Review Cats spay Demons by 39 points.

[Catman]

got to love the new players. COS and Humphries very important in the backline. For such inexperience. And of course Smith is critical if they shut Holmes out.

And we need to shout out Dempsey game. I get the criticism of flying for the marks too much but it gets him in the game rather than just running into space and no impact.

His stats can’t be ignored.

Highest contested possessions for the Cats (second on ground to Oliver) with 13.

Again I accept the criticism that he avoids contact but he does it a different way and to get 13 contested possessions from the wing which included 5 clean clearances (equal MOST for Cats) and 6 intercepts (3rd most for Cats) shouldn’t be ignored.

That goes along with 8 score involvements and running 15km (just behind miers) - 2.7 at high speed - and highest number of sprints on the ground (26)

No doubt his first 3 games have been down but need to give credit for this game.

I thought last night was the most physical game I've seen from him. His tackles stuck for a change and he was not afraid of any contact, especially against some of the hard bodies of the Melbourne mids.

Could be a turning point for him. Not that he'd be expected to be winning a heap of contested ball, or doing the dirty work. But it's a nice trait for him to have if he can produce it regularly.

 

[iameviljez]

How long thru a season can you carry a key forward producing this??

Young key talls usually get gifted their first fifty to seventy games on potential. He's up to what, 20, 25?

 

[Hinkley29]

I'm guessing that Hawkins & Guthrie playing in the VFL semi final means they were dropped from the seniors

I would argue yes.

Neither were in good enough form that demanded that they play in the AFL side. Both were available for selection.

It is no disgrace to be dropped at the end of your career.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Young key talls usually get gifted their first fifty to seventy games on potential. He's up to what, 20, 25?

It's part of rebuilding on the run too.

This isn't a 'flag or bust' side that needs to breathe a big sigh of relief for every week that doesn't end in a loss. We're playing with an eye to the future, while still trying to compete.

It's a fine balance, and with that is going to come players who don't shoot the lights out week to week.

...And to play devils advocate, even if we weren't, it's not like there's a better option right now.

If we had a young tall really pushing his case, or another experienced choice, maybe there's an argument, but we don't.

We can't move players from the backline with our injuries, and we can't play smaller either with our injuries, outside of maybe Wiltshire if his form continues.

It's all well and good to whinge, it's harder to offer an alternative.

 

[cats_09]

They were very clearly underdone after months out, a tad different. That said even if fully fit Hawk was just holding on.

Watching him get to game #350, I think a lot of us were commenting how well he was traveling

Come game #351 and he essentially fell off a cliff - I don't think anyone begrudges him getting to game #359, but I do wonder "what if" he decided to retire on 355 games

 

[Romeoh1]

..l

After the best game of the year, too. That was a cracker

Sure was.

 

[Frappe]

Yeah I don’t want him out of the team, just highlighting some of the little things that are difficult to watch. Almost reminds me of Stevie J very early in his career. Immense talent Ollie, his brother is heart and soul.

Not debating your comment re the role he’s playing but massive comparison with Stevie J.

 

[ShadowCat]

Tbh I don’t care about effort or competing, I care about output.

How long thru a season can you carry a key forward producing this??

Disposals
SEASON
6.5
BELOW AVG.


CAREER
8.2
BELOW AVG.
MORE

Kicks

SEASON
4.8
BELOW AVG.

Marks

SEASON
3.5
Below AVERAGE

Lol you don't care about effort or competing...which is something coaches care most about, and is the one thing within your control when the ball isn't falling your way?

He's 22 and has played a total of 24 games at an output of more than 1 goal a game, might want to give him 50 games at least before you start brandishing the knives.

Ollie has played 74, so 3 times as many. Big difference.

 

[PhatBoy]

The SDK discussion is stupid.

Players will often find themselves out of the team due to injury or suspension and find that they can’t push their way back in until a spot definitively opens up.

Think about how many times in cricket a player will be out of the team due to injury or other reasons and can’t find his way back in because his replacement has done such a good job or things are working well without them.

I mean seriously think about the volume of times a player like Cummins or James Pattinson was injured and wasn’t put straight back into the team the moment they were ‘healthy’ while bowlers like Johnson, Siddle, Hazlewood, Starc, Bird etc were being picked instead.

Doesn’t mean they were ‘dropped’

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Young key talls usually get gifted their first fifty to seventy games on potential. He's up to what, 20, 25?

Who have we gifted 50-70 games to as a key forward??

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Lol you don't care about effort or competing...which is something coaches care most output, and is the one thing within your control when the ball isn't falling your way?

He's 22 and has played a total of 24 games at an output of more than 1 goal a game, might want to give him 50 games at least before you start brandishing the knives.

Ollie has played 74, so 3 times as many. Big difference.

