Autopsy Geelong loses to Lions by 44 points. - Rd 15

[Biggy_Boy]

Happy to call it

Fort will be better than Stanley.

I like Fort

He'll never get games.

 

[BigCat1]

It’s as bad as we can play so no need to be throwing the baby out with the bath water. We can play 100 times better than that.

Trouble is if you have really watched us we have been having long stretches of this. We still have the elite burst but we haven’t been this patchy for years.

The turnovers are just so so un Geelong like. We have a really dangerous patch now. Must win the Ess, Carl and Freo games which are all very tricky.

We once again got chopped up by talls down the line. The O’Conner experiment should end. We are a small defender short and played our best footy without him in there this year and last.

We really need some silk in the midfield. Duncan as a connector is a massive loss. The foot skills have been deplorable. Getting it is no issue.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Close had a shocker. But has been good this year. Miers will likely come in but for Higgins imo

Too slight and not prepared to take the game on. You want a small forward who can kick goals. Miers is a much better option.

Close needs 18 months in the gym and at VFL level.

We need to recruit or draft a small forward that's classy and impacts the scoreboard consistently.

First we must play Stanley.

 

[fpm84]

Blicavs is like a deer in the headlights. He plays 2nd ruck or not at all.

Funny how we all see the game differently. I think he’s one of the best FBs in the comp and he should be playing there every week. Particularly against teams like Brisbane / WCE with multiple marking threats.

 

[Seeds]

Lots on this board talking up Geelong's chances pre-game, writing off the Lions - who really should've beaten us earlier this season at KP - as pretenders.

Like we'd simply waltz into the Gabba and walk away with four bruise-free points.

Lots of puff pieces on Tom Stewart; Cats evidently feeling pretty good about themselves despite the fact that we've proven absolutely nothing in 2021 or for a decade now...

A loss we had to have? Reality check?

Down by 5 goals at quarter time, we were getting smashed in the middle, sloppy in defense.
We looked a mid short all night; Mitch Duncan is obviously a massive loss for us, but even though he was only average last week, a Quinton Narkle - or even a Charlie Constable - might have been handy around the stoppages.

Esava smashed in the ruck duels in the first half, Blicavs only slightly better.

The 2nd quarter was a shitshow from both teams, both lacked discipline and the umpires really had their hands full - I'll no doubt be howled down for suggesting they did fairly well under the circumstances, apart for falling for a truly putrid Joe Daniher flop - it won't get highlighted but it was weak and I was glad Tom Hawkins - who hasn't had a cheap free kick like that in 5 years - let him know about it.

Jake Kolodjashnij very poor early on and is generally adding sfa unless he has very specific match-ups.
Not much waiting to replace him so he'll probably hang around a while longer yet.

Higgins fumbling his way out of our 22.

Hawkins had a stinker, so did the Skipper.

Lachie Henderson doesn't like playing on blokes taller than 195cm at all.

Luke Dahlhaus reverted to type tonight, falling over, no penetration on his handballs let alone his kicking. Is there a Francis Evans campaign? If so I want in.

Mark O'Connor, Jack Henry, perhaps Zac Tuohy and Isaac Smith were all decent enough in a losing cause. Maybe the best thing I saw all night was Cam Guthrie stretching out for an overhead mark in the futile last quarter; he was workmanlike tonight but it was good to see he still has that extension.



Seeds I've been nearly as impressed by Tom Stewart's first 100 games as yourself - however those who pointed out Corey Enright could balance genuine defense - like, on an actual opponent - with Rebound would be feeling vindicated tonight.
Stewart had a dangerous opponent and was completely subdued. His worst game in two years.
Corey Enright at his peak would have beaten Charlie Cameron in his sleep.

We need to talk about Patrick Dangerfield.

I never doubt his effort. But I have absolutely no faith in his ability to consistently execute at an AFL-average level, and his footy IQ is low for a player of his immense experience.
We have other players like that; all teams do - the problem with Patrick though is that he is fast enough and strong enough to get a lot of the ball - but its that next part that routinely hurts the team more often than not.
He regularly misses targets by foot and by hand. His set shot routine seems to change from week-to-week.
He tried hard tonight.
He also did some really good things - and his marking for a midfielder is still superb, no question there .. but that next bit ...

He reminds me of late-career Steve Johnson; ability is through the roof and yet the ambition still somehow manages to outpace it.

Also, Danger, stop waving your arms around like you're conducting an orchestra and concentrate on your friggin' ball drop - three times in three weeks he has attempted to play traffic cop and subsequently stuffed up the kick.

Tough night.

rioli Kicked 5 on Enright once. All players have dud games every now and then. That’s Stewart’s worst game in years. something made him snap and he just couldn’t get his mind in the game. Need it to be more then one game to be a feature rather then a outlier. We will see how he recovers next week.

