Review Cats drop Bombers by 45 at MCG

[foxdog50]

It’s likely Conway won’t even play VFL tomorrow due to injury
Was mentioned on pre game on Krock

Your kidding me.... Whats he done?

 

[cats_09]

Not wanting to be a Debbie Downer but it’s also slightly concerning that we are conceding that many inside 50’s each week. A better team would have been more productive scoring than they were.

Essendon had 31 inside 50s in the first half and only 29 on the second half

They also had a few inside 50s late in the game as they were on 57 inside 50s when their score was on 54 - so a few junk time plays going forward that weren't going to impact the result

Stop those last few and it's only 26/27 inside 50s for the half, and that's starting to look a better sign for our pressure

 

[year of the cat]

I thought the conditions contributed to this as both teams were able to gain quick multiple entries by having a player back across 50-60m from goal to intercept hack kicks out of packs etc.

Be interested to know what the second half looked like.

Second half we gained ascendancy in the midfield off the back of an improved ruck display from SDK. He was pushed aside in the first half but to his credit battled back well I thought.

Dangerfield going into beast mode also helped….

 

[CatToTheFuture]

So can anyone tell me what happened for us not to contest the throw in that resulted in a goal? Did we just not have a ruck in the area?

 

[The_Koulouriotis_Fan]

Lots of repeat inside 50s by the Dons in that 2nd quarter. It’s not an overly great stat. When we beat Carlton they had 22 more inside 50s, 66 - 45 when we lost by 10 goals they had 15 more, 58 - 43.

 

[rocker_oz33]

year of the cat
Are you keeping Dallas up all night..
Debbie.

Is that better Art Vandelay_

 

[year of the cat]

Essendon had 31 inside 50s in the first half and only 29 on the second half

They also had a few inside 50s late in the game as they were on 57 inside 50s when their score was on 54 - so a few junk time plays going forward that weren't going to impact the result

Stop those last few and it's only 26/27 inside 50s for the half, and that's starting to look a better sign for our pressure

That surprises me. It felt at the game that the differential for the 2 halves would have been greater. I felt we spent long periods in the first 45 mins of the game hanging in there through good forward conversion. Half way through the second quarter you could feel the momentum turn. And that continued into the third quarter.

 

[Generalissimo]

So can anyone tell me what harkens for us not to contest the throw in that resulted in a goal? Did we just not have a ruck in the area?

We didn't. The tallest bloke in the area at the time I think was Knevitt.

 

[cats_09]

So can anyone tell me what harkens for us not to contest the throw in that resulted in a goal? Did we just not have a ruck in the area?

I'll try...

Based on what I saw, we had no ruck in the area and Knevitt seemed to signal/indicate he'd be our ruck but I'm not sure if Dangerfield told him to stay out of the contest - maybe trying to draw a free for interference or something

Only problem is that Dangerfield was the closest to the ruck contest and didn't contest it himself - looked like he was hoping Draper would tap the ball forward for him to rove, but instead it was clearly a set play with the ball tapped over the back and no Cat in sight

 

[CatToTheFuture]

While I didn't like blitz ruck work early. There were a few marking contests where he just threw himself at it. The kind of tone setting leadership through action that resets expectation for everyone.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Tonight was a great result but I tend to feel it said more about the Bombers (absolute pretenders) than it did about us. Our midfield concerns are still there albeit they performed much better tonight than they have recently.

Holmes running off half back works but we do miss him running away from the contest in the middle if he plays in defence. Where’s he best suited for the team? I’m not sure.

We did defend well tonight. Though their entries were extremely poor which made our job much easier.

SDK who many raged at 1st half led the team for clearances. 5.
Bowes, Stewart and Blicavs 4. Lawson had 3 on debut.

They still beat us there, albeit only Caldwell had a great night in the contest.

What is stark from recent weeks with his absence is that while Dangerfield may not get it 35 times and kick 2 like he used to, his intensity inside the contest, at the contest and after the contest is higher than everyone in the team, and most in the league.

His ability to dive on the ball and have the leg and core strength to get up and break tackles and feed out the ball is an innate skill that cannot be taught. Not many in the competition have those intangible traits. But it makes us better for it.

