Game Day Match Sim vs Hawthorn - Daz can’t be effed making a new one

[nohairandfair]

Bruhn was BOG for mine and if he wasn't winning it in tight, he was laying huge tackles. There’s a good chance he will become our #1 inside mid in 2023.

A nice combination of grunt and class... what a pickup.

 

[DanA]

I liked your summary overall but there is no way Sav will push Kolo out. They will play alongside each other at stages if there is an injury to Henry or SDK etc.

Even before his superb finals series, Kolo's spot was absolutely never in doubt last year or indeed in previous years despite the board's protestations.

I agree they will likely play along side each other and that Kolo was never close to being dropped but I still think Ratugolea is a long shot chance to take the no.2 KPD spot.

Kolo does far more good than bad but with his limitations in ball use and some of the mistakes he makes he’s never completely safe IMO. Ratugolea was playing on subpar opposition so it’s way too early to call but he looked really good.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Bruhn was BOG for mine and if he wasn't winning it in tight, he was laying huge tackles. He will be our #1 inside mid for 2023.

A nice combination of grunt and class... what a pickup.

Unbelievable pickup for a top four team…

 

[DanA]

Parfitt was only last picked because he had an injury interrupted season and by the time he got back we were rolling.

When he is fit he always plays.

Agree when fit he’s always played but he’s always been in the top 5 midfielders. That’s not the case anymore.

When Parfitt was last a regular it was Danger, Selwood, Guthrie and Parfitt as the core midfielders O’Connor was no.5 as a tagger, and Narkle was the surplus 6th midfielder in and out of the team. But at the same time Parfit got injured Blicavs and Atkins were added to the midfield group and suddenly we didn’t need a tagger and Parfitt was no.6 (Danger, Selwood, Guthrie, Blicavs, Atkins). We lost Selwood but added Bruhn and Bowes so I think he drops down to no.7 and it’s rare for the 7th best midfielder with limited versatility to get games.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Since Parfitt was a regular we have added Blicavs, Atkins, Bruhn, Clarke, and Bowes to the midfield group with only Selwood and Narkle going out.

It’s not a knock on his talent, he’s clearly shown to be AFL level but with the ins, it’s gonna be tough for him.

Thats it - Geelong has improved its quality player depth big time

Before Stengle arrived in the hoops - that ex Footscray bloke used to get a regular game as a small forward - then Tyson joined the Cats - and the ex Footscray player got shoved right out of the senior team

With Parfitt - who cares if you rate him or you dont rate him - its irrelevant - the bottom line with Parfitt is - with all the new recruits the Cats have obtained for season 2023 - Parfitt has to somehow improve - otherwise he is going to struggle for a regular senior game

 

[Pods]

Based on the Hawks game:

• It looked like we won every matchup on the field in the first 4 quarters except against Moore. Was it mostly Bews?
• Ratugolea could push Kolo for the second tall defender spot. It’s a big task after Kolo’s ‘22 finals campaign but his advantage is he has genuine KPD size to play on the leagues biggest forwards where Kolo gives up a bit of height/weight.
• Bowes looks a Rolls Royce and lock in the best 22. His ball use immediately stood out and it looks like he has more time than others (a bit like Pendlebury in style)….steal?
• Bruhn looks best 22 also and a part of the core inside midfield group. That doesn’t bode well for Parfitt’s chances of selection.
• Dempsey has closed the gap some on Miers and could push him but it still appears it’s Miers spot.
• I like how involved O.Henry was, super encouraging long term but he needs to be cleaner. There were too many fumbles in between some real moments of brilliance, that could hurt his chances of locking down a best 22 spot in the near term.
• Clarke didn’t have the kind of immediate impact that points to round 1 selection. That’s not a knock on him as a prospect but unless there is a big upswing the next few games I’d not be picking him for SuperCoach.
• The one disappointment from the game I thought was O’Connor, he looks likely to be squeezed out based on the talent on display.
• In the VFL hit out I was encouraged by Riccardi, Knevitt, and Murdoch but I don’t see regular appearances in ‘23.
• I don't think Duncan, Hawkins, Rohan, Simpson, Conway, or Neale played.

