Review Cats drown Hawks by 36 points in Tommas 350

[Mr Meow]

Still enough there to be excited about the guy. Worpel played a good game, but Bruhn as our offensive mid gave as good as he got. Tough around the pill and good decisions overall.
Parfitt was also good so no complaints there.

Worpel was also very good, but he wasn't doing too much when Geelong established a match defining lead early (when Bruhn dominated).

The midfield battle of Meek, Worpel, Newcombe, Nash and Mackenzie vs Conway, Bruhn, Parfitt, Clark, Blicavs and Atkins (all on less minutes) was fairly even. They edged clearances and territory. Geelong pressured better and had more decisive scoring chains, especially with Holmes and Duncan used as the outlets all day.

If we break even or incur a minor loss in midfield, the forwards, defenders and wingmen will generally still win us the game. With our current outs there really can't be another template.

 

[Turbocat]

Worpel was also very good, but he wasn't doing too much when Geelong established a match defining lead early (when Bruhn dominated).

The midfield battle of Meek, Worpel, Newcombe, Nash and Mackenzie vs Conway, Bruhn, Parfitt, Clark, Blicavs and Atkins (all on less minutes) was fairly even. They edged clearances and territory. Geelong pressured better and had more decisive scoring chains, especially with Holmes and Duncan used as the outlets all day.

If we break even or incur a minor loss in midfield, the forwards, defenders and wingmen will generally still win us the game. With our current outs there really can't be another template.

Scoring shots probably indicates exactly what you are saying. No doubt we need to add talent but we in transition, lack strong mids in their mid 20's

 

[Mr Meow]

Jack Henry is the player that divided on today’s performance. I thought he was fantastic.

Mixed bag (which is really not allowed as a BigFooty verdict).

9 clean intercepts, often from tricky ground balls and congestion. 6 marks. Used the ball well.

He also had a handful of poor defensive moments and Chol ended up having a good game. Was a poster away from a bag of 4 goals.

It's a tough life as a KPD though. 4 or 5 poor moments and 10+ good ones can see you marked harshly. For a forward that could see you kick 6-8 goals.

 

[Mr Meow]

I reckon they done pretty good on the gradings.

Maybe Stewart graded just a tad high… but maybe my expectations of him are just so high because he is so good.

Glad they recognised Dempseys game.

O.Henry, Holmes, Bruhn, Dempsey, Stengle, Parfitt, Miers and Conway all getting As and Bs level gradings is a pretty good endorsement of our non-veteran class.

 

[Spearman]

This is my concern for next week against the doggies, possibly the best midfield in the game, if we slack off against them we will get destroyed.

This is the coaches' job, get the boys up, which shouldn't be too hard. They're on a rising curve ATM, they can really shine more if they go for it.

 

[Mr Meow]

This is the coaches' job, get the boys up, which shouldn't be too hard. They're on a rising curve ATM, they can really shine more if they go for it.

I'm hoping the low game time of Bruhn, Atkins and Parfitt has them fairly fresh for the Bulldogs match.

Clark had higher game time (70%), so maybe they'll consider resting him and giving Bowes a full game in midfield? I'd still be tempted to play all of them in some capacity, since Blicavs would be required to help Conway in ruck again (if they give him another shot). Clark as an impact sub?

Bulldogs don't have as many dangerous small forwards, so Mullin could have a rest:

FB: Z.Guthrie De Koning J.Henry
HB: Duncan Kolodjashnij Stewart

C: Holmes Bruhn Dempsey
FOL: Conway Parfitt Atkins

HF: Miers Cameron Close
FF: O.Henry Hawkins Stengle

IC: Blicavs Bowes O'Connor Mannagh Clark(sub)

It's a daunting midfield challenge but we did beat them with a similar midfield at Marvel last year.

 

[And_ROOS]

I'm hoping the low game time of Bruhn, Atkins and Parfitt has them fairly fresh for the Bulldogs match.

