Review Geelong defeats Hawks by 5 points

[Heckler]

LOVE 'em and HATE 'em

LOVED that we won
HATED the way we played
LOVED O'Connor tagging and mid field experience
HATED our mid's getting caught in possession
LOVED Henry getting game time playing forward
HATED our defenders giving away soft free kicks
Loved Clark's carry and bounce speed and confidence
HATED Senior players that play safe and slow
LOVED Blitz steadied and focused on kicking a pressure goal
HATED Stanley looking to pass rather that focusing on kicking a goal.
LOVED that we blooded a new quick Kitten
HATED that Constable lacks pace
LOVED Hawkins' dominance up forward
HATED the Hawks running out of defense too easily
LOVED that we controlled most of the game
HATED that we failed to regain momentum
LOVED that we ground it out till the siren
HATED that We ran out of legs late
LOVED O'Connors interview after the game
HATED the anti Geelong biased commentary

 

[PzBlinky]

I know he makes mistakes, but can't fault Atkins' efforts. Both last week and this week he screwed a kick but was on the opposing player like a flash to at least force a 50/50 instead of a clean turn-over. The young players would do well to follow his work ethic.

(Plus, I think he hasn't done too badly down back.)

As for Constable, man... I so want him to make it. That second quarter was fantastic, but then he just faded out of the game again. I can't understand it - yes yes, fitness is probably the reason, but has anyone seen a player with so much potential but seemingly zero stamina?

 

[kittypurry]

I don't know--I think it is slightly delicious beating the Hawks while playing like boring old farts. Adds insult to injury. Yeah, we beat them, and we sucked while doing it. Sucks to be you, Hawks.

But in all seriousness, it sounds like an excuse but we're clearly knackered after going so deep into finals last year. This caught up with Richmond against Sydney too. To win today with this in mind and having some first class players out we had to slow it down and play some pretty unwatchable footy, even more so after the two injuries. I'm happy to bank the win, send a gloating text to my Hawks supporting mate, and move on.

I'm excited to see how we go with Jezza in the team (and some space from last years finals campaign.) Especially since several Geelong coaches and players have mentioned how it has thrown the team off not having him in after a preseason where he was a key part of the way we want to play. I'm curious to see our season play out, but I do understand why people feel flat after the win.

I just want to add how freaking proud I am of Guthrie. I am also so excited by O'Connor.

Also I did a whole lot of online stress shopping during that last quarter. I assume I can send the bill to the club.

 

[OddYears]

Did laugh when when Mitchell went down in the middle after copping an O’Connor bump and hodge’s comments were ‘he wasn’t expecting that because he’s used to being looked after’ (by the umps) wtf is that haha

 

[Baudolino]

I reckon Seeds will appreciate the agility from Henry here.

What a ****ing goal.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

If this is our side instead today:

OUT: Dahl, Constable, Evans, Holmes
IN: Danger, Menegola, Cameron, Rohan

We win by a lot...and I mean, a lot. It was a really tough watch, but it clicked for me halfway through the second what was happening, and why we couldn't just bomb it forward - because we didn't have the structure up forward to bring it to ground (they had Hartigan and Frost - we only had Hawkins as a tall, with Evans, Dahl, Holmes, Higgins and Smith, as other forward options). If we had Cameron, Rohan and even Danger up forward, we could get it in quick as much as we'd like.

We then ended up two down on the bench, so we doubled down on that strategy, and essentially just defended the game - and nearly lost it - until Clark and Henry's match-winning, GF esque moment in the last, gave us that little bit of spark that ultimately carried us across the finish line (just).

It was ugly AF, no denying that, but I think we look vastly different come round 5. We'll look even more different once Sav is available too, and even Simmo.

Bring on next week and the Cameron debut!!

I agree with all that although the second ruck spot is still an issue for mine (and will be all year i think) as blitz does ok in the ruck but the backline does look lesssolid when he isnt there. But with our injuries you happily take the 4 points.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Jesus Clark is a missile.

He still goes missingfor periods but we have to persist he has the run and class we need.

 

[Chinacats]

Haven't seen a photo or video of it unfortunately, but loved O'Connor's reaction after the final siren today - so easy to see how much this win meant

Or relief we didn’t suffer huge embarrassment?

 

[frggr]

Frost is super quick and Clark had him covered...with a bounce.

That was crazy. I'm glad to see Clark has the run and dash back in his game. Lord knows we need it.

Of course, Henry is no slouch either.

 

[DangerHere]

Frost is super quick and Clark had him covered...with a bounce.

Frost had a crack, “hats off” to him, but the run from Henry, Clark, and the handball from Hawkins beat him.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Most of that is probably fair.

What you describe as “hold the lead mode” is pretty close to our preferred game style though and I don’t like it.


