Review AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong v Fremantle

[winty]

Seems like we had just another day at the office.

13 different goalkickers, 13 players with 20 or more possessions, and apart from scares to Pods and Chappy, got through relatively unscathed.

Only problem I could see was the 6.12 to 6.5 we kicked in the 2nd and 3rd terms.

 

[Jimpson]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

If you offered me a 70 point win, no injuries and no citings, i'd say "sign me up"

Happy enough, we have bigger fish to fry and I think the team was thinking that for most of the game after 1/4 time

 

[Copernicus]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I'll take it. I don't think we needed another punishing game, we'll get that next week. I think after the St Kilda game we have a fair idea of what to expect next week. It's going to be massive.

 

[_cam]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

20.15
could be better, but sure as sh*t id take it. bring on next week

 

[SriLankanCat]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Good win and im glad we got through unscathed...

glad to see Pods kick some goals in his first final!

Wojo was awesome tonight!

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Was good all round. Only 'down' players were Mooney and Josh Hunt.
Thought Hawkins was better than OK and justified his selection.
Just love it when Dave Wojcinski runs with the ball.
Trav was spectacular.
Scarlett was solid in defence and was close to BOG.
Anyone still think Stokes doesn't deserve his spot?
All the usual suspects* had solid run, maybe better than the week off.
Thought the umpires were generous to Freo
(Enjoyed myself tonight!)

* Ablett, Bartel, Kelly, Selwood, Johnno, Enright, Dasher et al

 

[Copernicus]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Good win and im glad we got through unscathed...

glad to see Pods kick some goals in his first final!

Wojo was awesome tonight!

Bloody oath. A big show from him next week will get us some way towards a win.

 

[_cam]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

shouldnt b any changes unless some lads pull up sore.
wat was harley on about next thurs with a press conf? or was i just tripping

 

[Hybrid7]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I always said that Wojo was integral to our midfield this year - and he didnt prove me wront tonight!!

He gives us an X factor, and people can bitch about his 60m goal tonight, but mooney touched it and it would have been his free regardless.

 

[CF]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

The only one who should be dropped is Tom Harley. What a spud of special comments guy he is.

 

[go u jimmy b]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Lonergan was terrible, and bomber in his presser reckons he is a definate starter next week, what game were they watching?

Cost us goals this week.

USELESS....... just like against the Pies last time.

MACKIE ---- DAYLIGHT ------------ MORE DAYLIGHT -------------- LONERGAN.

 

[cat on acid]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Wojo is like Forrest Gump, give him the ball and RUN!

 

[Hybrid7]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

The only one who should be dropped is Tom Harley. What a spud of special comments guy he is.

I think his downfall is that he tries to be too impartiall against the cats and ends up just sounding like a Geelong hater.

And people bitched about Eddie commentating Pies games.....

 

[Belisarius]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Great to win. Can only beat the opposition you have to play.

However given that Freo took 2 injured players in and one was Sandlilands - a key player for them - it was not the best the Cats can play.

The game was not played with normal finals intensity - and so again hard to judge how good we were.

I think we will have to play a lot better to beat the Pies next week.

Scarlett outstanding - and playing him lose in the backline worked brilliantly.

Not impressed by the games of Hunt or Mooney or Hawkins. All 3 will have to improve significantly next week to make us a serious contender.

For those who think pace makes no difference Wojo and Varcoe proved to me on the MCG it can matter.

If we could fit THunt in I would really like it. Won't happen.

I doubted Corey's fitness but he was great tonight and play him HBF again.

Pods makes difference and the rest did what they had to do.

 

[HulkHawkins]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Wojo is like Forrest Gump, give him the ball and RUN!

Cat on acid PMSL!!!!

 

[My5t3r10u5]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Lonergan was terrible, and bomber in his presser reckons he is a definate starter next week, what game were they watching?

Cost us goals this week.

USELESS....... just like against the Pies last time.

MACKIE ---- DAYLIGHT ------------ MORE DAYLIGHT -------------- LONERGAN.

Blah, blah, blah. And what game were YOU watching? Why don't you put your predjudice aside when you watch the game. If you think Mackie's game last week was better than Lonner's tonight you have no idea. I thought the backline was great tonight and can't see any reason why you would want to change.

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

You couldn't ask for a better Semi... seriously!

The only issue I saw was our forward pressure - I know we aren't exactly known for it, but it was pretty easy for them to kick it out of defence, and from kick ins. My only complaint!

I'm glad Corey is starting to get back into the swing of things.

And Pods will be better for the run - I mean, it was pretty much like a H&A match, lacking in finals intensity for me.

 

[vealesy]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Maybe because, once again, Lonergan DIRECTLY gave freo two goals with fumbles and poor awareness.

It will cost us when it counts one day.

I think his inclusion should only ever be based on matchups.

He is our 24th best player. I have Mackie and Blake ahead of him, who are both on the sidelines.

Hopefully the match committee have the guts to drop him for the big one against the saints, if we get through.

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

The most pleasing thing for mine was the return to top form of Bartel and Selwood, we need all midfield guns firing to beat the pies.

Kind of ironic that after all the talk about Freo worrying us with pace that it was wojo with the afterburners that absolutely cut them to ribbons through the middle of the ground.

Varcoe is so so close to ripping a game to shreds, just can't quite put it all together at once. Ablett has been a bit the same the last two games, he fumbled the ball a couple of times against St Kilda in the last quarter in the forward 50 when he had half chances of goal scoring opportunities and he was caught between snapping it himself and dishing off to Byrnes tonight.

