Review Comeback Cats def Freo by 10

[Lingsface]

I don’t rate longmuir tactically. Bucks is a great communicator and seems to have a good tactical head on him when you listen to him.

Think we are in good stead.

Most impressed with rahilly and Kelly, but in particular rahilly I think goes under the radar

Scott is a generational coach and someone who will be impossible to replace imo when he goes

Longmuir was actually assistant to Buckley for quite a long time.

 

[Play it Sam]

Well I think its fairly obvious that longmuir isnt the best coach tactically given the list he has. But Buckley seems pretty switched on-i think he will do well at tassie.

Switched down. It wouldn't be easy playing 2nd banana when you've ruled the roost as head coach.
Did he sit beside Malthouse? can't remember, but know he was Eddie's plot. If so-
You couldn't get a greater contrast than between Malthouse fire and brimstone and Scott's calm demeanor.
Definitely a learning experience to suck up.

 

[Lingsface]

Longmuir talking in tears, opening round has mostly a large percentage of the top sides playing in it, this year 6 of the top 8 sides were in the opening round. Is it a surprise that they often beat the team the next week as well?

The year before there were only 2 games played because of weather those sides were Sydney, Hawks, Giants and Collingwood. 3 played finals.

Also in Brisbane premiership year they played Freo in rd 1 after playing in the opening round and Brisbane lost hahaha.

Last year we didn't play opening round and had to play Freo round 1 and won by 80 plus.

 

[Play it Sam]

Longmuir talking in tears, opening round has mostly a large percentage of the top sides playing in it, this year 6 of the top 8 sides were in the opening round. Is it a surprise that they often beat the team the next week as well?

The year before there were only 2 games played because of weather those sides were Sydney, Hawks, Giants and Collingwood. 3 played finals.

Also in Brisbane premiership year they played Freo in rd 1 after playing in the opening round and Brisbane lost hahaha.

Last year we didn't play opening round and had to play Freo round 1 and won by 80 plus.

Didn't think it out did he? Sour grapes, when they've had tons more time to be fit for rd one and were still gassed out..Since when does the AFL listen to fixturing gripes anyway, when's the last time Collingwood played at GMHBA? etc. Zero is not popular, but just get on with it until next year when it's scuttled, and not because of Freo's moaning.

 

[Stab Pass]

I would have thought that just about every coach in the competition would have preferred a week off vs playing the Suns in March in Qld. The heat and humidity knock the players around normally and I'd guess that first up the impact would be greater. One thing that hasn't been discussed is how well the players have run both games out. Still pushing in the heat in the last against the Suns and ran over Freo in the last Saturday. Fitness levels seem really good. I wonder if the slow start was a bit of side effect of the conditions against the Suns.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I think they may play Edwards against mcandrew (although hes physically older he has limited afl experience so good match up for Edwards whereas I cant see mitch playing vs Hawks on Easter monday).
Worpel and Bowes for oconnor and close personally. Although I wouldn't lose sleep to see Martin or mullin lose their spots.

I like Bowes and his versatility, not completely sold on Worpel but why are we assuming they will walk back into the side?

 

[cats_09]

 

[Balardong]

Our 3 most recent games, one of which mattered a lot.
And the late capitulation to allow their small forwards to run riot was abysmal.

And Dudley and Bolton combined for 5.2, 2 goal assists and 15 score involvements. One was dangerous and the other not as quiet as is being made out. Zach Guthrie and Humphries had poor games defensively. Last week was no different and the GF was utterly shocking with Guthrie, Humphries and Mullin all culpable.

