Review Cats belt Freo by 78 points.

[CatToTheFuture]

Centre bounce set play?

Going off memory i think he had pretty silver service from Conway and then would just stand up in the tackle with his arms high up and handball unobstructed to whoever he wanted, often Cooper Whyte from memory.

The kind of thing that was always going to take years to be able to pull off against afl sized bodies

 

[cats_09]

Yeah, I don't like it.

The club announced during the week that they'll be using both verses this year - thought it was great that we're finally hearing the full song

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Absolutely LOVED his kicking into the F50 today.

Hit up Stengle with a very clever snap to space - GOAL.
Hit Atkins with fantastic inboard vision - GOAL.
Hit Cameron on the lead with a low 50m pass - GOAL.
Hit Cameron again when he marked and played on immediately - GOAL.

Baz should have hit him up in the last quarter also, instead of going for goal himself...

A BIG breakout game will come soon.. A big 5-6 goal game against STK next week would be nice..

He's a rare combination of size , power and coordination plus he's still a kid.
He looks so balanced with ball in hand and that kicking technique is pure textbook.
He's an absolute keeper and right up there with the competitions best emerging key tall forwards.
Neale and SDK are going to be very formidable talls now and in the years to come

 

[Munich]

They should just play this.

 

[Spearman]

Agree with the lot of what has been posted…so will try and focus on a couple of different thoughts

I get some of the Mullin criticism but if you eliminate that 5m of play we would probably wouldn’t be talking much about him? Other than he didn’t get much of the ball. And when I look at those 4 goals by the kid at least two of them - maybe 3 - should have been punched through before it hit the ground by a big player (mostly young COS).

We simply don’t have any small defender with the speed required unless we go back to Bews post injury (which is not out of the question). Lawson closing speed (due to footy IQ) under rated but we need a pure lock down fast player and Mullin I think is the only option where we don’t mind sacrificing his offence. He could ultimately end up on the wing.

We missed Kolo. I am so happy COS is getting a good block and he will be a very good player but that 3rd qtr wouldn’t have happened with Kolo in the team - would have killed those opportunities in the goal square

I haven’t head much commentary about J Henry but wow - he could go to another level this year. In my mind he is the leader in the backline now - a rock.

Blitz wasn’t flashy but he looks entrenched in his role in Defence and Ruck. Solid - and can create some offense out of the backline

So happy for Knevitt. At qtr time I was shocked to see he had zero possessions as I had thought he was everywhere. Watching the replay he was but was a bit fumbly so was more involved in bumps and tap ons and defensive side. Don’t think we can underestimate how much we need his height and strength inside to complement that rest of the MF. And those left handed handballs to the outside were amazing.

Two celebrated youngers from last year who didn’t have “flashy games” and therefore haven’t got many mentions…Lawson and Dempsey…I thought showed something different - and exciting…Lawson showed to me a defensive side - closing speed, spoils, accountability which I think is important as a complement to his run and ball use.

I was going to comment at half time on Knevitte, Lawson and Dempsey but the reception at game was poor - for Dempsey it was about a completely different thing that normal - his contests were the best I have seen. Yes he had the soccer goal and 80% efficiency and some (limited) smart possessions and was often providing an option and not used as normal for a Cats wing…but he had 5 effective tackles and a bunch of other almost tackles, flew into packs to bring ball to ground and generally looked like he had a different mindset to contact. I noted he looked cooked earlier than most likely as contested footy is harder fitness wise…so whilst it might have taken away from the normal game if he can keep this mindset up it could be what takes his game to new level.

Lastly on SDK we do have I think to stop thinking of him as a ruckman but as another midfielder. He is still going to get monstered by some physically capably rucks (maybe even including next week) but the coaching staff know that and will plan for it…but what he can do on the ground is really helpful to our MF I reckon. With Blitz playing well, wanting to get COS games until Kolo returns…SDK ain’t going back anytime soon

Good post.
I was going to post something on SDK and read this (the bolded) as I was catching up. I think SDK is enjoying playing in the MIDFIELD. He wasn't a stationary receiver like a lot of talls, he moves and disposes well. I think I heard a stat that he had a lot of the ball. IIRC he played midfield before a growth spurt.
I think he's turning into another Scott/GFC hybrid of a slightly different flavor.

