Review AFL Round 16 autopsy - West Coast defeats Geelong by eight points

[Roos08]

Ive realised ive become too accustomed to Geelong winning so loses can tend to double hurt.[/quote]

You're not the lone ranger there. I hold grave fears for the day/year when we actually do start to decline.

By all means be bitterly disappointed, WE all are.

13-2! We have a lot of work to do, yes. But we're 13-2.

 

[catman2006]

We just need our defenders to position themselves better, get more run out of the back area, quite clear they have lost there run maybe teams have noticed and put more attention on this area to stop us.

 

[Just do something]

Re: West Coast supporters are a disgrace

in the words of BT Wow we.

 

[jimmy.h]

Thanks for the game, next time try not to win a academy award for the best dive

Didn't Kerr win that in the first quarter?

 

[Tuggacat]

Someone said in the preview post that this looked like the fastest team we had put on thenfield for the year. It didn't look like it in the first half.

Christensen has got to play finals!

Vardy not there yet as our back-up forward - his game tonight reminded me alot of watching Hawkins. It will be interesting to see which one of them plays finals.

I thought Lonners was good tonight - J Hunt is taking over from Mackie in terms of clangers per match. That said I thought T Hunt was ordinary tonight - he needs to learn how to tackle.

Outs: T Hunt Ottens Duncan
Ins: Mackie Hawkins Selwood

 

[ciaobella]

Points in random order:

- Even though he had a shocker of a kick in the last, Menzel should play forward permantly. We look more dangerous when he is in the F50
- Dont let Stevie J on the ball. He just commands the ball forward and we need that at the moment
- Alan - the boy can play. I'm very excited about this guy, he looks like he belongs already. Just needs to put on some more weight. Reads the ball pretty well.
- Lonergan - never kick the ball....ever.
- Jimmy is still rusty, but should be all good come finals time.
- He looks slow when he is chasing, but Linga kept finding the ball tonight.
- Go in for the hard ball Varcoe. The ball goes past him, then he just stops. Maybe he has been told to stay off the pack??
- Otto got very frsutrated tonight. Vardy rucked better, but only because otto was fed up i think. Thats what Cox and nic nat can do.
- Chappy was big in the last, but was doing a lot of kick and hope.
- Harry just keeps on keeping on.
- Duncan had a pretty bad first half.

ok, i'm done.

I'll try and be brief too!

- it's got me stuffed why Scotty is persisting in having Denzel in the backline. He showed what he's capable of so keep in down forward! Mind blowing!
- Lonergan is a shocker full stop. Only has a 'good' game once in a while but apart from that, can't kick and most of the time puts in a piss poor effort in contests.
- we all know Lingy can run like the wind (NOT). Seriously as I've mentioned before, he can't run but he is a beautiful kick for goal and a great mark so he would do more damage in the forward line.
- Otto was frustrated at the umps; not with the contests! I'm surprised he didn't take a swing at one of the umps. Arms around the opponent when they're practically hugging each other! Again, mind blowing. Umps being umps - pathetic.
- Duncan being subbed was another puzzling decision tonight. Stokes did nothing so why not sub Stokes? Duncan is a beautiful long kick for goal.

Overall a very disappointing effort boys. I won't be satisfied unless we hammer the Lions by 10 goals plus next week!

 

[J Squad]

First half we weren't winning the contested footy, they spread off the packs well, got first touch and were away. Bit of dejavu from last week watching this game, but in true club style they fought hard and almost scraping a win after a poor 1st half.

Was missing a fair bit of Taylor Hunt's run off the back line tonight, but Enright offered a lot of that.

Don't think playing Varcoe on-ball is a good move, he needs the ball fed to him, not floating around the packs looking for it as he doesn't get his hands dirty at all.

Corey got a lot of the hardball tonight for us and will be better off with the return of Selwood next week.

Wojo ran hard all game, enjoyed his full length of the ground play only for it to be turned over after a tired kick.

Really enjoyed Christensen's game, found the ball a lot for a slim kid, worked the most out of the kids tonight.

Felt like it was left to too few tonight, I'm sure Chris is looking for a 22 player effort from the boys next week.

 

[bulletproof]

Lonergan was fine.

 

[ReebusMaximus]

I'm nowhere near as disappointed with this effort as i was with last week's. Although it would've been nice to bounce back from last week's embarassment, the fact is we played a quality side at their home ground and were just beaten while only stringing together one good half of footy at the most.

We looked to get our structure around the stoppages back in the first part of the second half which is what got us back in it. Lingy did a great job, and i loved Christensen's effort around the contest. Selwood back next week can only help to remedy this.

