Game Day Round 22: Collingwood vs Geelong, Friday 11 August 7:50pm @ MCG

[TheCatStevensExperience]

Don't know if this is an omen for tonight or not, but I just saw a magpie lying on its back on my front lawn screeching for help.

Was it Nick Daicos?

 

[TheCatStevensExperience]

Ollie played R1, kicked 2 goals

Ahem almost kicked 3

 

[goyoucatters]

Yeah I was thinking an Osteitis pubis type issue - that type of injury where they could've called his season off or he can push through it. That type of issue is present when there's that cumbersome movement. He doesn't really look all that agile at the moment or that he would have a burst of pace to burn an opponent.

He's getting to positions and finding the footy but at least to my untrained eye doesn't look at his athletic peak. And then the shoulder injury presented a new issue.

Maybe there is an issue affecting his general movement and the actual kicking has strictly become a confidence issue. But it's certainly odd that his range seems to have gone down to 45-48m and straight rather than 55m.

Very likely this, I would have thought. There were times where he was isolated with his opponent over these last two games, and it genuinely looked as if he could have propelled himself to the contest faster in a wheelchair than he could manage on his feet.

Looks severely hampered to me.

 

[God Mode]

Hey all, I was hoping someone could please clarify for me whether I can get into the game tonight. I have a home and away membership. However, it says NO SCANNING - No Ga member scans available, but still has a seat number allocated. I'm assuming this means I had to upgrade but just wanted to double-check.

 

[Finknottle]

I think we need to try to prevent Collingwood from scoring and try our luck in the penalty shootout.

 

[catsfootyfan89]

Very likely this, I would have thought. There were times where he was isolated with his opponent over these last two games, and it genuinely looked as if he could have propelled himself to the contest faster in a wheelchair than he could manage on his feet.

Looks severely hampered to me.

Wonder if maybe the training load at the start of the year to get the team fit again was too much for some?

I think we need to try to prevent Collingwood from scoring and try our luck in the penalty shootout.

The old Minnesota Wild technique?

 

[goyoucatters]

I think we need to try to prevent Collingwood from scoring and try our luck in the penalty shootout.

Wasn't Esava reputedly a decent football player back in the day? Was he a keeper as well?

 

[cats_09]

If you're getting on the train on the first stop, have a choice of 5 carriages and sit in a large, chatty group for the trip - WHY get on one of the two quiet carriages when there's plenty of room in the other 4 available carriages...

 

[goyoucatters]

Wonder if maybe the training load at the start of the year to get the team fit again was too much for some?

Perhaps. Just seemed to come 'out of the blue' to some degree, though. Still killing it in Round 8 against the Camrys at home. And his overall numbers were still handy against the Tigs in Round 9, despite only kicking one major. But 0.4. in round 10 against the Dockers just seemed to signal a dramatic decline in his own output (on the scoreboard and 'to the eye') that has still not arrested itself.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

The Pies will likely be fired up tonight after a week of being questioned by everyone and told that without Nick Daicos, they'll be weak. They'll be out to prove they're still the team to beat. So, I don't think we'll win this one. But it'll be good to see Shannon Neale get a run in such a big game and to see how he works with Jezza. I'm not saying Geelong has no chance in this game, but I just don't think the Cats will pull this one off.

 

[calder_daddy]

He always does against Geelong. He's actually been in sleepy form since his return from injury though.

He had a field day in the QF last year

And most times he has Blicavs, Guthrie and a fit Danger to deal with.
Could kick 5 as a mid tonight

 

[Mr Meow]

And most times he has Blicavs, Guthrie and a fit Danger to deal with.
Could kick 5 as a mid tonight

I'm marking him down for 1.

 

[Rubberducky]

Wonder if maybe the training load at the start of the year to get the team fit again was too much for some?

The post bye training loads play a big role in form this time of year too. Heavier training periods are planned to ensure teams come into the finals mickey mouse. Port & Collingwood have both quietly suggested such for their form. I'd be certain we'd do it as we did last year.

But for Jezza we can't be forgetting a massive concussion. I've had a few, some you are right the same day. Others can take a toll for months. We're lucky he's passed the tests, but it doesn't mean that he is physically and mentally at his best. If he finds that gap between good and great tonight, we're a very different team.

 

[SleazySimon]

Still feel like we're playing a Midfielder short and too top heavy.
I understand why, but need more pressure type players. Watch the annoying little shits like Elliott and Bobby Hill kick irritating goals.
IF Neale plays well they'll do what they always do and drop him anyway

Need the outside types (close, holmes, ect) to put on more pressure when they dont have the ball

 

[Mr Meow]

Still feel like we're playing a Midfielder short and too top heavy.
I understand why, but need more pressure type players. Watch the annoying little shits like Elliott and Bobby Hill kick irritating goals.
IF Neale plays well they'll do what they always do and drop him anyway

I'm a little bit baffled at the lack of Parfitt. Unless they plan on giving Holmes and O'Connor a LOT of midfield minutes, we absolutely look a body short in there.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

