Welcome Cillian Burke signs with Geelong

[Turbocat]

MOC was raw for sure but for some reason people around here massively overstate how underdone the Irish guys are.

MOC was basically the same quality of player as Knevitt, Clohesy, Neale, SDK, Clark, O'Sullivan, etc when they debuted. He was young and skinny and a deer in headlights but so were all the others.

Mullin was much more physically ready and closer to a worthy selection on merit. He's done more good things in his first 18 games (4 of those as sub) than most youngsters do in that time. But even after a couple of really solid performances in finals where he was preferred to Tuohy and Duncan he's talked about pretty harshly around here. Plenty saying he's still a liability and needs a lot more VFL time.

Id say MOC was the prime example before all others … how many games had he played when he debuted . He looked lost.

 

[CharacterFirst]

Do we have a height? Looks more a MOC size heading up to high 180s?

Would love a free running attacking Irishmen but we seem to prefer to use the Irish kids athleticism for tactical purposes instead.

185 cms

 

[The rabbi]

Do we have a height? Looks more a MOC size heading up to high 180s?

Would love a free running attacking Irishmen but we seem to prefer to use the Irish kids athleticism for tactical purposes instead.

He looks an almost perfect size/shape for our game... Will Day like.

I think he will have a better game sense than Mullin who is more of a power athlete.

This guy looks like he has great timing and mouse + moves very nicely.

Reckon this could be a very good signing.

185 cms

Do you have a source for that CF?

 

[Turbocat]

Do you have a source for that CF?

I thought it was mentioned in one of the Irish media reports

 

[And_ROOS]

MOC was raw for sure but for some reason people around here massively overstate how underdone the Irish guys are.

MOC was basically the same quality of player as Knevitt, Clohesy, Neale, SDK, Clark, O'Sullivan, etc when they debuted. He was young and skinny and a deer in headlights but so were all the others.

Mullin was much more physically ready and closer to a worthy selection on merit. He's done more good things in his first 18 games (4 of those as sub) than most youngsters do in that time. But even after a couple of really solid performances in finals where he was preferred to Tuohy and Duncan he's talked about pretty harshly around here. Plenty saying he's still a liability and needs a lot more VFL time.

He does need a lot more VFL time. Gets lost in the headlights a bit, its telling that people talk up the first 3 quarters on Papley when we were beating Sydney but trail off when it was Papley who exposed his lack of gamesense and positioning when he took over the game and won the match for the Swans.

Or when he tried to take a kick that wasn't on that Greene smothered and then kicked the winning goal Vs GWS.

Or other games where he does 1 decent thing, has 8 disposals and people on the board act like it was Enright-esque.

Dude isn't ready for AFL level yet. Is he better than when he started? Yup. Are the tools there to be a good player? Well the pace is, sure.

But he hasn't earned it at VFL level and has been worse more often than he has been good at AFL level.

 

[Footy Smarts]

He does need a lot more VFL time. Gets lost in the headlights a bit, its telling that people talk up the first 3 quarters on Papley when we were beating Sydney but trail off when it was Papley who exposed his lack of gamesense and positioning when he took over the game and won the match for the Swans.

Or when he tried to take a kick that wasn't on that Greene smothered and then kicked the winning goal Vs GWS.

Or other games where he does 1 decent thing, has 8 disposals and people on the board act like it was Enright-esque.

Dude isn't ready for AFL level yet. Is he better than when he started? Yup. Are the tools there to be a good player? Well the pace is, sure.

But he hasn't earned it at VFL level and has been worse more often than he has been good at AFL level.

Exhibit A of the different standards people hold our Irish lads to.

We're going through a sub 20 game player's career with a fine tooth comb to find faults and declaring he "isn't ready for AFL yet" and"needs a lot more VFL time". Don't worry that he just stood up pretty damn well in finals.

If that's the standard not many players would ever make it to 20 games.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Really it might be time to have an alt strip with a bit of green in it … the additions in the male and female list are have a great input….

How about we ditch 'The Cats' as a name and cadge 'The Fighting Irish' off of Notre Dame University in Indiana, .U.S.A?

 

[And_ROOS]

Exhibit A of the different standards people hold our Irish lads to.