After bagging Wojo's effort last week, his dash and confidence to take them on gave the boys a bit of spark in the first half and seemed to keep them in it. Motlop did a few good things, definitely his best game of senior footy so far and i was pretty happy with Varcoe, even though it was nowhere near what we all know he's capable of delivering.

Our inability to stick a tackle has been the most concerning thing this season for mine. Too many opposition players seem to shrug them too easily, despite our boys' bigger frames. Hopefully it's just the extra training load taking it's toll and not a lack of hunger, something that remains to be seen. I guess we'll find the answer to that in the remaining rounds.

 

[YOTC]

- Lonergan is a shocker full stop. Only has a 'good' game once in a while but apart from that, can't kick and most of the time puts in a piss poor effort in contests.

I don't know how you can see the game that way. His spoiling was top rate against one of the best lead up forwards in the game. Great defensive work all night.

He had one bad kick to nobody and "is a shocker".

Harry Taylor coughed the ball up horribly several times yet nobody is criticising his kicking! Chappy too!

 

[yeah_nah_yeah]

I'll try and be brief too!

- it's got me stuffed why Scotty is persisting in having Denzel in the backline. He showed what he's capable of so keep in down forward! Mind blowing!
- Lonergan is a shocker full stop. Only has a 'good' game once in a while but apart from that, can't kick and most of the time puts in a piss poor effort in contests.
- we all know Lingy can run like the wind (NOT). Seriously as I've mentioned before, he can't run but he is a beautiful kick for goal and a great mark so he would do more damage in the forward line.
- Otto was frustrated at the umps; not with the contests! I'm surprised he didn't take a swing at one of the umps. Arms around the opponent when they're practically hugging each other! Again, mind blowing. Umps being umps - pathetic.
- Duncan being subbed was another puzzling decision tonight. Stokes did nothing so why not sub Stokes? Duncan is a beautiful long kick for goal.

Overall a very disappointing effort boys. I won't be satisfied unless we hammer the Lions by 10 goals plus next week!

- I guess Scott wants to show Menzel what it's like at both ends and to get him a deensive side to his game. I'm all for that, but when we are struggling up forward, Scott should send Menzel to the F50.

- Duncan and Stokes were as out of sorts as each other tonight, gues Scott just wanted some more experienced heads out there.

Look, I'm not pulling my hair out agro after tonights result, but it still sucks losing to the coasters. We can still get some positivies out of this game...i might think about that in a couple of days...i'll have another beer now

 

[RegHickeyStand]

This is the kind of MEDIOCRE attitude that RUINS clubs and shows you are PATHETIC supporter! Nah, only kidding...

I pretty much agree with you. The Eagles are flying at the moment and should finish top 4 this year, so to lose to them in a close one isn't the end of the world. Does anyone really think Geelong would lose this game if it was in Melbourne? At any rate, I think we will learn a lot from the last two matches. The game plan clearly has some flaws, and the younger players are getting some great experience in tighter contests.

The only thing I would definitely like to see, come finals time, is another dedicated big forward to help Pods. I think if we go in with him alone, our style becomes slightly predictable and the better teams will make it very hard for us to score. Similar to the Saints with Riewoldt.

Yeah. Not only do we need a nother good tall to help Pods, we need a structure where they aren't just competing against each other! Or when Hawkins is there, just standing back and watching Pods. lol Pods' misses I think were part due to the pressure he is under. And I'll say this, his opponent got away with murder tonite!

I think Scott has to modify the zone on these big grounds. Too many holes to plug.

 

[Cohzee]

Pretty clear that we are on a harder trainging regime. If we had have lost by more then I'd be worried.

Looking forward to having Selwood back.

 

[True Blue Cat]

I'm not a fan of ruck free kicks but tonight was a disgrace. 3 times Otto and Cox held each other with the last of the 3 Cox holding on for a lot longer and all 3 times Otto got pinged for a hold. Later on in the game Cox pushes Otto right out of the ruck (a little too easily mind you) but doesn't get a free kick. It really did irritate me.


Stevie J gave me my biggest freak out and biggest laugh of the game. Running straight into the man on the mark then breaking the tackle and almost kicking the goal. No idea how he managed to get out after making a terrible decision but it was hilarious. Even Chris Scott seemed to think so.

 

[ReebusMaximus]

- we all know Lingy can run like the wind (NOT). Seriously as I've mentioned before, he can't run but he is a beautiful kick for goal and a great mark so he would do more damage in the forward line.

Disagree. I thought he played a great shutdown game and gave us a bit of mongrel around the contest. His running goals when he gets free are a bonus and should no way be the focus of his game. Can't see him being a lead up forward type with his pace off the mark..

 

[yeah_nah_yeah]

I don't know how you can see the game that way. His spoiling was top rate against one of the best lead up forwards in the game. Great defensive work all night.

He had one bad kick to nobody and "is a shocker".