Humphries was Geelong’s best backman defensively in last years grand final by a long way. He had numerous desperate spoils, game saving tackles and situations where he had to choose which Brisbane player was the most dangerous in the face of constant entries due to Geelong’s midfield not being defensively accountable

 

[Flat Punt Doug]

Like other key players who will need to be managed during the season, Danger being the obvious, young Mitch Edwards will also need to be given some balance as to when he plays and for how long he plays when he is selected. Having just re-watched the second qtr, his first spell, being the first 10 mins after qtr time, was as good as anything we've seen since Stanley at his best imo. You could argue that he had Darcy only during this time but as they say, you can only beat who you're against. No doubt all Cats lifted their intensity after the qtr time bake from Scott, but Edwards' dominance allowed the Dash Brothers and Miers to kick in to gear and in turn Managh and Cameron. Great signs from the young bloke and should give us some optimism that finally, we might be seeing the emergence of our next generational ruckman.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Didn't think it out did he? Sour grapes, when they've had tons more time to be fit for rd one and were still gassed out..Since when does the AFL listen to fixturing gripes anyway, when's the last time Collingwood played at GMHBA? etc. Zero is not popular, but just get on with it until next year when it's scuttled, and not because of Freo's moaning.

In fairness he didn't raise the issue at the Press Conference but , stupidly , he went on with it rather than shut it down - rookie mistake.
The expectation for "Flagmantle" is huge this year and he will be scrutinised by local media and fans constantly , we love our AFL in WA ( spoken by a former Melburnian)

I wonder what he's like with the players - he comes across as insipid and very vanilla in the media.
Even more so in person - I was on the same flight as him coming across for the 22GF.
Had a few minutes chat and he was totally uninspiring , was willing to talk but there just wasn't a spark or smile to be had.
Might have been having an off day but you do wonder.............

 

[cats_09]

 

[IMCat]

 

[Jumping Jack]

Longmuir talking in tears, opening round has mostly a large percentage of the top sides playing in it, this year 6 of the top 8 sides were in the opening round. Is it a surprise that they often beat the team the next week as well?

The year before there were only 2 games played because of weather those sides were Sydney, Hawks, Giants and Collingwood. 3 played finals.

Also in Brisbane premiership year they played Freo in rd 1 after playing in the opening round and Brisbane lost hahaha.

Last year we didn't play opening round and had to play Freo round 1 and won by 80 plus.

Some very direct feedback from Caroline Wilson to Fremantle - stop complaining.

When Caro has a crack at someone to stop complaining - given her elite level of complaining she displays - then you know it might be time to zip it and move on.

I think if Longmuir had his time over he'd probably just let this one slide.

 

[Play it Sam]

In fairness he didn't raise the issue at the Press Conference but , stupidly , he went on with it rather than shut it down - rookie mistake.
The expectation for "Flagmantle" is huge this year and he will be scrutinised by local media and fans constantly , we love our AFL in WA ( spoken by a former Melburnian)

I wonder what he's like with the players - he comes across as insipid and very vanilla in the media.
Even more so in person - I was on the same flight as him coming across for the 22GF.
Had a few minutes chat and he was totally uninspiring , was willing to talk but there just wasn't a spark or smile to be had.
Might have been having an off day but you do wonder.............

No one likes a whinger, or excuses, and I'm sure Scott would never publicly use fixturing or weather as a feature in a loss. However he did predict that zero round will be dropped next year, due to clashes with other events- and that sounds as good as any AFL excuse to rethink it.
Funny, I was in an airport lounge with their Captain, and if you think SDK is laconic, this guy is so laid back he's almost horizontal. Must be the water over there.

 

[CatRiot]

Bloody good win.

 

[Play it Sam]

Some very direct feedback from Caroline Wilson to Fremantle - stop complaining.

When Caro has a crack at someone to stop complaining - given her elite level of complaining she displays - then you know it might be time to zip it and move on.

I think if Longmuir had his time over he'd probably just let this one slide.

Will she still be slagging them off in six months time, like her sulk fest with Bailey Smith?
No one watches that dinosaur, she's irrelevant, histrionic and insulting.
There are better, more in touch women in sport. Sack Caro and her "inside information" now that Tigers have bottomed out, get someone like Abbey who is well informed and liked by Clubs and has their trust .