We're going through a sub 20 game player's career with a fine tooth comb to find faults and declaring he "isn't ready for AFL yet" and"needs a lot more VFL time". Don't worry that he just stood up pretty damn well in finals.

If that's the standard not many players would ever make it to 20 games.

I mean I would hold other guys to the same standards, but how many of our other recruits were not ready and skipped over VFL to get games in the AFL?
Clohesy has had to do his time in the VFL, ditto Mannagh for most of the season, as has Clark.
And stood up damn well in finals? Did we watch the same finals?

Fact is Mullin isn't at the level yet. He has shown occasional glimpses.

Also my criticism at Mullin doesn't apply to how we used O'Connor which in my opinion was the right way so sod off with the "Exhibit A of the different standards people hold our Irish lads to" nonsense.

They gave O'Connor a taste early, but he spent the bulk of his time in the first 2 seasons in the VFL til they saw he could contribute and play the role they wanted him to play. Funny how at the same age O'Connor was a better player, better rated, more of the ball, better contributor to the team, but tell me again how that happened? Oh right, its called "honing your craft" in the ressies.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

I mean I would hold other guys to the same standards, but how many of our other recruits were not ready and skipped over VFL to get games in the AFL?
Clohesy has had to do his time in the VFL, ditto Mannagh for most of the season, as has Clark.
And stood up damn well in finals? Did we watch the same finals?

Fact is Mullin isn't at the level yet. He has shown occasional glimpses.

Also my criticism at Mullin doesn't apply to how we used O'Connor which in my opinion was the right way so sod off with the "Exhibit A of the different standards people hold our Irish lads to" nonsense.

They gave O'Connor a taste early, but he spent the bulk of his time in the first 2 seasons in the VFL til they saw he could contribute and play the role they wanted him to play. Funny how at the same age O'Connor was a better player, better rated, more of the ball, better contributor to the team, but tell me again how that happened? Oh right, its called "honing your craft" in the ressies.

There's much merit is what you say but the old adage of different strokes for different folks can also apply from time to time and with Oisin Mullin I really do think this adage really does apply to him. Seen enough of him in the ressies now to think he will be a better player playing seniors not ressies. There's so much upside to Oisin and he's built for the MCG where finals are played. Looking forward to him progressing at a rapid rate in 2025 and onward and I was so wrapped to see the MC had the guts to back him in for finals in 2024 of which will do his confidence and ability to play the game at the highest level no end of good.

 

[catswhiskers]

He does need a lot more VFL time. Gets lost in the headlights a bit, its telling that people talk up the first 3 quarters on Papley when we were beating Sydney but trail off when it was Papley who exposed his lack of gamesense and positioning when he took over the game and won the match for the Swans.

Or when he tried to take a kick that wasn't on that Greene smothered and then kicked the winning goal Vs GWS.

Or other games where he does 1 decent thing, has 8 disposals and people on the board act like it was Enright-esque.

Dude isn't ready for AFL level yet. Is he better than when he started? Yup. Are the tools there to be a good player? Well the pace is, sure.

But he hasn't earned it at VFL level and has been worse more often than he has been good at AFL level.

My memory of Oisin's kick late in the game v GWS was that in a tight contest he kicked the ball under pressure (even off the ground).

It hit a close handy leg and flew 15m at 45 degrees to Toby Green .

Even then Green did what talent does and slotted a tough shot.

That's a hard mark down.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

There's much merit is what you say but the old adage of different strokes for different folks can also apply from time to time and with Oisin Mullin I really do think this adage really does apply to him. Seen enough of him in the ressies now to think he will be a better player playing seniors not ressies. There's so much upside to Oisin and he's built for the MCG where finals are played. Looking forward to him progressing at a rapid rate in 2025 and onward and I was so wrapped to see the MC had the guts to back him in for finals in 2024 of which will do his confidence and ability to play the game at the highest level no end of good.

Train him as a mid this preseason - he has potential to be a very handy addition to our midfield rotation with his power and speed.

 

[And_ROOS]

Train him as a mid this preseason - he has potential to be a very handy addition to our midfield rotation with his power and speed.

Should have been starting midfield in the VFL the last two seasons with intermittent games in the AFL and its wild that they haven't if the end goal is Mullin as a midfielder.