Harry Taylor coughed the ball up horribly several times yet nobody is criticising his kicking! Chappy too!

Agree, his defensive work is very good, i just dont want him kicking the ball

 

[nohairandfair]

Frustrating game to watch with our boys totally dominating the second half but again unable to get over the line. Of course it was a good effort to get back into the contest but that spell of 9 consecutive goals against in the first half was disasterous and worrying in our inability to stem the leakage.

The fightback in the second half was lead by the old guard in Ling, Bartel, Kelly, Chapman and Corey while our middle tier and younger players didn't show much. However I liked Christiansen's efforts around the packs (6 tackles) but both Menzel and Duncan had poor nights.

The decision making and kicking of Taylor Hunt in the back half was conspicuously poor. We really seem to be missing Milburn's cool head but of course we need to keep playing the youngsters to see who will step up and fill the breaches as we move forward.

I don't like playing the umpire card but geez the Eagles boys just hatched the pill all night in the pack situations blissfully cognisant of the fact that they were never going to get pinged for HTB. Our boys on the other hand got done over many times and just had to make rash disposal decisions as the umps were only too willing to appease the baying throng.

Oh well, still an entertaining game and we have Selwood, Mackie and Milburn to return so things could be much worse.

 

[yebbo]

Oh ok sorry the West Coast idiots have been booted of so Ill actually give a run down on the game.

Geelong took the most of their chances early which was surprising. I really thought they were holding them to a nil all draw early until the flood gates opened... they have to learn to control the game at those points its happens a bit these days.

Alot of big name players were obviously nowhere to be seen and even the new guys went missing. I was surprised Cometti bagged Duncan I thought he was going in hard when noone was.

Josh Hunt needs to reconsider what he is doing, shocking mistakes, Travis Varcoe is soft but he is important from time to time but he started well but then went back to his infuriating best with the shocking handball. To many mistakes and scrambled kicks which is not how they should play.

Ling was really good all night and maybe gets my votes but he was the worst offender for banging it onto his boot to a wall of eagles. geelong always flicks it around at least once or twice and needed to in the game despite the pressure.

And the pressure they need to get used to that but they will cos they are fantastic normally under pressure but twice in a row they havent coped well which might just be a case of knowing they are still top and it dont really matter.

And then they had their chances late but doesnt didnt happen, a few chances to Motlop but he just couldnt quite finish it off, a shame cos he lookss the goods, even his kick to Menzel was brilliant but he missed and time just started getting to low.

Good effort late which is fine by me and when we control a game which will happen in most games come the serious stuff and the players look a million dollars, all the normal guys starting dominating last qtr.

 

[bluepride]

Geelong....one word class.

You could see it through soo many plays, but one thing that was missing and that was intensity.

In all honesty you werent hungry, and who can blame the players they have secured the top 4 spot and the players are just going the motions...not their fault its because they have done enough.

Once you hit finals, the intensity will meet the class and then WOW, thats when you see the Geelong we know and love.

One question, Christenssen or however you spell it.....needs to be dropped.
Skillfull player and has the feel but by god he took his eye off that ball soo many times, I was dumbfounded.

I love Geelong and thats becasue you have your Selwoods, Coreys, Kellys, Enrights, Johnsons, who will run through brick walls and its like watching the game in its purest form watching them place...class and courage.

On the contrary Christessen on so many occasions ducked the head looked at what his oppontent was about to do to him, and losing sight of where the ball was.

Am i the only one that saw this, because I know sooo many plays in your reserves would give a right arm to be playing at the moment and this kid isnt confident enough and its something I wont tolerate and I know for a fact Chris Scott wont ethier.

Tonights loss couldnt be any better cos you were on the verge of peaking and its now gonna suit very very nicley coming into finals.

 

[catman2006]

Key stats :
Clearence we lost by 3 42 to 39
Tackles we won by 8 78 to 70
Inside 50 we won by 9 52 to 43
Clangers we won by 4 57 to 53 Both sides committed high number (not a good win)
Contested possesion we won by 19 159 to 140

Key stats indicate we should have won

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Geez that was like last week. Poor start again!! And ungeelong like contested ball losing early. But, we bounced back in the second half, no doubt it was because we won the contested ball. I'm convinced that because of our lack of footspeed compared to some oppositions and our propensity to at times fall back inti old habits re handballing in the back half that we will always be vulnerable to a good press to a certain degree, the best way to beat it is to limit the inside 50's in the first place and that's what we did in the second half. No doubt this, and other stuff, makes tonight a good learning experience because Collingwood will try and play us exactly the same way the Eagles did in the first half, nothing is surer than that.

