Autopsy Cats lose to Lions by 11 points

[Oisin_the_Goat]

I reckon Geelong will win 3 of it's next 5. That will leave us on 50 points or 12.5 wins. We might just miss the 8. I think we have to win 4 of our next 5 to be safe. If things go to plan a we will finish 7th or 8th. No home final but not an option given the delay in finishing GMBH stadium. The problem is we will have to go full bore to win some of these games and will be buggered going into finals. Not opportunity to rest players like last year.

Did the ladder predictor, seems they need to Win 3 to be safe. Win 2 and it appears to be a percentage battle with Sydney.

 

[D BRIDGE]

We've all speculated about the likes of Conway, Hardie or even Clohesy being the debutant, but I wonder if Jezza's shoulder has worsened to the point he can't carry on, and the rumoured debut is actually Neale - as @dazbroncos has suggested?

Neale has already debuted.

 

[Cataholic]

Neale has already debuted.

Did he?

Edit: so he did

 

[D BRIDGE]

Did he?

2 games last year... But I guess he could make his 2023 debut still.

 

[Cataholic]

2 games last year.

Yeah, I remember now.

That's an embarrassing memory lapse

 

[Oisin_the_Goat]

No thanks.

The forward line problems originate from the midfield, and their inability to provide a consistent supply.

We need help in the midfield, and at worst, maybe a replacement for Jezza if his shoulder has worsened.

Either way, Sav isn't the answer. He's too busy packing his bags anyway I reckon.

Would rather play him up forward as JC replacement than kill the defensive balance down back though. And he'd probably be better than Neale at this stage. But yes he's probably checked out haha

 

[fpm84]

Imagine being a Brisbane fan and trash talking a club that has won four flags since your team last made the GF; and won its last two finals against your team by a combined 111 points.

It’s just as embarrassing as a Fremantle or St Kilda fan sledging.

 

[STPer18]

It’s just as embarrassing as a Fremantle or St Kilda fan sledging.

Even poor Freo and Saints have made a GF more recently than the Bad News Bears.

 

[Vdubs]

I think Sav is done with us.

I'd also rather they preserve the stability of our backline and play a new guy further up the ground.

If I read here too much, it appears Parfitt is also on his way to goneski.
Both players will get games when the situation is appropriate, and I hope that's this week.
We are still to play 4 teams above us on the ladder, each team having superior midfields.
Our amazing forward line and defence is keeping us alive, but we need to play to our strengths, which surely has to mean mids like Parf ONCE HE HITS FORM.

 

[Cataholic]

If I read here too much, it appears Parfitt is also on his way to goneski.
Both players will get games when the situation is appropriate, and I hope that's this week.
We are still to play 4 teams above us on the ladder, each team having superior midfields.
Our amazing forward line and defence is keeping us alive, but we need to play to our strengths, which surely has to mean mids like Parf ONCE HE HITS FORM.

Sav just doesn't command a spot in our forward line or defence, and that maybe where Parfitt has an edge.

We need a midfielder or two, and whilst observers have said his VFL form has been very ordinary, they were far more positive about his game last week, so he might be a chance to get a game if he can put in another good performance in the VFL.

 

[allrighty]

I read a few posts that we don't have forwards who can take a grab anymore with Jez now struggling with the shoulder. Rohan back will be great for this, what about .............. Sav? Would need a plan for his kicking though but at least he might clunk some. Do the Pagan Paddock thing?

 

[Finknottle]

You need to read the initial posts before jumping in with an embarrassing comment.

Sorry I was just running with your zero context post.

 

[Finknottle]

Sav just doesn't command a spot in our forward line or defence, and that maybe where Parfitt has an edge.

We need a midfielder or two, and whilst observers have said his VFL form has been very ordinary, they were far more positive about his game last week, so he might be a chance to get a game if he can put in another good performance in the VFL.