Yes we have got injuries - and have all year

But with Daicos and Sidebottom ( who usually plays well against Geel ) they are 2 very big outs - and how i look at it - because of that - it changes it - from Geel having basically no chance of winning - to now a silly little chance of winning

Dont want to let the Magpies jump us like they have in the past 2 encounters

Last week - Coll looked tired -running up and down in the one spot in the last qtr - DeGoey and Bobby Hill but i put that down to a lack of motivation - how their coach has spoken this week - they want to make this a statement game - alah the 2010 PF - and wipe the floor with us - but can they do that with the cattle theve got ( the 2 big outs )

I look at it honestly - and Geel have put in some pisss poor efforts this year - eg the Freo game in Perth - the Rich game - where in each - early in the 3rd qtr the white flag went up that flag pole very swiftly

Geelong have had all week to prepare - surely they can come out with a 100% effort tonight - but there are just far too many variables - will Dangerfield fire - will Cameron fire and kick straight - can the whole side go the full 4 qtrs - and not have their normal lulls and dissappearing acts for good junks of the game

Geel have got a small chance - and if they can somehow jag the win then it will be a beauty

 

[SleazySimon]

I'm a little bit baffled at the lack of Parfitt. Unless they plan on giving Holmes and O'Connor a LOT of midfield minutes, we absolutely look a body short in there.

O'connor only plays well in there when he has a run with role and Holmes is a winger only. The win against port has peppered over the cracks reguarding how shit we were at centre bounces where Port got so many easy goals

 

[ShaunWDT]

I'm a little bit baffled at the lack of Parfitt. Unless they plan on giving Holmes and O'Connor a LOT of midfield minutes, we absolutely look a body short in there.

MOC is just a coaches pet, think versatility gets him a game but in reality hes seriously mediocre regardless of where he is played.

Would be playing VFL under most coaches.

Continually picking him for his 10-15 touches a game while theres genuine ball winners rotting in the twos has always baffled me.

 

[JohnZ]

Hey all, I was hoping someone could please clarify for me whether I can get into the game tonight. I have a home and away membership. However, it says NO SCANNING - No Ga member scans available, but still has a seat number allocated. I'm assuming this means I had to upgrade but just wanted to double-check.

My understanding is the following

If you have paid to upgrade to a seat or specifically paid for a GA ticket you’re good.

If you are planning on scanning in with your membership then it won’t work

 

[Finknottle]

It'll play out in the coaches box - dumbfounded expressions, eyes rolls, turn-aways, hands in the air, choking on water, half nelsons. Sometimes more entertaining than the match.

 

[Mr Meow]

MOC is just a coaches pet, think versatility gets him a game but in reality hes seriously mediocre regardless of where he is played.

Would be playing VFL under most coaches.

Continually picking him for his 10-15 touches a game while theres genuine ball winners rotting in the twos has always baffled me.

I just don't see him as a midfielder. Maybe once Smith and Tuohy move on he will settle into a half back/wing rotation better. For now he often feels redundant, especially since they won't try him as a mobile lockdown defender (a role I really wish they'd give him).

Knevitt or Parfitt in would make me feel a lot better.

Anyway let's hope MOC has a good one.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Still feel like we're playing a Midfielder short and too top heavy.
I understand why, but need more pressure type players. Watch the annoying little shits like Elliott and Bobby Hill kick irritating goals.
IF Neale plays well they'll do what they always do and drop him anyway

Need the outside types (close, holmes, ect) to put on more pressure when they dont have the ball

Id have gone one tall less and played the extra small myself, wont be surprised when we get exposed for being too tall, Pies really arent a side that you need to play land of the giants against.

How we stop their midget brigade up forward could decide the game and I'm fully expecting we have no answer with the side we have picked.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Still feel like we're playing a Midfielder short and too top heavy.
I understand why, but need more pressure type players. Watch the annoying little shits like Elliott and Bobby Hill kick irritating goals.
IF Neale plays well they'll do what they always do and drop him anyway

Need the outside types (close, holmes, ect) to put on more pressure when they dont have the ball

We're a midfielder short but that's more due to a lack of good mids than selection choice. A horribly out of form Parfitt is our next best inside mid so I can understand why we went this way.

I can't agree with us being top heavy. We've got 2 key defenders, 1 ruck and 1 key forward/ruck. The rest (Cameron, O Henry, Rohan, Kolo) don't play like classic talls.

 

[Footy Smarts]

O'connor only plays well in there when he has a run with role and Holmes is a winger only. The win against port has peppered over the cracks reguarding how s**t we were at centre bounces where Port got so many easy goals

I think the coaching staff are well aware of our midfield issues. Being aware of a problem doesn't magically give you the cattle to solve it.

Parfitt was better last week but that was coming in fresh against tired bodies. The fact they still didn't pick him shows they're not exactly confident in how he's going. And if Menegola was showing any signs of being the player he was 2-3 years ago he'd be in despite being more of a winger than an inside player. Most VFL watchers have said he's struggling. The other options are kids who are not going to improve us on the inside.

In midfield it's Guthrie and Blicavs or bust for finals.

 

[bulletproof]

This was so damn good