the sticks than if he’s on a silly angle or running away from them or whatever.

 

[Reg Hickey]

Today was Neale's 42nd game and he's now kicked 65 goals

After 38 games he had kicked 51 goals

Just for reference, Hawkins had 57 goals after 42 games.

And for those saying Neale right now is like Hawkins in 2011... maybe age-wise, but not experience-wise. The 2011 GF was Hawk's 79th game. His 42nd was actually the 2009 PF, which he followed up with a 21 goal season from 18 games in 2010, and a 27 goal season again from 18 games in 2011. He didn't crack 40 goals in a season until 2012, when he was 24yo (a year older than Neale now) and closing in on 100 games.

 

[canny30]

No, they actually know what they’re talking about. A lot of the small number that have actually attached themselves to the Giants have actually come from rusted-on AFL people. The town I come from (I left there to move to a smaller one nearby in February but lived there for 23 years) had one big AFL club for decades and then about 10 years ago there was a hit of a falling out. So a bunch of people left and decided to start their own. When the Giants started, Sheedy came out and visited and said he wanted to leave a bit of an imprint in country areas and it obviously resonated so these people started initially a Giants junior club which eventually became a Giants senior club as well. That alone has actually spawned a lot of Giants AFL club fans in the local area. A lot of other people I know who had a team previously who came from Victoria have adopted the Giants as a sort of ‘second’ team: even I have to a moderate degree. If I lived in Sydney I’d go watch them before the swans.

Agree with this.

The Giants fan that turns up are more passionate and more knowledgeable than your typical Swans fan.

 

[BORIS332]

Sorry if it's been mentioned, just wanted to highlight Scratcher's second half of the season.

 

[Play it Sam]

I've never been to a ground where so many people were wandering around during quarters. It was like they went to the footy because there was nothing good on Netflix.

The Geelong supporters who live in Sydney are super friendly. They approach you like you’re their last ticket out of there.

 

[cats_09]

View attachment 2398663
This doesn't look like a great set up for a kick in I see 6 Geelong players who won't influence the kick.

That's definitely an area we need to address before finals

 

[canny30]

If my memory is correct I read an article where he was one of our best performed finals players.
Has been a little unsighted of late though, but may be ‘playing a role’ Has finals runs on the board.
None of those other guys is exactly beating the door down.

Close does a sh*tload of defensive running for our team which goes unnoticed a lot of the time.

He can't really be judged on traditional metrics.

 

[cats_09]

Just for reference, Hawkins had 57 goals after 42 games.

And for those saying Neale right now is like Hawkins in 2011... maybe age-wise, but not experience-wise. The 2011 GF was Hawk's 79th game. His 42nd was actually the 2009 PF, which he followed up with a 21 goal season from 18 games in 2010, and a 27 goal season again from 18 games in 2011. He didn't crack 40 goals in a season until 2012, when he was 24yo (a year older than Neale now) and closing in on 100 games.

We've also got to remember that Scratcher was drafted in 2020 and while I'm not sure the impact covid had on under age comps out west, but his first season with us in 2021 was covid impacted with the VFL season not even finishing due to ongoing issues

He was restricted to 5 VFL games in his first year due to those issues, he had a pretty good run at things in 22 before an ankle sprain late in the 23 pre-season but got up to play the first couple of matches before another injury kept him out for nearly 3 months

So he had bit of an interrupted first 3 seasons with us and only the 28 VFL games & 5 senior games during that period. Since the start of 2024 he's played 42 games across both comps and we're seeing the benefit of match continuity

 

[Footy Smarts]

Sorry if it's been mentioned, just wanted to highlight Scratcher's second half of the season.

View attachment 2398714

I had massive question marks over whether he'd make it around the middle of last year. I reckon it was the GC game in Darwin when he looked so tentative and dropped 4 or 5 simple marks which made me question whether he could ever be relied upon as a key forward.

But he turned it around to be serviceable in the back half of last year then since that breakout game against the dogs he's been unreal.

 

[Play it Sam]

His 3 goals against Essendon all came when we had taken the margin out to 40 points. One of them in fairness to him came when Essendon had actually steadied and launched a bit of a mini comeback.

Yes he had a lot of the ball against Port and he did set up a lot of scores but what I’m referring to is some of the shots he has been trying to go for: he kicked 0.3 and from memory some of them were Hail Marys. He’s generally (as highlighted by his goal assists - his numbers in general are high, he gets nearly 1 a game in addition to his goals) got very good vision. Spot someone up and get it to them and let them finish it off. He’s a good kick in his own right I’m not denying that but he’s not a freakish one.

I agree with you and I know his game well. It can look undesirable to us if a pass is remotely possible. So to continue having the confidence shot says he has been given the licence to take it. Blics has recently been a terrible set shot at goal and yesterday elected to take the tough shot rather than move it on, free possibilities. I’d rather have those points kicked from your little rover types on the fly, trusting some, but not all will work. Why knock the light out of them and call selfish.

 

[catempire]

Mannagh is putting together an excellent season. Can't be argued otherwise.

 

[maxy87]

Being a NSWelshman I have a lot of friends who’ve been converted from exclusive league followers (I’m a lifelong follower of both codes) to jumping on the Swans bandwagon.