Coaches care about output, not effort. Output and effort usually to hand in hand anyway, but as I have heard Clarkson and Scott mention and laugh off people who bring up effort.. it’s a dumb lazy media word to describe issues.

Players don’t lack effort. No player goes out there and says “ I’m not going to try today” so effort is not an issue.

Whether you have the fitness or the reading of the play or the skills to execute what is asked of you is an entirely different matter

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

I remember an interview with Scott before the Freo game. He said something along the lines of “I don’t usually say this publicly but we tend to think a fair way ahead, we even have a plan for Gawn when we play them in round 4”

Stanley eased into the season was always meant to play this. He won’t play every game obviously but he was cherry ripe to play last night against Gawn. And he played well.

He plays the next 2 I think then will be managed again.

 

[cats_09]

Young key talls usually get gifted their first fifty to seventy games on potential. He's up to what, 20, 25?

24 games, including starting as the sub in his second game

We've also thrown Scratcher into the ruck a bit, not always up forward but also into centre bounces, with last year's two finals being the only games he's not recorded a hit out

One thing I like about Scratcher when he's up & about is his involvement with passages of play & linking up with teammates

Against Freo he had 9 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself to go with 4 goal assists and 7 score involvements

Last night he had the 7 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself and 5 score involvements

Where he was quiet against both St Kilda & Lions, he was missing in that linking play; only the 5 disposals each game with just the 3 & 2 score involvements

Across 4 games this season, Neale has 17 score involvements which is equal 8th at the club and level with Holmes, Miers & O'Connor - I'm a lil surprised Miers is "only" at 17 when he's seen as one of those players who is at his best in those attacking passages

Things will click for Neale one of these games, but until then I want to see him keep his head up and keep doing what he's doing in regards to linking up with teammates & tackling what's in front of him

 

[geelong_crazy26]

24 games, including starting as the sub in his second game

We've also thrown Scratcher into the ruck a bit, not always up forward but also into centre bounces, with last year's two finals being the only games he's not recorded a hit out

One thing I like about Scratcher when he's up & about is his involvement with passages of play & linking up with teammates

Against Freo he had 9 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself to go with 4 goal assists and 7 score involvements

Last night he had the 7 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself and 5 score involvements

Where he was quiet against both St Kilda & Lions, he was missing in that linking play; only the 5 disposals each game with just the 3 & 2 score involvements

Across 4 games this season, Neale has 17 score involvements which is equal 8th at the club and level with Holmes, Miers & O'Connor - I'm a lil surprised Miers is "only" at 17 when he's seen as one of those players who is at his best in those attacking passages

Things will click for Neale one of these games, but until then I want to see him keep his head up and keep doing what he's doing in regards to linking up with teammates & tackling what's in front of him

He averages 6 disposals 3 marks and 1 goal a game.

I hope he comes good. He impressed in the first final against port Adelaide last year with his link up, but he is not playing to an AFL standard so far his first 4 games.

 

[Play it Sam]

24 games, including starting as the sub in his second game

We've also thrown Scratcher into the ruck a bit, not always up forward but also into centre bounces, with last year's two finals being the only games he's not recorded a hit out

One thing I like about Scratcher when he's up & about is his involvement with passages of play & linking up with teammates

Against Freo he had 9 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself to go with 4 goal assists and 7 score involvements

Last night he had the 7 disposals, kicked 1 goal himself and 5 score involvements

Where he was quiet against both St Kilda & Lions, he was missing in that linking play; only the 5 disposals each game with just the 3 & 2 score involvements

Across 4 games this season, Neale has 17 score involvements which is equal 8th at the club and level with Holmes, Miers & O'Connor - I'm a lil surprised Miers is "only" at 17 when he's seen as one of those players who is at his best in those attacking passages

Things will click for Neale one of these games, but until then I want to see him keep his head up and keep doing what he's doing in regards to linking up with teammates & tackling what's in front of him

Interesting stats. But no matter what they are, he'll play every game. We are extremely lucky to have him as a ready made (having served his time) Hawk replacement, to the chagrin of other Club supporters. I'll admit to wanting him to play in front of the pack more, but as you say, watch for the break out game. Until then he's a busy focal point.

 

[Goggin Our Best]

How good is Dangerfield or more like sensational his career at Geelong

Only read the last 2-3 pages of the thread so its most likely allready been mentioned but what it is his birthday today - turned 35 , and still playing sensational football

Dont want to get into the debate as to whether he is better than Ablett jnr , but as a Cats supporter i like him more than Ablett , that is just my opinion

 

[cats_09]

Who have we gifted 50-70 games to as a key forward??

