Review Silence at the AO as Cats defeat PA by 12 points

[Baudolino]

Would be interesting to see who we had in the centre bounces in the 3rd quarter. Seems strange how we were beaten so easily in there for the entire quarter, yet for the rest of the game we were probably on top in there. I wonder if we were playing a few of the regulars in there in other positions to keep them fresh for the last term.

Q3 Centre bounce attendances:

20.00 - Blicavs, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Atkins
18.12 - Blicavs, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Atkins
16.45 - Neale, Guthrie, Blicavs, Holmes
16.24 - Neale, Guthrie, Blicavs, Holmes
14.14 - Neale, Atkins, Blicavs, Holmes
10.24 - Neale, Guthrie, Atkins, Selwood
8.58 - Blicavs, Guthrie, Atkins, Selwood
8.15 - Blicavs, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Atkins
2.53 - Neale, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Blicavs
1.42 - Neale, Dangerfield, Guthrie, Blicavs

 

[Spearman]

Powell-Pepper(?) came to play today for sure. Who was on their other stars Grey and Wines? Usually Grey bobs up and kills teams.

 

[cats_09]

How's the Hawthorn fan in the front holding up his Hawthorn scarf? You're at the wrong game you muppet!

Maybe they're actually a "Port" member but attend the games supporting the opposition team - I've read an article or two on a couple that took out a membership for one of the two SA teams (can't remember which side), whom they don't actually support but it allows them to attend matches & support their team when they play at AO

They've also taken up the option to support all opposition team playing against the team for whom they have a membership - they also have a full set of opposition team outfits (guernsey, scarf, headwear etc) just to complete the look

 

[Strange Cat]

Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with Stanley?

 

[Just do something]

My only worry with danger atm is going to ground a lot more then normal. Has anyone else noticed this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CHAWKTS]

That’s been my thoughts, I mean I like Parfitt but what would his role be, I’m not sure, I’ve thought MOC was probably struggling but been ok last two weeks, can’t see anyone in the current midfield being moved for him outside of that.

It is going to be hard for MC. But the next 4 weeks is about rotating the full squad in and then making a call for finals. Maybe it becomes obvious depending on who is in form. what would be interesting is if Selwood and Danger have a bad month! Still think both play finals no matter what form they are in - and Atkins also is guaranteed (despite him saying he is on the fringe ). So reinforces your point really hard to know how comes out.

I think Parf does play so which end do you take from (MOC or Miers?) to fit him in. And then do we have too many inside mids?

these are issues that all premiership teams have. 3-4 players that will be very stiff to miss out

 

[CarAttack]

He's played 2, but talk about bad timing for yet another VFL bye. If he'd played this week, I'd be pretty confident but not sure we have much choice - and you'd have to be conservative with Stanley.

What is it with the VFL fixture?
We literally seem to have a bye every third week. I find it very annoying.
And to be honest, rather unprofessional from what is basically the second tier comp of the AFL.
Is there a reason ?

 

[Finknottle]

Glad to take the gutsy win, but conceding 8-1 in the third must be a concern.
It means in future we can't relax and get a bit cocky like we did on here at half time- me included.
Port killed us in the stoppages to get that far, but in the last we turned that around - got on top at stoppages and scoring from F50 entries.

MOC is really struggling, especially with decision making, and not keeping up. Even in the last 20 seconds, slowly looking to hand pass and nearly getting nailed, instead of booting it out of danger. Stewart can't come back fast enough, despite winning without him.

I thought O'Connor was ok tonight. I think he stays when Stewart comes in. We can't afford both Henry and Kolodjashnij down back.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with Stanley?

Knee-ded a rest. Will take next week off and I expect him to be back completely ok for rest of the season

 

[Zouz Kitty]

 

[CHAWKTS]

Gold Coast and St Kilda interesting in that graphic. Neither will make finals?

 

[Drunkcat]

Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with Stanley?

Lost his lucky head band and could not play on, lol no idea but did not look bad

 

[Play it Sam]

I thought O'Connor was ok tonight. I think he stays when Stewart comes in. We can't afford both Henry and Kolodjashnij down back.

Maybe, but they are both kissed by the powers that be. Kolo especially won't be dropped. I think MOC the weakest D link over past four weeks being serviceable at best, maybe sub. Gryan's mistakes are killing him, and us, but they persist because of his tank. Thin ice, both of them.

 

[Zouz Kitty]

 

[Catsace]

A rollicking game, at half time i thought Geelong, well, Port's given their best shot and we've seen it off. But you could see Dixon really intimidate (or certainly go out to intimidate) Neale in the ruck, and SDK in the backline, and Port came in with a quarter of footy that would be about the best they've played in years. A few things went their way, a couple of Neale taps somehow bounced back into Finlayson, and Powell-Pepper and Georgiades who last week couldn't have hit Earth trying to skydive suddenly were hitting all their scores. Indeed the former seems to get up against Geelong, as he did a similar thing in the 2020 Final.

