Thoughts on tonights game

[betchsta]

Well im pretty damn stoked that the cats have been able to win 9 in a row, I guess that this was bound to happen, considering that the bombers lost a few players during the match, Good to see that we have ended up smashing them regardless of what has happened, Time for some redemption against the pies now, Cant wait for next week now.

 

[Duskfire]

There was always that feeling for me in that game, waiting for the floodgates to open. Essendon did an amazing job to hang in there - they seem to rise a notch against good teams, and will be a worry for anyone who plays them come the Finals (assuming they make it.) A couple of good signs: a few players played outside their normal position and did well; and Gablett and Bartel were quite quiet, but others such as Selwood or Chapman managed to stand up. shows our potential depth.

Was a bit worried about the slowish start, but cant play good all quarters.

 

[Hood007]

and Gablett and Bartel were quite quiet, but others such as Selwood or Chapman managed to stand up. shows our potential depth.

He had 30 touches!
Hardly quiet...

 

[Tommy the Cat]

we were fortunate that the Bombers had so many injuries and Selwood just keeps getting better

 

[Bomber Bears]

well played geelong. Pity we lost hird davey n others , looked like a cracker up till late 3 quarter before you guys kicked on. Good luck rest of season

 

[Tommy the Cat]

well played geelong. Pity we lost hird davey n others , looked like a cracker up till late 3 quarter before you guys kicked on. Good luck rest of season

cheers mate

 

[Duskfire]

Ablett had alot of touches, but to me he didn't seem as dangerous as he sometimes is. Not to say he played like crap - far from it - but compared to some of his previous games... my expectations on him are huge I guess

 

[Hood007]

Ablett had alot of touches, but to me he didn't seem as dangerous as he sometimes is. Not to say he played like crap - far from it - but compared to some of his previous games... my expectations on him are huge I guess

As are mine.
What a great thing that is too.
To once again, have high expectations for an Ablett.
Far from quiet though...

 

[WynyardCat]

Disposals in the first half were below par. Could see the boys were switched on but things weren't running their way. They obviously recognised Essendon would come hard early and they had to absorb a few punches in the early rounds, so to speak.

Once Hird went off, even on the TV here in Sydney I noticed it took the wind out of the Bombers and their supporters. From half time on I thought we could blow the game open, it was just a question of whether Essendon had the tenacity to keep coming and win the game on pure emotion.

As I said in the votes thread, I was really really pleased with how they stuck hard at doing the team things, kept running, kept presenting, and above all maintained their discipline in the midst of some woeful umpiring (both ways, admittedly). The hands in the back free that Scarlo called "the worst decision of all time" - Scarlo hasn't watched many Friday night games lately, obviously.

Tommy Harley said post match on the ground that he thought they over-rotated the matchups in the first half, and I'd agree. It almost had a sense of Bomber's infamous "We didn't know who was on him" earlier in the year. The Chest was doing a great job on Lucas and Scarlo, Dash and Tommy just had to stay tight and together.

Alwyn Davey looked really dangerous and his injury really hurt Essendon, and losing Hird deprived them of motivation. Think back to Eagles v St Kilda and how hard the Saints dug in with Harvey out there amongst them. Having a club icon sitting on the bench in a tracksuit in 'his' game would be demoralising for anyone.

I've been thinking the past few weeks we're due for a loss. Now I'm starting to think "Hey, the really great sides of the past 25 years didn't think in terms of expecting to lose a game here or there. They focused each week on doing the team things and the results took care of themselves."

I am starting to believe we've witnessed the dawning of a new era at Kardinia Park. I'm hoping the next 12 weeks doesn't reveal it to be yet another false dawn at the Cattery.

 

[crosby123]

Tremendous effort from the defence through those periods when Essendon dominated the middle. Only weak link was Tenace, bring in David Johnson.

Also, while I love his defensive pressure, Varcoe just doesn't work hard enough when we have the ball. Doesn't go in too hard. Threaten to replace him with Djerrkura as the defensive forward if he doesn't pick up that aspect of his game?

Mooney a star, pity he couldn't kick straight! 3 goals, 6 behinds.

 

[wazzabp]

Well done to the Cats, just too good in the end. A bit more class across the whole playing group made the difference.
Good luck for the rest of the season.

 

[rocker_oz33]

Well done to the Cats, just too good in the end. A bit more class across the whole playing group made the difference.
Good luck for the rest of the season.

thanks buddy. l hope hird season is not over l hope he plays again this year for you guys, good game it was close most of the game

 

[thejester]

Dodged a bullet IMO. Could easily have gone either way if the injuries hadn't hit the bombers. But, C'est la footy.

Certainly think a few changes have to be looked at. Tenace was pretty woeful - bring in DJ. Varcoe...we all know he fills a niche role but that only gets you so far, only had 3 tackles for the night (as opposed to 8 from Selwood! EIGHT!)

 

[WE Are Geelong]

well played geelong. Pity we lost hird davey n others , looked like a cracker up till late 3 quarter before you guys kicked on. Good luck rest of season

Should be proud mate...for 3 1/2 quarters the bombers played manfully, losing 2 in the first half these days rarely gets you over the line (although we managed to last week against the Swans). As Harley said after the match it was just attrition in the end which is alot of what modern footy is about these days. Good win by the boys.

