Review Cats drop Bombers by 45 at MCG

[Live in hope]

Tonight's win was the stabiliser that Geelong's Bi-Polar 2024 season so desperately needed.

With perrenial All-Australian Tom Stewart plainly struggling under recent, relentless pressure, the Match Committee finally, belatedly pulled the trigger and moved him into the middle of the ground, an area in which we have struggled mightily in recent weeks.

Stewart was slow to adapt to the new discipline, but to his credit he stuck to his task and gradually worked his way into the game.

Our other main onfield leader given the absence of Tom Hawkins is of course the captain Patrick Dangerfield, and he was superb. It's funny, at his peak I marked him super-hard; my expectations of him were sky-high.
Now that he has entered his footballing autumn years I value his contributions more than ever before.

Ollie Dempsey's verve has been a real gift in a trying year; he was excellent again tonight, full of ideas. The advantage of being super-fit is that you can actually compete at an intense level and still think when you need to.

The defensive stoppage breakdown that saw us unable to contest the throw-in and then predictably concede a piss-easy goal was a lowlight of this post Selwood-era team.
Sam De Koning looked lost and outmanned at times in the ruck, but, much like last week he actually seemed to be getting the hang of things as the game wore on. Made some blues but also chipped in here and there.


It's been a tough year for Jack Henry.
He's seemingly lowered his colours every other week, if not every week.
He battled on gamely tonight though. He actually always does, it's never a question of application.
Fought it out really strongly tonight though, and gradually asserted himself.

Lawson Humphries was fine on debut, moves well - he'll get fitter and move even better.
Love the dual-sided aspect to his game.

Zac Guthrie's year has been pretty epic. I honestly think the quality of the footy he's produced this season is the equal of anything his brother has produced. Really strong again this evening.

Shannon Neale kind of faded as the night wore on, but he was prominent early; as usual it was a bit of a mixed bag; dropped some marks, but did some good things too (and clunked a contested grab in the F50 to boot).
He needs to make it his priority to never get out-marked in a F50 aerial contest. Missed a simple set-shot tonight but generally the mechanics of his kicking looks really good. Happy with that effort.

I'm a bit of a Knevitt advocate; I don't think he's ever played a disappointing senior game among his dozen to date. Gotta start getting more games into him, surely.

Great post. Much better than the journos (albeit a low bar there!)

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If Conway not fit, even if its Stanley id rather that then SDK

We have used a designated ruck sub before in bringing Neale in at half time.

We could play Conway a half then Stanley a half. We just lose the benefit of a sub for other things

 

[joe444]

Observations.
1/ With Hawkins not playing (sadly), we would have won two more games this year already.
2/ Rohan HAS to be a key part of the forward line. Most underrated player on our list.
3/ If neither of our specialist rucks are in the best 23, then we don't pick them. Our jerry-rigged midfield was back to being outplayed, rather than being smashed. That's enough to keep us in any game.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I actually don't think wet weather suits us much at all now. It was when the rain eased that we took over the game. Our attacking players have a lot of finesse now in Cameron, Miers, Stengle etc better suited with a dry ball. Not a lot of bash and crash in the team these days outside say Danger and Rohan who are both manic.

Was going to say this, watching from home looked like the really wet weather we got pushed around but when it stopped being noticeably rainy we started taking marks and getting to work on the outside

 

[The_Koulouriotis_Fan]

Good win with many positives to draw from it.

Having said that, an honest read on the game does suggest we got pretty lucky in the 3rd with some dubious umpire decisions.

It felt like all the 50/50s went our way for about fifteen minutes.

Maybe lucky on the Draper and Stewart getting away with HTB but they were consistent on the Stengle HTB, Bowes had it knocked out of his hand and the rushed was absolutely there.
Don’t buy into the commentary narrative, they aren’t clear on the rules. It didn’t change the game. These things happen in every game and the commentary team doesn’t feel the need to go on about them, ridiculously unprofessional by them.

 

[kickazz]

Maybe lucky on the Draper and Stewart getting away with HTB but they were consistent on the Stengle HTB, Bowes had it knocked out of his hand and the rushed was absolutely there.
Don’t buy into the commentary narrative, they aren’t clear on the rules. It didn’t change the game. These things happen in every game and the commentary team doesn’t feel the need to go on about them, ridiculously unprofessional by them.

