Review AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong v Fremantle

[thejester]

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

Thought Harvey did a terrible job. Starting a loose man in defence - even ignoring the message it sends to the team, when the pay-off is having Corey Enright loose off halfback wtf is the point of doing it? Baffling move.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Yeah, MWT and jester I reckon Freo really did us some favours tonight

Bad selections and wouldn't you think Freo would want to take advantage of their leg speed by playing man on man rather than playing "who has the better loose man in defence" (Hello, that would be Geelong, Stoopid!!!)

 

[The Cats Teeth]

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?

Absolutely!! Who did shut him down or was he just plain useless??? I couldn't pick it up. Was it Bartel hurting him the other way?

 

[campbellimray]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Agreed thejester. Were made to look OK by a Freo side full of schoolboys. Against Pies we'll pay for our sloppiness. Gee we were such a better team at the start of this year - thought we'd gone to a new level and now we've lost our way a bit.

Having said that Hawkins game gave me confidence. Varcoe looks good. Pods contesting is so important. Bartel and Enright so reliable. Wojcinski briliant. Lonergan has to go! Harry worries me, doesn't look right. Hunt has suddenly lost it. Some of these blokes need to work harder in defence - people like Byrnes just ambling to zones/players which is so frustating... it's just passing buck to mids and defence, we need to be tight across the ground and press hard.

But yes, hard to judge what this game actually teaches us given one-sidedness of the start and likelihood they were trying to avoid any injuries after getting up by so much.

 

[leungtl]

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

Nobody will ever know, but one reason may be Palmer was coming off a 5-day break from the WAFL Finals.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Nobody will ever know, but one reason may be Palmer was coming off a 5-day break from the WAFL Finals.

you play a guy you'll probably need on the Sunday in the WAFL finals before a Friday night AFL semi??

And I reckon Headland post Brisbane has been exposed as one of the greatest ever AFL passengers

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Some brief thoughts from me.

Thought we were good early, and crap after that.

Clearing the ball from defence is an issue, we're still handballing to stationary blokes too much, and the forward entries at times also suck...I am sick of seeing short kicks to byrnes on a HFF (which he usually doesn't mark) when Mooney or Pods are 1 out in the square, just bloody get it in quick!

Pods was great, particularly early, and I reckon would have gone on to tear it apart tonight but the knee scare, and let's face it, it scared us all, affected him mentally. That hanger in the last qtr though (why was that a free you dumb umpire!) was a reminder of why he MUST play next week, anyone who says otherwise has no clue.

I was not as impressed with Varcs as some. He did some great things, but also uncharacteristically fumbled a couple. Byrnes was characteristically fumbly, but contributed well, and ditto Stokes. Woj, save for a couple of helicopter punts, was also awesome, nice to see our speed men working well.

Interestingly Bomber said Otto was close to being dropped, but he had a good game, so sorry Blake, it's 07 revisited for you.

Hawkins was ok although his ruck opposition will be tougher next week.

Lonergan gives me heart in mouth with ball in hand but is a good spoiler and will have to play next week, especially as Taylor is clearly in a down patch of form.

Good to see Sel back to his best, and Jimmy B and Kel were fantastic also.

 

[kanyewest]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I was not as impressed with Varcs as some. He did some great things, but also uncharacteristically fumbled a couple.

Agree with this. By no means was he bad but could have absolutely ripped it up if he was a bit cleaner. His miss when running into an open goal probably told the story. Just couldn't quite get it going. Signs are good though.

As for Lonergan, should definitely play next week. Regardless of what people think of his disposal, he is currently our second best 1-1 defender after Scarlett. At the moment, Taylor just looks low on confidence or something. Maybe he should throw the notebook out and just go back to the basics. We need him firing and playing well.

I also think someone should have a quiet word in Enright's ear this week. I love that he wants to peel off his opponent and help out, but come on! The guy gave some of the Freo forwards absolutely no respect whatsoever. Do that against the Pies and it will hurt...

 

[mwt5150]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Agree with this. By no means was he bad but could have absolutely ripped it up if he was a bit cleaner. His miss when running into an open goal probably told the story. Just couldn't quite get it going. Signs are good though.

As for Lonergan, should definitely play next week. Regardless of what people think of his disposal, he is currently our second best 1-1 defender after Scarlett. At the moment, Taylor just looks low on confidence or something. Maybe he should throw the notebook out and just go back to the basics. We need him firing and playing well.

I also think someone should have a quiet word in Enright's ear this week. I love that he wants to peel off his opponent and help out, but come on! The guy gave some of the Freo forwards absolutely no respect whatsoever. Do that against the Pies and it will hurt...

Agree on Trav, looked like busting it open a couple of times, thought that goal was a lock. Very nice get in traffic at speed in the last, Shag let him down.
Not too sure re Boris though, I think his creativity and run is crucial, although given Wojo's work tonight it wasn't needed, loved his game.
Our forwards have a big job ahead trying to limit Harry O and Shaw. A win there and break even in the midfield is key.

 

[kanyewest]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Not too sure re Boris though, I think his creativity and run is crucial, although given Wojo's work tonight it wasn't needed, loved his game.

