Review AFL Round 4 - Geelong defeats Richmond by 10 points

[Boxhead_31]

A win is a win but we will need to lift significantly if we are to challenge for back to back.

Good news is Scarlo is back next week.Stringer looked good when he came on
and another good game from Motlop

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

God that was close but at least we got the 4 points.. thought our old brigade did well after critisim though Johnston had some shocking moments...

not looking good for b2b or top 4 really but Scarlo is a huge in next week.

 

[Poetic Justice]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

In short:

We were scrappy.
Josh Hunt welcome back, Scarlo to come will further aid our defence.
Love Motlop; really good player.
Loved Bundy's final quarter.
Loved that Corey, Enright and Chappy all looked better than last week.
Thanks for the 4 points, but let's continue to work hard on improving.

 

[Cicatriz]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

The reality for me is that we have 3 or 4 too many babies in the team to be top line currently.
I think we can fit in 4 or 5 young'un's in any given week and not skip a beat (like last year). It's when we play 8+ like today that we will continue to struggle.
Christensen, Duncan, Gillies, Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Hunt, Motlop and Stringer all played today.
With Kelly, Scarlett, Wojinski and Varcoe all hopefully back over the next month or so, if we can grind out as many wins as possible in the short term then as the older boys come back we should settle down to play some good footy.

 

[thejester]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Got smashed around the ball again, and our structure looked really shakey. Midfield seems anemic - there's Selwood and Bartel and not much else. You get the feeling the coaching staff are keeping the faith with a couple of players and a couple of set ups, but something has to change.

In terms of individual players - youngsters were good, Motlop outstanding and one of our most important players structurally in the absence of Varcoe. Guthrie also really solid on the last line, made some really important plays. Hunt did a reasonable job on Cotchin. Christensen gutsy in the last after being knocked out, great goal. Gillies reasonably solid, kicking was a bit up and under. Stringer good when he came on.

Players out of form - Mitch Duncan. Had a handful disposals, kicked a goal but was almost invisible. Needs to go back to the VFL to find some form. Pods well held. Steve Johnson in Bad Johnson mode, too cute and not doing the basics. Corey and Chappy lifted in the last but they're just not the same players - how many times did Smithy get first hands to it and then fumble?

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Scrappy win... lots of inexperience in the team though.

Stringer
Horlin-Smith
Motlop
Guthrie
Gilles

Hunt
Christensen
Duncan
West (as the only ruckman)

I only expect those last 4 to play their role, and lift when challenged. The others probably put more pressure the senior players. Our press didn't seem that functional either, and the inexperience may have created those holes.

Loved Motlop's game though, and Guthrie was reliable down back.

Was one of those games where I'de close my eyes if SJ had the ball... excruciating at times!

 

[Belisarius]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Thanks for review guys.

I am convinced the loss of Ling, Ottens, Mumford and Ablett -along with an ageing Smithy and Chapman - has signiicantly weakened our gun midfield. Not surprising - no team could handle the loss of these players over a couple of seasons from thier midfield and still be dominant.

Reckon with JHunt and Scarlett back the backline will be ok.

Forward line will be good with Pods, Hawkins, Motlop - and maybe an improved SJ - surely. Chappy probably needs to play more forward so far on his form this season.

So it comes down to getting Bundy and Duncan playing well to make up for our loss in the midfield.

Varcoe and Wojo will help but neither true mids.

Kelly back should make a big difference - but we need some bigger bodies in the middle so we can again win the contested ball.

Hard to see us getting these bigger experienced bodies if Smithy and Chappy do not improve ?

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Gee not one mention of Harry Taylor so far. Harry, Enright, Josh Hunt back in and in form is one massive positive.

 

[thejester]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Gee not one mention of Harry Taylor so far. Harry, Enright, Josh Hunt back in and in form is one massive positive.

Yeah as well as Taylor played was happier to see Enright back in form.

 

[dazbroncos]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Gee not one mention of Harry Taylor so far. Harry, Enright, Josh Hunt back in and in form is one massive positive.

Owe HT apologies... He was awesome today...

Leading possession getter at one point in 3rd quarter....

Go Catters..

 

[kanyewest]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

It's no secret our midfield is struggling at the moment, but I was happy to see our tackle count above 90. Suggests the players are working hard but just not winning enough contests.