 

[bruce lindner]

Buckley's balance of media and assistant coaching roles appear to be already blurred and compromisable. I think it needs to be more boundaried whereby he doesn't speak to Geelong games. The inner sanctum quarter time disclosures from last week's match day on 'On The Couch' contrast the very private manner in which we usually operate. It didn't sit well with me that he was willing to cross a mark in terms of detailing the content and quality of interactions with Scott at quarter time when he could have easily flat batted it in many other ways so all masters were still served.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Will she still be slagging them off in six months time, like her sulk fest with Bailey Smith?
No one watches that dinosaur, she's irrelevant, histrionic and insulting.
There are better, more in touch women in sport. Sack Caro and her "inside information" now that Tigers have bottomed out, get someone like Abbey who is well informed and liked by Clubs and has their trust .

Can't say I disagree. It seems we live in a time where you can't offend anyone, but if I'm brutally honest I really only want to hear from people who have played the men's game at the highest level and preferably, in more recent times. Caro seems to be well beyond her best - as has been the case for many male commentators or journos.

I think it's great that the AFLW was developed as an outlier to the men's game, but from a commentary perspective, I just don't enjoy hearing women commentate on the men's game. I know people will use the Dennis Cometti or Bruce McAvaney argument, and it's a fair point, but just a personal thing that I'm not sure women in commentary on the men's game is universally loved. I have a niece who hates women commentating on the men's game. And before people get wound up and easily offended....... yes I know women make up 50% of the population and it's 2026 and we're all woke do gooders who have to toe the line.

Just a personal opinion and not intended to offend.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Longmuir talking in tears, opening round has mostly a large percentage of the top sides playing in it, this year 6 of the top 8 sides were in the opening round. Is it a surprise that they often beat the team the next week as well?

The year before there were only 2 games played because of weather those sides were Sydney, Hawks, Giants and Collingwood. 3 played finals.

Also in Brisbane premiership year they played Freo in rd 1 after playing in the opening round and Brisbane lost hahaha.

Last year we didn't play opening round and had to play Freo round 1 and won by 80 plus.

Was a coach clearly under pressure who got his ass paddled in the coaches box that let emotions get to him.

Freo had a longer pre season than geelong, and what are pre season games and training apparently for?? If you don’t use pre season to prepare your players for round one that’s your problem.

 

[Badtemperedbadger]

Close is clearly making an effort. You just have to watch him to see that. But his form is a) a bit down and b) whatever his role is whether it’s specific to work in other areas aside from impacting the scoreboard or not, the fact is that you notice a player less if the have traditionally been a goal a game small forward who also sets a lot of goals up, and suddenly they aren’t doing that. You notice goals, you notice goal assists. When someone stops doing those two things, AND the aren’t a ball winning midfielder/defender, or a one on one defender constantly spoiling the ball against a big name forward, it becomes a challenge just to work out whether someone is having a good game sometimes.

Close is definitely not playing well but after watching the replay it’s clear that his effort isn’t down at all that’s for sure

This is a really good summation
Watch the replay very closely myself
Decided to concentrate on the errors more than the great play that Geelong produced after quarter time
Not here as an apologist nor am I here to 2 blindly support a player
I did notice that in many passages of play involving close that at times he was a little fumbly
I think in the modern game of football this can play on your mind a bit under pressure and it’s very hard to turn around
Having said that quite a few of players directed at him or through him mainly handballs were not particularly well directed
Which put him under more pressure
While it’s noted that some on here are saying he’s not getting front and square I did notice many times. He was in a good position to provide an important link in defending or moving the ball forward.
Normally, his quick thinking and clean hands are what set him apart, this has deserted him to some degree at the moment
I’m not advocating strongly that he shouldn’t be dropped to the VFL as in some way it may infect helping him
I do agree very much with your opinion that certainly it’s not lack of effort on Brad Close behalf

 

[Play it Sam]

Can't say I disagree. It seems we live in a time where you can't offend anyone, but if I'm brutally honest I really only want to hear from people who have played the men's game at the highest level and preferably, in more recent times. Caro seems to be well beyond her best - as has been the case for many male commentators or journos.