Yeah, fair call. It's certainly a fine line. I think the better teams are smarter these days and will play through the man that is trying to drop off. They pick up on these things pretty quickly. I just can't stand seeing a guy 10 metres off the back of the pack all by himself running into an open goal!

On another note, did anyone else see Bartel just standing by himself on the wing every now and then? It was usually when the ball was on the other side of the ground, and sometimes it happened for at least a couple of minutes. This is not at all a crack at Jimmy because it certainly appeared to be deliberate. I guess they were trying to pull opposition players away from the ball but it didn't work all that well. The reason I ask is because I wonder what impact this kind of strategy will have against a side like the Pies? I mean, you give up and number around the contest but might hurt them the other way. I don't know...it was kind of weird.

 

[vealesy]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I also think someone should have a quiet word in Enright's ear this week. I love that he wants to peel off his opponent and help out, but come on! The guy gave some of the Freo forwards absolutely no respect whatsoever. Do that against the Pies and it will hurt...

I think someone should have a quiet word in Enright's ear and tell him he's a GUN.

It was a training drill out there tonight after quarter time, make no mistake, the guys were going through different structures and tempos, perfecting their game.

Enright even stated that it was said 'with finals, it doesn't matter if you win by 90 or whatever points' when talking about the way the boys were able to change things up and do things with next week in the back of their minds.

The coaching staff would've also been aware by 1/4 time that we had the Pies next week.

Why would Enright give any respect to the 'witches hats with legs' that were running around out there?

He needs a boost to his confidence ahead of shaking a dirty Pies forward tag.

 

[mwt5150]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

It was a training drill out there tonight after quarter time, make no mistake, the guys were going through different structures and tempos, perfecting their game.

Yeah, they've been mixing it up a bit lately. SJ was in some center bounces late, Corey doing some stopping jobs a/c half back. I really like that one, releases Kel into the middle where he was great again.
Hoping Bomber is doing all the final tuning to let them go all Gladiator and shit on the Pies
"On my signal, unleash hell"

 

[meto]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Much better run out of the back with Lonergan holding keypost.

Frees up others to do what they do best, run and carry, bit disappointed with the forward delivery and the forward leading into space to help the kicker.

They've got to get more active.

 

[mustafish]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

Much better run out of the back with Lonergan holding keypost.

Frees up others to do what they do best, run and carry, bit disappointed with the forward delivery and the forward leading into space to help the kicker.

They've got to get more active.

did any1 see the fight between the 2 freo supporters in the forward pocket, quiet funny, i actually thought i was at one of our games for a minute......

 

[LotsofCuddles9]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I have liked Lings game the last two weeks - He seems to be in a more attacking role. I have always said let him of the leash from purely negating role he can be very dangerous. I suggested during the week maybe drop corey - How wrong I was - Sensational game.

Next week we cant let Maxwell and O'Brien dictate play from the backline. Hears one from left field play Milburn Forward similiar to the way Rooke played plus he will hurt them on the scoreboard.

I felt Lonners fumbled a few tonight but i think we will need his big body next week. I cant see how Mackey can get back in the side.

Go Cats - A similar result to last year Prelim Final would be very nice

 

[vinum coupe]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I wasn't too happy to be honest.

Through that first quarter every second handball went to the feet of the next player.
It was complete crap. The only reason we got away with it was because we were playing a crap team.

They won't get away with that next week.

The big positive is (as expected) Freo applied zero physical pressure so the boys should be in good condition.

The negative is we've gone from a real finals game to a game vs a WAFL team and then back to a real finals game.

The boys now have to find the intensity or we will get well behind in the first quarter next week.

 

[winty]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

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

Enright gave away two goals too by not minding Walters as close as he should have. Maybe we should drop him too.

Not worried at all about last night. We essentially had the game wrapped up at quarter time, and went into a holding pattern for two and a half quarters, before kicking back into top gear late.

We got all our midfielders back into form, smashed the Dockers everywhere - possessions (484-287), contested ball (138-106), clearances (44-24), inside 50's (68-43) and scoring shots (35-16). To do all that, and yet come out injury free was a big positive to come out of last night IMO.

 

[Matthew2708]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

To be honest, if you guys played like that in the first quarter - You would probably be beating Collingwood by around 10 points at Quarter Time. It would probably have been around equal at Half-Time though.

I thought the MCG advantage helped you guys massively. Thought before the game Freo had no chance at the MCG, but at Subiaco; they could win.

- I thought Geelong didn't care after Quarter Time though, probably should have started almost preparing for Collingwood. Geelong still played kind of well though, not sure about Freo on the other hand.

Geelong will beat Collingwood almost for certain, if Geelong try their absolute hardest and their concentration is 95-99%. (Probably around 5-6 goals)
If Geelong played exactly the same as last night, Collingwood probably would have won by around 2-3 goals.

 

[longtimecat]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

It seems obvious from the posts most posters are fans not football players or coaches. What made the difference last night was the inclusion of Lonergan, going to fullback and releasing Scarlo and the inclusion of Coreys' hard body on the HBF instead of Mackie the outside receiver. Bomber also used the third quarter to try out some plays for next week, which I was glad to see. We could have won by more if Bomber had wished, but he used the time to prepare.

