Our Starts

[fpm84]

From memory Carlton got a big jump on us last time didn't they - 5 goals or so before we came back to win?

 

[giggler99]

Our starts are a big concern, some thing happen last year, in some games we where so far behind we had no way of coming back ie the final v Fremantle.

Don't know what the problem is maybe they are saving their legs or something, maybe they like Scott's sprays at half-time. today especially it felt like they didn't want to run and chase in the first half then come the start of the second half it's like a different team full of run and hunger.

its good to know we will always come back, but gee it is concerning and we will get spanked big time soon if this keeps up.

 

[footscore]

From memory Carlton got a big jump on us last time didn't they - 5 goals or so before we came back to win?

I thought we led from the start in that game and it was a pathetic showing by Carlton all game long.
Remember how Ratten was coaching from the bench and the camera was constantly on him throughout the night and the media made a big deal about how he was carrying on as it wasn't sending out good vibes to his players and all that crap

 

[footscore]

they were missing a whole heap of starters too.

Now that you mention it, in the lead up to this game during the week...Matthew Lloyd said he didn't believe Geelong had drafted quick players and it was a concern for our coaching staff, Craig Hutchison brought up the likes of Motlop, Smedts, Christensen, Duncan, Hunt etc but he refused to accept we were a quick team and Geelong came out and beat Carlton at their own game

 

[manboob]

Geelong has always played accelerator footy since 2007. Let teams get back into the game and then blast them away with 6 unanswered goals or coast along for 20 minutes and then pew pew pew. This is still happening today, just in the "wrong order". But I pity the team who cops us when we are finally on from the first quarter. I have a sneaking suspicion it might just be next week against Malthouse.

 

[The Casey Cat]

How many uncontested marks inside 50m did North take in the first half? Our players weren't being beaten - they simply weren't there.

Yep. It was a massive worry. Yea you can say it was going to be tough for them to maintain there short kicking, gradual movement but at the same time the way we handled it was appalling for such an experienced defense and midfield. Wasn't the marks 30 something to 6 at one stage while they doubled us for possessions? Can't remember us being on the receiving end of such damning stats in years.

And we simply MUST strike the midfield balance right from the start next match. Corey in the guts, Chapman forward and perhaps Bartel coming from the wing and playing a kick behind as opposed to Corey in defense (where he has ALWAYS been a liability) and the others in the mid. Is just too slow especially when you know the hit outs are never going to be to our advantage.

 

[Partridge]

I think it's because our defenders are fairly slow, so they get exploited when midfielders can pinpoint passes (which is more likely early in the game when they are fresh and getting easy clearances due to our lack of rucks)

As the game drags on and players get tired it's harder to hit up players so our defence gets on top.

I think we should pretty much always have a loose man in defense for the first half of the game and then back our superior endurance in the second half of the game.

I think also the whole team seemed to be content with staying off their men in the first half - and North exploited it perfectly. The increase in urgency in the second half was very noticeable.

It could be a plan. Scott could figure no one can withstand a half from us flat out, so as long as we're within 3-4 goals at half time we're a good chance. Risky tactic, IF that is the case. I'm sure he'd rather be 3-4 goals up.

 

[footscore]

It could be a plan. Scott could figure no one can withstand a half from us flat out, so as long as we're within 3-4 goals at half time we're a good chance. Risky tactic, IF that is the case. I'm sure he'd rather be 3-4 goals up.

that's blasphemy to suggest such a thing in here

 

[Partridge]

Yep. It was a massive worry. Yea you can say it was going to be tough for them to maintain there short kicking, gradual movement but at the same time the way we handled it was appalling for such an experienced defense and midfield. Wasn't the marks 30 something to 6 at one stage while they doubled us for possessions? Can't remember us being on the receiving end of such damning stats in years.

And we simply MUST strike the midfield balance right from the start next match. Corey in the guts, Chapman forward and perhaps Bartel coming from the wing and playing a kick behind as opposed to Corey in defense (where he has ALWAYS been a liability) and the others in the mid. Is just too slow especially when you know the hit outs are never going to be to our advantage.