Best summary I’ve seen by a mile

 

[gogeelongcats]

interesting to see Bruhn get shoved in the back by Blicavs to get out of the way at a ruck contest.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Based on the Hawks game:

• It looked like we won every matchup on the field in the first 4 quarters except against Moore. Was it mostly Bews?
• Ratugolea could push Kolo for the second tall defender spot. It’s a big task after Kolo’s ‘22 finals campaign but his advantage is he has genuine KPD size to play on the leagues biggest forwards where Kolo gives up a bit of height/weight.
• Bowes looks a Rolls Royce and lock in the best 22. His ball use immediately stood out and it looks like he has more time than others (a bit like Pendlebury in style)….steal?
• Bruhn looks best 22 also and a part of the core inside midfield group. That doesn’t bode well for Parfitt’s chances of selection.
• Dempsey has closed the gap some on Miers and could push him but it still appears it’s Miers spot.
• I like how involved O.Henry was, super encouraging long term but he needs to be cleaner. There were too many fumbles in between some real moments of brilliance, that could hurt his chances of locking down a best 22 spot in the near term.
• Clarke didn’t have the kind of immediate impact that points to round 1 selection. That’s not a knock on him as a prospect but unless there is a big upswing the next few games I’d not be picking him for SuperCoach.
• The one disappointment from the game I thought was O’Connor, he looks likely to be squeezed out based on the talent on display.
• In the VFL hit out I was encouraged by Riccardi, Knevitt, and Murdoch but I don’t see regular appearances in ‘23.
• I don't think Duncan, Hawkins, Rohan, Simpson, Conway, or Neale played.

I think you're the first person to mention Murdoch. He impressed? Played off half back? Bit of rebound or mostly lockdown?

 

[CHAWKTS]

Based on the Hawks game:

• It looked like we won every matchup on the field in the first 4 quarters except against Moore. Was it mostly Bews?
• Ratugolea could push Kolo for the second tall defender spot. It’s a big task after Kolo’s ‘22 finals campaign but his advantage is he has genuine KPD size to play on the leagues biggest forwards where Kolo gives up a bit of height/weight.
• Bowes looks a Rolls Royce and lock in the best 22. His ball use immediately stood out and it looks like he has more time than others (a bit like Pendlebury in style)….steal?
• Bruhn looks best 22 also and a part of the core inside midfield group. That doesn’t bode well for Parfitt’s chances of selection.
• Dempsey has closed the gap some on Miers and could push him but it still appears it’s Miers spot.
• I like how involved O.Henry was, super encouraging long term but he needs to be cleaner. There were too many fumbles in between some real moments of brilliance, that could hurt his chances of locking down a best 22 spot in the near term.
• Clarke didn’t have the kind of immediate impact that points to round 1 selection. That’s not a knock on him as a prospect but unless there is a big upswing the next few games I’d not be picking him for SuperCoach.
• The one disappointment from the game I thought was O’Connor, he looks likely to be squeezed out based on the talent on display.
• In the VFL hit out I was encouraged by Riccardi, Knevitt, and Murdoch but I don’t see regular appearances in ‘23.
• I don't think Duncan, Hawkins, Rohan, Simpson, Conway, or Neale played.

Great summary… I don’t know whether SAV will replace Kolo (as you say many of us have thought Kolo might be at risk for years - but obviously is well thought of as he always plays when available). What I do know is that they LOVE SAV so will certainly give him a crack. In the end I suspect only room for one in best 23 (when Henry back) so it will be a choice. I expect Kolo to “win” and Sav to then leave….but not 100%

Love Bruhn. I do wonder whether they keep him hungry and make him come through a couple of VFL games…but reckon by the end of the year he is automatic pick. Parf might be the loser in that (and with holmes coming inside) but not as a knock on him. Just maths

Good observation with Henry. I think we will end up just accepting he does great things and sometimes poor. Will be his way…But good outweigh the bad!

