Autopsy AFL 2024 Preliminary Final - Cats v Lions Sat Sept 21st 5:15pm EST (MCG)

[PhatBoy]

I find that a bit hard to believe

I’m disappointed, any team’s fans are when they lose, but I’m not going to tear my hair out over it. We were never expected to get this far, we gave it a great crack, and were beaten by a better side, and dozens of neutrals seem to be celebrating like their own teams have just won a flag

 

[Lunchtime]

They had a a very talented side in half of those 12 years though. Lost multiple home qualifying/semi/prelim finals. In 2019 Cats won minor premiership, and didn’t make the grand final. In 2021 rnd 23 they were 5 goals up against dees in minor premiership battle, for dees to comeback and win. Dees then smash them in the prelim and go on to win the whole thing. Cats have ‘choked’ more than us in the last 10 years. And being 4 goals up in a prelim is just the cherry on top. I know their side wasn’t always as talented blah, blah, blah, but it really is another good old example of a Cats choke. If you cats fans are going to give it, you gotta take it as well.

Exactly

 

[rapidfire7]

I didn't expect much from the Cats heading into the 2024 finals series. As others have said, we just didn't feel like a true Premiership side and we had some diabolical quarters and halves right throughout the season (most recently against the Saints from memory).

However, after the Port annihilation in week 1 I thought 'Hey, maybe we have saved our best for the finals and we really can go all the way afterall!'.

So yeah, all things considered, the loss to the Lions was a bad one.

To be 25 points up in the third quarter against an unrested team on the road (and who had already been on the road the week before) was one we really let slip.

Yes, Holmes going off really affected us, but the way we turned the ball over in the second half was almost comical at times.

Scotty also didn't have his best night in the coaches box with the amount of time and space we allowed them to do their thing a glaring oversight.

What makes this loss even more painful is that it looks like we would have very likely been Premiers if we got through. Similar to 2019 really. Both times we were in winning positions and let them slip, with poor coaching definitely playing a part in both instances.

Can only hope this very bad loss spurs the boys on to greater things in 2025.

 

[Macca180]

What a game. The last quarter is something else.