Ratugolea played 75 games in the hoops with his first 58 of those played as a forward/ruck option, and he kicked 38 goals during those 75 games in the hoops

If Ratugolea can play 50+ games for us, then no reason Neale can't but more so won't when we consider he's recently re-signed for a further 3 years

Comparison of the two players careers to date

 

[Romeoh1]

How good is Dangerfield or more like sensational his career at Geelong

Only read the last 2-3 pages of the thread so its most likely allready been mentioned but what it is his birthday today - turned 35 , and still playing sensational football

Dont want to get into the debate as to whether he is better than Ablett jnr , but as a Cats supporter i like him more than Ablett , that is just my opinion

What a footballer.- 35!. Playing so well. So hard at the contest. Lucky to have him.

 

[PhatBoy]

Who have we gifted 50-70 games to as a key forward??

I can think of one that retired fairly recently who kicked 66 in his first 50 games. Does that count?

Neale has 28 goals in 24 games. Playing in a vastly, vastly inferior side.

Might be time to give it a rest

 

[cats_09]

This is pretty poor from Dempsey - deserves his fine and hopefully we won't see this from him again

 

[Catman]

It wasn't pretty but I give Melbourne credit for the way they defended the ground. They play here a bit so obviously lessons have been learnt over the years. They limited our run for large chunks of the night. Our uncontested footy was obviously a planned tactic for the way they set up, knowing we'd struggle to get a lot of opportunities to break the lines.

Despite some sloppy patches, it was a more consistent effort tonight, with no real lapses, but as others have said, Melbourne's inability to do the basics at crucial times helped us. But we were overall a class above and I felt a 40pt win was deserved for our hard work throughout the game.

Delighted for big Rhys, and had a feeling he'd play well, as he often has against Gawn. It's the potatoes that worry me with Rhys more than the gun rucks.

Danger played a brilliant captain's game. The goalkicking is going to hurt as at some point I fear though. But he bring so much else and makes others stand taller.

Ollie and Tyson still worry me. Though it really wasn't a game for Tyson with the way it panned out. The relief from those goals at the end could be the boost for him to get going in 2025. Ollie was at least competitive at times and the same goes for Shannon.

Our pressure was great throughout. Axe always brings it, but I must admit Baz's defensive work has pleasantly surprised me, can't say I was expecting it. Even guys like Jack Bowes and Ollie D were on it tonight after a poor fortnight. Shaun Mannagh's return was important too. Him pushing up into the midfield at stoppages just makes us look more secure around them with his pressure and clearance ability.

Still a lot to improve, but it was a solid 4 points when we needed to stop the rot.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Ratugolea played 75 games in the hoops with his first 58 of those played as a forward/ruck option, and he kicked 38 goals during those 75 games in the hoops

If Ratugolea can play 50+ games for us, then no reason Neale can't but more so won't when we consider he's recently re-signed for a further 3 years

Comparison of the two players careers to date

View attachment 2273505

Fair enough, ratugolea is not exactly setting the bar high. I hope he ends up better than that

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Fogarty is one of the strongest players in the game and will destroy any mid-sizer IMO.

Maybe a mid on Walker... but that doesn't solve the issue of what happens when one of the rucks goes to the bench for a rest... COS will be standing on Thilthorpe and Fogarty + Walker will have Zuthrie and MOC on them.

I wouldn't think we would want Stewart locking down on Walker or Fogarty.

There will be some very interesting matchups if Stanley doesn't play.

Neale might need to ruck a bit but I'm not sure that's ideal either.

Get well soon Conway.

I think it's more likely neale becomes the 2nd ruck (if Stanley can't backup which I doubt he can) and we go smaller up front. Sdk and blitz (when he's not ruck) and cos will be your defensive talls.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Coaches care about output, not effort. Output and effort usually to hand in hand anyway, but as I have heard Clarkson and Scott mention and laugh off people who bring up effort.. it’s a dumb lazy media word to describe issues.

Players don’t lack effort. No player goes out there and says “ I’m not going to try today” so effort is not an issue.

Whether you have the fitness or the reading of the play or the skills to execute what is asked of you is an entirely different matter

I get it but you do think Sam day is playing key forward for Brisbane because of 'output'. No his output has been terrible his whole career. He's playing because they want a certain talls structure and they don't have a viable alternative. Similarly we don't have a like for like replacement for neale unless we run a smaller structure so he's probably going to be given games for now (for example if he was a small forward he'd be dropped as we have lots of them).

 

[Jumping Jack]

Anyone else notice vision of Oliver having lengthy chats with Stewart Stanley and Danger both during and after the game.

Probably asking Stanley if he needed any help on the farm. And was practically trying to get Dangerfield pregnant.

Still think he’s very short odds to be at Geelong next year. The more the Dees stink it up the more he’s out. Dees will go full rebuild and he’ll be part of the fire sale.


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