 

[iameviljez]

He's an absolute keeper and right up there with the competitions best emerging key tall forwards.

This is probably a little over the top. He's still very much a converted ruckman in a few senses, and someone like Sam Darcy is well ahead, as is Thilthorpe, for example. But I'm happy with where he is.

 

[iameviljez]

I was going to post something on SDK and read this (the bolded) as I was catching up. I think SDK is enjoying playing in the MIDFIELD. He wasn't a stationary receiver like a lot of talls, he moves and disposes well. I think I heard a stat that he had a lot of the ball. IIRC he played midfield before a growth spurt.

Yeah, he played that very Tim English kind of game - well and truly beaten in hitouts, but beat his opponent running the other way.

IMO it's one kind of ruck solution, but it won't work every time because it does leave us at a disadvantage for clearances. That said, it's great for him to have that release and get his hands on the footy - and it does mean that if someone like Conway isn't having a great day, we have that relief option who can get his hands on the ball.

 

[Falconx]

Funny despite kicking 23 goals it feels a few of our forwards underperformed.

Miers 14 disposals, 5 score involvements, and only 1 goal albeit was an awesome one.

Cameron kicked 4 goals but felt his presence around the ground was rather poor by his standards.

Henry 3 goals but was completely unsighted outside of those moments.

I know it's a minor thing but those are the sort of players who really cash in when things are going well.

 

[standupand]

Yeah, I don't like it.

What's not to like about the second verse?
Just like the national anthem, the 2nd verse is lesser known but imo superior.

 

[Spearman]

Close was terrific, as he often is.

Yeah, but regardless of the heat he needs to hide those golfer's arms.

 

[iameviljez]

Funny despite kicking 23 goals it feels a few of our forwards underperformed.

Miers 14 disposals, 5 score involvements, and only 1 goal albeit was an awesome one.

Cameron kicked 4 goals but felt his presence around the ground was rather poor by his standards.

Henry 3 goals but was completely unsighted outside of those moments.

I know it's a minor thing but those are the sort of players who really cash in when things are going well.

I think this maybe says more about your expectations?

15 touches and four goals is a very, very influential day out.

 

[My Tilly]

I think this maybe says more about your expectations?

15 touches and four goals is a very, very influential day out.

He was average though. By his own lofty high standards.
It wasn't until the final quarter did he begin really finding the footy.

But having made a couple of comments during the match, Cameron was running up and down throughout the day. His gut running is truly exceptional for a larger athlete.
Finally got reward for all that running.

A bit of a victim of his own high standards. Cameron is going to go down as a generational player when it's all said and done.
800+ career goals, 2 x B&F winner, 4 (or 5) x All Australian and hopefully a 2 x premiership medals.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Anyone still think SDK in the ruck was a terrible move and we should've given a decent salary and draft picks for someone like Reidy?

 

[iameviljez]

Anyone still think SDK in the ruck was a terrible move and we should've given a decent salary and draft picks for someone like Reidy?

I mean, the question isn't solved yet. It was encouraging, but let's not get carried away.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I mean, the question isn't solved yet. It was encouraging, but let's not get carried away.

Come on. SDK in the ruck might or might not work. But the idea that our ruck solution for this season should've been Fremantle's number 3 ruck with 2 career games was laughable.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Was a few different reason

Different strategy from us
Freo lifted
We went to sleep compared to the first half and last 1/4

I don’t think we can underestimate mindset. Frankly I was in the crowd and I relaxed - Freo looked cooked at half time and we were playing so well.

I am sure coaches and players telling themselves not to relax and keep pressure up but given how hot it was and with a 9 goal lead it is almost impossible not to slightly take the intensity out. To me the sure sign is that we had a number of out of bounds kicks in a row - which is a real sign of concentration given how skilled the boys are. Also pressure definitely dropped and allowed Freo to be the good side they should be.

