No Oppo Supporters Geelong defeated by Richmond in PF by 19 points

[Chinacats]

As will we.

People are disappointed and angry after the loss right now, and as is expected will see the team through black coloured glasses for a while. A couple of retirements may well do us good, give us a bit more speed and force some changes to the game plan. We have a good list, one I would argue is better than Richmond's, however they use theirs better at the moment and their game plan plays to their strengths.

The coaching staff need to do a re-jig of the game plan over the off season, that much is clear (to us, and hopefully to them). We were better than we were last year. With another pre-season into the young players, and the experience they gained this season, plus some changes to the game plan, I expect we'll be better again next year.

Unfortunately 12 other teams will be better at a higher rate than the better you’re thinking of for the cats. Kelly, Taylor, Ablett out. Selwood, Danger, Hawkins year older. Gonna be tough to get better

 

[maxy87]

I’ve said my piece over the last few weeks, and don’t have a huge amount more to add, but I will say this:
Weighing everything up, I actually think Chris Scott is good coach. To get this fairly ordinary, duct-taped together list into the top 4 and a preliminary final is a fair effort. He’s doing something right, and I think it’s largely tactical and facilitated by our unique home ground advantage at Kardinia Park. This is not me “accepting mediocrity” as some like to put it. On the whole, I actually think we’re a vastly overrated team, structured like a pyramid, overly reliant on a top 5 who are elite, but carried by the rest who are pretty average or past their best. I was happy that the team had a crack last night and really enjoyed watching some passages of play in the first half. In years gone by our finals have been over at quarter time in embarrassing fashion.

As I mentioned in a lengthy post last week, the “BS needs to end now”. And I stand by that. We reap what we sow. And, with the benefit of hindsight, 8 years of relatively poor drafting (notwithstanding limited access to the top end of the draft), poor trading (designed to plug holes with recycled rejects from other clubs) and some bad luck (e.g. Menzel’s fitness, Bundy leaving) has left us a competitive, formidable though ultimately flawed team with limited upside and from my perspective, designed to achieve corporate objectives (memberships etc.) rather than actually win flags. Smacks of the Adelaide Crows and Sydney Swans.

I can’t help but feel the the modern game has gone past a lot of our key players and we are simply marking time until they retire (Harry Taylor, Selwood, Ablett, even Hawkins to an extent). They have been great players and I have great memories, but most of these memories were made in a different era (2007-2013).

We have a huge opportunity to do some list renovation for next year. Starting with getting some top picks for Kelly hopefully (who I think is very overrated anyway). I think Harry should retire, Selwood should retire if not go to the half back like and Ablett should retire if not play predominantly as a forward next year. I would be seriously considering trading out players who are unlikely to improve at the GFC and may still have currency elsewhere (Stanley, Touhy, Henderson for starters. Maybe even Guthrie and Duncan, though I am a fan of the latter).

Anyhow, the sun came up today and it’s a nice day outside. Keep some perspective everyone

 

[thecatattack]

Unfortunately 12 other teams will be better at a higher rate than the better you’re thinking of for the cats. Kelly, Taylor, Ablett out. Selwood, Danger, Hawkins year older. Gonna be tough to get better

Every single year since 2010 we've been "older and gonna be tough to get better".

Remember "Too Old, Too Slow, Too Good" in 2011?

 

[mcwilrob]

I think most of them would’ve been worried about getting their head bitten off by Scott. Tom browne in particular seemed intimidated and he generally asks 70% of the questions

Yeah. Where was the pointed question about this being the FOURTH prelim loss in a row under Scott since 2011?!! OR the question about why Blicavs wasn't sent into defence when they got rolling big time in Q3?!!

 

[Footy Smarts]

On this one, what else is he meant to do? 3 Cats players behind him, should he give it up to no.23 there?

Take the tackle and have another bounce. Instead the ball spilled to Soldo who luckily fumbled and Parfitt was quick enough to lay a good tackle. Ridiculous when we're getting overrun in the middle and need a steady hand to try a miracle no look overhead handball.

 

[Chinacats]

Every single year since 2010 we've been "older and gonna be tough to get better".