In hindsight although we went at Parish, and his ball winning ability would have made us better this year, what we need more is a contested beast midfielder. Someone with some size and power. Oliver - who I think will stay a dee - fits that mould. Clark - if he comes good is more in the Selwood vain. Tough and in and under but lacking that tough mix of strength, power and intensity.

 

[bulletproof]

Tuohy and Duncan played fantastic games tonight.

I will admit I have tired of Tuohy of late but he really showed his class tonight.

They both may need a rest next week, they left it all out there tonight.

 

[bulletproof]

Blicavs willed himself to make a big impact too.

I feel like it was more one last gasp for this season then the start of a re-emergence in second half of the year.

But good Scott sides normally get motoring at this point of season, so it will be interesting next fortnight.

 

[The_Koulouriotis_Fan]

Humphries is a gun. Knows how to play and is one hell of a kick! Wells special there!

Dempsey is brilliant, what a player he’s becoming.

Knevitt needs to play, that mark to stop a goal in the 3rd was awesome, it’s what Menagola used to do at his best and something we’ve missed.

SDK isn’t much of a ruck but he’s a good midfielder 20 disposals, 5 clearances and 5 score involvements.

Neale did some nice things.

We look better with Danger and Stewart taking the pressure off the younger guys, Bowes played with a lot more freedom.

Rohan off the chain, still can impact

I love Danger, he’s still such a class player and just wills himself to win the contest.

Lots to improve on but good to win again!

 

[Generalissimo]

While I didn't like blitz ruck work early. There were a few marking contests where he just threw himself at it.

At times through his career he's let the ball go through his hands like Stanley, which is not ideal when you're leading and your opponent is behind you. He was clunking them tonight, or at least keeping the ball in front of him.

 

[rocker_oz33]

Bombers opened up once ee got the ball past the centre.

Bummers to some.
Am I doing it ️ right.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I'll try...

Based on what I saw, we had no ruck in the area and Knevitt seemed to signal/indicate he'd be our ruck but I'm not sure if Dangerfield told him to stay out of the contest - maybe trying to draw a free for interference or something

Only problem is that Dangerfield was the closest to the ruck contest and didn't contest it himself - looked like he was hoping Draper would tap the ball forward for him to rove, but instead it was clearly a set play with the ball tapped over the back and no Cat in sight

I'm sure danger would want his time again there

 

[cats_09]

That surprises me. It felt at the game that the differential for the 2 halves would have been greater. I felt we spent long periods in the first 45 mins of the game hanging in there through good forward conversion. Half way through the second quarter you could feel the momentum turn. And that continued into the third quarter.

I was expecting similar when I checked

They had 13 inside 50s in the first quarter & seemed very efficient when going forward

They had 18 in the second quarter, but didn't have that same efficiency - the ball just seemed to live in that area though, so maybe that's why it felt like it could have been a lot more

The 3rd quarter it was 14, and then 15 in the last


So it's interesting that the first quarter was their lowest inside 50 tally, but ended up their highest scoring quarter - maybe we became better at limiting the ease of them moving the ball forward so the entries weren't as clean, versus simply limiting the entries

 

[year of the cat]

SDK who many raged at 1st half led the team for clearances. 5.
Bowes, Stewart and Blicavs 4. Lawson had 3 on debut.

They still beat us there, albeit only Caldwell had a great night in the contest.

What is stark from recent weeks with his absence is that while Dangerfield may not get it 35 times and kick 2 like he used to, his intensity inside the contest, at the contest and after the contest is higher than everyone in the team, and most in the league.

His ability to dive on the ball and have the leg and core strength to get up and break tackles and feed out the ball is an innate skill that cannot be taught. Not many in the competition have those intangible traits. But it makes us better for it.

In hindsight although we went at Parish, and his ball winning ability would have made us better this year, what we need more is a contested beast midfielder. Someone with some size and power. Oliver - who I think will stay a dee - fits that mould. Clark - if he comes good is more in the Selwood vain. Tough and in and under but lacking that tough mix of strength, power and intensity.