Watching the replay now, and Daisy Thomas, wow. Which bookie does he shill for now, and how much exposure did they have on a cats win?

 

[catswhiskers]

In advance of the game, someone asked the question who does Humphries play like?

I said Andrew Mackie

Andrew Mackie

Age

40

Ht

193cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

6.6

4star

M

5.7

5star

T

2.1

4star

MG

346.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.0

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.2

4star

- what do other people think?

(He also seems ambidextrous! Comfortable either foot.)


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

I am hoping he will play like Saad, Houli, Salem, but with two feet to distribute with.

Andrew Macleod is a bit over the top but ....dare to dream.

On SM-A156E using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[iameviljez]

Wonder when the next family dinner is...

Eh, Brad Scott wasn't wrong. They were seriously questionable decisions.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

For those criticising Jack Henry’s game (first half especially) - he was a sacrificial lamb in this game. He was left one out with a bloke 10 cm taller than him. All while our 204 cm key defender was running around in the ruck (and our actual ruckmen are playing in the magoos)

I am ok with the decisions from the match committee that got us here, but the consequence was Henry was asked to do a job that he was physically ill-equipped to do. I am not ok with Henry being criticised for being outmarked in 1v1 contests by a giant.

He seemed pissed off at times, and if I were him I would be to.

This is why I was saying previously if we want sdk in the ruck we need to be comfortable playing someone like Jeka. It worked on the day but Henry not playing loose intercept is just like sending him to war and making him leave his rifle at home

 

[Generalissimo]

Eh, Brad Scott wasn't wrong. They were seriously questionable decisions.

We'll see if his team is as severely punished in the next few games as we were.

 

[kickazz]

For those criticising Jack Henry ’s game (first half especially) - he was a sacrificial lamb in this game. He was left one out with a bloke 10 cm taller than him. All while our 204 cm key defender was running around in the ruck (and our actual ruckmen are playing in the magoos)

Agreed. He halved many a 30/70 and even won a couple. Very good defender's game.

 

[catempire]

Great pic

 

[CatToTheFuture]

If there's a bloke that should never be the sub, it's him.

In my defence last week it was starting to look like he couldn't play out a game

 

[standupand]

I missed most of the 3rd quarter of this one, so I feel like I missed where this game was won and lost.
So as an aside- anyone hear Scott's comments about Hawkins in the press conference?
Reading between the lines, he was basically saying he's fine, no player that age can play a full season, like Danger we're prioritizing getting him in shape to give it a crack come September.
I'm used to expecting double triple bluffs from the coach in the media, especially on injuries, but when it's the career of a club champion, I really don't want to have hopes built up that we will see him feature in a meaningful way again before his career is out, only for them to come crashing down..

 

[Pure_Ownage]

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.

Clark will be that type of player in time he just has neither the strength in the core or endurance yet..im seeing some good signs from him he needs time.

I agree we need that type of burst mid though
Smith while not as elite is danger has body strength and the engine-you can see why we are chasing him. Hopefully the acl hasnt affected his burst speed.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

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

You would think its ajang or pike being brought up to cover conway..not great as the afl team needs him next week.

 

[kickazz]

Observations.
1/ With Hawkins not playing (sadly), we would have won two more games this year already.

Unfortunately there may be some truth in this.

Watching last night we looked dangerous and unpredictable up forward.

And we had defensive pressure there, which we don't get from Hawkins anymore and I'm yet to see from O Henry

 

[Zouz Kitty]

60 inside 50s for 60 points...

So they essentially scored 1 behind per entry - that's a shocking conversion rate

 

[kickazz]

Liked the jumper theme last night too, a really good idea.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Observations.
1/ With Hawkins not playing (sadly), we would have won two more games this year already.
2/ Rohan HAS to be a key part of the forward line. Most underrated player on our list.
3/ If neither of our specialist rucks are in the best 23, then we don't pick them. Our jerry-rigged midfield was back to being outplayed, rather than being smashed. That's enough to keep us in any game.

