Game Day Round 3 - Crows v Cats

[catempire]

I think what you say is true. We all have different perceptions and ideas as to what our best set up is. Some of that may be supported by stats, most of it though is based on how we watch the game and how we view certain moments in matches. My opinion, rightly or wrongly, is that we "look" a much more dangerous and damaging team when we have better run out of defence. When we have a taller set up, that run, in my opinion, is stifled and we look very one paced. We don't bring the ball into our forward 50 as quickly from our back 50.

I think what we have seen this year albeit in only 2 games, is a determination to try to run the ball more than we have been. Fast entries into that forward 50 supported by a manic forward pressure is working fantastically well. I think Clark's inclusion is critical. We have needed that player to run and carry as well as being able to deliver pin point passes over a long distance. He's a beauty. Combine that with Stewart's run and mobile talls in Blicavs, Henry and Kolo then you have a bloody good set up. My concern is that throwing Henderson into that mix skews the dynamic of that back six back to a too stagnant one. I'd be playing Henderson only at the expense of Taylor or Blicavs. Anyway we will see tonight how it goes.

A few thoughts:

1. Over the years I think playing more talls has been playing to our strength in terms of personnel. Ever since Scarlett, Egan, Egan, Taylor we have built a gameplan and therefore a list which meant having 3-4 bigger defenders was better.

2. We haven't had a Clark type since Wojcinski. We've made several attempts to turn other players into that type of player (Varcoe being an obvious one) but none have gone well. Now that we have Clark he certainly adds something we've been missing (although I worry about his defensive side which on exposed form is very poor - that's the trade off).

3. This week we haven't sacrificed a running player. Henry has been playing as that 4th "tall" and although he is blisteringly quick and nicely agile he provides absolutely zero run off half back. It's not at all the case that with Henderson replacing him we lose run. At worst we lose agility and the ability to match-up defensively on a smaller player. Whether that matters will come down to whether Kolo and others can "size-down" and play effectively on a small.

 

[Spazz Cat]

Best side available no excuses.

Except for a 5 day break and interstate.

 

[year of the cat]

A few thoughts:

1. Over the years I think playing more talls has been playing to our strength in terms of personnel. Ever since Scarlett, Egan, Egan, Taylor we have built a gameplan and therefore a list which meant having 3-4 bigger defenders was better.

2. We haven't had a Clark type since Wojcinski. We've made several attempts to turn other players into that type of player (Varcoe being an obvious one) but none have gone well. Now that we have Clark he certainly adds something we've been missing (although I worry about his defensive side which on exposed form is very poor - that's the trade off).

3. This week we haven't sacrificed a running player. Henry has been playing as that 4th "tall" and although he is blisteringly quick and nicely agile he provides absolutely zero run off half back. It's not at all the case that with Henderson replacing him we lose run. At worst we lose agility and the ability to match-up defensively on a smaller player. Whether that matters will come down to whether Kolo and others can "size-down" and play effectively on a small.

That's the concern for tonight. I agree.

 

[Down at K Park]

I won't be using either or them combined as an excuse,it not like the Crows have been sitting at home on their arses on extended breaks.

Crows off a 6 day break and had to travel back from Sydney. If we lose it's a bloody poor excuse.

 

[Max Milburn]

What do we think of Dermie's sudden love-in with the Cats?

Selling a winning plan, midfield speed and winning one-on-one defensive battles are the keys to Geelong advancing to a Grand Final, according to SEN footy analyst Dermott Brereton.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I won't be using either or them combined as an excuse,it not like the Crows have been sitting at home on their arses on extended breaks.

True, in addition, both teams we have beaten this year went pretty deep into finals last year and as a result maybe behind in fitness. The crows will be the first opponent for us cherry ripe off a big preseason.

 

[Seeds]

Crows off a 6 day break and had to travel back from Sydney. If we lose it's a bloody poor excuse.

There is a big difference between 5 and 6 days. Particularly when the team playing 5 days played in extreme wet weather conditions.

 

[you pick one]

I'm going to be interested to see if our ball movement is like it was vs Collingwood.
People have spoken about our inability to spread on the MCG and then stymie the opponents spread.

Well we did it.
Let's back it up.

AO is more like KP than MCG

 

[Max Milburn]

There is a big difference between 5 and 6 days. Particularly when the team playing 5 days played in extreme wet weather conditions.

Will make it a great win.

 

[BIGANT]

Super pumped about tonight. Always seems to be something extra of late when these two sides meet. Proud Adelaidian cat, seats are locked and g2g, sitting in the area for friend's, wags and family members of GFC in the riverbank stand. 22' tonight

On SM-G960F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[you pick one]

There is a big difference between 5 and 6 days. Particularly when the team playing 5 days played in extreme wet weather conditions.

