Autopsy Sydney defeats Geelong by 38 points at KP

[Lester Burnham]

That and a perfect McCarthy tackle not being rewarded and then a free paid against him the next moment.

The tackle by McCarthy not paid was a disgrace and a big momentum changer.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

We've been teased with a few good performances this season, but at the end of the day we just aren't good enough. Last night Sydney played finals like footy and it showed how we fall to bits when the pressure is on.

Come finals time the way we played last night is exactly how I expect us to play in finals now.

If Scott doesn't find a way to fix what the issue is then our season will very quickly head down the drain.

 

[caitsith01]

The tackle by McCarthy not paid was a disgrace and a big momentum changer.

Agreed. That was not HTB, yet they pay half a dozen for 'diving on the ball' in various bizarre situations.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

The issue is the second tier. Duncan, guthrie, kolo, Murdoch, motlop. Just go missing for large periods, even the whole game.

Then the oldies look slow, insipid. Mackie and bartel were very ordinary.

Really something wrong mentally at the moment. No one except Danger has any confidence it seems

Dangerfield is a brilliant player, but he played for himself last night. For weeks he was not doing that so much and we played great. Last night he looked like he had one thing on his mind: BOG. It affects how the midfield operate. Similar effect in 2010 when Ablett played great but our midfield played shit and we got trounced.... and all anyone could say as "He kept us in the game." and my reply was always "We got thrashed." All he seemed to want to do at one stage was run around the man on the mark, bomb it in long inside 50. So he gets amazing metres gained numbers, but the ball was just coming back a lot of the time. Never saw him shephered, tackle for a long time. He was playing a lone hand most of the game.

 

[cynical]

I agree that Blicavs isn't being utilized as well as he could be, but I'd argue that Stanley himself is quite good after the initial ruck contests and providing a target around the ground - maybe not as good as Blicavs, but certainly better than most 2nd ruckmen. The biggest difference is in the actual ruck contests - Stanley is far better, unless Blicavs goes third man up, which he can do if Stanley is in the ruck anyway.

I guess there is no right or wrong answer, and it seems even the coach and match committee still don't know the best combination. Will be fascinating in itself going forward.

Agreed, Blicavs isnt a good enough 2nd ruck and his impact around the ground isn't great cos he doesnt take contested marks, which is what you need from 2nd rucks.

Blicavs should be in the centre bounces going 3rd man up and/or trying to win clearances, or at least blocking for the other mids. His elite running should mean that he gets plenty of cheap ball in space. At the moment he just seems to be a poor man's tagger just running next to someone and laying tackles.

He was good early in the year but seems to be cruising now, should be sent a message and dropped. Chris Scott doesn't fix problems early though just lets them fix themselves which doesnt happen.

 

[JumpyHolden]

People saying we aren't good enough is simply a cop out........

Surely we have a better side than say Carlton and they still managed to beat us so you can't say we aren't good enough......... The problem is elsewhere..........

 

[ATSAM]

Can tell you before the Saints game the coaches had identified exactly what the Saints would do to us, they had told the players this but the players didn't execute what the coaches laid out for them, now who's fault is that?

If that is true then we still have a problem. Either the Coach can't communicate or is game plan is bad/stupid/not executable-either way back to the Coach. Coaches can't take gloty for wins and blame players for losses.

 

[ATSAM]

Dangerfield is a brilliant player, but he played for himself last night. For weeks he was not doing that so much and we played great. Last night he looked like he had one thing on his mind: BOG. It affects how the midfield operate. Similar effect in 2010 when Ablett played great but our midfield played shit and we got trounced.... and all anyone could say as "He kept us in the game." and my reply was always "We got thrashed." All he seemed to want to do at one stage was run around the man on the mark, bomb it in long inside 50. So he gets amazing metres gained numbers, but the ball was just coming back a lot of the time. Never saw him shephered, tackle for a long time. He was playing a lone hand most of the game.

Interesting comment. I haven't seen the game but woke up this morning cross and sad at our display last night but wondering if Dangerfield is actually contributing. Duncan and Blicav have now lost their mid field roles, Selwood is still being tagged and Dangerfield is not playing that match winning game. Sure he runs a lot and get the ball a lot but so does Nick Riewoldt and St Kilda have no benefited from him doing that despite how the commentators say they do.