I was pretty annoyed then at 3/4 time with only a 21 point lead and maybe the players also stiffened up and came out with a definite resolve to not let Freo have free play. Then once we broke them is was 10 goals to 1 to finish!

 

[iameviljez]

Come on. SDK in the ruck might or might not work. But the idea that our ruck solution for this season should've been Fremantle's number 3 ruck with 2 career games was laughable.

Yeah, I didn't exactly see a board-wide push to trade for Reidy, though.

 

[Heckler]

God that was a great game by us. Smith couldn't have done better in his first game and he seemed to get better as the game wore on.

Is there a better forward-line in the league? So many serious weapons down there. And really diverse, too. Cameron and Stengle are certified champs - one tall, one small. Ollie Henry is a prodigiously-talented medium-sized option. Shannon the Cannon is showing great signs as a tall CHF-style player with the ability to get himself to good spots, take a powerful contested grab, distribute intelligently, and convert himself. And then there's Close and Miers (high quality smalls who run and connect). Add in the bullocking presence of Dangerfield, who is basically impossible for opposition teams to contain. And you've got a seriously potent lineup of diverse and talented players.

I haven't even mentioned Mannagh, who is a dangerous and creative option. And Jack Martin is a possibility this year, too.

Look at other forward lines and they mostly look pathetic and patchy in comparison. Ours is just going to get better as they learn to play together but is already showing great signs.

Don't forget Dempsey around goals
Best opportunist player in the AFL
Creates something out of nothing
Reacts, cat like, in the blink of an eye
Ability to change mind mid execution
Super aware of everyone around him
Anticipates decisions ahead of the play
Never disorientated, remains focused
Always keeps trying even on his back
Executes silky skills under pressure
Super fit, Unbelievably huge tank
Super creative, does the unexpected
Plays footy with a big carefree smile

Wait till he develops body strength

 

[Mattttty]

Don't forget Dempsey around goals
Best opportunist player in the AFL
Creates something out of nothing
Reacts, cat like, in the blink of an eye
Ability to change mind mid execution
Super aware of everyone around him
Anticipates decisions ahead of the play
Never disorientated, remains focused
Always keeps trying even on his back
Executes silky skills under pressure
Super fit, Unbelievably huge tank
Super creative, does the unexpected
Plays footy with a big carefree smile

Wait till he develops body strength

View attachment 2251842

Thanks Heckler! I agree. I was only listing our key players who I consider to be 'forwards' in formal role. But I totally agree, he's got such wonderful fitness that he's always in there, and has such brilliant skills that he's a permanent and brilliant threat. Great call.

And we also have a few midfielders in Holmes, Smith and Bowes who don't mind a goal. Add that to the mix.

Seriously, how good is our attack!

 

[Munich]

Pull your finger out Giants

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Funny despite kicking 23 goals it feels a few of our forwards underperformed.

Miers 14 disposals, 5 score involvements, and only 1 goal albeit was an awesome one.

Cameron kicked 4 goals but felt his presence around the ground was rather poor by his standards.

Henry 3 goals but was completely unsighted outside of those moments.

I know it's a minor thing but those are the sort of players who really cash in when things are going well.

That's what's so impressive about our forwardline, even when they have below par games, we still kick 23 goals.
They are just so damn potent.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

That's what's so impressive about our forwardline, even when they have below par games, we still kick 23 goals.
They are just so damn potent.

It's like the marines where every marine is a rifleman. At Geelong everyone bar maybe 5 players can go forward

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

This is probably a little over the top. He's still very much a converted ruckman in a few senses, and someone like Sam Darcy is well ahead, as is Thilthorpe, for example. But I'm happy with where he is.

Respectfully disagree , Shannon is well below his peak but his attributes are so well suited to our game plan and personnel.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Love the k-rock photos…this one caught my eye as someone is chopping someone’s arms! Ollie flying in the land of the giants there

 

[Generalissimo]

At Geelong everyone bar maybe 5 players can go forward

Kolo, Mullin, O'Sullivan, Bews. Outside of guys who haven't had a senior game yet, I'm having trouble thinking who the fifth might be.