Totally agree. And this is why I especially don't want Corey, Chapman and Bartel all on the ball at once. Because now they just don't have the leg speed to cover the ground. If a good midfield pushes hard into space in the forward line (as North did early), they just won't be able to keep up. That's not a knock on effort or ability, just realisation of their collective ages. One or two of them maybe, but not all at once. Another reason why Bartel floating back there would be a big asset. Reads the play great, better mark and kick than Corey and is far better suited to the role. If it means Corey plays less per quarter but 100% of that time at the coalface surely that's a better option? And we need Chapman's conversion near goal.

Agree with other posts that if Guthrie can get back in releasing Hunt back to tagging onball that would greatly help as well.

 

[Partridge]

that's blasphemy to suggest such a thing in here

It is; but there's no way Varcoe and Motlop can play at second half speed for 100 minutes. But they are looking devastating when they get going, and I can't imagine a team that can contain them.

 

[footscore]

did you notice the change also when the MC put all our genuine midfielders in the center of the ground?
They loaded them up so we had Caddy, Bartel, Selwood, Corey, Kelly and Christensen and there were immediate results.

Caddy and Corey seem obvious inside midfielders, I can understand why some of our fans get a little frustrated when we play Corey out of position.

 

[Pivo]

Because their inside 50s were with absolute precision, because they either came from marks (so no pressure), or unencumbered clearances.

Early on our defenders were getting sucked up the ground as well and we got done a few times over the back.

Early on we also appeared to be trying to set up a wall across the middle but North's footspeed and skills undid that.

They adjusted this after half time and also started getting first hands to the pill.

It was an interesting to watch from the stands but I'm recording the replay to get a different look.

That'll probably cause me to change my mind again.

 

[year of the cat]

I think that our attitude as much as anything changed the face of the game in the second half. Our appetite for the contest improved massively from the first half. If we can start the game against the Blues with that same energy as that second half then we will go well.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

I think that our attitude as much as anything changed the face of the game in the second half. Our appetite for the contest improved massively from the first half. If we can start the game against the Blues with that same energy as that second half then we will go well.

Bizarre with Selwood starting out of the centre square so often ?

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Just read the thread. We are done for. Won't win another game. Who are the flag favorites? Hawthorn? Won't get near them this season.

We are too old and too slow. And if we aren't that, we are too young.

I remember the disastrous 2011 season. We were undefeated for 13 games, but a lot of them were close and it could easily have been 6 - 7. Or even 5 - 8. A few of our starts were poor then too. I remember listening a lot to Paul Roos and Tim Lane and they said we were not that good, and were mainly unswervingly lucky. I got disenchanted and stopped following the footy that year. No idea how it turned out. I imagine we were eventually found out like David King predicted. This thread reminds of David King.

 

[Senatorguesty]

Just read the thread. We are done for. Won't win another game. Who are the flag favorites? Hawthorn? Won't get near them this season.

We are too old and too slow. And if we aren't that, we are too young.

I remember the disastrous 2011 season. We were undefeated for 13 games, but a lot of them were close and it could easily have been 6 - 7. Or even 5 - 8. A few of our starts were poor then too. I remember listening a lot to Paul Roos and Tim Lane and they said we were not that good, and were mainly unswervingly lucky. I got disenchanted and stopped following the footy that year. No idea how it turned out. I imagine we were eventually found out like David King predicted. This thread reminds of David King.

Over reaction much?
All I gathered from the threat is a bunch of Cat fans discussing how we can improve our early game.
No need to be sarcastic (lowest form of wit and all).

 

[FredLeDeux]

Just read the thread. We are done for. Won't win another game. Who are the flag favorites? Hawthorn? Won't get near them this season.

We are too old and too slow. And if we aren't that, we are too young.

I remember the disastrous 2011 season. We were undefeated for 13 games, but a lot of them were close and it could easily have been 6 - 7. Or even 5 - 8. A few of our starts were poor then too. I remember listening a lot to Paul Roos and Tim Lane and they said we were not that good, and were mainly unswervingly lucky. I got disenchanted and stopped following the footy that year. No idea how it turned out. I imagine we were eventually found out like David King predicted. This thread reminds of David King.

Funny, reminds me more of 2012.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Over reaction much?
All I gathered from the threat is a bunch of Cat fans discussing how we can improve our early game.
No need to be sarcastic (lowest form of wit and all).