Clark had higher game time (70%), so maybe they'll consider resting him and giving Bowes a full game in midfield? I'd still be tempted to play all of them in some capacity, since Blicavs would be required to help Conway in ruck again (if they give him another shot). Clark as an impact sub?

Bulldogs don't have as many dangerous small forwards, so Mullin could have a rest:

FB: Z.Guthrie De Koning J.Henry
HB: Duncan Kolodjashnij Stewart

C: Holmes Bruhn Dempsey
FOL: Conway Parfitt Atkins

HF: Miers Cameron Close
FF: O.Henry Hawkins Stengle

IC: Blicavs Bowes O'Connor Mannagh Clark(sub)

It's a daunting midfield challenge but we did beat them with a similar midfield at Marvel last year.

Bulldogs attack and defense is worse this season, big chance that even if our mids struggle we will keep them to under 75 points and kick 100ish ourselves.

 

[ShaunWDT]

Can we just pump the brakes on Conway a little?

I thought he played well for a second-game ruckman, but let's keep it in perspective - he kept Meek honest and had a few good moments, but Meek did win the ruck battle overall... and he's Lloyd Meek, not Sean Darcy, Max Gawn, Tim English or Jarrod Witts.

For my mind, he did enough to keep his spot, and has a really good set of hands, but there's a fair way to go as well.

This board does this all the time - wanting a much-hyped young player to succeed so badly that an ok performance must be talked up as excellent. He was decent, and that's more than enough at this early stage in his career.

Thought longer the game went the more obvious it was a seasoned body versus a kid, not sure how anyone watched that game and thought he beat Meek to be honest.

Positive moments but hardly ground breaking against a C Grader at best.

 

[catsfootyfan89]

Off half back or in the midfield ?

Yes

 

[Mr Meow]

Kolo is a revelation so far this season and his form is closer to his 2016-2021 reliability than most would care to admit.

By that I mean a lot of people incorrectly said he reverted to his 2016-2021 self in 2023 when it was very clearly a career worst season. Reasons have been put up for that which have some validity.

But he was never that bad (until last year). It's good to have him back.

 

[Mr Meow]

Thought longer the game went the more obvious it was a seasoned body versus a kid, not sure how anyone watched that game and thought he beat Meek to be honest.

Positive moments but hardly ground breaking against a C Grader at best.

Conway had two more contested marks, two more centre clearances, two more intercepts, an extra inside 50, an extra goal and more metres gained. He had 81% disposal efficiency compared to 56% for Meek.

Meek won the hitout count but his hit out quality was questionable. I'd almost bet that Conway's hit outs lead to more scores. Meek also had 5 more disposals and 3 more score involvements but spent more time on ground (expected for a mature ruckman) and it's hard to then weigh his mini battle Vs Blicavs, and how that would affect Conway's rating.

From their 1v1 time on ground together it seemed points split and there was absolutely a case for Conway being more effective.

 

[winty]

The more I think about Ginnivan, I think the only way he'll stop is if he starts getting pinged for holding the ball. After all, if he can get his arm free to hold the tackler's arm around his neck, surely he can get it free to get a handball out - 99% of the time he's not even trying to move the ball on.

Selwood did his little arm raise to try and break free of the tackle - Ginnivan does his to keep the tackle high. Massive difference between the two.

 

[CabWesty]

Jezza was struggling at the end. Tommy’s face a few times, thought they were going to drop him. Hilarious

Well Tommy hasn't been that far in the air since he was crashing packs in the 2011 GF.

 

[thejester]

He was a turn over merchant today with his direct opponent arguably bog. I thought Parfitt was better

That might explain Bruhn's reluctance to kick forward after a while. Thought Parfitt was instrumental in the third quarter rally.

 

[No Quarter]

I assure you, I've seen a lot more posts writing off/playing down youngsters performances or potential than I have over the top praise.

So much so that's we've got a pretty common thrase on here now "Not every youngster is Joel Selwood" - In reference to the impatience the majority seem to have with young players on this board.

It’s the hot and cold of this forum.

I’m pretty sure after R1 there was a number of posts saying Hawkins should have retired last year.

