We played shit.

[cats2rise]

Terrible football. Got frightened. Terrible skills. Need to step it up for next week.

 

[patdman]

I think everyone expected this to be a close game. HAve a feeling we might destroy whoever we play next weekend.

 

[Brasil2007]

Terrible football. Got frightened. Terrible skills. Need to step it up for next week.

Most obvious in the younger players I thought. The older guys were mostly ok without being good. A bare handful were terrific.

What was up with kicking for goal in the third? Should have put the game beyond doubt at that point.

Watching the replay, in the 2nd, Byrnes looked even worse that he did at the ground.

 

[cats2rise]

At the start all players were lossed. Harley dropped the marks in the pack he takes 9/10.

Lets hope its a shock to the system and there is maulage next week!

 

[ROARisWAR]

I thought Ling struggled tonight

even when he went forward, couldn't get his hands on it

spose he's allowed to have one bad game now and then...

No more though

 

[Brasil2007]

I thought Ling struggled tonight

even when he went forward, couldn't get his hands on it

spose he's allowed to have one bad game now and then...

No more though

He was poor but what I did like is that he kept working - not easy to do.

I always reckon if you're featured in the paper or the record you're in trouble as a player!

 

[Catdog]

For gods sake we won get that lid and rip it off

So they played shit in your eyes at least we are into

the last week in September give the boys some credit

The pies played us well full credit to them

Bring on the granny i dont care how we get there

 

[finrod]

Yep I agree we were nowhere near our best... just glad to win the game. Collingwood were very good with their pressure though.

 

[And_ROOS]

I think tonights game was better preparation for next weekend then a 8 goal belting would have been.

They will now prepare for next week knowing its going to be harder then tonights match, and will lift accordingly.

 

[Duskfire]

We didn't play that well against Collingwood earlier in the year either. Collingwood are just a very good side who gives of amazing pressure; this was evident by their superior tackling count. People look at the magpies who lose to Brisbane and Richmond, when its the same magpies who beat teams like Sydney and St Kilda and so forth in amazing games.

Theres no denying we didnt play to our standards, but I think alot of it was because of collingwood. And don't forget, we were in front for the majority of the game. When the Magpies hit the front it was never for long.

 

[Tonycam*]

I think tonights game was better preparation for next weekend then a 8 goal belting would have been.

They will now prepare for next week knowing its going to be harder then tonights match, and will lift accordingly.

Agree , Just think how much better they can play next week

 

[Duskfire]

I think tonights game was better preparation for next weekend then a 8 goal belting would have been.

They will now prepare for next week knowing its going to be harder then tonights match, and will lift accordingly.

Completely agree. First time we have been in a ultra-pressure, intense match for pretty much the entire game and the Cats showed they have the mental toughness to last it. Collingwood threw absolutely everything at us, while a few players performed very underpar. Will be better for this game. if we had belted the pies we would have gone into the GF without this experience.

 

[Gone Critical]

Terrible football. Got frightened. Terrible skills. Need to step it up for next week.

I think you misinterpret the match. Collingwoods game style puts massive pressure on the opposition and this is seen by supporters as their team not playing well. Virtually whenever we play well the opposition isnt given the opportunity or time to display their normal skills. Their supporters interpret this as an off day but it happens too often. Sydney claim to have had 3 off days against us this year, WCE were off last week, you guys reckon you were terrible against us early in the year and again tonight, the list goes on.

Either we are just incredibly lucky that teams keep not showing up when they play us or its something we are doing. Collingwood of Malthouses era have played this style, the pressure. It stands up pretty well in big matches. I am not saying we are the most talented team by any means but the suppressive effect this pressure has on games makes the critics characterise us as having little talent almost surviving on heart alone. That is untrue.

You played well tonight but not as stylishly as you are used to. If you hadnt played well you would have lost.

I agree with what some have said above, this match will work for you next week. Good luck

 

[Copernicus]

That's the pressure of finals footy - our skills weren't as polished as they should have been (especially kicking for goal) but we were clearly able to get more of the ball, and that's what told against the Pies in the end.

We were probably always going to be a little rusty after two weeks off. This was just the game we needed if we are going to win the big one.

 

[bloodycats]

I think everyone expected this to be a close game. HAve a feeling we might destroy whoever we play next weekend.