Also, if people can't watch the first half and understand why Taylor Hunt is a lock for finals, then they don't get press footy. Yes the kid isn't always polished and can make some blues, but his run and carry and willingness to attack in straight lines, along with following coaches instructions, are why he'll be there. That was a real contrast for me with some of his teammates who really seemed to be hesitant and in 2 minds in the back half. I thought Wojo's run to create was important even though his kicking is still iffy sometimes. Varcoe did the same offensively although could still give more defensively. When we won more contested ball in the second half they were able to be more effective also.

Delivery inside 50 has to improve too. I am really sick of seeing us bomb the ball in there, and seeing one defender try and hold Pods to stop him jumping at the footy, and two others stand 5m in front to give him no space. Now yes ultimately it's the umpires fault for not paying those frees, but by gosh we encourage defenders to do it by the way we bomb it in at times, and not just Pods, but it hampers all of our forwards. Some of that is probably poor decision making due to fatigue, but the times we lowered our vision and hit leads and separated the defenders, we were dangerous-that's gotta be done more often. I reckon we also may well need one more tall forward, at times when we banged it out of 50 long there was no one there, and it would help Pods as I've said. That said, it's understandable we didn't do it at Subi, and maybe Moons can't cover enough ground to help that much, and I'm not sure Hawkins is fit enough to do so either. But I'd like to see us at least try it, realistically the next three weeks are the last chances to experiment with personnel and set ups before we have to bed down the 22 for the finals, and it's worth trying to see how it goes. No doubt it will probably just be Simpson in for Otto (susp) but I'd like to see the extra tall as well, I'm happy with Vardy as 2nd ruck, but another tall on top is worth considering, because very few teams in the league are only playing with one tall banana like we are.

Lastly, props to Motlop. While he obviously can't build up his physical body quickly enough to be a legitimate option in September, he showed some good signs for the future and gave a bit when he came on.

 

[True Blue Cat]

Key stats :
Clearence we lost by 3 42 to 39
Tackles we won by 8 78 to 70
Inside 50 we won by 9 52 to 43
Clangers we won by 4 57 to 53 Both sides committed high number (not a good win)
Contested possesion we won by 19 159 to 140

Key stats indicate we should have won

Disposal efficiency and turnover count?

 

[Live in hope]

Upside

- Christensen very, very good - doesn't appear to be overly quick or strong but plays like it
- Motlop - for me some very promising signs with a bit of pace and foot skills. Obviously needs at least another year/5kgs
- Ling is proving a lot of folks (me included) wrong this year
- the team fitness is fantastic this year, hence the ability to come back
- Selwood and (hopefully) Milburn will help with the Clearances and back line "blackouts"
- 13/2 - gives you good chance to lose the odd game and learn

Downside
- Kicking - never our strong suit, but generally masked my the sheer volume of possessions. Can't believe the shanks by Lonegan, T.Hunt (?) when they weren't under pressure, but there were also losts of passes that missed leading targets by 5 metres.
- how badly the "press" seems to break down - 2 or 3 fumbles or missed tackles, then suddenly there are 2 oto 3 oppenents goal side
- Umpires - is it just me, or did anyone else think there was at least 3 missed frees to Pods - high contact and arms on a leading mark in the second and two arms pinned from behind. Umps seem to think if he holds his arms to side to "shield" his space it is okay for the full back to wrap him up to stop getting hands up, moving at the ball.
As I said in a post earlier in the week, really need a better plan B (i.e. second marking target) than Vardy at moment - think that West has to betried. Guess he'll get his chance now (although with the tribunal this year, you never know)

 

[vWestCoast]

Otten really did get killed by the umps tonight but they were horribe all-round. Bartel doesn't look confident, just an observation. Still a champion player but has the talk of brain damage got to him ? I certainly hope not.

I don't want to sit here pointing out negatives on your own team board so I'll try stay positive.

Cameron Ling is the definition of a work horse. Leads by example, not the most talented but by god was I worried by him tonight, I even wanted us to tag him.
Christinson ? Was fantastic in the third quarter expecially thought it was a great display by a young kid. Kelly I think got a massive 14 tackles or something so it really shows his work rate and desire to get the ball.

Chappy was fantastic in the last quarter but left it a bit to late in my view. Still he showed some fight and as a veteran was what you'd expect.

Scarlett just has to be one of the smartest footballers in history, so many times in a one on one contest he got it but not only that got away and had composure to have a clearing kick.

It's absolutely ridiculous the amount of opposition supporters righting you guys off. It's a good position to be in, you have three more stars to come back and one of them in Selwood in my view is top 5 in the comp. People will underrate you guys and they will be wrong come September. Good luck for the rest of the year and hope you go back to Geelong of old next week

 

[bluepride]

Upside

- Christensen very, very good - doesn't appear to be overly quick or strong but plays like it
-

Read my paragraph.