Mooney's current form

[noclashjumpers]

Mooney's form generally has been steadily improving over the last few weeks, and he was quite good last night.

BUT! His kicking (and confidence in...) seems to have reached an all time low.

It's easy to say that 'something needs to be done', but given his history, the club would have left no stone unturned last year.

I doubt there are any stones left. He has a REAL problem.

 

[Duskfire]

Mooney has never been a decent kick for goal over and extended period. He goes through patches of confidence and straight kicking . We need to hope he can get his head straight soon in time for the finals.

He was fine in 07. 67 goals and 38 behinds. Not great, but acceptable. Then he gets progressivily worst...

08 - 52.36
09 - 46.42
10 - 28.24

Essentially if he has another bad goalkicking game next week, he could be looking at an almost equal number of goals to behinds. Which is absolutely shocking.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Whenever Moons misses from 10-30 m in front... I usually and rightly say 'my sister could have freakin got that'!... and she can barely kick. Which is a worry.

I think he's playing back into some form, and will HAVE to stand up with Pods out!

Perhaps, and god forbid Bomber may need to play Chappy in the forward line . Crazy times ahead guys.

 

[meto]

His lead up marking has been v good of late IMO, him and Pods are taking their fair share,
Hope he just pretends he's passing to a bloke in the crowd, just over the goal umpires hat.
His teamwork is great, always a strongpoint for him.
He'll be right for Sept.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Well, I'm a bit concerned.
And I'm not so sure his set shots will be become suddenly better come September.
And while his marking stats are good, he still doesn't seem to be taking them inside 50. (is he nervous about the subsequent set shot?). With Pods' absence for the next week (or two?) he'll need to get his 5h1t in one pile.

 

[vinum coupe]

He is going no good. But he is the salt of the forward line.

Can kick one per game during the finals for all I care.

 

[Belisarius]

Just another opinion, but I think this thread is a bit of an over reaction.
His stats weren't too bad for a centre half forward in a team that specialises in multiple goal kickers.
No-one on the ground had more than his nine marks.
Although he didn't kick a goal (2 behinds only, with the aforementioned yips on his goal kicking) he was credited with three Goal Assists, also more than any player from either side.
Throw in a hit-out, a tackle, a free kick and five Inside 50's and some vigorous contesting and his game itself was not worthy of such harsh judgment.
Like many Cat fans, I feel sick in the pit of my not inconsiderable gut when I see him taking a set shot from inside 30m.
Tonight's shocker was laughable if it wasn't so serious - but his overall contribution to the game was considerably larger than quite a few others that took the ground - from both sides.

Pretty much spot on.

Sure we would love him to be getting more marks, more possies and more goals. But you cannot have everything working at the same time in a team game - and against decent opposition.

I am happy with him to make an ok contribution - add the structure we need down forward and contest. We have quite a few players that can do some damage down there.

Still probably the biggest single key to how the forward line works. Just got to roll with the punches. I am sure no one would ever suggest we drop him for the finals if his form is down ? Who would replace him ?

Have a few concerns - but he does not have to dominate for us to win a another flag. He just has to compete, provide some opportunities to smaller forwards and win the occasional one on one contest - either in leading up the ground or inside 50.

 

[OldStyle2007]

I don't reckon it's an over-reaction

If you see any forward in the comp not jump for their marks, try and catch almost everything on the chest and shank every shot.... you'd be justified in saying he was struggling

He still does some good things and did them last night. But Carlton's tall backs are not quality and Mooney will need to do a lot better against the Saints and Pies

And not for the first time I reckon Cam got a lot of his stats after the game was reasonably in our control

 

[catempire]

Just confirmed on the Sunday Footy Show that he is about to sign a contract to play on next season.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Just confirmed on the Sunday Footy Show that he is about to sign a contract to play on next season.

And I'm not arguing that point either. We need him bad because there's no one else

 

[STC]

Yeah thought better of it. Was good tonight, just got it in my mind early he was looking slow.

He was always slow, but this has been a very good year for my money for him. In fact, FWIW, he is having a career best season in terms of average disposals, second best season in terms of average marks and 4th best in tackles.

Don't underestimate my man Mooney, he will fire up and be a vital cog in our forward line in September. He was actually in awesome form at the start of the year (remember his 4 goals v Hawthorn?) All he needs is something to really fire him up. I reckon September might just do that. And if we do end up playing the Hawks in September, I wouldn't want to be without him - he never looks more determined than when we play them.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

I must admit I had this very same discussion with my father last night about the concern with Mooney but he does alot of the 1 percenter's that certainly go overlooked. In a final he is truly invaluable just his physicality alone is paramount now that Rooke will most likely miss this finals campaign. I am one of those that could care less if he doesn't kick a single goal just as long as he assists in 3 or 4 and takes his contested marks is all we need in the finals. He also scares the living shit out of many backman. I can't wait for the finals to start it's gonna be a cracker and if we can win this year I do believe we will be regarded as the greatest side of all-time considering how many challengers we have had in the past few years weheras the Lions didn't quite have the same competitors at their prime like we have had to combat against eg, Bulldogs (window of opportunity is fast passing now), St Kilda (Likewise average age is now 26.5). The magpies are up and about but which makes the finals far more exciting this time round.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

His form is good. His kicking sucks

 

[noclashjumpers]

His form is good. His kicking sucks

^ Yep. End thread.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

His form is good. His kicking sucks

Agree, really he should play hit up b/w CHF and the wings (which he is very good at) so the goalkicking doesn't come into play, and Pods and SJ should play deeper. I am surprised we haven't done this more this year. Whether we can do that while Pods it out I don't know but it's definitely what we should do when he comes back for the SF/PF.

