RICH V CATS - GAME THREAD

[Dyer'ere]

Before I turned off the TV and went out to dinner at the end of the 3rd quarter the thing I noticed is that we were doing okay in the contested ball- the clearances were about even and we were having a dip in the tackling.

But I agree Jack, it was just nerves, both jack and Mitch dropped sitter which they wouldn't have normally. Mitch kept running underneath the ball because he has so weary of his opponents aerial ability.

I was very dirty on Mitch all game, Colonel. Still am.

Hey, dinner was a good idea. Was it vegan grunge in a papaya leaf? Or Hungry Jack's?

 

[tigerlee]

Reckon all you knockers out there should have a bex and a good lie down.

We have players with the physiques of boys playing against harden AFL strongly built men - the kids will learn from tonight that they have to build their bodies up to be as big if not bigger - a couple of preseasons in the gym and some natural growth and this Tiger list will improve.

There are some who will have to move on - sorry to all the clan out there but King is not AFL standard nor is Jackson. I was pleased with Deledio and Tuck and thought the climpses of Cotchin were class too. Our backline was under siege all night yet Moore did an admirable job on Mooney - Thursfield is still getting up to strength and I reckon McQuane will also be OK. Newman is OK too but tried to do too much with the ball when he got it.

Reiwoldt was shell shocked and appeared out of his depth - but still has enormous amount of improvement in him - give him time IMO. Foley had arguably the best tagger in the AFL on him and still had an impact.

Bowden had one of his off nights with the boot - seems not to like the constant pressure and thus drifts in and out of the game.

We need a Ruckman badly - and another two or three hard tough MEN (not boys) who can break tackles and burst through packs.

We got within 10 goals of the best team in the comp - it is not good enough but it is a lesson our boys have to learn - that lesson is

"This is how strong how fit and how good you have to be to win a premiership medal!"

thanks RT - I see that this morning. It seemed our kids were in awe of the cats and their big bodies and they outplayed us as a result. I thought our game was ok in terms of match play - we just didnt execute as well and turned it over to them for easy goals.

I agree with your run down and was pleased with Tambling, Cotchin, Thursty, McGuane, Moore and Lids tonight. Jack needs time but will make it, as will Morton. They look ok. They are going to be our backbone.

There are a few in last nights side that need to be moved on as they are clearly not up to senior standards and have been given enough time now to prove themselves. At the end of the year I really hope that we chase some good KKP's to fill those holes.

I dont blame the umpires for our loss but their performance reeked of bias last night and they need to be shown back their insipid decisions - or lack there of. Seems teams doing well get the decisions that others dont - that needs to be addressed. It is nasty to watch. There were a few last night that made my blood boil.

Overall, when I think about it rationally, I think this side has the potential to go places - with the addition of a few key players.

:gotigers

 

[IanG]

Agree with sentiments about King and Jackson. Only watched the game on TV, and only ever noticed King in the forward line. Was he used in the backline at all? He looked totally out of his depth up forward, and see no point bringing him in for Browny if thats the role you expect him to play. Thought he should have been moved onto Stokes, who had Jordie "the glove" Mcmahon refusing to go anywhere near him most of the night. Again, only watched the game on TV, so could be wrong, but thats how I saw it

King was in the fwd line as a defensive fwd I don't mind that because his disposal isn't good enough for the backline. Now that we have Bling back there carving them up we don't need King back there.

 

[Tiger74]

One thing that pleased me was hearing both the radio and TV commentators show the boys a bit of respect for continuing to have a dig and give an effort all night.

In the past its probably true we would have lost our bundle, and looked at another wipe out. To the boys credit though, every time they got slapped down, they got back up again (with a couple of notable exceptions).

Too young, too small, and too prone to intimidation, but these things will improve with age.

Accountable football though (and we all know who I am talking about) should already be happening, and it was disappointing to see a couple who don't even know how to spell the word, let alone play it.

 

[ronnit]

yes funny you should just say that...my husband just said." are they hanging *smile* on richmond in the paper??" and i replied...nope...they are saying how good geelong are but not really a bad word against the tigers....

that is pretty amazing stuff....!!!

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

Our deficiencies were exposed by the best team we have seen for many years. Disposal and decision making under pressure by many players is still below par, but hey, I expected nothing less.

They make you pay for making errors- can't turn the ball over when kicking back into the corridor, can't kick out of bounds on the full when passing to a leading player heading towards the boundary, and have to have awareness of whats around you. We made numerous errors in these areas all night and were made to pay for them......as every side bar one has against Geelong this year.

It just shows that while we have improved, we have a very long way to go and we can't get too carried away with a string of wins against mediocre opposition.

 

[Djevv]

I saw the first and went off to the movies ;D. Wise decision on my part.

I just watched a replay and the only thing I haver to add to what has been said is the number of set shots and gilt-edged opportunities that were wasted in the forward 50. There must have been 10. We should have kicked at least another 5 IMO.

Another thing was that I agree with the comments about the intimidation factor. I think it was a significant factor in how rushed and uncertain the team looked, and the number of turnovers.

Hopefully these things will improve as the team gains size and experience.

 

[Ian4]

I can't believe how stressed people are about this loss. I never expected to get near them in the first place. They are widely considered one of the greatest 5 teams of all time.

i agree. i just jumped onto PRE for the first time since last nights game, and you guys are giving our boys a caning. apart from mcmahon, johnson, king and our butchering of the footy, yesterdays game wasn't all doom and gloom. we held our own in the clearances, contested footy and tackles. i believe 63 points as an unjust result for us. if we had kicked straight early, we would have been in front at half time.

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

Hey, dinner was a good idea. Was it vegan grunge in a papaya leaf? Or Hungry Jack's?

Mojitos soothed the pain Jack, best idea I had all night

 

[GoodOne]

Our deficiencies were exposed by the best team we have seen for many years. Disposal and decision making under pressure by many players is still below par, but hey, I expected nothing less.

This is the key, disposal and decision making under pressure. It's something youngsters have to experience to learn how to handle. No excuses for the older players but I expect the more games like these we can play the better it will be for the youngsters. Over time, if you have the natural disposal skills you learnt o handle the extra pressure from the best teams. Geelong are simply a class above the rest of the competition at the moment.