Herald-Sun 2005 Geelong review

JUBJUB

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Geelong end-of-season report
23 September 2005 Herald Sun
Jon Anderson

All Cats need is a good vet.

LADDER POSITION: 5th (13 wins, 11 losses)

COACH

Given crucial and long-term injuries, fifth was an acceptable finish, but patience will run out in Mark Thompson's seventh year if the Cats don't mount a serious challenge. Thompson was his normal self, showing little emotion apart from a spirited defence of recruit Brad Ottens in Round 3. 14/20

DEFENCE

This unit was never complete after David Wojcinski was hurt in Round 2 and Tom Harley missed half the year. Matthew Scarlett alternated between fair and brilliant, Matthew Egan announced his arrival while Josh Hunt started well but was flat by the end. Darren Milburn, Joel Corey and Corey Enright all alternated back with good results. Cam Mooney floated around, playing best when loose. 6/10

MIDFIELD

Good apart from a lack of genuine leg speed, making it imperative that Kane Tenace and Shannon Byrnes keep developing. Cameron Ling was durable (he's missed three games in four years) and prolific, Joel Corey had his best year and James Kelly showed in the finals the level he's capable of achieving. Jimmy Bartel played good, solid football. 7/10

RUCK STRENGTH

What should have been a strength was cruelled by injuries to Steven King and Brad Ottens. Mark Blake had a taste and remains in the uncertain basket, Paul Chambers is honest but lacks class. 5/10

FORWARDS

Henry Playfair covered the loss of Ben Graham for 11 rounds, then had his jaw broken and struggled for marking confidence. Ottens was serviceable at full-forward and Kent Kingsley kicked 57.40 as a leading option. Paul Chapman and Gary Ablett kicked 29 each to remain the best small double-act in the competition.

Steve Johnson and Andrew Mackie, with full pre-seasons behind them, are a mouth-watering thought for Cat fans. 6/10

LEADERSHIP

With King absent or playing injured it brought pressure on this area of his game. He needs a pre-season to get a battered 26-year-old body right. Ling has natural leadership and Playfair could become a surprise leader should his form keep improving. 13/20

LIST MANAGEMENT

There aren't too many holes on the list with improvement expected to come from Nathan Ablett, Egan, Johnson, Mackie, Playfair and Tenace. 15/20

OVERALL GRADE

66/100 P

SHINING LIGHT

DARREN MILBURN

Deserves a club B&F just as he deserved All-Australian selection.

A very smart footballer. When he plays well, Geelong plays well.

Off-field PERFORMANCE

A bonanza. The club paid off its bank debts, signed up record membership numbers, opened its new stand and is set to record a profit.

WHAT GEELONG NEEDS

Having traded their early draft picks to get Brad Ottens last year, expect the Cats to go young this time.

One priority is to keep local products in Geelong -- Abletts, Bartel, Ling, Scarlett -- so don't be surprised if they target the Geelong Falcons. The other priority is an injection of pace.

Danny Stanley from Ocean Grove is a power athlete who is quick over the first 20m and can play half-back or midfield. He toured Ireland earlier this year.

Draft pick order: 15, 31, 47, 63 (subject to trades)

The GOOD

Geelong averaged 50 disposals inside 50 per game, ranked No. 1. The Cats outscored their opposition by 18 goals in opening quarters.

The BAD

In the last 10 rounds Geelong kicked a goal once inside 50 24 per cent of the time, ranked 15th. During that time the Cats' kicking efficiency was 77 per cent, also ranked 15th.

THE VITAL STATS

CLUB LEADERS

Goals Kent Kingsley 57

Kicks Cameron Ling 307

Marks Darren Milburn 146

Handballs Cameron Ling 260

Clearances Cameron Ling 75

Clangers Jimmy Bartel 67

Tackles Jimmy Bartel 94

Hitouts Steven King 271

Goal assists Gary Ablett 17

Inside 50s Gary Ablett 101

Spoils Matthew Scarlett 83

Benchings Peter Riccardi 74

Game time Matthew Scarlett 2820 min

Played every game 5 of 37

YOU'RE EXCUSED

JOEL COREY

Nothing too flashy about him but he gets the job done, as a midfielder or back flanker. Team-orientated and durable.

PAUL CHAPMAN

His loss was huge at the end of the season and could have been the difference against the Swans. Hard nut who rarely wastes a kick.

MOST IMPROVED

MATTHEW EGAN

Looked slow and at times fumbled early on but with game time came composure. Is hard at it and just needs to develop leg speed.

SHANNON BYRNES

Out of favour late in the season but played 19 games. Quick, can kick and loves a goal. Needs to hit the gym to develop a physical presence.

CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM

ANDREW MACKIE

With a summer of development, watch out for 192cm Mackie to make 2006 his year. Needs to toe the line off-field, but can play.

NATHAN ABLETT

Really had no right to come into an AFL side from bush under-18 football and completely dominate a quarter against the Eagles.

GOING? ... GONE

JAMES RAHILLY

At 26 is a popular, hard-working player with 90 games under his belt. But hasn't secured a regular spot and might face the chop.