 

[Partridge]

I love the Moondog but we really need a big finals campaign from him. And in the 2 years we have won the flag I would like someone to point out a real standout game from him in the finals

Thoughts?

I'll give you two - 2007 Qualifying Final against North (5 goals), and the 2007 Grand Final (5 goals, 13 marks). Even in last year's Grand Final he kicked more than superstars Riewoldt and Kosi.

I'm with a few others, his form is actually quite solid. It's just kicking for goal. Without being an expert, he simply has to relax and kick through the ball, and not worry about whether it goes out on the full. As long as he keeps having shots I'm sure it'll come good eventually.

 

[mac_cat]

I'll give you two - 2007 Qualifying Final against North (5 goals), and the 2007 Grand Final (5 goals, 13 marks). Even in last year's Grand Final he kicked more than superstars Riewoldt and Kosi.

I'm with a few others, his form is actually quite solid. It's just kicking for goal. Without being an expert, he simply has to relax and kick through the ball, and not worry about whether it goes out on the full. As long as he keeps having shots I'm sure it'll come good eventually.

This is the main worry, though, he seems to have lost all confidence in his ability to kick goals and is often looking to pass when he should be taking the shot.

This is exemplified by last Friday night, when he passed to Bartel on the other flank, who was the same distance out and maybe a slightly worse angle.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

This is the main worry, though, he seems to have lost all confidence in his ability to kick goals and is often looking to pass when he should be taking the shot.

This is exemplified by last Friday night, when he passed to Bartel on the other flank, who was the same distance out and maybe a slightly worse angle.

There is no doubt at some stage in the Finals Series he will be called upon to kick a crunch goal or few !
Let's hope the planets will be aligned and he kicks thru the ball as he did in 07 GF - I think he drilled the first goal of the 3rd 1/4 with a superb 45M effort - I would almost give my first born for that confidence to return..........

 

[Cheshire Cat]

The guy is a hack at the moment. Cant kick for goal (wont kick for goal), cant mark out on front, bad decision maker. The 2008 Grand final has pretty much ruined him as a player. I have never seen a player so intent on not taking resposbility when its his turn as Cam right now.

Pods possibly being out is not a catastophe, as I feel he wont have a huge impact against teams like the Pies and Saints who have solid defences. But Mooney still absolutely must lift his game, because Hawkins sure as hell isnt up to it either right now. We cannot rely on the midfield and Chapman to do all our scoring in the finals.

 

[bobbycatsfanme]

seems to perform well in finals which many cannot do.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

seems to perform well in finals which many cannot do.

Say what?? Had a good finals series in '07. Has pretty much been quiet since, two goals in last years GF, but had no presence other than that, missed some sitter marks too.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'll give you two - 2007 Qualifying Final against North (5 goals), and the 2007 Grand Final (5 goals, 13 marks). Even in last year's Grand Final he kicked more than superstars Riewoldt and Kosi.

I'm with a few others, his form is actually quite solid. It's just kicking for goal. Without being an expert, he simply has to relax and kick through the ball, and not worry about whether it goes out on the full. As long as he keeps having shots I'm sure it'll come good eventually.

This doesn't mean his goalkicking isn't a big deal though. For goodness sake we lost a flag largely because of errant goalkicking. And worse than just missing them, he clearly has no confidence. We either need to fix it or get him up the ground come finals time or it will cost us.

 

[STC]

This doesn't mean his goalkicking isn't a big deal though. For goodness sake we lost a flag largely because of errant goalkicking. And worse than just missing them, he clearly has no confidence. We either need to fix it or get him up the ground come finals time or it will cost us.

Is it really that important though? If Cam Mooney can have a hand in 3 goals in a game, surely it doesn't matter who kicks them. Moons is one of the best in the club if not the comp at hitting up a player inside 50 - he just knows his teammates up forward so well - where they will lead, where they prefer the delivery of the ball etc. I know for one thing, I'd rather Moons set up 5 goals than go back and kick 2.3 - just think how many more goals Collingwood would get if Travis Cloke handed it off more!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Is it really that important though? If Cam Mooney can have a hand in 3 goals in a game, surely it doesn't matter who kicks them. Moons is one of the best in the club if not the comp at hitting up a player inside 50 - he just knows his teammates up forward so well - where they will lead, where they prefer the delivery of the ball etc. I know for one thing, I'd rather Moons set up 5 goals than go back and kick 2.3 - just think how many more goals Collingwood would get if Travis Cloke handed it off more!

Yes it is. 2008 GF.

I'm all for his goal assists, and they're great.

But you get limited opportunities in finals, and you must take them.

And you can't always give it off ala he did to Bartel on friday night.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

When I was playing the South Eastern league a hundred years ago (half forward flank), I got the yips.

My coach came up to me at half time and said he didn't give a stuff if I missed, but if he ever saw that worried look on my face when I was lining up he would drag me straight away. He said "Look like you want to kick a f@#ing goal for f%$#'s sake!"

And it was true, I had forgot why I got the pill in the first place. I was too worried about how I would look missing another one to remember that I actually wanted to kick a goal.

Nerves.