What they are doing with Clark should have been Mullins pathway.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Should have been starting midfield in the VFL the last two seasons with intermittent games in the AFL and its wild that they haven't if the end goal is Mullin as a midfielder.

What they are doing with Clark should have been Mullins pathway.

He'd learn more training against Holmes and Danger than playing midfield against kids and just ok players who he's quicker and stronger than.

Instead we've used the VFL to get him used to the game and understand defensive structures and accountability. He's now a solid defensive player and is starting to demonstrate his ability going the other way.

We took a guy who'd never played a competitive footy game to playing 2 solid finals in just 2 seasons. That's a great result.

If he takes another step forward this season he'll be a good footballer. Maybe that's as a mid but more likely it's as a hard lockdown player who can occasionally hurt the opposition too.

 

[Warhorse]

Instead we've used the VFL to get him used to the game and understand defensive structures and accountability. He's now a solid defensive player and is starting to demonstrate his ability going the other way.

He is not a solid defensive player. Mullin was terrible defensively at AFL level. Was often towelled up.

 

[crocsta]

Mullin is tracking very well and I expect he’ll play most games in senior team next season. He at his rate of development, he will move from a bottom 6 player to a an absolute lock-in by finals

 

[And_ROOS]

Mullin is tracking very well and I expect he’ll play most games in senior team next season. He at his rate of development, he will move from a bottom 6 player to a an absolute lock-in by finals

I really hope you are right.

As for Burke, is there someone he is comparable physically?

 

[Footy Smarts]

He is not a solid defensive player. Mullin was terrible defensively at AFL level. Was often towelled up.

Chris Scott has talked up JHF a lot. Your really think in a final he decided to send "a terrible defensive player" to him in a direct lockdown role? That seems unlikely to me.

 

[lettheboysplay]

He does need a lot more VFL time. Gets lost in the headlights a bit, its telling that people talk up the first 3 quarters on Papley when we were beating Sydney but trail off when it was Papley who exposed his lack of gamesense and positioning when he took over the game and won the match for the Swans.

Or when he tried to take a kick that wasn't on that Greene smothered and then kicked the winning goal Vs GWS.

Or other games where he does 1 decent thing, has 8 disposals and people on the board act like it was Enright-esque.

Dude isn't ready for AFL level yet. Is he better than when he started? Yup. Are the tools there to be a good player? Well the pace is, sure.

But he hasn't earned it at VFL level and has been worse more often than he has been good at AFL level.

Wouldn't be the first to be made to look like a fool by either of Greene and Papley to be fair...

 

[And_ROOS]

Wouldn't be the first to be made to look like a fool by either of Greene and Papley to be fair...

Yeah maybe 2 years ago, Greene was poor this year and Papley often went missing.

 

[My Tilly]

Yeah maybe 2 years ago, Greene was poor this year and Papley often went missing.

Greene still kicked 44 goals. He's a victim of his own high standards.

 

[Turbocat]

Anyway ….

when does Cillian arrive in Aust Geelong ?

 

[cats_09]

Anyway ….

when does Cillian arrive in Aust Geelong ?

My understanding is December

I was talking to Aishling Moloney after our AFLW match last week, I said how we love the Irish contingency out here and that we're becoming the Club of the Irish

Moloney it's been a welcoming thing, and it'll be great when Cillian arrives next month - as Friday was Nov 1, next month is technically December but could always mean some time this month if the date was forgotten

 

[TheMenz Gallery]

Anyway ….

when does Cillian arrive in Aust Geelong ?

Cats secure Burke as Category B rookie

Geelong has signed exciting young Irish talent Cillian Burke as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2025 AFL season.

www.geelongcats.com.au

This article on the club website suggests late November

 

[Turbocat]

My understanding is December

I was talking to Aishling Moloney after our AFLW match last week, I said how we love the Irish contingency out here and that we're becoming the Club of the Irish

Moloney it's been a welcoming thing, and it'll be great when Cillian arrives next month - as Friday was Nov 1, next month is technically December but could always mean some time this month if the date was forgotten

Very talented woman… could be a real star.

I suspect if we treat the players well then we will continue to be attractive for both comps. Listening to 2e talk about biscuit gate then how different was when he came to geelong , I suspect we would appeal to many coming from the am. back ground.