AFLW 2024 AFLW season - Geelong & the greater league...

[cats_09]

The result isn't going to go our way, but still feels like there's some positives to take out of tonight's match, along with more than a few learnings from a defensive perspective


And if we look at this match from the perspective of a neutral, it's actually been a bloody entertaining match and a good exhibition of what AFLW is about and what we want to see it grow into

 

[cats_09]

Dumb, dumb play Rankin.

She's been terrible tonight.

Not good then either to let them get it out the back and overrun the contest

This is where Webster being up in the contest is hurting our structure behind the ball, but Rankin at FB isn't the answer

 

[cats_09]

And we need to sign Ling to a long term deal

 

[Cursed Cat]

The result isn't going to go our way, but still feels like there's some positives to take out of tonight's match, along with more than a few learnings from a defensive perspective


And if we look at this match from the perspective of a neutral, it's actually been a bloody entertaining match and a good exhibition of what AFLW is about and what we want to see it grow into

What positives are you taking out of the game C09?

Featherston just driven into the ground then, that was bullsh*t.

 

[winty]

What positives are you taking out of the game C09?

Featherston just driven into the ground then, that was bullsh*t.

Story of the night though. Bet if the roles were reversed the umpire couldn't blow his whistle quick enough.

There was a passage of play in the 3rd term where Prespakis was tackled without it at centre half forward. You could see the umpire put his whistle to his mouth, but then noticed the ball went to a Hawks player and called play on instead which resulted in a Hawthorn goal.

The standard of play has improved in the AFLW. Can't say the same about the umpiring.

 

[goyoucatters]

And we need to sign Ling to a long term deal

Clearly I'm missing something but I just don't see how is it respectful to a player for our women's team to label her with a man's name. Isn't this the very reality we are trying to avoid if we're seeking to promote AFLW as a contest worthy of respect in and of itself?

 

[terry_bright]

Dumb, dumb play Rankin.

She's been terrible tonight.

What else would you expect from Rankin.
A seriously dumb footballer.
Should be shot into the sun and never be allowed to pull on the hoops again.
Why she was recalled into the team is mind boggling.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Clearly I'm missing something but I just don't see how is it respectful to a player for our women's team to label her with a man's name. Isn't this the very reality we are trying to avoid if we're seeking to promote AFLW as a contest worthy of respect in and of itself?

Aishling wears #45, red hair - I think her teammates might even call her Lingy?

 

[goyoucatters]

Aishling wears #45, red hair - I think her teammates might even call her Lingy?

Do they, though? Fair enough if this is the case.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Do they, though? Fair enough if this is the case.

I think - not positive though. Someone else might be able to answer more definitively.

 

[winty]

Pretty solid effort tonight considering we were two down on the bench for a half and having to contend with the 3rd team on the ground being against us as well.

 

[cats_09]

What positives are you taking out of the game C09?

Featherston just driven into the ground then, that was bullsh*t.

We saw some good ball movement and connection between the players, which is something that's often been missing in previous losses

Running out that match and attacking until the end

It was good to see Webster step up when she went into the middle and we saw she offers us another strong option through there

And the development of Ling - sign her long-term as she could develop into anything


The biggest issues we had tonight was defending from stoppages and the ease with which Hawthorn could clear the ball - the obvious solution to that starts in the ruck, but we don't really have an answer to that this season with the hits we've taken in terms of ruck availability

And while Webster into the guts showed us positives from one perspective, it also worked against us and hurt our defensive structure

They definitely need to review the tapes to look at our positioning in centre bounces and general defensive contests, because in the second half especially, Hawthorn was able to get goal side way to easily

 

[terry_bright]

We have such a one dimensional midfield.
Lack a big bodied brute as well as someone with explosive pace.
Might be time to throw Webster back in there.

As much as Darby and Gabbi have a crack, not having a ruck of any note is killing us.

Also Lowther has avoided a lot of criticism this year, but IMO he’s been poor so far this year. Weird selections, even weirder tactical decisions have seen a lot of kudos he’s built up over the previous few seasons disappear.
Enough of the group hugs and love ins, some serious conversations need to be had with the playing group.

 

[Cursed Cat]

We saw some good ball movement and connection between the players, which is something that's often been missing in previous losses

Running out that match and attacking until the end

It was good to see Webster step up when she went into the middle and we saw she offers us another strong option through there

And the development of Ling - sign her long-term as she could develop into anything


The biggest issues we had tonight was defending from stoppages and the ease with which Hawthorn could clear the ball - the obvious solution to that starts in the ruck, but we don't really have an answer to that this season with the hits we've taken in terms of ruck availability

And while Webster into the guts showed us positives from one perspective, it also worked against us and hurt our defensive structure

They definitely need to review the tapes to look at our positioning in centre bounces and general defensive contests, because in the second half especially, Hawthorn was able to get goal side way to easily

Good post, can't argue with any of that despite struggling to be quite as positive as yourself; thanks for the response!

 

[cats_09]

Do they, though? Fair enough if this is the case.