Wet but not heavy conditions,training run.

 

[romeohwho]

If crows bring their best it will be a good contest. If we bring our current best ( based on only 2 games, we will win even if they do bring their best footy).
If they bring their current season’s form, we will win well enough.
Comon Cats. Geelong by 3+ goals.

 

[you pick one]

Super pumped about tonight. Always seems to be something extra of late when these two sides meet. Proud Adelaidian cat, seats are locked and g2g, sitting in the area for friend's, wags and family members of GFC in the riverbank stand. 22' tonight

On SM-G960F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Enjoy,pea green.

 

[catpremier 07]

Shocking day to have it as you still have another day of work

Yep, but I'll still have a few froths to calm the nerves

 

[Jimmy Willis Jawline]

Ive got to get through the Meat Tray raffle at the local bowls club before the game. Should help take my mind off it.

 

[Seeds]

Wet but not heavy conditions,training run.

True but its still much harder to run on and the lack of clean disposal means there are more bumps and tackles and hits. There was some brutal contested ball.

 

[Seeds]

I picked geelong against the pies and dees. Picking crows tonight. If we win it will be a very impressive win and will announce us as a genuine premiership threat.

 

[dazbroncos]

I picked geelong against the pies and dees. Picking crows tonight. If we win it will be a very impressive win and will announce us as a genuine premiership threat.

and you definitely cant have that!!!

Go Catters

 

[Ray Donovan]

5-day break interstate trip unkind schedule for the cats adelaide were good in Sydney last week.

Geelong was excellent vs melbourne one thing about the crows is on paper they are a underated clearance side. M.Crouch, Sloane you can throw gibbs and B.Crouch into the mix. If they do win it on the inside they are a dangerous side Atkins, B.Smith, Seedsman, Milera all quite dangerous by foot and will get a bit of carry.

The role players tend to lift a bit at home as well always need to be careful on the road. I think as per usual it's just about doing the basics early.

The teams to me look like geelong has named the better squad.

It's more the unknown factors when you go interstate on a short break with only 1 change from the first two weeks.

Will the cats have heavy legs early how will they handle adelaide oval the crowd.

I see no reason the cats can't win and go 3-0 but I also see a dogfight I don't think it will be easy by any means.

 

[4quarter_cat]

What I want to see:

- The smaller forwards and mids harrassing and chasing like their lives depend on it.
- Hawkins busting packs and bringing the ball to ground in the vicinity of Dalhaus, Rohan, Danger etc when he doesn't have the opportunity to take a clean mark.
- Attacking football in the backline to take advantage of Adelaide's lumbering forwards. Rebound, rebound, rebound.
- The best players in the middle from the opening bounce, PLEASE.
- Fifth-gear effort from the opening bounce. These games are always tough because a huge amount of the result is predicated upon the opening fifteen minutes. If you can't come out breathing fire from the opening bounce and you give away a four goal lead in the first quarter, that's the game.

Go Cats!

If we start in 5th Gear, we'll probably stall. Lets start in first and keep the torque high all game. Lets only get into 5th if we're running all over them

 

[goyoucatters]

What do we think of Dermie's sudden love-in with the Cats?

Selling a winning plan, midfield speed and winning one-on-one defensive battles are the keys to Geelong advancing to a Grand Final, according to SEN footy analyst Dermott Brereton.

Two weeks in and he's already epically reaching in a desperate attempt to put the mockers on a team he despises.

Spooked beyond belief.

 

[Drunkcat]

5 day break played in the rain the poor little darlings it is just so unfair big bad AFL making us do this I just so hope they survive

 

[Ray Donovan]

What do we think of Dermie's sudden love-in with the Cats?

Selling a winning plan, midfield speed and winning one-on-one defensive battles are the keys to Geelong advancing to a Grand Final, according to SEN footy analyst Dermott Brereton.

paid well to talk it's round 2 dermott loves a headline

 

[Mr Blicavs]

There is a big difference between 5 and 6 days. Particularly when the team playing 5 days played in extreme wet weather conditions.

They travelled, they had to bus it, sit around the airport, bus it home ...blah blah blah, we didnt.
Id say 5 and 6 days is pretty comparable in this circumstance.
5 day break is no excuse

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

I picked geelong against the pies and dees. Picking crows tonight. If we win it will be a very impressive win and will announce us as a genuine premiership threat.

Ditto. With such a short break away to a side that's beaten us on that patch the last two times I had it down a loss. Ready to be pleasantly surprised though. At the moment there seems to be something different about our approach. GO CATS