Brisbane V Geelong Post Match Review Thread

[CatFan79]

Tom Harley - reigning All Australian, a couple of games back returning from injury, surrounded by a bunch of kids, didn't have a good game.

BFD.

Runs on the board.

Will play an integral part of the rest of our season and it will continue to grind the gears of CatFan79.

Harley is neither a good stopping defender or rebound defender. He is so slow and out of touch with the game it is beyond embarrassing. Im sure hes a great club-man and makes a nice cocktail or whatever but...

As a tall defender and the captain of our club, to not put his hand up and take either Brown or Bradshaw is a joke. Puts himself on the weakest forward once again. Pathetic, as a leader with all that experience what sort of example is that. He showed no leadership AT ALL! I'm sorry but Harley's in self preservation mode.

 

[rooie]

Harley is neither a good stopping defender or rebound defender. He is so slow and out of touch with the game it is beyond embarrassing. Im sure hes a great club-man and makes a nice cocktail or whatever but...

As a tall defender and the captain of our club, to not put his hand up and take either Brown or Bradshaw is a joke. Puts himself on the weakest forward once again. Pathetic, as a leader with all that experience what sort of example is that. He showed no leadership AT ALL! I'm sorry but Harley's in self preservation mode.

gotta wonder if he ran over your dog or something...

Harley is one of the best readers of the ball in the game, and is a fantastic third man up. He plays that role because of his age, in acknowledgment of his inability to play as well as he used to in a pure one on one role.

You really need to get a new axe, as this one is well and truly ground down to the handle.....

 

[CatFan79]

gotta wonder if he ran over your dog or something...

Harley is one of the best readers of the ball in the game, and is a fantastic third man up. He plays that role because of his age, in acknowledgment of his inability to play as well as he used to in a pure one on one role.

You really need to get a new axe, as this one is well and truly ground down to the handle.....

Every player has positives, but in Harley's case, these hold little sway when (like you said) he clearly can't play a decent forward one on one and also cannot contribute to our fast running rebound defense. He's so slow and his disposal is awful.

Nothing would please me more than to see Harley play like he did 5 or 6 years ago but he's done, and should not be captain.

We don't NEED Harley to play this 3rd man up role, what your saying sounds like his 'role' has been created for him because he can't do anything else. Yes I agree.

As far as the 'axe' comment goes, I realise I'm dealing with one-eyed supporters so I can understand that reaction.

 

[ATSAM]

Playing Tenace was a desperate act. When did he last play a senior game? It is hardly his fault if he couldn't match the pace, the VFL is a very different level.Perhaps the question is why is he still at Geelong, remember Collingwood wanted him a few seasons ago, we kept him for some strange reason and have left him in the 2's.That by the way is probably his level. But don't bag him now. Likewise Lonergan, last year in the forward line, this year in the 2's and then the odd game in the seniors in the forward line. Hard to play at your best.

 

[catempire]

If Harley was of no use anymore to the team you could expect a press conference to be called and his retirement to be announced. Other clubs have done it with their captains or senior players in their final years and there's no reason why the GFC wouldn't do it here.

Except for the fact that Harley still has something important to offer.

 

[CatFan79]

If Harley was of no use anymore to the team you could expect a press conference to be called and his retirement to be announced. Other clubs have done it with their captains or senior players in their final years and there's no reason why the GFC wouldn't do it here.

Except for the fact that Harley still has something important to offer.

I think its just a level of honesty that hasn't been reached in modern football.

Theres a difference between having 'something' to offer and holding down a spot in our best 22 or stunting the development of a yound key defender.

I personally think Harley has an inflated opinion of himself but will show enough dignity to retire at season's end.

It's just a shame he was made captain, a captain needs to inspire his team not only with words but by his actions. How he could not stand up (as captain) and show some leadership in the backline the other night was just appalling in my opinion.

 

[fpm84]

How he could not stand up (as captain) and show some leadership in the backline the other night was just appalling in my opinion.