The best way I could describe them - or 90 per cent of them is this way - they could tell you all the names of the swans players and maybe 2-3 of the very best opposition players if the opposition is a good side. They can’t tell you what the swans players do that is good beyond kick goals or rack up a lot of touches. They’re like a Melbourne Demons crowd without the football knowledge.

I agree with this analogy. I have lived in the inner west of Sydney for seven years and from my perspective, Aussie Rules is very much a niche activity for inner city upper middle class folk. While there are an increasing amount of young families in the inner suburbs embracing Aussie Rules and playing it, it is often the parents who are Victorian expats that are the most knowledgeable about the game itself. The Swans have this cult-like following in the eastern suburbs from Surry Hills through to Darlinghurst, Paddington and Bondi. The typical swans supporter follows the AFL because it’s niche and fashionable rather than having any passion for the game. And while the supporters can be pleasant during day games like yesterday, you get a lot of unpleasant, drunk and obnoxious (usually young) supporters at night games which is quite bizarre.

Highlights for me being at the ground yesterday were Miers’ running goal in the pocket and Neale’s sticky hands at the highest point of contact. A pleasure to watch. And while I’m pleased the Mullin and O’Connor were able to nullify the Swans’ dangerous mids, it remains a concern that our engine room is still often outgunned without hard defensive tags on individuals. Not sure if that’s sustainable for 2025 but we’ll see how things play out. As others have mentioned I think we are pretty close to playing the best 22 for this year now.

 

[canny30]

I agree with this analogy. I have lived in the inner west of Sydney for seven years and from my perspective, Aussie Rules is very much a niche activity for inner city upper middle class folk. While there are an increasing amount of young families in the inner suburbs embracing Aussie Rules and playing it, it is often the parents who are Victorian expats that are the most knowledgeable about the game itself. The Swans have this cult-like following in the eastern suburbs from Surry Hills through to Darlinghurst, Paddington and Bondi. The typical swans supporter follows the AFL because it’s niche and fashionable rather than having any passion for the game. And while the supporters can be pleasant during day games like yesterday, you get a lot of unpleasant, drunk and obnoxious (usually young) supporters at night games which is quite bizarre.

Highlights for me being at the ground yesterday were Miers’ running goal in the pocket and Neale’s sticky hands at the highest point of contact. A pleasure to watch. And while I’m pleased the Mullin and O’Connor were able to nullify the Swans’ dangerous mids, it remains a concern that our engine room is still often outgunned without hard defensive tags on individuals. Not sure if that’s sustainable for 2025 but we’ll see how things play out. As others have mentioned I think we are pretty close to playing the best 22 for this year now.

Spot on.

I think a lot for Swans fans are Swans fans because it's seen as 'edgey' and a separation of themselves from boofheads NRL fans.

 

[PhatBoy]

I agree with this analogy. I have lived in the inner west of Sydney for seven years and from my perspective, Aussie Rules is very much a niche activity for inner city upper middle class folk. While there are an increasing amount of young families in the inner suburbs embracing Aussie Rules and playing it, it is often the parents who are Victorian expats that are the most knowledgeable about the game itself. The Swans have this cult-like following in the eastern suburbs from Surry Hills through to Darlinghurst, Paddington and Bondi. The typical swans supporter follows the AFL because it’s niche and fashionable rather than having any passion for the game. And while the supporters can be pleasant during day games like yesterday, you get a lot of unpleasant, drunk and obnoxious (usually young) supporters at night games which is quite bizarre.

Highlights for me being at the ground yesterday were Miers’ running goal in the pocket and Neale’s sticky hands at the highest point of contact. A pleasure to watch. And while I’m pleased the Mullin and O’Connor were able to nullify the Swans’ dangerous mids, it remains a concern that our engine room is still often outgunned without hard defensive tags on individuals. Not sure if that’s sustainable for 2025 but we’ll see how things play out. As others have mentioned I think we are pretty close to playing the best 22 for this year now.

I was at the Nick Davis game with a lot of my mates who were on the wagon and I felt like the only cats fan in the stadium. What made it worse was that no one seemingly within 20 metres of me knew what was going on. They barely knew any of the Swans players let alone the Cats ones. It made it a lot harder to bite my tongue when they were piling shit on me

 

[dazbroncos]

I love the fact that multiple times this year when we haven't been switched on early it is Neale who has stepped up and got us going which he did again today.

Neale had a few tougher shots and he made them. He wont always, but the belief he is building not only in himself but with his teammates will be instrumental going forward.

Again - he's gonna have bad days and bad kicks and misses - but hes lifting his floor.

GO Catters

 

[standupand]

I had massive question marks over whether he'd make it around the middle of last year. I reckon it was the GC game in Darwin when he looked so tentative and dropped 4 or 5 simple marks which made me question whether he could ever be relied upon as a key forward.

But he turned it around to be serviceable in the back half of last year then since that breakout game against the dogs he's been unreal.

Such an amazing turnaround with Neale's contested marking in recent weeks. It's gone from a weakness to a decisive strength. It's like he'd been playing without his contact lenses in all this time or something.

The other thing he offers that is invaluable especially since Rohan retired is that serious pressure on backline playmakers. He's big and he's quick. That run down tackle he put on one of the swans (can't remember who) was inspirational for the team. Shades of Otto in 07.