Autopsy Cats lose to Suns by 19 points

[Seeds]

Chris Scott talked up our chances of goong all the way last year at 5 and 4. I doubted it but he was right. I am inclined to have faith in him to right the ship.

He also said the same thing in every season he has coached.

 

[catempire]

He also said the same thing in every season he has coached.

 

[JoeHawk]

The irony being that if we end up going the “play the youth” route later this year, Cooper Stephens would have been one of the first to be getting game time. Hope he’s going ok for you guys. He looked good at Geelong but needed game time.

Has not played yet. I’m keen to see him myself.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

Wonder if internally the club knew 2023 would be transitional

I don’t think it’s unrealistic to expect a significant drop off after reaching the pinnacle last year with a group who’ve gone and gone and gone again to win one.

 

[Scottland2007]

Has not played yet. I’m keen to see him myself.

He looked fit when he joined us. Also…. Why doesn’t my stomach do that….

 

[kickazz]

I don’t think it’s unrealistic to expect a significant drop off after reaching the pinnacle last year with a group who’ve gone and gone and gone again to win one.

and who were the oldest team to ever take the field

 

[Finknottle]

MOC was in our top 3 today

I noticed that empty bag, floated across the ground and could quickly change direction.
However I too thought O'Connor was one of our better players.

 

[kickazz]

One thing I find interesting is that Scott said it a lot at the start of last year, but not so much now: They cared less about how high they finished in the eight than how well they could play once there. If they had to drop a few H&A because of it, so be it. (Turned out we finished top so everyone seemd to forget about that)

He repeated that a few times early last year.

I guess it also applies this year.

The question for me is, what did that mean in real terms last year, and does it still apply? Was it simply an acknowledgment that a more attacking game plan was required for big finals? Or was there a "peak fitness window" aspect to it?

 

[Finknottle]

If we are 0-5 when we unfurl the premiership flag in round 6 at GMBH, I wonder what will be on the banner.
"The premiership defence starts now"
"We were the champions"
"No wins, no worries"

 

[Gazzathegoat]

Quite possibly the worst game I've ever seen us play. Insipid from start to finish.

We are a shell of the 2022 side. We beat Gold Coast by 10 goals last year near the peak of our powers. We deserved to lose by 10 goals on the weekend.

Our season is far from over. We played 3 high-quality quarters against Collingwood who are the current flag favourites. We had our chances to beat Carlton last week who fancy themselves as a top 4 team. This proves we aren't too far behind the 8-ball. Collingwood and Carlton were always 50/50 games. You saw how their supporters reacted after beating us - carried on as if they had won the grand final.

Must beat Hawthorn next week... 1-3 (if we lose, start tanking for pick 1 and write the year off)

Must beat WCE the week after... 2-3 (no guarantee, although they are battered with injuries)

The big challenge question mark is against Sydney in Round 6 at home. Do we go 2-4 or 3-3? This will define our season. First things first, let's handle Hawthorn on Easter Monday in a similar manner to the pre-season game against them.

The return of Duncan and Kolo will help settle our defence and ball movement.

We need a huge lift from Atkins, Guthrie, Danger, Blicavs, Close, and Stengle to name a few...

 

[STPer18]

If we are 0-5 when we unfurl the premiership flag in round 6 at GMBH, I wonder what will be on the banner.
"The premiership defence starts now"
"We were the champions"
"No wins, no worries"

"Still the champions for another 20-odd weeks!"

 

[Chinacats]

“A group that is satisfied”: Why the Cats are struggling in 2023

The reigning premiers are battling so far this year.

www.sen.com.au

they're catching up now. Cornes, King, Lloyd....

 

[Chinacats]

Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas

Age

46

Ht

192cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.5

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

3.1

3star

M

6.0

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

1.9

5star

No current season stats available

D

17.2

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.8

4star

M

6.6

5star

T

0.6

3star

G

4.4

5star

said it on Sunday Crunch Time on SEN. He said we have a mental lag when judging teams both in the positive and negative. That is to say we judge a team on past year/s form and that gives us our beliefs about each team. For instance we judge the cats in the positive because based on previous form we think they will come good and get on a run and they'll be right. Whereas for a team like Gold Coast or St.kilda we judge them in the negative sense because based on previous form we think they'll slip up eventually and they'll start losing..
I think after 3 losses our mental lag regarding the cats should be updated and realise that actually they're below average at this stage and should be judged on that...
but we hope they can turn it around

 

[Chinacats]

As others have said I think Hawkins can be given a spell and work on his program away from game day. Also I think it would be good to get a look at another forward structure for a couple of weeks, because Stengle and Close haven't done much either. Yes the midfield hasn't helped matters but it seems a one man band down there with only jezza doing the business. Maybe we can try a smaller forward line that can help defend transition out of F50 better? Also the two new boys in the middle isn't working as they don't get enough of it at this stage. As for 'Judd' Holmes... well it's not happening.... Work to be done!