Yeah and what an easy task it was for him - looking out for the likes of Taylor (35 career games), Lonergan (28 career games, mostly in the forward line), Laidler (1 career game) and Gillies (1 career game).

I am shocked that Harley didn't motivate these guys enough to ensure at least one of them got Brownlow votes.

Seriously, the backline we put out on Saturday night was the poorest, least experienced backline I can remember in a long, long time. It was a freak of nature that caused four of our defenders - Scarlett, Milburn, Mackie and Kelly - to miss the one game.

 

[catempire]

Our first premiership captain in 44 years.

Yep, real shame.

 

[CatFan79]

Yeah and what an easy task it was for him - looking out for the likes of Taylor (35 career games), Lonergan (28 career games, mostly in the forward line), Laidler (1 career game) and Gillies (1 career game).

I am shocked that Harley didn't motivate these guys enough to ensure at least one of them got Brownlow votes.

Seriously, the backline we put out on Saturday night was the poorest, least experienced backline I can remember in a long, long time. It was a freak of nature that caused four of our defenders - Scarlett, Milburn, Mackie and Kelly - to miss the one game.

Thanks for making my point for me..

Harley needed to put his hand up as the apparent great leader he is and take either Brown or Bradshaw, instead he fed Lonergan and Gillies to the lions (excuse the pun).

If our captain with all his experience cannot put his hand up when the backline is so depleted, its beyond pathetic. He is obviously a protected species.

Open your eyes, what sort of example is Harley setting?

 

[michy]

It's not like Harley could have single-handely won the game if he moved onto Brown or Bradshaw, so why not throw some of the younger guys in the deep end to gain some experience in a match where the outcome wasn't going to have any bearing on our ladder position etc.

Has nothing to do with his leadership abilities.

 

[JUBJUB]

gotta wonder if he ran over your dog or something...

More likely Harley parked in his handicap spot.

 

[hbk_aus]

Catfan79, you say Harley "puts himself on the weaker forwards" - so what exactly do u think our coaches are doing, twiddling their thumbs? Matchups for Brown and Bradshaw wouldve been decided by the coaching staff as is always the case with the gun forwards - you do know that much about footy dont u?

 

[fpm84]

Thanks for making my point for me..

Harley needed to put his hand up as the apparent great leader he is and take either Brown or Bradshaw, instead he fed Lonergan and Gillies to the lions (excuse the pun).

If our captain with all his experience cannot put his hand up when the backline is so depleted, its beyond pathetic. He is obviously a protected species.

Open your eyes, what sort of example is Harley setting?

Harley has not played on KPPs for years, so it's a non issue for me. Players I can recall him beating in finals over the past couple of years include Dale Thomas, Corey Jones and Daniel Motlop. Hardly Brown and Bradshaw, are they?

To me, your argument is as irrelevant as saying 'why wasn't Bartel put onto Brown? He's a Brownlow medallist after all....'

Playing on Brown/Bradshaw is not Harley's job - I'm sure the coaching staff would agree with me.

That said, he didn't have a great game on Saturday typified by when he went second man up against somebody and his opponent just ran into an open goal square and kicked it. He has only played a handful of games due to two different injury concerns this season and undoubtedly improved the backline when he returned for the first time this season.

 

[catempire]

CatFan79 shoots him/herself in the foot with this argument.

On the one hand he/she decries the fact that Harley "can't" play on key forwards anymore.

On the other, he/she stamps his/her feet and asks why oh why he refuses to play himself on the key forwards these days.

One can't take both these points of view simultaneously. If he's not up to it, you should be happy he's not attempting it.

Of course, back in the real world, the coaching staff do what's best for the team and play Harley in the roles where he's most useful - playing on small/medium forwards and giving his team mates a chop-out at contests (something he has been the best in the AFL at doing in the past few seasons). 95% of GFC supporters realise this.

 

[greendiesel]

I wouldn't worry too much Cat Fans. Very good teams can handle 5 or 6 of their best out, but when it gets to more than 6 it's like a house of cards.
When players return...and...Hawkins clicks , and he will click, you'll have more good stuff to look forward too.

