Preliminary Final Player Review

[Quicky]

I look at it as two parts.

First big props to Tarrant, Reid, Pendles, Blair and Cloke for holding us together while we were playing shit. They all really dug deep and kept us from getting blown away.

Swan, Ball, Sidebottom and Thomas all had massive last quarters along with Cloke to win it for us.

I thought Dawes game was also very good. He busted a nut out there all game, kicked an early goal and important one late. It definitely deserves more credit than it is getting.

 

[Chief Ten Beers]

Re: Finals review v Hawthorn

Really? I thought he was great, apart from getting caught in the pocket.(seemed to think there was a whistle and just stopped?) Stood up tall in the last quarter again.

Yeah from memory Rioli stopped as well, rubbish decision and should have been a ball up.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Dawes' game was the worst three goal game I think I've ever seen. Swan, Cloke, Tarrant, Davis clearly our best by a mile, not sure what game you were watching Knightmare.

 

[HFF]

We really need to dig deep here.

Our backs are against the ball, everyone thinks we are vulnerable and ripe for the taking.

We need a herculean effort next week. We must find something.

 

[Knightmare]

Hawthorn played so well because their structures held up and completely stopped our ball movement and drive from our back line.



I actually think Geelong will be by far the harder matchup. If Jolly misses expect a B.O.G effort from Brad Ottens and for Trent West to also to produce and take advantage in the ruck. Ottens has damaged us in the past and I expect no different on grand final day. Their key defenders will be able to contain our key forwards - easily, so we need lots of goals out of our smalls + mids. Chapman always pulls out a big game v us.
As for their key forwards if Reid doesn't get up for the game. Big trouble. They have serious targets up forward in Podsiadly, Hawkins - who can play as he showed it v Hawthorn, then Ottens when he drifts forward can have a big influence.
Also expect Geelong to be ALLOT better than Hawthorn were through the stoppages. We overpowered Hawthorn inside which was impressive, but don't expect it to be so easy against a quality Geelong midfield - who will get first use consistantly.

 

[Knightmare]

Dawes' game was the worst three goal game I think I've ever seen. Swan, Cloke, Tarrant, Davis clearly our best by a mile, not sure what game you were watching Knightmare.

His first minute was horrible as I noted.

But in the most part was allot better than he has been for the past month. Presented strongly at the footy. Created a contest. Bought the ball to ground. Took some grabs. And did some damage.
Obviously against an undersized Hawthorn backline where you would expect him to capitalise like he did. But was encouraged by his performance.

 

[soreplums]

I think the lads will be better off for the run tbh. Yep they are sore today and they copped a battering last night, but I don't think they'll be as flat as they were against the Hawks.

 

[Geelong_Bisons_#36]

Re: Finals review v Hawthorn

OK:

Blair: Tackling pressure consistantly good. Chased and was desperate. Late in the 2nd I really enjoyed his evasive spin then kick forward. Showed poise. Also important was mid way through the 3rd where as a long option he found space. Then when get got the ball kicked long to Cloke who ran forward for the easy goal.

Harsh I think.

I thought the little man was sensational in the first half and was one of the only players who had some intensity around the contest, hence the amount of tackles he broke.

IMHO Blair was one of our best tonight.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I think the lads will be better off for the run tbh. Yep they are sore today and they copped a battering last night, but I don't think they'll be as flat as they were against the Hawks.

I agree. All year sides have struggled first up and I think we were a bit flat......hopefully jolly and Reid get up and we go in better for it

 

[Old Spice]

Whilst this is a player review, I thought the result for us was massive, grand final one massive.

Everything is up for us and I didn't get the feeling the boys were demoralised after the win. On the contrary.

Knowing you can gouge one out against a super team with a dozen plus poor perfomances is huge.

I only hope Mick doesn't play the safe card if Jolly is not up for it. Given Reid was not well but performed his role, that's not so bad. Goldsack for me is a definite in if Reid is too sore. I reckon we can take their talls with Taz and some double up action.

Beams shocker I think is an abberation, but Fasolo is a strong chance for him, Johnnson or even for Didak.

Did's has had a lot of chances this year and without a good pre-season, I don't know that we can afford another player that is not a fierce tackler, especially if Johnson is in.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Great summary.....very harsh on Dawes and Maxwell though...........and Blair....

Agree that I thought Sidebottom was very good.

Dont see how Beams can possibly hold his spot in the team after that game. The stakes are too high.

 

[sr36]

I also thought that Blair plyaed a much underrated game. When the ball hit the ground in our forward line, he was the only one who seemed to have adjusted to the extra intensity and pace of action required. Beams didn't even seem to be playing. Krak was very weak in many contests and wanted to do too much when he got hands on it. A few times Dawes won the ball well at ground level, but held onto it for too long, waiting for a perfect option to appear. It's a major worry, because so much of our game plan revolves around just getting it forward quickly and having these guys swarming once the ball hits the ground. We relied too much on Cloke being able to clunk marks against 3 defenders.

I'd love to see Sidey given more licence in the Grand final, as his kicks into the forward 50 are just about the best in the league. He justs weights them magnificently.

The other thing that concerned me was the number of missed tackles by us.

Having said all that it was a glorious victory and just about the perfect lead up to a grand final. I expect us to get an early jump on the Cats, as we've just played one at the required intensity, whereas they have to adjust to a new level of intensity next week.