I'm not one-out here commenting on the abject negativity that runs through this forum sometimes. It's ridiculous. I'm calling it out, that's all.

You can't improve "early game".

Chris Scott is bullshitting when he says it's a worry because he doesn't know the reason. He knows exactly why we are having slow starts because he is the one causing it. You can tell by the way some of them are jogging around early on - you just know they are (or have recently been) going through some heavy training.

Silly Motlop opened his big trap last year to the media when he explained the sudden great starts were they were having (at that time) was due to a change in training routine. And he even went into detail about the routines! I reckon Scott read the riot act to him over that. The next week Scott was asked about it pre game. He mumbled something thru gritted teeth. I laughed.

Did you see the HS today? Stokes said there was a reason why he was sub, but he wasn't saying. Hope Motlop and other have picked up on that policy.

I like sarcasm. Underrated. No way should irony be above it.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Funny, reminds me more of 2012.

2012 we were 4-4 by round 8 and got bundled out in the elimination final.

I'll bookmark this for ya.

 

[Senatorguesty]

I'm not one-out here commenting on the abject negativity that runs through this forum sometimes. It's ridiculous. I'm calling it out, that's all.

You can't improve "early game".

Chris Scott is bullshitting when he says it's a worry because he doesn't know the reason. He knows exactly why we are having slow starts because he is the one causing it. You can tell by the way some of them are jogging around early on - you just know they are (or have recently been) going through some heavy training.

Silly Motlop opened his big trap last year to the media when he explained the sudden great starts were they were having (at that time) was due to a change in training routine. And he even went into detail about the routines! I reckon Scott read the riot act to him over that. The next week Scott was asked about it pre game. He mumbled something thru gritted teeth. I laughed.

Did you see the HS today? Stokes said there was a reason why he was sub, but he wasn't saying. Hope Motlop and other have picked up on that policy.

I like sarcasm. Underrated. No way should irony be above it.

You are absolutely joking.
Are you seriously trying to say the Cats are having a "heavy training" period before round 1 and 2?! During our hardest month for the year?!??
If you genuinely believe that I have nothing more to discuss with you because you live in a fairy land of rainbows and unicorns.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

You are absolutely joking.
Are you seriously trying to say the Cats are having a "heavy training" period before round 1 and 2?! During our hardest month for the year?!??
If you genuinely believe that I have nothing more to discuss with you because you live in a fairy land of rainbows and unicorns.

Compared to the teams we are playing, of course we are. It shows in the way we are playing.

No need to be abusive. Doesn't help.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

Big worry. Exactly what killed us last year and doesn't look like changing any time soon.

If we give Carlton a 5 goal lead at half time next week they won't go away like Hawthorn and North. We need to be on from the opening bounce.

And agree with above, suggesting that these slow starts are planned by Scotty is ridiculously wishful thinking

 

[hbk_aus]

Compared to the teams we are playing, of course we are. It shows in the way we are playing.

No need to be abusive. Doesn't help.

How does it show in the way we are playing? If we were in the middle of a heavy training block, wouldn't we struggle to run games out compared to other teams?

I have honestly never heard of a heavy training block right at the start of a season directly after pre-season has finished.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

How does it show in the way we are playing? If we were in the middle of a heavy training block, wouldn't we struggle to run games out compared to other teams?

I have honestly never heard of a heavy training block right at the start of a season directly after pre-season has finished.

I didn't say we were in the middle of a heavy training block like the mid/late training regime a lot of clubs go through. But it certainly looks like the other teams have freshened up for us and we are doing it harder on the training track. Especially in the first half we look a little lethargic by comparison.

No. I'll give you an example: When we got done by WCE in 2011 mid season at Pattersons. That was in the middle of a heavy training block so they said. And after a sluggish start we nearly ran over the top of them. Did it all through that period.

Whatever training we are doing now at the start of the season, it looks like we go into games less fresh than our opponents. Yes?

 

[vinum coupe]

I don't understand - we've got all out VETERANS playing. Aren't they all still great? Isn't it 2008 still?

Corey - FINISHED. Chapman - not a midfielder anymore. Kelly - try kicking it to Hawkins big chest instead of 10 metres in front of his feet. Bartel - you're not up to it in the midfield anymore.

There's some uncomfortable home truths that no one wants to face.

ha ha ha ha ha