Remember "Too Old, Too Slow, Too Good" in 2011?

True, but we haven’t gotten better after prelim years, because we haven’t made a GF.

 

[cats_09]

What's this nonsense about danger not being in the centre early in the 3rd quarter?

First bounce after half time he was looking up in there next to Cotchin:

View attachment 750108

It was Cotchin who had a free run to tackle Stanley and cause the turnover for their first goal:

View attachment 750110

Then he was in there (left of screen) fur the second bounce:

View attachment 750112

And then he demanded Guthrie leave the centre square for the 3rd bounce so he could try a ridiculous overhead handball:

View attachment 750117

Overall he was in 5 of the 6 centre bounces in the 3rd quarter.

Thank you - I didn't think he started forward too often the 3rd quarter.

I was sitting behind through cheer squad, so in the 3rd quarter it was the end we were kicking to. My memory was Henderson heading straight to the goal square in the third, but then I started second guessing things with what others on here were saying.

And I don't remember Danger starting in the goal square to often or at all. He started in the forward line when Richmond kicked their 2nd & 3rd goals in the first quarter, but he was closer to the 50m arc and played as a high forward rather than deep forward target.

 

[mcwilrob]

That's the big one for me.

Blicavs on Lynch should have been a no-brainer but why was he moved from FB in the first place when we had such a good defensive structure for the first half of the year; makes absolutely no sense to me.

Because Scott tries to be too smart for his own good - unfortunately the whole team (and its supporters) suffer the consequences. He really needs to GO!!

 

[Chinacats]

Time for list management thread???
I think cockatoo can be a replacement for Kelly, but his bloody injuries really p me off.
Not sure about jack Steven 30+ & fat.
Really need a high end pick and a first rounder with quality. Fogarty doesn’t seem to be that good.
Out: Taylor, Ablett, s Selwood, Buzza, Henderson, z Smith, Abbott, Fort
I think constable should be given a try, Krueger given a try.
Bring in a ruck- Sean Darcy???
Outside speed , running half back and speedy half forward .
Need new coaching blood too! Not Geelong old boys either.

 

[thecatattack]

Take the tackle and have another bounce. Instead the ball spilled to Soldo who luckily fumbled and Parfitt was quick enough to lay a good tackle. Ridiculous when we're getting overrun in the middle and need a steady hand to try a miracle no look overhead handball.

I don't disagree about holding it in for a bounce but we're getting overrun in the midfield and they are able to shit on us around bounces so I don't think that would've helped us.

 

[Mahlepi]

Thank you - I didn't think he started forward too often the 3rd quarter.

I was sitting behind through cheer squad, so in the 3rd quarter it was the end we were kicking to. My memory was Henderson heading straight to the goal square in the third, but then I started second guessing things with what others on here were saying.

And I don't remember Danger starting in the goal square to often or at all. He started in the forward line when Richmond kicked their 2nd & 3rd goals in the first quarter, but he was closer to the 50m arc and played as a high forward rather than deep forward target.

the bullshit commentators are blaming geelong for starting danger in the forward line al through the third
danger was shite in the 3rd
accept it and move on

 

[ATSAM]

Good observation. Reckon I saw the same thing. He seemed visibly shocked at one point when he had the ball and the crowd were giving it to him.

And therin lies another problem we have. No leadership from our senior blokes. We need one player who sacrifices his game every now and then to be the enforcer.

 

[Strange Cat]

Of course Houli is free to play despite having a big record

The AFL is corrupt

 

[Willo_]

That describes so many players though - give them a set role, something to take ownership of and watch them grow with the responsibilty

When players are shifted around on a regular basis and there's uncertainty around their role, that's when they struggle more - also seems they become more hesitant and look to not make mistakes rather than play on instinct and back themselves in as they do when comfortable with their role & position in the team

It's why Richmond became a good team, they don't get cute, they don't experiment.
They have the same players in the same positions and roles week in week out.. And the confidence grows, they learn and develop an instinct for where each other will be, what they will do with it and that only fuels the confidence and makes them even harder to stop.