Dempsey and Miers I agree. They seem to be wanting them to play similar positions. I think (and people know I am bias) that Dempsey has more attributes…but Miers still plays that position better (for now). Watching yesterday Miers knows how to be in the right spot for that 15-20m bail out chip. He gets easier ball that Dempsey. I don’t think it is running/fitness but just experience. Dempsey will get him at some stage but maybe not this year? (Btw I love the way Miers fought through last year to prove us all wrong)

In the VFL I also loved Whyte. Still reckon he offers a lot over time.

Agree with all of your other thougths…

Hard to know what 26 they take to Brisbane next week. I have 28 possibilities (including 3 that didn’t play yesterday minus Jack H) so two will miss out which will be harsh given round 1 implications. (unless they rest 2 players who are certain round 1)

 

[CHAWKTS]

think ollie will play until hawk is fit but after then would we pick him ahead of rohan?

This is a very interesting question. And I am not sure we have the answer yet…

Like a lot of our premiership players (MOC, Parf etc) it feels wrong even suggesting that they lose their spots before we have played a real game…

But reality of every season is that at least a couple of older players drop off each year…. Replaced in their role by a younger player…

For now I reckon the MC will want these “upstarts” (Tanner, Jack, Scratcher and the two Ollies) to work hard to displace someone…. So if a choice now between Rohan and Ollie H is made I reckon they go with Rohan…but as you say Ollie might get a few games with Rohan and they the choice maybe is more interesting depending on form.

My view is that in a short period they will not be able to resist that Ollie H offers so much more flexibility in his role. Yes, we will miss Rohan’s defensive pressure (and that can’t be understated) but I reckon they push that on to team defence and take Ollie’s superior offence!

Going to be a fascinating watch

 

[Heckler]

There was much to like about this Simulation Game
Scoreboard would suggest Hawks were a rabble.
Not true! watching them run the ball through the midfield.
They exposed a few potential huge Cats weakness.
Quick handball and leg speed will break our defensive wall.
Don't kick long to our intercept defenders....duh!
When lowering eyes they found open targets 40m out.
While the new recruits looked good with ball in hand
They failed to display genuine leg speed or hard defensive running.
Perhaps 34C heat made players reluctant to move above 2nd gear.
Hawks played to a system and looked a cohesive team.
Cats relied on individual talent which they had in abundance.
Teamwork and cohesion will come through playing together.
Cats will click together in the second half of the season
...and that thought brought a huge smile.

 

[DanA]

I think you're the first person to mention Murdoch. He impressed? Played off half back? Bit of rebound or mostly lockdown?

He’s got a bit of a cannon of a leg and looked like he read the ball well in the air. It wasn’t so much that he was ready, just that he had attributes that I think translate and I knew nothing about him.

Great summary… I don’t know whether SAV will replace Kolo (as you say many of us have thought Kolo might be at risk for years - but obviously is well thought of as he always plays when available). What I do know is that they LOVE SAV so will certainly give him a crack. In the end I suspect only room for one in best 23 (when Henry back) so it will be a choice. I expect Kolo to “win” and Sav to then leave….but not 100%

Love Bruhn. I do wonder whether they keep him hungry and make him come through a couple of VFL games…but reckon by the end of the year he is automatic pick. Parf might be the loser in that (and with holmes coming inside) but not as a knock on him. Just maths

Good observation with Henry. I think we will end up just accepting he does great things and sometimes poor. Will be his way…But good outweigh the bad!

Dempsey and Miers I agree. They seem to be wanting them to play similar positions. I think (and people know I am bias) that Dempsey has more attributes…but Miers still plays that position better (for now). Watching yesterday Miers knows how to be in the right spot for that 15-20m bail out chip. He gets easier ball that Dempsey. I don’t think it is running/fitness but just experience. Dempsey will get him at some stage but maybe not this year? (Btw I love the way Miers fought through last year to prove us all wrong)

In the VFL I also loved Whyte. Still reckon he offers a lot over time.