 

[jimmy.h]

Danger lead us for kicks, handballs, overall possessions, effective disposals, marks, contested possessions, contested marks, score involvements, inside 50s and metres gained.

He also had the 2nd most clearances, 3rd most pressure acts and 3rd most intercept possessions. And he was one of only 7 players to kick a goal.

I think it's fair to say he contributed last night.

 

[Mahlepi]

The tackle by McCarthy not paid was a disgrace and a big momentum changer.

and it happened all night
too many times this year we dont get those momentum frees which are there, but a weird free is paid against us

in hawk games they get frees pulled out of nowhere

but the bookies are loving the season,

 

[Mahlepi]

Interesting comment. I haven't seen the game but woke up this morning cross and sad at our display last night but wondering if Dangerfield is actually contributing. Duncan and Blicav have now lost their mid field roles, Selwood is still being tagged and Dangerfield is not playing that match winning game. Sure he runs a lot and get the ball a lot but so does Nick Riewoldt and St Kilda have no benefited from him doing that despite how the commentators say they do.

his disposal at times is average
duncan needs more game time in the middle minus danger

 

[CatsDoItBetter]

A lot of the highlights on the afl site are free kicks that weren't paid to Geelong. That said the Geelong players constantly complaining to umpires is a disgrace. It's little wonder they get so many free kicks against them. Move on and play the game. Selwood is number 1 in this area and needs to show more leadership here.

Geelong are good enough on their day but one thing lacking this year is hardness and some mongrel. Selwood has it but not enough others bring it or have it in their dna.

There are a couple of players that have it Clark, Cockatoo, Scott Selwood and Caddy. They will be important for the finals most are or have just come back from injury though.
Are there any other players that can contribute in this area on the list?
Not enough in my opinion does Menegola have that hard edge?

It was a key part of our flag era and it needs to be developed.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Yeah, wasn't an effort issue for mine either. it's still that gaping hole of hard ball-winners around the contest. the loss of Caddy I think has been significant and opened that hole even further, we've lost both games since losing him. There are obviously other issues but when you look past Danger and Joel as contested ball winners, Guthrie, Duncan and Blitz are waaay off in the distance in that regard and woefully out of form. We desperately need Scooter, Caddy and maybe also one of Menegola/GHS in the side to take the pressure of Dangerwood, because at this stage if they don't dominate, we look weak.

Drop one of our excessive defensive talls in Kolo/Mackie I guess, Murdoch out and play only one of Lang/McCarthy/Gregon on form, Caddy back in when fit, Scooter and either Menegola/GHS, move Blitz to second ruck. Push Guthrie back more for some run out of the back half, with Thurlow out it's more a necessity at the moment. We still have enough outside run with Danger, Cocky, Motlop, Duncan we just need a better spread of players who can win it and get it out to them instead of relying on just two. Hence the polar opposites in consistency - when Dangerwood are on we look great because they are amazing players but when they are off, there is no spread to pick up the slack and we get steamrolled for periods until Dangerwood can work back into it. Not like the Swans - Kennedy, Hannebery, Mitchell, Jack, Parker, McVeigh.

Really need some structural changes IMO, hopefully they can figure it out. VFL will be interesting the next couple of weeks.

And this talk of Rohan vs Murdoch this week...geez if I'm going to have a 10-15 possession impact player with speed and penetration, I know which one I'd be going with. And he's a ranga, we're short of ranga's currently and Ling is dead to me.

Very good post, 4 KPD's plus Mackie and Ruggles and Murdoch and Lang and McCarthy and Menzel and Motlop and Cockatoo is way too many non midfielders in the 22 and Sydney overwhelmed us there, I didn't think they were super but they really outplayed us through the midfield. The issue is we don't have immediate solutions, Scooter will need 2-3 weeks to get ready I would say, Caddy is probably still a month away and HS will be first game back from injury today. Menegola is the one who should have played this week and I expect will play on his home deck next week, we at least need to try something to change the midfield depth. Guthrie also needs to go back and it solves two problems.