Contested mids are at the top of our shopping list for sure. In fact, quality mids of any description. Dangerfield tonight reminded us again how critical he’s been to our success. But he’s closer to the end than the beginning. We need quality mids very quickly if we are to remain a finals team. Smith will help. Clarry would too if his head is in the right place.

 

[Willo_]

As a life long Essendon hater goodness me the stranglehold we have on them makes me happy.

Thoroughly enjoyed that, Humphries is going to be something special, he has composure and calmness that you can't teach.
Ollie Dempseys development is mind blowing..
And while he didn't have a huge night I think Neales big pack grab in the 3rd helped change the game, it forced them to at least respect him and I don't think it's a coincidence our forwards seemed to find more space from there... No doubt there is more to it but if your big forwards opponent is worried he'll take a grab he is less likely to ignore him and zone off and impact other contests.
Big forwards always take longer to develop, Scratch I think will really benefit for getting a good run at it now and if it starts clicking we will be much better for it.

I'm glad something found Jack Henry

38

Jack Henry

Age

26

Ht

192cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.3

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

MG

142.6

2star

D

8.6

2star

K

6.7

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.1

3star

MG

142.6

3star

D

9.6

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.6

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

4star

's reset button at half time and turned him off and on again because God he was shit in the first half but tremendous in the 2nd.

Clark is a maniac with his attack on the ball but he needs do go to the 2s and just rip them to shreds for a month, I think Clohesy plays the same role and is also a maniac (plus he's had good VFL form to reward) so I'd like to see that swap.

 

[Cosmic Energy]

Very pleased with our 2nd half. There were some worrying signs in the first half, we were very loose, losing contests everywhere, not sticking tackles, were a bit casual with our ball use up forward, turned the ball over coming out of defence repeatedly and were not really supporting each other. Hated seeing Merrett & co giving it to Tom Atkins

30

Tom Atkins

Age

29

Ht

180cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.5

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

4.3

5star

MG

123.5

2star

D

6.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

3.5

2star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.5

2star

MG

100.0

2star

D

11.6

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.8

5star

MG

130.0

3star

right back to the middle and no one really stepping into to help.

But whether a stern message was delivered at half time or not, we were a much more committed & united group after that.

Really enjoying Dempsey’s work - he just makes things happen & seems to love playing the game which is fun to watch. As others said Henry was having a stinker, he’s had a few this year, but turned it around.

SDK doesn’t have the ruck craft nailed yet, but he has great hands for a big fella so he did some good things aside from competing for the tap outs.

Some life in the Cats yet, I had us winning maybe 4 of the remaining games on previous form and this wasn’t one of them. So that’s a bonus.

 

[calder_daddy]

Your kidding me.... Whats he done?

No Idea, all that was said was a GFL player got pulled from their respective side today to cover Conway.
James Kelly said they trained yesterday maybe he pulled up sore.

That’s it in a nutshell

 

[The_Koulouriotis_Fan]

Your kidding me.... Whats he done?

Something at training apparently. However Kelly said he still might play.

 

[Willo_]

Also Jack Bowes

12

Jack Bowes

Age

26

Ht

189cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.3

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.5

4star

MG

318.1

4star

D

18.0

4star

K

11.8

5star

HB

6.3

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

1.1

2star

MG

318.1

4star

D

11.6

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

was good all night
Danger is an animal who just simply refuses to give up on a contest
Knev did some nice things and loved seeing him get that goal late, team was more balanced tonight so I hope he keeps his spot

 

[year of the cat]

I was expecting similar when I checked

They had 13 inside 50s in the first quarter & seemed very efficient when going forward

They had 18 in the second quarter, but didn't have that same efficiency - the ball just seemed to live in that area though, so maybe that's why it felt like it could have been a lot more

The 3rd quarter it was 14, and then 15 in the last


So it's interesting that the first quarter was their lowest inside 50 tally, but ended up their highest scoring quarter - maybe we became better at limiting the ease of them moving the ball forward so the entries weren't as clean, versus simply limiting the entries

Would have to watch the game again to see. They did kick it a LOT to us during the game and more as the game went on. Perhaps those soft turnovers made it appear that we were getting on top more in the midfield battle? Or maybe there was more pressure on their ball carriers resulting in turnover that again made it seem that we were limiting their entries?