Agree with all of your other thougths…

Hard to know what 26 they take to Brisbane next week. I have 28 possibilities (including 3 that didn’t play yesterday minus Jack H) so two will miss out which will be harsh given round 1 implications. (unless they rest 2 players who are certain round 1)

That’s pretty much how I view it. It’s not that I think Ratugolea will take Kolo’s spot. Just that he’s gonna putting his name in contention and looked really good.

 

[DanA]

interesting to see Bruhn get shoved in the back by Blicavs to get out of the way at a ruck contest.

I saw that too but I think that was Blicavs saying get out of the way before the opposition ruckmen runs into you and gets a free for blocking him and infringing on the ruck contest.

 

[35dangerwood14]

I’ve been saying that they managed him terribly.

As much as I’ve been hard on Bruhn, I’ve always done it on the proviso that he was not playing where he needed to play and almost might aswell just apply his craft in the VFL to dominate it and gain confidence rather than be hidden in the front half at GWS and given almost zero shot at his true position.

He is a strong bodied inside mid.
Not overly fast, not overly classy... but a hard inside type.

The thing I will say that impressed me about him yesterday is that he seemed to get a bit of it... would love to know the stats.

I got zero surprises watching his style of play, I know that what he does... I was more worried he wouldn’t get his hands on it enough.

Seemed to get it a bit though.

I will say that he was probably going pretty hard though knowing he isn’t in the side, whilst other guys just ran around no stress + we played one of the weakest teams you could find.

So whilst it was a nice start for him... I look forward to seeing it consistently and against better players + hopefully improving his game even more.

Solid start though.

I didn't think anything you've said about him over the past few months has been unfair or overly critical. It's not like you've gone out to attack the guy, just queried others opinions on his value and that's kinda what this place is for

 

[Hinkley29]

Parfitt doesn’t even have a spot.

He was overlooked in the finals and only got a reprieve and a run as sub after Holmes got hurt.

I was actually surprised Parf didn’t play in the first final but Chris Scott showed his cards in regards to how many inside mids he will play when crunch time comes.

Selwood goes out... I almost see Holmes coming in for him as Holmes will definitely play more at stoppages this year and look to explode out of them (clearly Holmes is a jet).

That just leaves MOCs spot.
If MOC stays in the team that’s their call... but he is there because he had flexibility, which I think Bowes can do at a higher level. Parfitt has almost no flexibility and it’s midfield or nothing for him... and that’s without even trying to get Bruhn in the guts where he really needs to play if selected.

Wouldn’t mind Bruhn burning up the VFL for a couple of weeks before coming in though.

I think Parf is gonna be up against it this year and it really shows how deep we are as a list.

Of course I’m talking as if we have a full list to choose from which is pretty rare.

Parfitt has had a spot for his entire time at Geelong, the only reason he wasn’t a certainty for the finals was because he was returning from injury and they were loathe to change a winning line up.

I am a big believer that regular season history is far more important than match sim stuff. And in the real matches Parfitt has a history of playing every single game when he is fit. And at 24 years old coming into his prime I just don’t see that changing.

 

[DanA]

Parfitt has had a spot for his entire time at Geelong, the only reason he wasn’t a certainty for the finals was because he was returning from injury and they were loathe to change a winning line up.

I am a big believer that regular season history is far more important than match sim stuff. And in the real matches Parfitt has a history of playing every single game when he is fit. And at 24 years old coming into his prime I just don’t see that changing.

I think just looking at the history ignores how the team is built and changed in 2022.

We generally haven’t played with 6 specialist mids. When Blicavs and Atkins took roles in the middle and looked fantastic, Parfitt’s role was put on notice. It just so happened to coincide with Parfitt’s injury.

Maybe we can juggle things around to squeeze in Parfitt. We can play Danger forward etc some weeks and others there will be injuries, Parfitt is certainly talented enough to play. But he doesn’t have a lot of versatility which I think hurts his chances when we field our best team.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

There was much to like about this Simulation Game
Scoreboard would suggest Hawks were a rabble.
Not true! watching them run the ball through the midfield.
They exposed a few potential huge Cats weakness.
Quick handball and leg speed will break our defensive wall.
Don't kick long to our intercept defenders....duh!
When lowering eyes they found open targets 40m out.
While the new recruits looked good with ball in hand
They failed to display genuine leg speed or hard defensive running.
Perhaps 34C heat made players reluctant to move above 2nd gear.
Hawks played to a system and looked a cohesive team.
Cats relied on individual talent which they had in abundance.
Teamwork and cohesion will come through playing together.
Cats will click together in the second half of the season
...and that thought brought a huge smile.