I think it's great that the AFLW was developed as an outlier to the men's game, but from a commentary perspective, I just don't enjoy hearing women commentate on the men's game. I know people will use the Dennis Cometti or Bruce McAvaney argument, and it's a fair point, but just a personal thing that I'm not sure women in commentary on the men's game is universally loved. I have a niece who hates women commentating on the men's game. And before people get wound up and easily offended....... yes I know women make up 50% of the population and it's 2026 and we're all woke do gooders who have to toe the line.

Just a personal opinion and not intended to offend.

Caro is an observer, not a game day commentator- that gig was ruined for women by one totally inappropriate caller who was quickly dropped. Caro's claim to fame, a sports journalist who happens to be the first woman included on a televised footy panel, and came up the hard way, before inclusion.
Times have moved on, and her brand of gossip does the game and viewing public no service. There's been female boundary riders, ex players (like Daisy) and panellists (who mostly host) who are great at their job and don't disturb and aggravate just for clicks like motormouth Caro.
I love women in sport, but they have to be as interesting and experienced and genuine as their male counterparts, and not just politically correct appointments and vicious decoration.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

This is a really good summation
Watch the replay very closely myself
Decided to concentrate on the errors more than the great play that Geelong produced after quarter time
Not here as an apologist nor am I here to 2 blindly support a player
I did notice that in many passages of play involving close that at times he was a little fumbly
I think in the modern game of football this can play on your mind a bit under pressure and it’s very hard to turn around
Having said that quite a few of players directed at him or through him mainly handballs were not particularly well directed
Which put him under more pressure
While it’s noted that some on here are saying he’s not getting front and square I did notice many times. He was in a good position to provide an important link in defending or moving the ball forward.
Normally, his quick thinking and clean hands are what set him apart, this has deserted him to some degree at the moment
I’m not advocating strongly that he shouldn’t be dropped to the VFL as in some way it may infect helping him
I do agree very much with your opinion that certainly it’s not lack of effort on Brad Close behalf

He is not going to get dropped because his style and strengths are overall the strengths of our team when they are up and running as a whole and he compliments it.

Our game strengths are endurance running and transitioning between the arcs both offense and defense. Close is a high endurance running small.

Take away close and who do you replace him with?? Either at this point a medium marking forward aka polkinghorne who isn’t going to make our strengths better, or a defender like Hoffman.

Scott isn’t going to give up run and transition numbers for a deep marking medium forward. This will worsen our overall game.

He is probably right now competing with Ollie Wiltshire for a spot in our 23. We don’t have any other small or medium endurance forwards who work up and down the ground

 

[Play it Sam]

Maybe. He didn't give anything strategic away, rather complimentary (with Hawk) to Scott's demeanor when the media were gagging to make more of it. Trying to make Scott look emotive and nasty. Pretty obvious that defenders were down, and they all had to address it, it was the manner in the way Bucks was consulted that he was defending.

 

[Pollywaffle]

No one likes a whinger, or excuses, and I'm sure Scott would never publicly use fixturing or weather as a feature in a loss. However he did predict that zero round will be dropped next year, due to clashes with other events- and that sounds as good as any AFL excuse to rethink it.
Funny, I was in an airport lounge with their Captain, and if you think SDK is laconic, this guy is so laid back he's almost horizontal. Must be the water over there.

I presume talking about Pearce ? Doesn't bring the ‘laconic’ on to field though like SDK

 

[Footy Smarts]

Buckley's balance of media and assistant coaching roles appear to be already blurred and compromisable. I think it needs to be more boundaried whereby he doesn't speak to Geelong games. The inner sanctum quarter time disclosures from last week's match day on 'On The Couch' contrast the very private manner in which we usually operate. It didn't sit well with me that he was willing to cross a mark in terms of detailing the content and quality of interactions with Scott at quarter time when he could have easily flat batted it in many other ways so all masters were still served.

I'm not sure he said much. Said we wanted to change structure but didn't say what it was. And then basically played down how fiery it really was and talked generally about Scott's communication style. It's not exactly ground breaking stuff.

Ultimately we went after him and agreed to this arrangement. If he said something he shouldn't have he'll get it pointed out to him. But I doubt he did because it was all pretty general stuff.