I thought Christensen was the best player on the ground and he's clearly one of our top 3 midfielders at the moment. Should start at all centre bounces until some of the older guys regain their form. Also loved Motlop's game. He really showed confidence today and is turning into a one of our better small forwards. I liked what I saw from Stringer even though he only played a quarter. Certainly should retain his spot next week and I'd have him starting.

On the downside, I agree with Jester in that it's time for Mitch Duncan to spend a week or so in the VFL. He just isn't getting to enough contests and probably isn't working hard enough either. Maybe it's a confidence issue but I can't see how playing him at the moment is helping at all. He's clearly got some talent so give him time to find form in the VFL and then bring him back in.

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Players out of form - Mitch Duncan. Had a handful disposals, kicked a goal but was almost invisible. Needs to go back to the VFL to find some form. Pods well held. Steve Johnson in Bad Johnson mode, too cute and not doing the basics. Corey and Chappy lifted in the last but they're just not the same players - how many times did Smithy get first hands to it and then fumble?

The style of play must be having some effect on the small forwards.

SJ, Chapman, Stokes, Byrnes, Duncan have all lost it simulataneously.

Motlop is the case against. Christensen is getting better again with games.

 

[Nankervis brothers]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

THE GOOD

Winning games (well, 2 at least) with Scarlo, Varcoe, Wojo, and Menzel still to return.

Motlop is a real a player. If his shoulders stays in tact then we have a potential gun.

Christenson had a great last term after a heavy collision. He had a break out season last year, and many break out seasons are followed with a poor one. No evidence that is happening with this lad.

Stringer was effective in his debut. Doesn't have star written over him, but may be a good journey man for us. Good work for a recently elevated rookie, to be sure.

Chapman's performance was an improvement on last weeks, though i still think he should play forward more from now on.

THE BAD

Woeful delivery into the forward line.
Beaten again in centre clearances.
Beaten in contested possessions again.

THE UGLY
Structures often feel apart and would have been thrashed by a decent side.

 

[kd35]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

From listening to the K-rock commentary a gleamed a few things.

Bundy was everywhere in the last as was Stringer so good to see some kids stand up. While Motlop seems ahead of Stokes after another very solid performance.

Midfield smashed way too much fumbling and if not for Selwood and in patches Bartel I don't want to know.

Lonergan destroyed an out of sorts Riewoldt and used the ball efficiently.

Disappointing games from Mitch Duncan, Bad Steve Johnson and Pods was well held.

Menzel was a great special comment man as well.

 

[dazbroncos]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

THE GOOD

Winning games (well, 2 at least) with Scarlo, Varcoe, Wojo, and Manzel still to return.

Motlop is a real a player. If his shoulders stays in tact then we have a potential gun.

Christenson had a great last term after a heavy collision. He had a break out season last year, and many break out seasons are followed with a poor one. No evidence that is happening with this lad.

Stringer was effective in his debut. Doesn't have star written over him, but may be a good journey man for us. Good work for a recently elevated rookie, to be sure.


Chapman's performance was an improvement on last weeks, though i still think he should play forward more from now one.

THE BAD

Woeful delivery into the forward line.
Beaten again in centre clearances.
Beaten in contested possessions again.

THE UGLY
Structures often feel apart and would have been thrashed by a decent side.

Reckon whoever hit him will get a holiday.... late and head high and smashed his conscienceness from him..

Go Catters..

 

[i_need_a_pencil]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Reckon whoever hit him will get a holiday.... late and head high and smashed his conscienceness from him..

Go Catters..

I think the Richmond player that knocked Christensen out has been reported... don't think there was much there from memory - was just ANGRY we didn't get a free!

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

At the moment we are a middle of the road side...but that is ok.

We are blooding some quality youth and nursing a few older types into the end of season. There is no doubt we have to lift, but I know we are capable. Our inside work again sucked balls....Kelly hurts, but you would like to think that we have the capacity to improve here. Maybe Stringer is part of the solution....we are definitely one down.

On the whole, am very happy with the performance of individuals, but i think there is a lot of work to do on improving the overall performance of the team. Structures and Press just seemed vulnerable, and was not happy with our use of the wind - especially given we have the likes of Hawkins/Pods ready to contest.

One particular thing I found encouraging was the performance of Gilles and Guthrie....thought both were very good in contested work and will form the basis of a great defence for sometime to come. Guthrie in particular looks like being a real trooper. Tigers scored almost 100% from midfield contribution or weak free kicks, defence was very sound.