 

[meto]

When we learn to kick to the forwards instead of over their heads they might do a heck of a lot better. Our delivery in at the moment is bloody aweful.
Not to excuse their lack of endeavour and fight mind you, but I've noticed of late the passing forward is getting bad.
Thought Hawkins was good, but only in patches, cause his stats weren't that flattering.
Gamble's a low percentage forward, just doesn't do enough.
Would now like to see Trent West come in for Blake, He needs the chance to proove himself, otherwise if he's denied an opportunity he should be traded.
We need to see if he can step up.

 

[krisholio14]

Harley is neither a good stopping defender or rebound defender. He is so slow and out of touch with the game it is beyond embarrassing. Im sure hes a great club-man and makes a nice cocktail or whatever but...

As a tall defender and the captain of our club, to not put his hand up and take either Brown or Bradshaw is a joke. Puts himself on the weakest forward once again. Pathetic, as a leader with all that experience what sort of example is that. He showed no leadership AT ALL! I'm sorry but Harley's in self preservation mode.

Did it ever occur to you that we may want to take the opportunity to give Lonergan 4 quarters of footy to prove he can hold down CHB against a big gun?

Taylor did a reasonable job on Bradshaw I thought. It was coming down there quick and clean for large portions of the night, and i've seen games like that where Bradshaw has kicked 6 or 7. So I didn't see the need for a move there.

Harley has a role in the team, one which he does particularly well on most occasions. While he'd be the first to admit he didn't have one of his better games on Sat night, as far as i'm concerned, it was a good opportunity for him to put himself through the wringer as he works his way back to full match fitness. As they say in racing parlance, he'll be better for the run.

You'll love him to death when he's holding up that cup again at the end of the season

 

[CatFan79]

Did it ever occur to you that we may want to take the opportunity to give Lonergan 4 quarters of footy to prove he can hold down CHB against a big gun?

Taylor did a reasonable job on Bradshaw I thought. It was coming down there quick and clean for large portions of the night, and i've seen games like that where Bradshaw has kicked 6 or 7. So I didn't see the need for a move there.

Harley has a role in the team, one which he does particularly well on most occasions. While he'd be the first to admit he didn't have one of his better games on Sat night, as far as i'm concerned, it was a good opportunity for him to put himself through the wringer as he works his way back to full match fitness. As they say in racing parlance, he'll be better for the run.

You'll love him to death when he's holding up that cup again at the end of the season

Did you all know that on the weekend hawks captain Luke Hodge put himself in the midfield in the last quarter, which went a long way to getting his team the win against the odds.

Hodge is underdone and has a specific 'ROLE' in the backline BUT he took the initiative and as captain decided to lead by example and find that extra something.

I think a lot of you have learned to just accept where Harley's career is and what he can produce as a player and a captain, I have not. He gets hidden away in our backline and as a captain is too passive.

 

[fpm84]

Did you all know that on the weekend hawks captain Luke Hodge put himself in the midfield in the last quarter, which went a long way to getting his team the win against the odds.

Luke Hodge isn't Hawthorn's captain.... so, your point?

 

[krisholio14]

Did you all know that on the weekend hawks captain Luke Hodge put himself in the midfield in the last quarter, which went a long way to getting his team the win against the odds.

Hodge is underdone and has a specific 'ROLE' in the backline BUT he took the initiative and as captain decided to lead by example and find that extra something.

I think a lot of you have learned to just accept where Harley's career is and what he can produce as a player and a captain, I have not. He gets hidden away in our backline and as a captain is too passive.

You're completely missing the point here.

To you, Saturday Night was all about winning and losing. To us it was not.

Hodge had to go into the guts and try to get the Hawks over the line because if he didn't their season was totally and utterly finished.

IF we were hellbent on getting the four points I guarantee you we wouldn't have left out 8 players.

The whole idea for us was to not just rest a few blokes, but give a few young blokes and fringe players an opportunity to put their hands up. We need to know who we can count on to step up when the going gets tough.