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I dont either but off a short pre season we have to do it at least for now.

 

[frggr]

He still goes missingfor periods but we have to persist he has the run and class we need.

Do you think those periods will become shorter or do you think he's destined to be one of those guys that floats in and out?

 

[Down at K Park]

Is it just me or is Tommy missing more shots these days?

In the pre-game they say 14.17 or something in his last certain number of games. He has slipped a bit. But it’s not helped by the hard shots he seems to be getting marks recently.

Hawkins is one of the smartest footballers I’ve seen. Which is funny given how oafish he looks.

Liked for the use of the word oaf.

 

[Lana]

Most of that is probably fair.

What you describe as “hold the lead mode” is pretty close to our preferred game style though and I don’t like it.


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I like any strategy that suits suits the players we have available then seek to emulate a plan that other team successfully employs.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Id like to see Close come in for Dahlhaus.

Cameron and Mengola for Evans and Higgins.
Close for Dahl.
Henry to stay fwd.
Constable sub again i think although he might get dropped.
Hopefully we get some players back soon.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Did laugh when when Mitchell went down in the middle after copping an O’Connor bump and hodge’s comments were ‘he wasn’t expecting that because he’s used to being looked after’ (by the umps) wtf is that haha

Was the softest "bump" of all time too, barely even pushed him and Mitchell took a dive.

 

[MotlopMagic]

I like any strategy that suits suits the players we have available then seek to emulate a plan that other team successfully employs.

It’s the same (failed) strategy we’ve been using for several years. I don’t like it.


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[Chinacats]

If this is our side instead today:

OUT: Dahl, Constable, Evans, Holmes
IN: Danger, Menegola, Cameron, Rohan

We win by a lot...and I mean, a lot. It was a really tough watch, but it clicked for me halfway through the second what was happening, and why we couldn't just bomb it forward - because we didn't have the structure up forward to bring it to ground (they had Hartigan and Frost - we only had Hawkins as a tall, with Evans, Dahl, Holmes, Higgins and Smith, as other forward options). If we had Cameron, Rohan and even Danger up forward, we could get it in quick as much as we'd like.

We then ended up two down on the bench, so we doubled down on that strategy, and essentially just defended the game - and nearly lost it - until Clark and Henry's match-winning, GF esque moment in the last, gave us that little bit of spark that ultimately carried us across the finish line (just).

It was ugly AF, no denying that, but I think we look vastly different come round 5. We'll look even more different once Sav is available too, and even Simmo.

Bring on next week and the Cameron debut!!

Nice positive spin. We can never play bad in some eyes. If we do then it’s ....a..b..c. Set of reasons. Interesting!

 

[Mad_Hatter]

He still goes missingfor periods but we have to persist he has the run and class we need.

Consistency should come with experience, the upside is huge IMO and he's a lock in our 22 I think.

 

[frggr]

I was a bit disappointed with the style of win that I didn't even think I'd go over to the Hawfs autopsy for a gander...

 

[cats_09]

Or relief we didn’t suffer huge embarrassment?

Last week I think was more relief in their reactions

This was raw emotion, joy for the win and passion for the guernsey

Loved it

 

[year of the cat]

I know he makes mistakes, but can't fault Atkins' efforts. Both last week and this week he screwed a kick but was on the opposing player like a flash to at least force a 50/50 instead of a clean turn-over. The young players would do well to follow his work ethic.

(Plus, I think he hasn't done too badly down back.)

As for Constable, man... I so want him to make it. That second quarter was fantastic, but then he just faded out of the game again. I can't understand it - yes yes, fitness is probably the reason, but has anyone seen a player with so much potential but seemingly zero stamina?

I’m in the same boat. At half time I’m starting to think of a beautifully worded retort to a few Constable critics. By the end of the game I’m thinking how can I deliver some EPO to the kid and not be deregistered...

 

[Grimoz]

Did that just say Higgins will miss 4 weeks?

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Weird post-match in the sense that despite us playing terribly I thought there were quite a few positives:

- MOC in the midfield is a masterstroke
- Guthrie superb
- Duncan's comeback couldn't have gone better
- Henry up forward a shrewd and necessary move that probably won us the game
- Our defenders were solid throughout
- Holmes enjoyed a promising debut
- beating Hawthorn remains a glorious feeling no matter the circumstances

Positives seem mostly about individual players and what they did. Wider problems pertain more to how the team is playing as a unit and the overall strategy being employed. One could extrapolate that it's not a problem with the players so much as how they're being told to play.

 

[cats_09]

Was the softest "bump" of all time too, barely even pushed him and Mitchell took a dive.

Who then returned fire by going the gut punch on O'Connor, but got caught by the umpires and gave away a free