But Geelong really steeled themselves in the last quarter, withstanding the early onslaught and managing to wrest the lead back. Atkins was amazing, and Bews, SDK, Duncan and especially Hawkins in the last, with both his goalscoring and ruckwork where he took control late and became the outlet option on the wing...amazing athleticism from this 34 year old stalwart.

Not too often has a side played like that against Geelong and not come home with the points, especially on their home ground. There's a lot to like about our Cats this season, and they are building something pretty special i reckon. But the lid remains on in my house!

 

[winty]

I thought O'Connor was ok tonight. I think he stays when Stewart comes in. We can't afford both Henry and Kolodjashnij down back.

One from left field - Stewart for Rohan, and Henry goes forward to take Rohan's spot.

 

[Schmegg]

It is going to be hard for MC. But the next 4 weeks is about rotating the full squad in and then making a call for finals. Maybe it becomes obvious depending on who is in form. what would be interesting is if Selwood and Danger have a bad month! Still think both play finals no matter what form they are in - and Atkins also is guaranteed (despite him saying he is on the fringe ). So reinforces your point really hard to know how comes out.

I think Parf does play so which end do you take from (MOC or Miers?) to fit him in. And then do we have too many inside mids?

these are issues that all premiership teams have. 3-4 players that will be very stiff to miss out

Agree the team is probably more settled now than at any time I can remember, the odd player has a bad quarter, but not consistently enough to take away from the role they play and usually play to a high standard. Like Kola, love his marking ability, hate him when he thinks before kicking down the line, should be banned forever from kicking across the ground.

Miers of the forwards he has no wriggle room, he ain’t a marking target like Rohan who effectively plays a defensive forward role, and he’s miles off close and Stengle. Although it great that it’s these guys we are talking about being in the bottom two than having Higgins or Dahl being in the conversation.

 

[PzBlinky]

What is it with the VFL fixture?
We literally seem to have a bye every third week. I find it very annoying.
And to be honest, rather unprofessional from what is basically the second tier comp of the AFL.
Is there a reason ?

Yeah, freaking annoying. Not just us obviously - every team has to deal with it, but I honestly can't see why they need 4 byes. Surely 2 per season would be the max needed?

 

[CHAWKTS]

One from left field - Stewart for Rohan, and Henry goes forward to take Rohan's spot.

certainly left field!

Other than obvious concern about Rohan final record, I can’t see them dropping Rohan as he brings stuff to the team that is unique. His pressure is insane. It SHOULD translate to finals and lets hope this year he doesnt live up to his reputation

 

[Zouz Kitty]

 

[God Mode]

One from left field - Stewart for Rohan, and Henry goes forward to take Rohan's spot.

I like Henry in the forward line. As good as it is, none of Hawkins, Cameron and Stengle take pack marks. Henry offers that and more.

 

[The Unforgiven]

I'm curious as to whether the umpiring was as atrociously biased as the Port supporters at the ground would have you believe.

Many, many Port supporters whinging and ranting about how they were robbed, and how Geelong is the "maggots" pets.

A few rowdy Cats fans were singing the club song on the foot bridge heading back to town, and one lone clown got so wound up he wanted to box on with all five Cats supporters.

I'm not sure if the noise translated to the coverage, however, it was so loud at the game. 30,000 supporters managed to make a whole lot of noise. Great atmosphere!

I'm looking forward to getting home and watching the replay on Kayo. I love live games but you definitely miss a lot of the nuances that are nore easily discernible with TV coverage.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Agree the team is probably more settled now than at any time I can remember, the odd player has a bad quarter, but not consistently enough to take away from the role they play and usually play to a high standard. Like Kola, love his marking ability, hate him when he thinks before kicking down the line, should be banned forever from kicking across the ground.

Miers of the forwards he has no wriggle room, he ain’t a marking target like Rohan who effectively plays a defensive forward role, and he’s miles off close and Stengle. Although it great that it’s these guys we are talking about being in the bottom two than having Higgins or Dahl being in the conversation.

Forgot about Dal and Higgins - which is great!

 

[Play it Sam]

So what's the biggy with the medi sub, can't stand the conspiracy theories Fox trying to implant "will be looked at over the week"
Pretty simple really, carries a previous injury, Neale as insurance.
And not outside the rules, don't recall any other side being questioned about their sub, all a bloody forced controversy.

 

[Drunkcat]

Think Menegola will take Miers spot