Stevie Motlop.....GUN!!! Have we unearthed something special here or what! Just consistently good user of the ball. Great pace, great ball use and willing to take the game on.....is going to be a weapon.

As for the rest, i think its coming, we have to take into account the high proportion of guys who are 30 games or under....they will be inconsistent for a little while yet and we are just going to have to live with it. But in blooding them now, we are certainly adding to some serious depth and with the likes of Scarlett, Varcoe, Wojack, Brown , Menzel, Kelly, Smedts, Stephensen and Vardy waiting in the wings we have the capacity to add serious fire power to our unit.

I would love to see Stringer retain his place on the back of this performance and our need for grunt. Scarlett and Kelly obviously come back in and based on todays performance Horlin-Smith and Duncan. I would perhaps even review the addition of Smedts for Stokes. Am a little disappointed in Duncan thus far, looks great when he gets it, but is simply not involved enough....is somebody to look to for real improvement.

All in all, next two weeks are very important. We need the runs on the board.

 

[Nankervis brothers]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

At the moment we are a middle of the road side...but that is ok.

We are blooding some quality youth and nursing a few older types into the end of season. There is no doubt we have to lift, but I know we are capable. Our inside work again sucked balls....Kelly hurts, but you would like to think that we have the capacity to improve here. Maybe Stringer is part of the solution....we are definitely one down.

On the whole, am very happy with the performance of individuals, but i think there is a lot of work to do on improving the overall performance of the team. Structures and Press just seemed vulnerable, and was not happy with our use of the wind - especially given we have the likes of Hawkins/Pods ready to contest.

One particular thing I found encouraging was the performance of Gilles and Guthrie....thought both were very good in contested work and will form the basis of a great defence for sometime to come. Guthrie in particular looks like being a real trooper. Tigers scored almost 100% from midfield contribution or weak free kicks, defence was very sound.

Stevie Motlop.....GUN!!! Have we unearthed something special here or what! Just consistently good user of the ball. Great pace, great ball use and willing to take the game on.....is going to be a weapon.

As for the rest, i think its coming, we have to take into account the high proportion of guys who are 30 games or under....they will be inconsistent for a little while yet and we are just going to have to live with it. But in blooding them now, we are certainly adding to some serious depth and with the likes of Scarlett, Varcoe, Wojack, Brown , Menzel, Kelly, Smedts, Stephensen and Vardy waiting in the wings we have the capacity to add serious fire power to our unit.

I would love to see Stringer retain his place on the back of this performance and our need for grunt. Scarlett and Kelly obviously come back in and based on todays performance Horlin-Smith and Duncan. I would perhaps even review the addition of Smedts for Stokes. Am a little disappointed in Duncan thus far, looks great when he gets it, but is simply not involved enough....is somebody to look to for real improvement.

All in all, next two weeks are very important. We need the runs on the board.

If we win the next 3 with players out and our group down on form, while continuing to blood new players, then we are looking pretty good.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Yep, we are travelling OK...but if we are talking premierships we will have to do a lot of improving.

Fortunately - I think we are putting ourselves in the right position to do just that. We are blooding significant youth and have a squad of such depth it is really amazing. Add to that our ability to just want to win, and I think we will be in good sted should we challenge for finals.

Am a little bit worried about some of our structures though. Seems the old Geelong 2007/08 style is really breaking down our forward press. We need to be able to revert back to the old school ourselves sometime....we seem to have mastered both styles over last 5 years, so to take it to the next level perhaps we need to be able to switch between a few styles.....just a thought.

 

[dazbroncos]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

At the moment we are a middle of the road side...but that is ok.

We are blooding some quality youth and nursing a few older types into the end of season. There is no doubt we have to lift, but I know we are capable. Our inside work again sucked balls....Kelly hurts, but you would like to think that we have the capacity to improve here. Maybe Stringer is part of the solution....we are definitely one down.

On the whole, am very happy with the performance of individuals, but i think there is a lot of work to do on improving the overall performance of the team. Structures and Press just seemed vulnerable, and was not happy with our use of the wind - especially given we have the likes of Hawkins/Pods ready to contest.

One particular thing I found encouraging was the performance of Gilles and Guthrie....thought both were very good in contested work and will form the basis of a great defence for sometime to come. Guthrie in particular looks like being a real trooper. Tigers scored almost 100% from midfield contribution or weak free kicks, defence was very sound.