 

[Catsnlakers]

Atkins was ok tonight.

Far from our worst, he seemed to be one of the only guys having a fair dinkum crack, as well as Tuohy of course...

 

[foxdog50]

I'll again ask - what is Ratugolea's actual role in the team?

He starts in the ruck at the centre bounce, but then does very little other ruck work and isn't a marking target up forward or elsewhere

According to the stats, tonight Ratugolea had 8 disposals @50% DE, 8 hitouts, 1 tackle, 4 clearances and 5 clangers - 0 marks also

There's no one match where he's had more hitouts than the guy supporting him or also playing in the ruck - surely that's pretty damning for a guy being selected to play ruck

Statically, he's marginally better than previous seasons but I don't see him actually having a better impact or influence on matches than in previous years. Let him develop in the VFL, and if he's going to play seniors he needs to have a defined role and not sure he does at the moment

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Can you see why I'm not a Chris Scott fan.... him getting games like Higgins, I don't understand it... he has favourites and just keeps playing them...

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

You are delusional lol - that is not a performance you ignore my friend. We were lucky they couldn't kick straight or it would have been a 60+ point smashing

Why? I remember we lost one h&a game in all of 2008, we lost it by 86 points against Collingwood at the MCG on a Friday night. After the first 10 minutes I knew we weren't winning, you just have those games sometimes, you just hope not too often. We were as flat as pancakes tonight.

Before the Port game, we had lost first up after an in season bye, every year since about 2013. Every year since 2008, up until a couple of years ago, we were always flat and vulnerable the week following a Hawthorn game, we used to really set ourselves for them.

Shit happens.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Funny how we all see the game differently. I think he’s one of the best FBs in the comp and he should be playing there every week. Particularly against teams like Brisbane / WCE with multiple marking threats.

Ball hits the ground and he's a liability. One two many with Kolo down there already.

 

[year of the cat]

Too slight and not prepared to take the game on. You want a small forward who can kick goals. Miers is a much better option.

Close needs 18 months in the gym and at VFL level.

We need to recruit or draft a small forward that's classy and impacts the scoreboard.

First we must play Stanley.

You playing Higgins?

Reckon they’ll play Fort before Stanley now. Might be a case of rearranging the deckchairs

 

[My Third Nipple]

Watch for the scapegoat Close to be dropped whilst Dahl and Higgins get a free pass.

Infuriating that the club has absolutely no interest in filling the ruck position with an actual Ruckman.

On another note, has there ever been a Geelong player that had an over the top goal celebration like Cameron tonight.
The only one that come to mind is the finger twirler Motlop. Not sure how others feel about it but I absolutely hate it.

 

[kickazz]

If he was, he did a good job as Bailey had no impact. I still think the backline is out of balance. I prefer Blitz at FB and want him there for finals. Means Hendo takes the second forward and Henry gets more freedom.

Yep. Blicavs shouldn't be rucking too much. Get Stanley back in.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

One of those games. Move on to Essendon.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

I'll again ask - what is Ratugolea's actual role in the team?

He starts in the ruck at the centre bounce, but then does very little other ruck work and isn't a marking target up forward or elsewhere

According to the stats, tonight Ratugolea had 8 disposals @50% DE, 8 hitouts, 1 tackle, 4 clearances and 5 clangers - 0 marks also

There's no one match where he's had more hitouts than the guy supporting him or also playing in the ruck - surely that's pretty damning for a guy being selected to play ruck

Statically, he's marginally better than previous seasons but I don't see him actually having a better impact or influence on matches than in previous years. Let him develop in the VFL, and if he's going to play seniors he needs to have a defined role and not sure he does at the moment

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I mean, obviously his role is ruck (and it MUST be primary not backup since Blicavs is the other) but he's just not up to it.
The fact they play him almost as a backup to a backup is an indictment on him and his selection and although I was happy to see him get some continuity I'd also would have wanted to see SOME improvement over that period, and he simply hasn't.
The fact he's struggling to get beyond 10 hitouts and 10 disposals says a whole lot. I can't remember the last time Stanley had that in one game let alone 3-4-5 in a row. The experiment simply has to be over.
Blicavs is a good backup, mostly due to his ability to run the other ruck into the ground, but we need a ruckman who can compete and then reap the rewards from Blicavs work, and Sav can't do either.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

You playing Higgins?

Reckon they’ll play Fort before Stanley now. Might be a case of rearranging the deckchairs

I'd be playing Narkle. Shouldn't have been dropped.

Higgins was ok tonight. In our top 5. Doesn't say much I know.

 

[juzcat]

Unfortunate showing. Haven't had many of those the past 3 years. World isn't ending and we'll be fine. We've set ourselves up really well in the first half of the year.

Hopefully we can get our ducks in a row and make amends next week.

3 players who probably had the worst of it:

Henderson - Had the worst kicking performance I've seen from him. One-off I would think, as he's usually a very good disposer of the ball out of the back half.