BRENTON SANDERSON

An astute trade in 1994 after being discarded by two clubs, not just for his footy, but his leadership. Can hold his head high after 200-plus games.
 

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JUBJUB said:
The BAD

In the last 10 rounds Geelong kicked a goal once inside 50 24 per cent of the time, ranked 15th. During that time the Cats' kicking efficiency was 77 per cent, also ranked 15th.
Hmm... in the last 10 rounds, ay? Just when was it that Henry broke broke his jaw.... ah yes... round 12.

Coincidence?
 
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#7
There are some interesting as well as bemusing comments:

Clangers Jimmy Bartel 67
give the man $500k
but patience will run out in Mark Thompson's seventh year if the Cats don't mount a serious challenge.
maybe not
This unit was never complete after David Wojcinski was hurt in Round 2...
I would say it looked pretty good once Harley got back, in fact it looked as strong as ever
and Playfair could become a surprise leader should his form keep improving.
maybe not

I think whoever wrote it is a little too much in love with Mr Mackie.
 

Turbocat

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#8
Mostly Robert Walls type stuff, astoundingly obvious and not terribly insightfull

The things that stood out to me

Enright was burning early and no mention

How good is the kid Stanley, is he better than Higgins?He is rated at 32 on footydraft.com so why would this guy be our most obvious need?
 
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Admin #9
scottydeewah said:
I would say it (defence) looked pretty good once Harley got back, in fact it looked as strong as ever
Our defence was as strong as ever, but lacked the speedy counter-attack that is bomber's main addition to defence.
 

ball

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#10
Would have to agree with Jon Anderson about Mackie.

Just get the feeling next year he will repay the faith of those down at the Cattery. was terrific against Richmond across half forward when they went into the breeze.

Tackling and one% as good as any - which was a problem this year on the stats sheet.

That media conference with Mackie and Johnson may have been the beginning of a fun era.
 

BlueNWhite

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#11
I'm not sold on Mackie, he pops up for a quarter every few games and does something nice...then goes missing for the following 2-3 games before they drop him. Next year had better be a big year for Mack Daddy :cool:
 

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ball said:
Would have to agree with Jon Anderson about Mackie.

Just get the feeling next year he will repay the faith of those down at the Cattery. was terrific against Richmond across half forward when they went into the breeze.

Tackling and one% as good as any - which was a problem this year on the stats sheet.

That media conference with Mackie and Johnson may have been the beginning of a fun era.
I'd have to agree with Jonno on this one too. Mackie just has a touch of class which is way above most of the other players on our list. We see glimpses of it occasionally and saw it more and more towards the end of the year (post “shot-at-the-title incident”). I just get the feeling that it’s taking time for his body to adjust to the rigours of AFL football but once he does he has the potential to be a star.
 
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#13
Did I miss something or was Henry great from round 1-12 or did he have a good game in round 12. He played 3 really good games against the Carlton Kangaroos and Adelaide. Victories we had against Richmond, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs he played relatively no part. If he was the reason we had a great start until round 12, how many brownlow votes did he get.

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Moderator #14
JUBJUB said:
Uh oh,I feel a 'Jack-attack' coming. ;)
catempire said:
Wait for it... like clockwork.
Jack-Packenham said:
Did I miss something or was Henry great from round 1-12 or did he have a good game in round 12. He played 3 really good games against the Carlton Kangaroos and Adelaide. Victories we had against Richmond, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs he played relatively no part. If he was the reason we had a great start until round 12, how many brownlow votes did he get.

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Cha-ching!
 

WestCat

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#16
Jack-Packenham said:
I had to. I knew you guys would have been upset if I let you down. At least I am consistent, unlike Henry the goat.

Gotta admire your consistency and persistence Jack, but the comment:

In the last 10 rounds Geelong kicked a goal once inside 50 24 per cent of the time, ranked 15th. During that time the Cats' kicking efficiency was 77 per cent, also ranked 15th.

Hmm... in the last 10 rounds, ay? Just when was it that Henry broke broke his jaw.... ah yes... round 12.

Coincidence?
Gives a good indication about the point which most have made in defence of Henry in regards to his importance to the structure of the team, despite his limited ability in the skills and vision departments.
 
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#19
Captains are irrelevant unless your talking about the dream team where you get double points. He may as well be captain, he seems to be guaranteed a game.
 

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#20
cats2rise said:
Mackie can surely NOT really be 192cm...... seriously.
Yes, it's a scary thought to think that this weed is nearly as tall as Wayne Carey...

He really should be dominating games with his leg speed and skills for such a big guy.

If he does not hit the gym this year, send him back to adelaide.
 
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#21
They tried special diets and all sorts on MAckie, in the end saying, just EAT, crap, eat good, JUST DAMN EAT. Still nothing. He would only need another 10k or so he just gets pushed off the ball to easily. And because of that his courage is just not there. Have a look when he stands next to a ruckman next time, he is actually the same height but will just look tiny.

I dont think he will come good until he is 26-27.
 
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