Yep, have to admit Sav has not been adding value recently. Disappointing because I had high hopes for him. He just doesn't hunt the ball. He does some good things, spoiling and punching the ball but 4 or 5 disposals per game is not enough. Not sure about Parfitt either. He seems to lack the engine required for the midfield. It was a real pity Jhye Clark got injured.

 

[Kitcat]

Sorry I was just running with your zero context post.

You obviously don't know what the word context means. It means looking at what precedes a post. But I congratulate you on observing that Hawkins is a big forward. One who struggles to jump over a white line on a footy field.

 

[Finknottle]

Which Geelong will turn up this week? I hope it's the one that beat Essendon at GMHBA stadium and not the one that lost to GWS at GMHBA.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Which Geelong will turn up this week? I hope it's the one that beat Essendon at GMHBA stadium and not the one that lost to GWS at GMHBA.

It'll be the one that makes people think we are a chance.

 

[Kitcat]

You obviously don't know what the word context means. It means looking at what precedes a post. But I congratulate you on observing that Hawkins is a big forward. One who struggles to jump over a white line on a footy field.

That is an impressive response Finknottle.

 

[Kitcat]

Which Geelong will turn up this week? I hope it's the one that beat Essendon at GMHBA stadium and not the one that lost to GWS at GMHBA.

So incisive.

 

[cats_09]

IF JC is out, surely Sav comes in and JH forward again.

With the form Henry has been showing down back over the past month & his improvement week on week, why would we want to disrupt that by changing his role?

His been best on each of our last 2 first quarters & repelling everything coming his way - rather we kept him in that role, and it’s where he’s continually played his best football

 

[cats_09]

Preview team now available - sorry for the delay

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/round-20-geelong-vs-fremantle-“the-clarke-drum-cup”-saturday-29-july-1-45pm-home.1367384/

 

[CHAWKTS]

With the form Henry has been showing down back over the past month & his improvement week on week, why would we want to disrupt that by changing his role?

His been best on each of our last 2 first quarters & repelling everything coming his way - rather we kept him in that role, and it’s where he’s continually played his best football

I am completely in your camp. I know he is a great utility but he looks best down back. More importantly we look much better when he is back. We need to find another solution to forward line if Jezza and Hawk not there.

 

[Vdubs]

With the form Henry has been showing down back over the past month & his improvement week on week, why would we want to disrupt that by changing his role?

His been best on each of our last 2 first quarters & repelling everything coming his way - rather we kept him in that role, and it’s where he’s continually played his best football

Stewart to play MF.
Sav to be our interceptor down back.
Howzat?

 

[Vdubs]

I am completely in your camp. I know he is a great utility but he looks best down back. More importantly we look much better when he is back. We need to find another solution to forward line if Jezza and Hawk not there.

Sav.

 

[Cataholic]

Sav.

Sav just isn't the answer imo.

He was a failure as a forward, and is too disruptive to our backline to play him as a defender.

Simply can't shoehorn him in.

 

[cats_09]

Stewart to play MF.
Sav to be our interceptor down back.
Howzat?

Based on recent form at both senior & VFL level, the only question to which I can see Ratugolea as being an answer is, ”At the trade table, which player/s can help improve our draft hand?”

Yes Ratugolea showed some positive signs earlier in the season, but even then I didn’t see enough to suggest he was a lock in the 22 when we got our tall defensive unit from last year back on the park at the same time

I know you’re a Ratugolea fan, but at this stage I don’t see him as more than a depth option on our list & that’s when a tall defender is unavailable - if it’s at the stage of having to move multiple other pieces of the puzzle to try and create an openin for Ratugolea, then it strongly suggests to me he isn’t the answer

Sure we can throw Stewart into the guts, but why not actually select a midfielder to go into the guts and allow Stewart to keep doing what he does best - even on Saturday night when he was spending time in the middle, once the ball had cleared the contest he was back to defence so doesn’t seem he’s currently seen as a more permanent midfield option