Stevie Motlop.....GUN!!! Have we unearthed something special here or what! Just consistently good user of the ball. Great pace, great ball use and willing to take the game on.....is going to be a weapon.

As for the rest, i think its coming, we have to take into account the high proportion of guys who are 30 games or under....they will be inconsistent for a little while yet and we are just going to have to live with it. But in blooding them now, we are certainly adding to some serious depth and with the likes of Scarlett, Varcoe, Wojack, Brown , Menzel, Kelly, Smedts, Stephensen and Vardy waiting in the wings we have the capacity to add serious fire power to our unit.

I would love to see Stringer retain his place on the back of this performance and our need for grunt. Scarlett and Kelly obviously come back in and based on todays performance Horlin-Smith and Duncan. I would perhaps even review the addition of Smedts for Stokes. Am a little disappointed in Duncan thus far, looks great when he gets it, but is simply not involved enough....is somebody to look to for real improvement.

All in all, next two weeks are very important. We need the runs on the board.

Great post Gaz...

on every point really.

I really think that even though no one will allow it as an excuse, being 6 weeks behind having played deeper into 2011 than everyone else (Pies excepted) most of the 3 time premiership players won't be fully in stride until about rd 10.
And with what we have coming back we will get better... but very important to get points on the board now to allow rotations later in season...

GO Catters

 

[dazbroncos]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Jinx Nankervis Bros!!!

LOL


Go Catters..

 

[Nankervis brothers]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Jinx Nankervis Bros!!!

LOL


Go Catters..

Ah, great minds think alike they say

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

I think the Richmond player that knocked Christensen out has been reported... don't think there was much there from memory - was just ANGRY we didn't get a free!

Did a goal/boundary/emergency umpire make the report? Surely if one of the three central umpires made the report, we would have received the free kick?

• Just happy to get the win, frankly. Taylor and Lonergan were sensational in the backline for us, yet again. Enright is starting to work himself into some form. Gillies was pretty good. Good to see Josh Hunt back and he played well.
• Poor discipline is hurting us again. I'm guessing at least half of their goals were from free kicks. The Hunt one on Nahas was just dumb play. So frustrating; there's just no need whatsoever to do it.
• Not sure what to make of Westy's game. Again, he had to work his backside off in the ruck. But he looked a bit tentative with his disposal, he was dropping marks and Maric definitely took the points over the course of the day, in what was pretty much a one-on-one battle (in the middle at least). Still, he wasn't terrible and I think the MC has been vindicated in their decision to go with just one ruckman.
• Fair enough, it wasn't a great day for the big forwards, but we were clearly lacking crumbers at the fall of the ball for the vast majority of the day. Stokes got a crumbing goal at the start of the game and Bundy had a senastional one late, after he came back on, but apart from that there wasn't much at all. It used to be our bread and butter.
• Smashed in the midfield, yet again (though not unexpected) for most of the day. Bartel was great again, Selwood was just about BOG, Chapman started to fire in the last quarter (thank God), but we're hurting in there. I thought Corey should have been on notice last week, I don't think he did enough this week, but there's simply no-one to bring in, if he gets dropped. Poodle did his job; he was solid.
• Duncan and Gillies will most likely go out for Kelly and Scarlett and Horlin-Smith might go back to the VFL, if Wojcinski is back.
• Motlop should be right in the mix for a Rising Star nomination. Great game. Bundy was also fantastic.
• Dirty day for Steve Johnson. It's time for him to pull out a BOG performance against Brisbane next week. And when will TV stations realise it's not a good idea to show us four slo-mo replays of what's just happened when Johnson is lining up in range?

 

[dazbroncos]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

Krock said there was a report of West being reported in 1st qtr....

No further mention at all or online....

Any info?

Go Catters..

 

[Belisarius]

Re: AFL Round 4 - Geelong v Richmond, Simonds Stadium, 1:10PM Sunday 22 April

I agree with most posts here - yes we are down on form and players at present. There are good reasons why we are not as good as we can be.

Other teams are better as well. We are still hunted as well.

Can see us improving over the next 4-6 weeks. Whether we will be good enough for a big finals series is hard to assess presently.

We just need discover a mid or two that can help us get some contested ball.

IF Simpson can come back, along with Menzel in the forward line, and make a difference in the ruck - we could yet be a contender.