All the talk of Scott not having plan B are absolute horseshit, if anything he gets too cute and plays with the game plan too much... Which causes the side to never truely settle

 

[Willo_]

Of course Houli is free to play despite having a big record

The AFL is corrupt

He's free to play cos there was nothing in it, at absolute worst it was a fine.

Take off the Geelong goggles, if one of ours did that we would riot if they were rubbed out

 

[Strange Cat]

He's free to play cos there was nothing in it, at absolute worst it was a fine.

Take off the Geelong goggles, if one of ours did that we would riot if they were rubbed out

Hit in the back of the head where he has a history of striking players

Yeah nah corrupt

 

[Footy Smarts]

I don't disagree about holding it in for a bounce but we're getting overrun in the midfield and they are able to s**t on us around bounces so I don't think that would've helped us.

With a secondary bounce we get numbers around it and can set up our defence rather than the fast ball from the centre.

My issue with danger is that he tries this miracle crap in every final and continually fails. He gave away 3 goals from crap like that in the first quarter of the prelim against Sydney a couple of years ago. Then he spoiled his team mate by being greedy against Adelaide. It's consistent every final at key moments he tries to do the miracle play and hurts us time and time again. It's bad enough when his lack of defence costs us like not having body on Cotchin giving him free run at Stanley at the first centre bounce after half time. But when it's just selfish look at me crap it must be utterly dispiriting for the team.

 

[cats_09]

the bulls**t commentators are blaming geelong for starting danger in the forward line al through the third
danger was s**t in the 3rd
accept it and move on

Huh - I never commented on Dangers efforts or performance in the third quarter. Just that I didn't remember him starting the third quarter up forward and as per the post I quoted, there's screenshots of him starting in the middle

 

[feelinfeline]

Time for list management thread???
I think cockatoo can be a replacement for Kelly, but his bloody injuries really p me off.
Not sure about jack Steven 30+ & fat.
Really need a high end pick and a first rounder with quality. Fogarty doesn’t seem to be that good.
Out: Taylor, Ablett, s Selwood, Buzza, Henderson, z Smith, Abbott, Fort
I think constable should be given a try, Krueger given a try.
Bring in a ruck- Sean Darcy???
Outside speed , running half back and speedy half forward .
Need new coaching blood too! Not Geelong old boys either.

Abbott and Fort are both contracted for next year. They won't be going anywhere.

We had a big clean-out at the end of last year so I think they'll be loathe to do it again.

Henderson might get another year with the proviso he may play most or all in the VFL.

Jones may also be on shaky ground, and who knows with Cunico. Hope he gets another at least after spending all of this year on the sidelines.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

What did people think of Menegola's game last night?

I thought he was pretty good though i would like to see him clunk a few more marks when he goes forward.

Did OK. His rep is when we play crap in the finals so does he. Very few players can go against the tide under finals pressure. Ablett, Selwood, SJ. Thats about it for us.

 

[mcwilrob]

Reading the AFL website their ratings of the Geelong players were shall we say, generous.

Yeah - thought the same thing

 

[fpm84]

He's free to play cos there was nothing in it, at absolute worst it was a fine.

Take off the Geelong goggles, if one of ours did that we would riot if they were rubbed out

Don’t see much difference at all between Houli’s action and Hawkins last week.

Both miles off the ball, both caused no damage to the opponent.

So why is Hawkins’ labelled low impact and Houli’s insufficient force?

 

[thecatattack]

He's free to play cos there was nothing in it, at absolute worst it was a fine.

Take off the Geelong goggles, if one of ours did that we would riot if they were rubbed out

Well off the ball and a high elbow.

Miers went down, got up stumbling and groggy before going off but played out the game like Schofield.

Surely a week.

 

[fpm84]

Henderson might get another year with the proviso he may play most of all in the VFL.

Unless we are planning to recruit a KPD next month, Hendo is a round 1 2020 lock IMO. He will slot into Taylor’s role - we don’t have anyone else to do it.

 

[thecatattack]

Unless we are planning to recruit a KPD next month, Hendo is a round 1 2020 lock IMO. He will slot into Taylor’s role - we don’t have anyone else to do it.

Should play Blitz in Taylor's spot instead of the wing imo.