Watching the teams social media videos, or matches on tv, she's regularly referred to as Ling or Lingy

I don't see it as being a negative type name - Ling was a premiership captain & loved by the fans, he was even named Mayor of Geelong

So with Aishling, I see as a positive & term of endearment

 

[goyoucatters]

Long season in prospect from here, you'd think. 1 win from 5 games (having played three times at home) is just not cutting it. We'll surely be mid-table at best by the end of this season.

Hopefully we can get more games into younger players and start moving on from the vets who won't be part of a really competitive team in the future.

Mids are getting belted at centre clearance and this is leaving us completely exposed from the get-go. Looks like a few of our players haven't kicked on with their development and the coaching cutting edge across the comp appears to have passed us by.

Last year's 'nearly' G.F. appearance seems a world away right now.

 

[goyoucatters]

Watching the teams social media videos, or matches on tv, she's regularly referred to as Ling or Lingy

I don't see it as being a negative type name - Ling was a premiership captain & loved by the fans, he was even named Mayor of Geelong

So with Aishling, I see as a positive & term of endearment

Thanks for the clarification. Whatever her nickname across the group, she is an amazing player and certainly makes our games far more interesting than they might otherwise be right now.

 

[cats_09]

Featherston just driven into the ground then, that was bullsh*t.

Think Gabbi was feeling that after the match

When the team had come together and were getting themselves ready to hand out the mini footballs, she was down on all fours and trying to steady herself

Hopefully it's not a concussion


In terms of the other injuries, Surman seemed to be ok and was out there after the match

Meanwhile, McDonald was also out there but didn't look comfortable and had a notable limp - based on how she looked, not sure if we'll see her back before the last week or two of the season at best

 

[cats_09]

Long season in prospect from here, you'd think. 1 win from 5 games (having played three times at home) is just not cutting it. We'll surely be mid-table at best by the end of this season.

Hopefully we can get more games into younger players and start moving on from the vets who won't be part of a really competitive team in the future.

Mids are getting belted at centre clearance and this is leaving us completely exposed from the get-go. Looks like a few of our players haven't kicked on with their development and the coaching cutting edge across the comp appears to have passed us by.

Last year's 'nearly' G.F. appearance seems a world away right now.

This was our second home game from our 5 matches

We've been on the road the past 3 matches

 

[terry_bright]

The biggest issues we had tonight was defending from stoppages and the ease with which Hawthorn could clear the ball - the obvious solution to that starts in the ruck, but we don't really have an answer to that this season with the hits we've taken in terms of ruck availability

Good point.
Who are our defensive minded midfielders?
Thorne was given the role last week and did a decent job but for some inexplicable reason was dropped.

We have mids who all hunt the ball. When our rucks (and I use that term lightly) can’t put the ball down their throats, we’re already on the back foot.

 

[goyoucatters]

Meanwhile, McDonald was also out there but didn't look comfortable and had a notable limp - based on how she looked, not sure if we'll see her back before the last week or two of the season at best

Two injuries we really couldn't afford this year were Amy and Chloe. Both of them missing huge chunks of the season really does cruel our chances of being anything this season.

 

[goyoucatters]

This was our second home game from our 5 matches

We've been on the road the past 3 matches

You're right, of course. The disturbing reality is that, of the three home games we have to come, two are against the Lions and the Crows...

 

[CatToTheFuture]

The biggest positives for me was that:

1. My daughter got super excited seeing girls play footy and started practising handpassing in the living room

2. Both kids agreed hawthorn are the yuckiest team in the afl (winning through over the messaging about the Crows in this house)

3. I only watched the first quarter before getting the Kids to bed

 

[ToreadorMarch]

That was really disappointing. One, because it was Hawthorn. Two, because we have some major issues if we are seeking to be a successful team. We are playing at least three players who are not really at the level and don’t think we have much to replace. Think Thorne has to stay in but I’d say their concern is that she seems to be a mid and perhaps not enough flexibility, as well as a lack of foot speed. But surely she can play ahead of Rankin or Friz. Kenny is still finding her feet, but potential upside - gotta stick with it given what we have and how Lingy Moloney has come along (STAR). Need everyone fit and firing with this list and it doesn’t happen much. Is Darcy Moloney actually going to make it? Lots of feist and fire, then when she has to do something often fumbles or comes up short. Scott wouldn’t be in unless Scheer was injured and has been woeful outside of a serviceable game tonight. Just carrying a few more than other clubs in the mix; can’t just keep looking for minor improvements when other clubs are taking leaps. The list and development, even fitness and physical attributes being built or drafted, needs a forensic look. Anyone know how Bryde O’Rourke is going?

 

[ToreadorMarch]

The biggest positives for me was that:

1. My daughter got super excited seeing girls play footy and started practising handpassing in the living room

2. Both kids agreed hawthorn are the yuckiest team in the afl (winning through over the messaging about the Crows in this house)

3. I only watched the first quarter before getting the Kids to bed

Haha. Yes, astute children, Hawthorn are the yuckiest