Our defensive structures were a rabble. Can't remember how many goals you guys got running into open goals unimpeded. Would have been close to 10 at least I rekon. Thats the risk/reward style Mitchell is going with and until we get the style down pat, our ball use better and the structure and systems where they need to be it's going to be a regular occurrence the next 12-18 months. Wasn't expecting much yesterday TBF but we really miss Lewis and Gunston as well.

 

[Heckler]

This is how Cats played a few year back.
When the our attacking possession chain broke
Turnovers were punished with easy goals.
This led to our slow methodical possession game
It took years and lots of finals heartbreak..
Before we got the game style, personnel and skills right.
Expect a long and bumpy ride and enjoy the highs.

 

[35dangerwood14]

This is how Cats played a few year back.
When the our attacking possession chain broke
Turnovers were punished with easy goals.
This led to our slow methodical possession game
It took years and lots of finals heartbreak..
Before we got the game style, personnel and skills right.
Expect a long and bumpy ride and enjoy the highs.

It's incredibly frustrating to watch until it all clicks but when it does it's beautiful

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

This is how Cats played a few year back.
When the our attacking possession chain broke
Turnovers were punished with easy goals.
This led to our slow methodical possession game
It took years and lots of finals heartbreak..
Before we got the game style, personnel and skills right.
Expect a long and bumpy ride and enjoy the highs.

There's glimpses from the young midfield which is promising for us. Day, Ward, Macdonald and hopefully Cam McKenzie should be the nucleus going forward around Newcombe. We looked ok at stoppages for a change. It was a good test of where we need to get to yesterday that's for sure. Media are being quite harsh TBH not sure what they expected.

 

[35dangerwood14]

Our defensive structures were a rabble. Can't remember how many goals you guys got running into open goals unimpeded. Would have been close to 10 at least I rekon. Thats the risk/reward style Mitchell is going with and until we get the style down pat, our ball use better and the structure and systems where they need to be it's going to be a regular occurrence the next 12-18 months. Wasn't expecting much yesterday TBF but we really miss Lewis and Gunston as well.

I thought you had a handful of guys that could hold their head up, as soon as some of your new guys and promising recruits get their heads around the gamestyle and more comfortable with each other you might find your results improve exponentially

 

[Drunkcat]

I am still on Parfitt he always starts the season off in good form, then gets injured near the end of the year, plenty of good footy left in him

 

[00VicWard001]

Again I was amazed at Miers unusual kicking style consistently spearing fast balls lace out to the leading forward. It is a weapon not an accessory

He just refines it more and more each season. It will be a serious asset in years to come.

 

[cats_09]

Again I was amazed at Miers unusual kicking style consistently spearing fast balls lace out to the leading forward. It is a weapon not an accessory

Too many seem to focus on Miers unique kicking action & using it as a reason to stick it to him, but when trying to explain the accuracy he actually gets with it and his ability to hit up teammates, especially the leading forward, they just laugh

I had a "discussion" on FB last year with someone who kept claiming forwards must hate seeing Miers with ball in hand as you just never know where it's going to end up - the simply reply which they mock & call BS was about how accurate his field kicking is & his ability to hit his teammates on the chest

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Too many seem to focus on Miers unique kicking action & using it as a reason to stick it to him, but when trying to explain the accuracy he actually gets with it and his ability to hit up teammates, especially the leading forward, they just laugh

I had a "discussion" on FB last year with someone who kept claiming forwards must hate seeing Miers with ball in hand as you just never know where it's going to end up - the simply reply which they mock & call BS was about how accurate his field kicking is & his ability to hit his teammates on the chest

Suckling had a unique kicking style as well and he was a weapon across half back. Opened up zones weekly.