On 3 you can get away with it against average sides (which bombers are) but not good sides.
Grundy and tdk are going to eat us alive in a prelim (if we get that far) if we play sdk as the primary ruck. While we have some softer games the next few weeks we have to play conway in them (if hes fit) so hes ready for those finals this year.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

This is why I was saying previously if we want sdk in the ruck we need to be comfortable playing someone like Jeka. It worked on the day but Henry not playing loose intercept is just like sending him to war and making him leave his rifle at home

Trouble is jeka is best as an interceptor hes not a 1 on 1 lockdown kpd either.

 

[Live in hope]

Very, very enjoyable game. Even in the first half there were many special moments (many connected with Dempsey)

A query and some observations-

• Aside from tagging, what did Atkin’s do to attract the ire of Merrett ?
• although he looked nonplussed at first, Stewart at the bounces was a great tactical move - it broke the tag he’s been getting and also limited the direct goal side exits by opposition mids that has killed us the last 8 weeks. The extra big body and closing speed really helps. Kudos to Scott for persevering with the move (after initially it looking like a dud)
• SDK - as many indicate been beneficial for him and us. Reminds me of the move of Cam Mooney from CHF to ruck and then CHB to build his fitness, defensive skills and confidence in early 2000’s.

-have sympathy for Henry- he’s not a FB (in fact I think he’s a hybrid CHB 3rd tall). He’s having to play on monsters when he’s more suited to running/jumping at the ball.
- Dempsey would have to be one of the smartest, quick thinking young players going around. Lightening fast basketball thinking. His huge tank is a weapon- he’s going to exhaust opponents on wing and expose them to deep forward all career. Amazing only handful of games prior to recruitment. Offer him a long term contract now!

 

[Zouz Kitty]

I will have trouble explaining the bright orange and rock solid bowel movements to my doctor but it was worth the physical pain

Welcome to the big time Lawson

It's a thing

Spoiler

 

[CHAWKTS]

Definitely. I don't like seeing games where umpires get it wrong, full stop. I just think it's honest to mention when the umps hand you a few freebies.

It is. But it is being overplayed (as we do when we think it goes against us).

2E was definitely a free kick but I get why umpire didn’t pay it. 2E did everything right in terms of watching ball and got mostly ball. However he did chop arm at end. Would be paid most times.

I reckon Stewart holding the ball should have been paid too although I suspect the umpire thought it was kicked out rather than tackles. The other one (Bowes?) was definitely knocked and an not a tackle so correct decision.

In terms of rushed behind very frustrating hearing people talk about 9m and then 3m deeming pressure etc. rules are clear that the player needs to be under pressure and not have ability to keep ball in with a possession. Dempsey pulled back so no pressure. I heard a few comments that he doesn’t have eyes in back of head so couldn’t have known he had no pressure. Irrelevant! (And the 9m is actually for the purpose that even if under pressure you can’t rush it through unless you are within 9m. Has nothing to do with opponent is in 9m of goal)

Rub of green no doubt for that 10m period didn’t go with Bomber but I get tired of the constant blaming umpires. Even if they were all mistakes (which they weren’t) the umpires still made less mistakes in that period than the players!!

 

[kickazz]

It is. But it is being overplayed (as we do when we think it goes against us).

2E was definitely a free kick but I get why umpire didn’t pay it. 2E did everything right in terms of watching ball and got mostly ball. However he did chop arm at end. Would be paid most times.

I reckon Stewart holding the ball should have been paid too although I suspect the umpire thought it was kicked out rather than tackles. The other one (Bowes?) was definitely knocked and an not a tackle so correct decision.

In terms of rushed behind very frustrating hearing people talk about 9m and then 3m deeming pressure etc. rules are clear that the player needs to be under pressure and not have ability to keep ball in with a possession. Dempsey pulled back so no pressure. I heard a few comments that he doesn’t have eyes in back of head so couldn’t have known he had no pressure. Irrelevant! (And the 9m is actually for the purpose that even if under pressure you can’t rush it through unless you are within 9m. Has nothing to do with opponent is in 9m of goal)

Rub of green no doubt for that 10m period didn’t go with Bomber but I get tired of the constant blaming umpires. Even if they were all mistakes (which they weren’t) the umpires still made less mistakes in that period than the players!!

Good post.

The misunderstanding of the 9m rule, thanks to S4B commentators is a bugbear of mine