Then look at his following 2 weeks…

 

[Kyuss]

This was my highlight of the game.

Nick Watson is my new least favourite player, has such a mouth on him for a kid with 0 wins and 2 goals 7 from 12 shots.

They are certainly building an army of little turds in that forward line

 

[dangerwood]

They are certainly building an army of little turds in that forward line

All the flashy signals to the crowd from ginnivan, Watson and I don't even know the other bloke.
I'm starting to edge over into old man doesn't understand youth but when you're 6 goals down, there was a lot of "me, me, me time" just not sure how great a team culture that creates.

Ginnivan came out after the rain break and was playing up to the crowd, I thought it was strange but I guess it's a tactic to try and get going, credit to him he kicked the first but then Geelong just controlled the game back.

You're 0-3 now hawks, how long do you keep doing your signs to the crowd when your 6 goals down in the first QTR.

 

[Kyuss]

Does anyone know what got Stewart so angry just before half time?

 

[Bunnings]

That's fair. Will interesting how they rearrange the midfield with Danger and Guthrie returning.

Yes I’ve been thinking that as well, not sure they’ll be keen to switch him during the season. But when Guthrie and Danger are back it’ll be a tight squeeze if the current mids maintain form. He’s a different player to Holmes but he could add some run and lock down ability down back on some smalls.

It will be a squeeze to fit Guthrie and Danger in the two weeks they stay fit, that’s true

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I must admit it’ll be super interesting to see what happens “if” Rohan can get fit.

Close… too good to not play.

Stengle… finding form and looks good again.

Henry… is the most like for like with Rohan but is just too good not to play.

Dempsey… absolutely playing his role perfectly and consistently getting all the way up and down the ground.

Close needs to lift (not that i think he will be dropped) as the rest of those guys you mention are outperforming him.

 

[Mr Meow]

Close needs to lift (not that i think he will be dropped) as the rest of those guys you mention are outperforming him.

Close so far has more disposals, combined goals/assists, score involvements and tackles per game than in 2023. There's no indication that he's failing any directives on areas of improvement from last year.

It doesn't always come off with Close but I'd think it's rare that ANY small forward going at 2.3 goals/assists, 14 disposals and 3 tackles a game are in the conversation for being dropped. If he can lift those numbers to 2.5, 16 and closer to 4 he's had an excellent season.

 

[Mattttty]

Warhorsey will stick to the "Bruhn is terrible" narrative for as long as possible.

27 disposals, 9 clearances, 5 tackles and 6 score involvements from 63% game time as a 22 year old beginning his second season as a full time midfielder.

Verdict: "not good enough".

Of course.

The truth is, Bruhn is both: (a) extremely talented and (b) improving steadily. For a team who need quality midfielders (now and into the future) that is a damned exciting combination. I feel sorry for people who can't see it.

 

[devilsnap]

The more I think about Ginnivan, I think the only way he'll stop is if he starts getting pinged for holding the ball. After all, if he can get his arm free to hold the tackler's arm around his neck, surely he can get it free to get a handball out - 99% of the time he's not even trying to move the ball on.

Selwood did his little arm raise to try and break free of the tackle - Ginnivan does his to keep the tackle high. Massive difference between the two.

As much as I agree, this would only add fuel to the fire that he's umpired differently.

Personally, I think he's an embarrassment to the game, to his club(s) and (FWIW) to himself, but unless the AFL makes dropping th knees or lifting the arm "prior opportunity", it's not on the umpires but his coaches and teammates to correct him. His gamestyle actively hurts his team by going to ground with a cheap FK instead of looking for a best option.

 

[foxdog50]

Conway seems to have the petrol tank of a lawn mower but boy was he impressive that first 15 minutes.

Interesting Conway only played 66% game time, so you would hope he wouldn't of run out of petrol..

 

[catempire]

It was a good win considering our midfield. Bruhn got a football lesson by Worpel but outside of that I thought the mids held up well. Parfitt in particular was solid

Complete nonsense.