 

[BIGANT]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I've been a cats supporter all my life and have always tried to be very very supportive of them during the bad times and of course during the good !!
I also try to be very impartial and not one-eyed....for everything we did good last night, and to be fair to freo - it was like it was there first time to a school prom & where veterans to the big dance but....we have to stop this period in games when we go into down time, being conservitive...or running the clock down, freo near got back in the game in that 3rd quarter.
I'm thinking thats why Mackie got the chop...lairising, being to cute, too confident in his/their own ability !!! Our game is our game...dont try and play against the grain cats, collingwood are still favorites....but geez if we bring our a' game and improve on where we lost last time - LOOK OUT !!

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Re: 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

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

It would be funny if he kept running inside the 50 and then just continued to charge, eventually mowing down the goal umpire with the ball still in his hands. Unless it was Chelsea. She seems nice.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

All I can say is this, thank God we have James Podsiadly because our other two tall 'forwards' are absolute rat-shit at the moment. Hawkins and Mooney were worst on last night, again.

Hawkins has to go, bring Blake in for him. Leave the rest unchanged. Lonergan was not that bad. And Lonergan doesnt have Mackie's spot, Corey does. Corey's disposal still leaves a bit to be desired but I prefer him to Mackie. Whilst Blake does nothing around the ground he is on par with Hawkins in that regards, and better in the hitouts.

Wojo is one of my fave players when he's in this form, will be very important next week against the Pies who will stifle our through the centre run. Trav Varcoe is a jet, just needs to finish a bit better when closer to goal.

Put Chappy in cotton wool this week, without doubt our most important player.

Bring on next week!!

 

[winty]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

All I can say is this, thank God we have James Podsiadly because our other two tall 'forwards' are absolute rat-shit at the moment. Hawkins and Mooney were worst on last night, again.

Hawkins has to go, bring Blake in for him. Leave the rest unchanged. Lonergan was not that bad. And Lonergan doesnt have Mackie's spot, Corey does. Corey's disposal still leaves a bit to be desired but I prefer him to Mackie. Whilst Blake does nothing around the ground he is on par with Hawkins in that regards, and better in the hitouts.

Wojo is one of my fave players when he's in this form, will be very important next week against the Pies who will stifle our through the centre run. Trav Varcoe is a jet, just needs to finish a bit better when closer to goal.

Put Chappy in cotton wool this week, without doubt our most important player.

Bring on next week!!

I'm actually torn on the Blake/Hawkins decision this week. I know I've been bagging the omission of Blake relentlessly since the team was announced on Thursday night, but this week could be the making or breaking of Hawkins IMO. If I was Bomber, I'd be getting a copy of what Jolly said about Hawkins after the Round 19 clash and playing it over and over again to the big lug. If Hawkins has any pride in himself, his performance and the jumper, after hearing that, he should be so fired up to redeem himself and his reputation. I don't know about you, but if an opponent talked about me like Jolly talked about Hawkins after the game that night, I'd be wanting to drive my knee through his chest at the very first bounce I contested against him.

 

[kanyewest]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

I think someone should have a quiet word in Enright's ear and tell him he's a GUN.

It was a training drill out there tonight after quarter time, make no mistake, the guys were going through different structures and tempos, perfecting their game.

Enright even stated that it was said 'with finals, it doesn't matter if you win by 90 or whatever points' when talking about the way the boys were able to change things up and do things with next week in the back of their minds.

The coaching staff would've also been aware by 1/4 time that we had the Pies next week.

Why would Enright give any respect to the 'witches hats with legs' that were running around out there?

He needs a boost to his confidence ahead of shaking a dirty Pies forward tag.

I never said Enright wasn't a gun or anything like that. Just that he was loose last night and needs to be a bit tighter. Especially due to the fact that Mackie was dropped for this very reason. Funny you should mention the witches hats running around after quarter time. They actually outscored us in the second quarter, with one of them kicking two on Enright. Not bad for witches hats.

 

[vinum coupe]

Re: AFL 2nd Semi Final - Geelong vs Fremantle

All I can say is this, thank God we have James Podsiadly because our other two tall 'forwards' are absolute rat-shit at the moment. Hawkins and Mooney were worst on last night, again.

Hawkins has to go, bring Blake in for him. Leave the rest unchanged. Lonergan was not that bad. And Lonergan doesnt have Mackie's spot, Corey does. Corey's disposal still leaves a bit to be desired but I prefer him to Mackie. Whilst Blake does nothing around the ground he is on par with Hawkins in that regards, and better in the hitouts.

Wojo is one of my fave players when he's in this form, will be very important next week against the Pies who will stifle our through the centre run. Trav Varcoe is a jet, just needs to finish a bit better when closer to goal.

Put Chappy in cotton wool this week, without doubt our most important player.

Bring on next week!!

Rubbish.

I like Blake in general, but our side looks heaps better with Hawkins rucking. I have completely changed my mind on this.

In a final, Hawkins could present some problems for the pies, and he could get on top and kick a few goals too.

Blake is never going to pose any headaches.