Pods was ineffectual after copping the knock, and Mooney was again ordinary. Hawkins still worries me.

I know most people appreciate that we miss Max's aggression but what is coming increasingly obvious is that we also miss him as a get out outlet across half forward. So sick of us putting the ball on top of Byrnes and Stokes head and watching the opposition defenders swamp them and run off. Then you have SJ that flops for the same result. Max is a guy that could bob up and one grab one that continues the chain, such a pity he is done for the year.

 

[AM]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

The Rolls Royce is Travis. Pure class.

 

[yebbo]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Funny how people have different interpretations of a players performance especially the so called fringe players.

I thought Hunt did alot of good things and made up for last week. He looked tough again which is what we need.

Lonegan had a good game, he has always been known for making mistakes and not having the same ability as the others but I could see his role tonight and he will be important. He takes out a big player and does it well, he spoilt alot tonight and did some smart things with the ball.

If this is any better than Mackie is definitely debatable though.

Stokes had a blinder of a game, I noticed he was bagged earlier in the week for easy goalsquare goals and the one he kicked tonight was cos he runs off his man and reads the play so well. Stokes had a mighty game.

Byrnes had a great game and Varcoe had a mighty game.

Hawkins was fine, thought the commentators were unfair on him, he had a strong presence around the ground, was good in his ruckwork and did heaps of thiings around the ground, we need him like that I reckon.

Good stuff tonight Geelong, be a bit tighter around the ball against Collingwood but this was the sort of run they needed.

 

[The Cats Teeth]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Great to win. Can only beat the opposition you have to play.

However given that Freo took 2 injured players in and one was Sandlilands - a key player for them - it was not the best the Cats can play.

The game was not played with normal finals intensity - and so again hard to judge how good we were.

I think we will have to play a lot better to beat the Pies next week.

Scarlett outstanding - and playing him lose in the backline worked brilliantly.

Not impressed by the games of Hunt or Mooney or Hawkins. All 3 will have to improve significantly next week to make us a serious contender.

For those who think pace makes no difference Wojo and Varcoe proved to me on the MCG it can matter.

If we could fit THunt in I would really like it. Won't happen.

I doubted Corey's fitness but he was great tonight and play him HBF again.

Pods makes difference and the rest did what they had to do.

Essentials for next week
#1 Play Maxwell tight - this is where Max Rooke would be of high value. Moons has to be a threat leading up, but he's our man to keep the guy honest. The smalls can't play Maxwell. It needs a strong & tall body. Though Maxwell is gutsy going back he is not that fearless in tight
#2 Corey playing that defensive-mid multitasker role is spot on - just like tonight
#3 If Wojo doesn't fire up like tonight, then we will miss Mackie big time. No Mackie = big risk. Lonergan/Mackie/Dawes/L Brown etc...go figure
#4 Stevie J must at least break even with Harry O if that is how it matches up - they can both hurt!!
#5 If we don't go with Blake for Hawkins, then Otto has gotta play an 8/10 game..hasn't done that for a while. D Jolly will play a big one.
#6 Force Swan to get his 40 possies out wide on a wing. Must be tightly tagged at Pies forward stoppages
#7 As someone said Leon Davis is overdue. Josh Hunt must do what he has done to Davis before..no excuses

Many other factors - but that's a start

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Just initial thoughts for the Dockers.... Why Des Headland? Was that Rhys Palmer still in the emergencies?? Harvey brain snap, surely

Who shut Morabito down?

We still struggled against Pavlich when dockers won midfield which shows me that I reckon we still need some extra run like Taylor Hunt to provide pressure on Collingwood ball carriers.

Sandilands being injured definitely cost them, Luke Darcy was all over that when he did that injury last week. That was massively in our favour tonight, as Sandi couldn't even jump at the ruck contests. Different story next week for Hawkins against 2 decent and fit ruckmen

 

[mwt5150]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Just initial thoughts for the Dockers.... Why Des Headland? Was that Rhys Palmer still in the emergencies?? Harvey brain snap, surely

Who shut Morabito down?

We still struggled against Pavlich when dockers won midfield which shows me that I reckon we still need some extra run like Taylor Hunt to provide pressure on Collingwood ball carriers.

Sandilands being injured definitely cost them, Luke Darcy was all over that when he did that injury last week. That was massively in our favour tonight, as Sandi couldn't even jump at the ruck contests. Different story next week for Hawkins against 2 decent and fit ruckmen

Should have played Bradley and Palmer no question, Sandi couldn't jump and Headland looked injured from the bounce. Just glad to get thru unscathed, gonna be a totally different game next week. Hopefully the boys have already put that one behind them, cos it was a training run.

 

[thejester]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I know I'll get a flood of 'stop being so negative' and 'have some faith' but I thought we were bloody ordinary tonight. We won by 10 goals because the Dockers dropped their heads after the fifth goal went in and never looked likely.

All the same shit that cost us last week - the turnovers in the corridor, handballing to guys under immediate pressure, buggering up contests, defence shitting themselves under the high ball - all happened again. There were some truly farcical passages of play from both sides, it was almost unbearable to watch. A lot of players who were supposed to come out and prove something...didn't. SJ continued to stage for free kicks, turn the ball over, and fail to man up. Hunt couldn't have been more deer-in-headlights if he tried. Stokes and Byrnes did some nice things but also had some howlers. Clearing from a behind remains an exercise in re-creating a car crash.

Maybe we'll turn it on next week, we've certainly got the talent. But on the basis of the last two weeks...could be a hard Friday night.