 

[TheCattery2007]

I don’t like to watch us lose, but I think we need some balance. Let’s look at the facts.
Chris Scott

Chris Scott

Age

48

Ht

182cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.6

4star

K

11.2

4star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.4

3star

is playing some players that haven’t played for Geelong before - O. Henry, Bruhn and Bowes. They are all showing glimpses but they have work to do. We’ve also got Esava in the backline (he’s doing well). Right off the bat that’s 4 new players from the 22 last year.
We’ve lost our captain (the effect of this is glossed over). He was still a gun for us, under rated how good he was as a footballer even his last 2 years.
Danger isn’t fit yet and they are holding him back.
The rest of our team is probably a month behind the competition having played deep into finals - and winning the thing!!
Things will change soon. I’m expecting a couple of ‘outs’ this week. Bring in Sam Simpson

37

Sam Simpson

Age

26

Ht

183cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

6.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.8

3star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.3

5star

CL

1.7

4star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

and Kolo - suddenly our backline is looking better with Esava replacing SDK from the premiership team and we are only down Henry. I’d give SDK two weeks off, he’s sick and sorry. 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

to come back in soon.

A guy called Duncan is not too far away either…


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[allrighty]

SDK is clearly being targetted by the opposition in the first 3 rounds. Why is no one talking about this? Why arent geelong players trying to stand up for him.

I saw that too. Not subtle at all by the Pies or Suns.

 

[BotsMaster]

If we are 0-5 when we unfurl the premiership flag in round 6 at GMBH, I wonder what will be on the banner.
"The premiership defence starts now"
"We were the champions"
"No wins, no worries"

"Early season losses don't matter"

 

[Warhorse]

Teams have done their homework. We saw multiple of weeks with rucks leading with a knee with Stanley, SDK being targeted, Midfield setup has been smashed

 

[Partridge]

Scott Lucas said it on Sunday Crunch Time on SEN. He said we have a mental lag when judging teams both in the positive and negative. That is to say we judge a team on past year/s form and that gives us our beliefs about each team. For instance we judge the cats in the positive because based on previous form we think they will come good and get on a run and they'll be right. Whereas for a team like Gold Coast or St.kilda we judge them in the negative sense because based on previous form we think they'll slip up eventually and they'll start losing..
I think after 3 losses our mental lag regarding the cats should be updated and realise that actually they're below average at this stage and should be judged on that...
but we hope they can turn it around

This is so accurate. It's repeated year after year. Commentators in particular continue to wax lyrical about their particular favourite teams or players even when it's obvious to everyone else they aren't remotely the same.

The negative part is almost humourous. If a side has had a long flag drought, opposition fans keep bringing it up as if it's some magical power - or that the same group of people were in charge the whole time. Saw this in real time with Geelong in 2007, Richmond in 2017, and Melbourne in 2021. You'd think we'd have learnt by now that every year really is different.

We'll likely drop back a little this year, some of the older guys look a little slower and they can't go on forever. Was bound to happen at some point. I'm not troubled at all by the young guys - it's way too early to make a call. Easy to freak out but there's still tons to like from all the young guys so far. They'll only get better.

 

[Cataholic]

I saw that too. Not subtle at all by the Pies or Suns.

The last incident in particular was completely accidental.

There's been no malice. He's simply been unfortunate enough to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

 

[Seeds]

I saw that too. Not subtle at all by the Pies or Suns.

Nor the blues either. I actually thought the blues were the worst.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

“A group that is satisfied”: Why the Cats are struggling in 2023

The reigning premiers are battling so far this year.

www.sen.com.au

they're catching up now. Cornes, King, Lloyd....

I think it’s pretty clear, we partied hard and long, and basically did an Auskick like pre season. You can see it in the way we’re playing, we look stuffed from the get go, no communication or leadership, our awareness is poor, skills are horrid, we can’t even hit up simple 20m kicks. It does look like 22 blokes who have been on a big bender and trying to find their feet again.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

I don’t think it’s unrealistic to expect a significant drop off after reaching the pinnacle last year with a group who’ve gone and gone and gone again to win one.

I do agree with your sentiments

And Collingwood who i think are the best team in the comp - and if they aernt - i think they are in the top 3

They are playing with tremendous energy - and if they win this years flag - the following year they might not play with that tremendous energy

Having said that - the only dissappointing thing re Geel - lack of hunfger - and it applies to all sides - there should not be a drop off in hunger or effort - simply because of the fantastic money they are being paid

Dallhaus who was a very average player - he was on 500k - if your getting that type of money - and you are only playing about 20 games a year - even if your playing in a bottom side - then you should bring total effort each week to earn your incredible pay cheque

 

[Romeoh1]

Thought Scott was correct when he said you just have to be a bit off your best and you can be beaten. Considering we are a long way off our best and have played a couple of good teams, it’s not dreadful yet. We were pretty good against the pies for three quarters, solid against Carlton despite playing ordinary footy. We were terrible yesterday but am confident that we will knock off the hawks and am happy to get our season back on track against that mob. Go cats.
and Guthrie needs to get a wig and see if that helps.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

“A group that is satisfied”: Why the Cats are struggling in 2023

The reigning premiers are battling so far this year.

www.sen.com.au

they're catching up now. Cornes, King, Lloyd....

Jesus, that interview with Cameron is alarming.
Looks to be the mother of all hangovers.

Let’s hope copping a roasting in the media sparks the players up.