Enright Lonergan Henderson
Mackie Taylor Guthrie
Duncan J Selwood Blicavs
Motlop Clark/Kersten Caddy
Menzel Hawkins McCarthy/Gregson
Smith Dangerfield SSelwood
Stanley Bartel Cockatoo Menegola

Obviously Motlop ought to be dropped for effort reasons but structurally that is a much better 22 team balance wise.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Dangerfield is a brilliant player, but he played for himself last night. For weeks he was not doing that so much and we played great. Last night he looked like he had one thing on his mind: BOG. It affects how the midfield operate. Similar effect in 2010 when Ablett played great but our midfield played shit and we got trounced.... and all anyone could say as "He kept us in the game." and my reply was always "We got thrashed." All he seemed to want to do at one stage was run around the man on the mark, bomb it in long inside 50. So he gets amazing metres gained numbers, but the ball was just coming back a lot of the time. Never saw him shephered, tackle for a long time. He was playing a lone hand most of the game.

I disagree on that, Dangerfield was constantly busting a gut trying to get the ball out of congestion while most of our guys were standing around waiting for it to fall outside the stoppage (why we set up that way I have no idea). Some of his kicking wasnt great but he was still BOG for us by a street, we'd be stuffed without him. His issue is he doesn't know how to conserve energy, he busts such a gut for a 10 minute period trying to turn the game our way (much like Selwood usually does in big moments but isn't currently) that it then leaves him tired and vulnerable to being blocked and physically battered by opposition mids and a few teams have picked up on it, Sydney did a lot of it in the second half last night. The problem is not enough of the mids are prepared to a) win the ball themselves and b) give him any physical protection. This is where Caddy is underrated because he does block a lot and use his body to protect teammates, and Scooter is the same. We need to get them both fit and back in the team by round 20 (and hopefully not lose too many games in the meanwhile) to have any chance of winning the flag, otherwise teams will just focus on buffeting Dangerfield at stoppages and we clearly have no plan B.

 

[JUBJUB]

Geelong are in serious trouble, the season is over make no mistake about that. They are toast. I fear season 2017 could very well be Essendon like in content

You've also reached stupidity level,although I think you might've always been there

 

[RegHickeyStand]

I disagree on that, Dangerfield was constantly busting a gut trying to get the ball out of congestion while most of our guys were standing around waiting for it to fall outside the stoppage (why we set up that way I have no idea). Some of his kicking wasnt great but he was still BOG for us by a street, we'd be stuffed without him. His issue is he doesn't know how to conserve energy, he busts such a gut for a 10 minute period trying to turn the game our way (much like Selwood usually does in big moments but isn't currently) that it then leaves him tired and vulnerable to being blocked and physically battered by opposition mids and a few teams have picked up on it, Sydney did a lot of it in the second half last night. The problem is not enough of the mids are prepared to a) win the ball themselves and b) give him any physical protection. This is where Caddy is underrated because he does block a lot and use his body to protect teammates, and Scooter is the same. We need to get them both fit and back in the team by round 20 (and hopefully not lose too many games in the meanwhile) to have any chance of winning the flag, otherwise teams will just focus on buffeting Dangerfield at stoppages and we clearly have no plan B.

I note the reason you want Caddy and Scooter in is so Danger might get even more possessions. I would have thought our team beating the other team would have been a better reason. Danger was already BOG.

We were stuffed with him. He got 18 possessions in the first quarter. And we got walloped in the first quarter. That to me is just dive in and get the ball at all costs and bugger all else. No tackles (in the first quarter), no protecting other players - like you expect his team-mates to do for him - no running both ways. You think we need Caddy and Scooter in so Danger can get even more possessions? That sounds like you have given up. If Dangerfield gets 50 possessions we might win against most sides. And, I couldn't care less about BOG, It's a team game. I want the team to win, I'm not interested in gushing and drooling over a star player while we get thrashed. and our midfield is a shambles.

 

[thegerman]

The tackle by McCarthy not paid was a disgrace and a big momentum changer.

How about the one where his opposition jumped on his back, when he didn't have the footy, pushing him forward.


That was three most comical no call i've ever seen.

 

[thegerman]

Stupidity level achieved

Well maybe Lonners. His disposal is getting worse, if it could

 

[thegerman]

You've also reached stupidity level,although I think you might've always been there

Anyone can win it this year I think. If anyone can string three games together at the business end, they'll win the premiership

 

[Turbocat]

You probably don't want to hear from a Swans poster right now but I just wanted to mention how good your supporters are when compared to most Melbourne clubs. I sat alone amongst a swarm of blue and white tonight and didn't cop any abuse, basically the opposite to being at a Hawks game at the 'G.

Thank you but what a poor state of affairs it is when you applauded for not abusing someone. (Although I could imagine there were some very frustrated supporters around you!)