Tom Harley has the runs on the board in that department, as a player and as a leader, so why not give other blokes the opportunity to prove themselves?

We aren't going to need Tom Harley playing a key position come finals time, so why not let him also have the opportunity to sharpen up his game in the position he's going to be playing when it gets to the business end? He needed the hit out, that was clear, but we need him to be doing what he does best, which is reading the play and cutting off forward 50 entries. That's what he's in the team for, so I have no problem with him playing where he did against Brissy. It achieves nothing to have him throwing himself around against Jono Brown. Better for him to be playing where he's going to be when it matters.

 

[Whit3y]

jimmy.h;15053123]

Or Lonergan too. Last year's finals showed he wasn't a forward and I think he's proven beyond reasonable doubt tonight that he's not a defender either

only thing his good for is selling the footy record out the front of skilled on matchdays

 

[year of the cat]

You're completely missing the point here.

To you, Saturday Night was all about winning and losing. To us it was not.

Hodge had to go into the guts and try to get the Hawks over the line because if he didn't their season was totally and utterly finished.

IF we were hellbent on getting the four points I guarantee you we wouldn't have left out 8 players.

The whole idea for us was to not just rest a few blokes, but give a few young blokes and fringe players an opportunity to put their hands up. We need to know who we can count on to step up when the going gets tough.

Tom Harley has the runs on the board in that department, as a player and as a leader, so why not give other blokes the opportunity to prove themselves?

We aren't going to need Tom Harley playing a key position come finals time, so why not let him also have the opportunity to sharpen up his game in the position he's going to be playing when it gets to the business end? He needed the hit out, that was clear, but we need him to be doing what he does best, which is reading the play and cutting off forward 50 entries. That's what he's in the team for, so I have no problem with him playing where he did against Brissy. It achieves nothing to have him throwing himself around against Jono Brown. Better for him to be playing where he's going to be when it matters.

And what happens if either Scarlett or Taylor go down injured in the first 10 minutes in one of the finals? Harley will have to take a tall as there is no-one else, other than perhaps Mackie.

 

[rizzo]

You're completely missing the point here.

To you, Saturday Night was all about winning and losing. To us it was not.

Hodge had to go into the guts and try to get the Hawks over the line because if he didn't their season was totally and utterly finished.

IF we were hellbent on getting the four points I guarantee you we wouldn't have left out 8 players.

The whole idea for us was to not just rest a few blokes, but give a few young blokes and fringe players an opportunity to put their hands up. We need to know who we can count on to step up when the going gets tough.

Tom Harley has the runs on the board in that department, as a player and as a leader, so why not give other blokes the opportunity to prove themselves?

We aren't going to need Tom Harley playing a key position come finals time, so why not let him also have the opportunity to sharpen up his game in the position he's going to be playing when it gets to the business end? He needed the hit out, that was clear, but we need him to be doing what he does best, which is reading the play and cutting off forward 50 entries. That's what he's in the team for, so I have no problem with him playing where he did against Brissy. It achieves nothing to have him throwing himself around against Jono Brown. Better for him to be playing where he's going to be when it matters.

Great post

 

[catempire]

And what happens if either Scarlett or Taylor go down injured in the first 10 minutes in one of the finals? Harley will have to take a tall as there is no-one else, other than perhaps Mackie.

Even if that's the case, he's not going to get any better or worse by being put there now. The only thing we do is waste the chance to try others there.

Milburn and Mackie both tend to be tried on talls as second options.

 

[year of the cat]

Even if that's the case, he's not going to get any better or worse by being put there now. The only thing we do is waste the chance to try others there.

Milburn and Mackie both tend to be tried on talls as second options.

Fair enough, but you have to concede it is becoming a worry finding a suitable match up for Harley. I just can't see, unless our midfield is absolutely dominating, how we can play both Harley and Milburn down back at the same time. I just hope that Harley, with another month of football, will gain a bit more composure than he has shown in the last fortnight and not go to ground as often as well.