Geelong v Kangaroos; Thoughts?

[catters05]

********house, I know its pre-season, but they could put a better effort in then that.

Good win by the roos.

Trying to find positives.........................................Still trying.

 

[rizzo]

Only one word can discribe what im thinking. and that is Meh

we were nothing short of terrible. Our forward line was a disgrace aswell.

Positives
Egan - Looked at home down back (When on the ground)
Ottens - Dominated in the ruck
Bartel - Hasnt lost any touch


Negatives
Disposal shocking
Manning up disgraceful
David Haynes, Kent Kingsley - Horrible games
Paul Chapman - 6 Touches, 5 frees against. It was a crumbers day dream, he went missing when he was needed.

 

[GeeCat]

Negatives
Disposal shocking

Considering the conditions, I wouldn't be looking for crisp disposal within the match.

Today was most definitely not a day for the talls (perhaps the explaination behind the dropping of Mark Blake?). Haynes and Kingsley failed to make any real impact, although one could argue today was a leading forward's nightmare.

H started off slowly, but worked his way into the game with solid leading, providing good contests, second efforts and bringing the ball to ground.

Ottens suffered alot up forward, although he provided a few good second efforts. Today perhaps wasn't a fair indication to the type of foward presence he should provide. However, he faired much better in the ruck, leading numerous shortlived revivals. Will really need to see him in better suiting conditions before one makes any judgement on him.

 

[JUBJUB]

Positives
Egan - Looked at home down back (When on the ground)
Ottens - Dominated in the ruck
Bartel - Hasnt lost any touch

I'd add one more positive.The return of Kelly and Rooke.

 

[rizzo]

Considering the conditions, I wouldn't be looking for crisp disposal within the match.

.

I wasnt looking for crisp disposal. I just thought that they mucked around with the ball to much and they missed easy targets.

 

[catempire]

I wasnt looking for crisp disposal. I just thought that they mucked around with the ball to much and they missed easy targets.

Just got back from the game and I agree rizzo - they over-posessed.

The main things I took from the game:

1. We forgot how to play wet weather football. Did it so well last year and must have forgotten that the simplest plans work the best in the wet. That is, kick long, knock the ball forward, minimise handballs and... oh yeah... kick long! I couldn't believe how often I saw guys like Hunt try to chip to a teamate sideways rather than clearing it from the defensive zone. They'll need to watch some tapes from last season to get back on track in these regards because, as we all know, there'll be quite a few games in similar conditions at Skilled.

2. Forward line did not function in the wet. The mobility of Ottens and Playfair in these conditions was very suspect and Brown exploited this quite well. Steve Johnson back in will help, but Bomber should have realised earlier and put Kingsley back in the goalsquare and Ottens in the ruck with Ablett and Chapman deep. I liked Mackie's game and think he really showed his worth with a strong attack on the ball and good defensive pressure when North had the ball. All that said, Ottens and H will enjoy some dryer condtions in future.

3. Our midfield was beaten quite soundly. Bartel had a great game and Tenace showed glimpses of his preseason form. Ling was towelled early and tried hard as usual but I felt his opponent (Rawlings?) ran off him a bit too easily, especially in the first half. It was good to see Kel back out there but it wasn't a great performance from him. I'll probably get shot down for this, but Byrnes worries me a bit. He really has a crack and puts his body in there but his small frame means he gets pushed off the ball quite easily. I'd like to see him play on a dry day on a big ground though, it will suit him much better.

Finally, it's only the Wizard and we can look forward to the return of King, Milburn, Corey, Steve Johnson and others.

The disappointing thing for me was that I waited all summer for this and now it's another month until I get to see a live game!

 

[Sammy D]

1. We forgot how to play wet weather football. Did it so well last year and must have forgotten that the simplest plans work the best in the wet. That is, kick long, knock the ball forward, minimise handballs and... oh yeah... kick long! I couldn't believe how often I saw guys like Hunt try to chip to a teamate sideways rather than clearing it from the defensive zone. They'll need to watch some tapes from last season to get back on track in these regards because, as we all know, there'll be quite a few games in similar conditions at Skilled.