Perhaps its the other side of the coin.. we are consider to passive and quiet etc.. but maybe its just civil. Buying a ticket and putting on colours doesn't give anyone the right to act like thug.. a bit of an idiot perhaps.. but not a threatening one..

Hope you enjoyed it.. come again ( but hopefully next time not as enjoyable form a footy result pov)

 

[Spazz Cat]

Not really a fair game when one team can drop the ball and take as long as they like to dispose of the ball and the other team can't.
That said we would've lost anyway.
Positives: Lonegan. He never gets enough credit and was great again.
Ruggles and Cockatoo showed good intent. Also Mcarthys effort is great even though he's not really doing enough.
Negatives: Serious lack of midfield grunt. Guthrie is simply too small to be an inside mid. Needs to go back.
Sadly Mots needs to be dropped. Not doing anyone any good by continuing to play him.
Guess we got an answer to the Rohan vs Murdoch question.
Also Ling shits me beyond belief

 

[Turbocat]

You're just watching what you want to watch. His intensity in chasing and tackling was first rate until the last quarter when the game was over and everyone stepped off the gas. Yes his tackling technique is poor and at times he prefers to knock the ball to space rather than use his body to take the contact. But that's also what allows him to get the ball in space and do the magical at times.

He plays the game in a weird way to most players. Sometimes it doesn't work and a few mistakes tonight looked bad. But it's not because he was lazy or weak. You're just taking on the easy target rather than actually looking at the pressure he put on. It'd be nice if we gave him a chance by providing options and run like earlier in the year instead of asking him to produce the impossible like tonight and then bitching about him when he can't.

In a way we all do that.. isn't it what resonates with us and what we note..what we value. Two people can be right yet have a different version of what we see.

 

[JackFlash]

You've also reached stupidity level,although I think you might've always been there

Drama Queen ? I've been saying it for weeks. Come on now, surely this result is not a surprise? They lose to hacks like Carlton, Collingwood and St.Kilda and the alarm bells haven't gone off? They barely got over the line against Essendon FFS. It's the pointy end of the season, take all your emotion out of the argument and at least try and think laterally. The Cats are not good enough, they really never have been, they have some good players, but the list is made up of ordinary footballers and the talent barrel is somewhat empty. The Swans had 6 players with under 20 games. Nine players with under 50 games coming off a 6 day break after a tough match against the Dogs. The Cats had the bye and were as soft as melted butter, i'm sorry reality has to sink in now and again.

I know the Geelong optimist who believes their team can do no wrong. The recruiting team always drafts the best young players, we pulled off the quadrella with Dangerfield, Selwood, Henderson and Smith, the fixture was tailor made this year, (of course we were going to win the Premiership!) I can see it that too!) and the team is always running at full steam ahead. Gee, they even had me sucked in pre-season.
The Geelong optimist is a naive creature.

We've run out of steam.....major changes must occur at the end of the season.

 

[Pollywaffle]

For next week I want:

Motlop (no pressure), Murdoch (doesn't get enough ball or hit the scoreboard) & Lang (doesn't pressure enough for his role) OUT.
Gregson (pressure), Kersten (helps our forward structure) & Menegola (VFL form warrants selection + brings greater toughness than Lang) IN.

Over the next 3-5 weeks I'd want:

Blicavs (if still playing as a defensive midfielder), A KPD (Lonergan or Kolo) OUT.

Scooter as that defensive midfielder, Caddy IN (Guthrie moves down to defence so we aren't as tall down back).

Thoughts? Good? Bad?

Agree. With some amendments.
Have to ditch one of the big defenders to fit Guthrie down back.
Keep Murdochs 'sports psychologist' appointments but send Motlop instead.
Teach Kersten how to hold an overhead mark.

 

[Strangled Cat]

Which year?



Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

About that... umm... yeah, I'll get back to you!

In all honesty, going into last night's game I was believing our own hype. Against the dogs and roos we were brilliant.

All we can hope from here is that starting over in the west the boys pull out their finger.

I'll be over for the Crows game and I have a knack of picking the good games to go to. I'll expect a strong showing against the Crows regardless of the Freo result. I'll expect anotuer strong showing against the dogs.

Here's hoping we can get our season back on track! I just fear that if it's not this year, we'll all be gobbled up by the GWS monster from next year.