My thoughts exactly. That was a helluva tough game, just what we needed.......BRING IT ON!!!! I LOVE GRAND FINAL WEEK!!!! This is one we might win.................................

 

[kirky]

Yes, it wasn't your best game but at least you got that out of the system. You need a tight hard game and Collingwood was always going to provide that.

Night games are not your specialty so I was relieved to see you get over the line.

Now if the Roos make it, you'll have my vote. If Port make it, well whip their arses so they bleed.

I want your misery of 40 odd years to end.

Go Cats!!!!

PS: Stokes came to you via the SANFL Eagles.

 

[erpel9999]

pies made us play shit... and we still won

 

[peter_ford]

I think you misinterpret the match. Collingwoods game style puts massive pressure on the opposition and this is seen by supporters as their team not playing well. Virtually whenever we play well the opposition isnt given the opportunity or time to display their normal skills. Their supporters interpret this as an off day but it happens too often. Sydney claim to have had 3 off days against us this year, WCE were off last week, you guys reckon you were terrible against us early in the year and again tonight, the list goes on.

Either we are just incredibly lucky that teams keep not showing up when they play us or its something we are doing. Collingwood of Malthouses era have played this style, the pressure. It stands up pretty well in big matches. I am not saying we are the most talented team by any means but the suppressive effect this pressure has on games makes the critics characterise us as having little talent almost surviving on heart alone. That is untrue.

You played well tonight but not as stylishly as you are used to. If you hadnt played well you would have lost.

I agree with what some have said above, this match will work for you next week. Good luck

only thing i disagree with is i think the game earlier this year, cats were in control the whole game. tonight, well cats controlled the last quarter as pies were always gonna come home strong but first 3 quarters were pretty even.

 

[Brasil2007]

only thing i disagree with is i think the game earlier this year, cats were in control the whole game. tonight, well cats controlled the last quarter as pies were always gonna come home strong but first 3 quarters were pretty even.

I think we were further on top than reflected by the final margin. Our kicking in front of goal was TERRIBLE. Even average kicking for goal would have seen us win by 3 or 4.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

I don't think we were terrible. Just an amazingly pressured game of football against a side that should be admired for their work ethic and toughness.

We will be so much better for that - as opposed to a comfortable win.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

We do need to step up a bit! I would like to see king back in, as Blake really was below par today and i don't think King would make the same errors. Other than that, a few costly turnovers and soft free kicks really made it closer then what it should have been.....Matty Egan playing will be useful and allow a bit more flow from our backline.

All in all, half marks for the boys today, but that means nothing going into the big one and i just hope to god we have no injuries!

BTW, how good is Ablett? Seriously that kid was a class above everyone else today, every disposal he had led to some meaningful play!

 

[kickingoals]

cant beleive how poorly the cats played , corey, ling , harley all big gamers played like school kids , once again mooney failed in a big game , and as for byrnes even getting a game ! what has he got on bumber thompson? if its pace they want at least varcoe tackles and pressures the ball carrier and can use the ball , byrnes skill level is on par with under 12 s .
also didnt like the way the cats celebrated as if they all ready won the flag , hope the can step up for port next week , bet they wont be jumping around when they win a spot in the big one !!!

anyone got stats on free kicks ? i think 6 pies goals came directley from poor frees payed too them , it looked like every time geelong got on top and looked like kicking away , another free would go the pies way in a crucial area ? you could see the cats players were into the umps about it ..

gald were in the big one , but my confidence is not strong after just beating an ordinary side like the pies , who had the trip west last week , should have been 40 points ..

 

[krisholio14]

I watched the replay and we actually didn't play as badly as I thought we did. There did seem to be a fair bit of nervousness out there among the players, but really we weren't that far away from breaking them at two or three stages of the game.

Full credit to Collingwood. They worked hard and their structures were excellent and disciplined all night.

 

[BigBadCam]

For gods sake we won get that lid and rip it off

So they played shit in your eyes at least we are into

the last week in September give the boys some credit

The pies played us well full credit to them

Bring on the granny i dont care how we get there

Exactly. A win is a win, and a week in footy is a long time. Bring on the grand final!! how good is that to say?

 

[faffies]

the conditions definately didnt suit us- wet and slippery. there were alot of mistakes but especially alot of dropped marks from n'ablett and harley. hopefully its dry for the gf! and im confident.