Damn Straight

 

[kelman]

We're going to be missing 5 of our best 22 and a couple more fringe players.

North are missing Leigh Colbert and Corza.

If North don't beat us today they're struggling.

What crap!

King and johnson are the only big losses.

It is only Wiz cup, but nice call phat.

If we win: Herculean effort
If we lose: Depleted, we should have lost

Maybe you should read the quote you have on your posts, I'm sure Matty Scarlett (your best player, and by the way, he WAS playing) wouldn't make the same excuses.

 

[ecleftic]

What crap!

King and johnson are the only big losses.

IQUOTE]

I'd add Dasher, Corey and Sando as big losses.

 

[kelman]

What crap!

King and johnson are the only big losses.

IQUOTE]

I'd add Dasher and Corey as big losses.

Who is Dasher?

Corey is a good player, but so is Corey when he is going.

Colby is vital - very glad they rested him.

 

[Ricketts]

Who is Dasher?

Milburn

 

[kelman]

Milburn

yeah, Milburn is pretty ********ing good. Would love him at North.

He reminds me of one of those quite psychos at the work place who ends up killing everyone he knows....which is good on a footy field, but bad in society.


If you Catters just get rid of Kingsley, you have almost got a 22 that I enjoy.

 

[Sammy D]

If you Catters just get rid of Kingsley, you have almost got a 22 that I enjoy.

Dont worry, we dont enjoy him either

 

[Contra Mundum]

I enjoyed the game but as someone wisely said about the Wizard Cup on the main board: if you win it is an important indicator where your team is headed; if you lose it is just a bull******** practice match that means nothing.

[I'll take the win though]

PS: I have to agree with other posters about Gary Albett Jnr - the guy is well on the way to being a marquee player!

PPS: Not seeing many Geelong games you forget how good Scarlett is - some of his runs out of defence in those conditions where Dench like.

 

[Z_K]

I was surprised that you blokes weren't harder at it.

Ablett was the only one who looked capable of hurting us. I love him. He is a gun. Sansbury did ok on him, but he still looked like killing us.

Scarlett is a superstar. Best FB I have ever seen.

Tenace and Kelly looked a cut above your other midfielders.

 

[Bobby Giovanni]

I was surprised that you blokes weren't harder at it.

Not as surprised as me. Pathetic.

 

[LongBomb]

Agreed. Our attack on the ball was virtually non existent.

 

[Cattas_21]

i thought we really struggled when the ball got to our half forwrad line...there was no presence there to get the ball into our forward 50.. we are gonna miss benny coz he gave us heaps on the half forward line last year and theres no1 that can take his place just yet.. H tried hard but the conditions didnt suit him and he is nowhere near as good as benny was..

 

[Turbocat]

I know this probably sounds like a Malthouse excuse but I wonder if North were just little further advanced than us. After watch the boys at K Park I felt they were really only playing 3/4 pace. It was not only us on the Weekend,, StKilda looked ordinary against the 2nd worst side from last year. In the last quarter when for around 5-10 minutes the game was "on" we looked rushed and not use to the pressure.I think it was Enright who twice tried to go before he had the ball, consequently fumbleing it.I can be as hard anybody them but Id wouldnt judge guys like Haynes or KK in those conditions. In a way it reminded me of the West Coast game last year when every one was waiting for someone else to get something happening , just stuck in third gear.
To me Rooke looked good, Tenace showed quite a bit in those conditions,Ottens looked our best second option in the ruck for some time and HairyCat showed glimpses of the strech of form that he had thru the middle of last year. North just too good on the day but I look forward to the return match

 

[Lacquer Head]

Wasn't much of a spectacle, but its been so long since I saw a game, it was good to see the boys run around again.