Geelong need as much of this footy as they can get at the moment...looking forward to more of the same next week. The pies have a good recent record against us...I think we will be primed for them this time.

 

[The Dustbin]

Congratulations on the win tonight. To strong, deserved the victory.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Well done to the Cats, just too good in the end. A bit more class across the whole playing group made the difference.
Good luck for the rest of the season.

Dont sweat it mate...the bombers did themselves proud. Jobe Watson chip off the old block in the third. I am sure you will be thereabouts.

 

[yesir]

Great win by your guys tonight.

I haven't really watched Geelong much this year but now I know why you have won 9 straight.

I love the way Ablett plays. Such a smart player.

But the one for me is Mooney. He is a ****en star.....has leadership written all over him. Gonna enjoy watching him play in the finals this year

Good luck for the rest of the year

 

[bmwofoz]

I was really impressed by Geelong tonight, a great all round performance, the hardness and the running was great, dare I say it but I think without knowing if anyone is out of the Geelong side I would having seen WCE I feel Geelong are close to if not flag favorites.

 

[Geelong2007]

Disposals in the first half were below par. Could see the boys were switched on but things weren't running their way. They obviously recognised Essendon would come hard early and they had to absorb a few punches in the early rounds, so to speak.

Once Hird went off, even on the TV here in Sydney I noticed it took the wind out of the Bombers and their supporters. From half time on I thought we could blow the game open, it was just a question of whether Essendon had the tenacity to keep coming and win the game on pure emotion.

As I said in the votes thread, I was really really pleased with how they stuck hard at doing the team things, kept running, kept presenting, and above all maintained their discipline in the midst of some woeful umpiring (both ways, admittedly). The hands in the back free that Scarlo called "the worst decision of all time" - Scarlo hasn't watched many Friday night games lately, obviously.

Tommy Harley said post match on the ground that he thought they over-rotated the matchups in the first half, and I'd agree. It almost had a sense of Bomber's infamous "We didn't know who was on him" earlier in the year. The Chest was doing a great job on Lucas and Scarlo, Dash and Tommy just had to stay tight and together.

Alwyn Davey looked really dangerous and his injury really hurt Essendon, and losing Hird deprived them of motivation. Think back to Eagles v St Kilda and how hard the Saints dug in with Harvey out there amongst them. Having a club icon sitting on the bench in a tracksuit in 'his' game would be demoralising for anyone.

I've been thinking the past few weeks we're due for a loss. Now I'm starting to think "Hey, the really great sides of the past 25 years didn't think in terms of expecting to lose a game here or there. They focused each week on doing the team things and the results took care of themselves."

I am starting to believe we've witnessed the dawning of a new era at Kardinia Park. I'm hoping the next 12 weeks doesn't reveal it to be yet another false dawn at the Cattery.

Best passage i have heard from a cats fan on this board.. not that i am getting in front of myself and Geelong having supported them for 36 years but it is time to show the faith and wave the flag...

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Best passage i have heard from a cats fan on this board.. not that i am getting in front of myself and Geelong having supported them for 36 years but it is time to show the faith and wave the flag...

I agree mate...'keeping a lid on it' doesnt mean hiding away...we are obviously in the fight for the flag at the moment and with 3 months to go we are as good a chance as anyone...one step at a time.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Good win by the Cats.

Both sides showed a fair bit of quality and character tonight.

Injuries made the scoreboard look worse than it should have been but we were never going to win anyway.

Really impressed by Selwood and Ablett tonight.

I had my doubts on Ablett jnr in the past but he's now become elite.

Selwood is a ready made gun.

Defence is looking really good.

I have you guys as premiership faves but I need to see how you fair on the G and bigger grounds to be completely confident.

 

[Western Cat]

Arrived from Perth at 6.30 and got into the ground half way through the first quarter for my first game of the season and it was all worth it!
The Cats did not disappoint although it was a bit scrappy at times, pressure causing both sides to fumble and make mistakes.

But... I can't help feeling that if Ramanauskas had kicked that goal in the second quarter and put Essendon a couple of goals in front, the emotional lift (as witnessed later when he did kick a goal) and the momentum may have made it a different game.
Similarly the loss of Hird in a big game and Davey restricted Essendon and opened the door for us a bit. Not to mention the absence of Lloyd. (If I were Anthony Rocca I'd be worried, key forwards seem to be falling over the week before they play the Cats at the moment!!)

Having said that, the Cats were GREAT. They blew open what had been a very close and tense game and powered home in the last quarter.
Funny, seeing the stats later Chapman emerged as a star player but it was Mooney that really stood out for me, he is THE difference this year.
Not only is he staying out of trouble and providing on-field leadership, but he's playing great footy, taking big marks and being a very dangerous forward. Only his kicking at goal let him down tonight.

Hawkins' strength was impressive but his decision making was poor. Time and experience will fix that.

Junior didn't do his Brownlow prospects any harm.

Lots of good players but I agree Tenace was disappointing.

Go The Mighty Cats!!