Ratugolea - Just didn't get involved. Had a few opportunities I thought he might be able to take in the forward half but couldn't make an impact. I think he will struggle to keep his spot and Fort/Stanley are on standby for next week I would think

Higgins - Fumbled the ball too much, and his disposal is still lacking any penetration/effectiveness. Don't see how he keeps his spot in the side.

Bit of a side note with Higgins - I'm still very sceptical of the habits he's brought from North. He isn't very willing to shepherd, and put on pressure when the ball is in his area. This is something as a team we really excel at and have for a long time. It's one of the reasons I believe Clark is in the reserves at the moment. We have standards and no matter the age, experience or standing of the player they should be adhered to

Totally agree. I have not seen him go hard at a contest even if its in his favour. End up being 50 50s that he stays in just enough not to look like a squib. Cannot kick. Why he was rated as a "silky" i will never know. Invest in Narkle. Higgins out. Miers back for Dalh.
Duncan will be a massive loss.
Smashed in midfield, Danger, Sel, Guth all down.
Parfitt had a red hot crack all night.

Sent from my SM-N975F using Tapatalk

 

[Cursed Cat]

This is absolutely untrue.

I do agree his kicking has been poor this season though.

Disagree - little subtlety or cunning to his game.

rioli Kicked 5 on Enright once. All players have dud games every now and then. That’s Stewart’s worst game in years. something made him snap and he just couldn’t get his mind in the game. Need it to be more then one game to be a feature rather then a outlier. We will see how he recovers next week.

Once.
Enright carved up Rioli for the entirety of their respective careers.

Tom Stewart is definitely entitled to one bad game, and I did say that he hadn't played a game that poor in two years.
Charlie Cameron baited him with a cheap, disrepectful wack to the noggin. But Stewart was already playing poorly before that incident.

My point though is you have always underrated Corey Enright; a defender who shut down his opponent and got every bit as much of the ball as Stewart. In big games. For years.

Stewart plays loose in defense and generally does it very very well - but teams will start putting more time into him; hopefully he responds strongly.

 

[Romeoh1]

Actually think that 2 out of 3 is a pretty good return from the last 3 games. Port over there after the bye, a red hot doggies and brissy at home. It’s not too shabby. Even Scott looked calm.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

I'd be playing Narkle. Shouldn't have been dropped.

Higgins was ok tonight. In our top 5. Doesn't say much I know.

Can't be bothered finding your post about Miers over Close, but I agree, I think most people are advocating Miers AND Close in the forwardline, with Dahlhaus or Higgins missing out (or as you said, both and Narkle/Clark in).

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

rioli Kicked 5 on Enright once. All players have dud games every now and then. That’s Stewart’s worst game in years. something made him snap and he just couldn’t get his mind in the game. Need it to be more then one game to be a feature rather then a outlier. We will see how he recovers next week.

That's not true either. Rewatch the game.

 

[Kitcat]

I'll again ask - what is Ratugolea's actual role in the team?

He starts in the ruck at the centre bounce, but then does very little other ruck work and isn't a marking target up forward or elsewhere

According to the stats, tonight Ratugolea had 8 disposals @50% DE, 8 hitouts, 1 tackle, 4 clearances and 5 clangers - 0 marks also

There's no one match where he's had more hitouts than the guy supporting him or also playing in the ruck - surely that's pretty damning for a guy being selected to play ruck

Statically, he's marginally better than previous seasons but I don't see him actually having a better impact or influence on matches than in previous years. Let him develop in the VFL, and if he's going to play seniors he needs to have a defined role and not sure he does at the moment

View attachment 1163060

It is like playing with 17 men on the ground.

 

[tzman]

We only lose to State capital cities on their home ground

 

[Nankervis brothers]

Duncan's absence is massive in my opinion. He could almost be our most important player in terms of midfield structure. His gut running and exquisite disposal use are a loss.

It further hits hard as it looks as though Higgins has hit father time right in the face. He was recruited primarily because of his foot skills. Thankfully, we have Smith who is seriously close to leading the B&F at this stage of the season.

Yes, Duncan is a massive loss. His influence is greater these days than Selwood or Dangerfield. It's hard to replace a star player in his prime.

I've taken the patient attitude with Higgins and assumed his quality would return, but it look less likely each week. The end comes quick for some.

 

[Pavlovs Cat]

Happy to call it

Fort will be better than Stanley.

I like Fort

Not a local so i dont see much magoos. When i did i thought Fort looked ok. But on this board most dont seem to rate him. Must be the same with the MC.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Can't be bothered finding your post about Miers over Close, but I agree, I think most people are advocating Miers AND Close in the forwardline, with Dahlhaus or Higgins missing out (or as you said, both and Narkle/Clark in).

What post, referring to what?