How good are the Cats?

[GVGjr]

They looked in fantastic form the other night and we will need to be at our best to beat them on their home ground.

Typically we have close games against them but how do you rate our chances?

[Mantis]

Re: How good are the Cats?

They looked in fantastic form the other night and we will need to be at our best to beat them on their home ground.

Typically we have close games against them but how do you rate our chances?

I'm not sure that our best will be good enough.

One thing for sure is that we have to tackle and chase bloody hard when they have the ball, use the ball well when we have it and fight like cat and dog (pardon the pun) to win the contested ball.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Geelong have lifted into another gear and are playing very well. The only concern I have is playing them at Shell stadium, I know we have beaten them before there and have a good record. If we do beat them it will be a huge psychological advantage come finals time. Guess we will know in a few weeks time.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: How good are the Cats?

I don't think they've been playing as well as last season, tho the past fortnight they have towelled up WCE & Adelaide.

This year it seems like they know what they are capable of & only apply it spasmodically, when challenged or when it suits them.

At times I think they just know that going through the motions for the most part because someone will always lift for them.

Some sides appear beaten before they even get out on the park. They have established a mindset amongst some opposition teams who appear more worried about trying to stop specific individuals, much to their own detriment.

Of course they cam be beaten. Take them on with a specific plan, stick to it & above all, stop the drive they get from their backline. Don't allow Milburn to peel off to make it a 2 on 1, try to take him away from the ball as much as possible. Make sure Scarlett has an opponent, someone who will make him pay on the scoreboard if he shows no respect.

[LostDoggy]

Re: How good are the Cats?

I cant wait to play this mob. We will have no pressure to come away with the win because we will go in under dogs.

[The Pie Man]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Reviewing both lists at full strength, they've got the edge on us. Flags are won by clubs not hit hard by injuries, and both Geelong and us haven't been hit hard....so far. Long time to go before September.

They had their 'if it bleeds, you can kill it' night against Collingwood, but they've been scary good since. Still, Lake can shut down Mooney, our backline can match up well with the rest of their forwards - it will be interesting to see how well we can enter our forward 50 against them in a fortnight. Adelaide constantly broke down at half forward on Friday, and give them the opportunity to run and move the pill from half back and it's all over.

[JimmySewell]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Reviewing both lists at full strength, they've got the edge on us. Flags are won by clubs not hit hard by injuries, and both Geelong and us haven't been hit hard....so far. Long time to go before September.

They had their 'if it bleeds, you can kill it' night against Collingwood, but they've been scary good since. Still, Lake can shut down Mooney, our backline can match up well with the rest of their forwards - it will be interesting to see how well we can enter our forward 50 against them in a fortnight. Adelaide constantly broke down at half forward on Friday, and give them the opportunity to run and move the pill from half back and it's all over.

the best thing for us is that we have 6 really awesome forwards, and they will have to be accountable - so i am confident that they will also find it hard to stop us from scoring - so if we can match it with our backs and our midfield, we are in with a show !

jim

[Go_Dogs]

Re: How good are the Cats?

I rate our chances pretty highly and I certainly don't think we should be scared of the Cats. (I must say though, I thought Port could well win last years flag, until about the 5 minute mark of the first quarter).

For me, we just have more match winners over the ground - guys capable of tearing a game apart. Geelong have a few blokes who can do this too - but we have more.

I want to see a bit of arrogance when we play them too. Make them scared to put their head over the ball, scared to give us space, scared of our skills and speed.

With the right application defensively, and everyone working at 100% I think we're as good a shot as any side to beat them. Historically over the past few years we have matched up very well on them and played some rippers...I think we match up even better now than we have previously.

[The Pie Man]

Re: How good are the Cats?

I don't think they've been playing as well as last season, tho the past fortnight they have towelled up WCE & Adelaide.

This year it seems like they know what they are capable of & only apply it spasmodically, when challenged or when it suits them.

At times I think they just know that going through the motions for the most part because someone will always lift for them.

Some sides appear beaten before they even get out on the park. They have established a mindset amongst some opposition teams who appear more worried about trying to stop specific individuals, much to their own detriment.

Of course they cam be beaten. Take them on with a specific plan, stick to it & above all, stop the drive they get from their backline. Don't allow Milburn to peel off to make it a 2 on 1, try to take him away from the ball as much as possible. Make sure Scarlett has an opponent, someone who will make him pay on the scoreboard if he shows no respect.

Yep, completely agree. Scary good how quick and skillfully they move ot from the back half. We had the perfect plan for the Hawks, very interested in what we have in store for the Cats. This game should be switched from Skilled

[LostDoggy]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Tag Ablett and move the ball quickly. Out run their one paced midfield.

[Rocket Science]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Not seeking to understate their accomplishments and recent form, but would argue Geelong haven't faced much in the way of legitimate opposition their past three outings.

Port are a disorganised rabble and were ripe for the picking, West Coast might as well not have shown up at all such was their level of opposition, while Adelaide capitulated five minutes in and was never in the hunt. The Cats' last 'test' was a middle of the road North Melbourne a month back who they only knocked over by a couple of kicks on the back of a seven goal bag from Mooney.

By no means suggesting they're at all overrated, they've handed their last three opponents their respective arses, but am looking forward to the challenge in a fortnight's time with intrigue.

[Twodogs]

Re: How good are the Cats?

A fit Tommy Williams is the key for us. Him running out of the backline and Lake lurking deep in defence is vital to us beating them. Lake can match Mooney who tends to stay close to goal and if he has to stray up field to cover Tom's absence then Mooney will kick mutiple goals without Lake spoiling every mark he goes for.

[Twodogs]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Not seeking to understate their accomplishments and recent form, but would argue Geelong haven't faced much in the way of legitimate opposition their past three outings.

Port are a disorganised rabble and were ripe for the picking, West Coast might as well not have shown up at all such was their level of opposition, while Adelaide capitulated five minutes in and was never in the hunt. The Cats' last 'test' was a middle of the road North Melbourne a month back who they only knocked over by a couple of kicks on the back of a seven goal bag from Mooney.
By no means suggesting they're at all overrated, they've handed their last three opponents their respective arses, but am looking forward to the challenge in a fortnight's time with intrigue.

I rmember the game but which umpire was he? That game was the most abysmally umpired game I've seen in years. All the decisions went the way of Geelong too.


Strongly concur with the rest of the your post too. They played in fits and spurts on friday night.

[hujsh]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Tag Ablett and move the ball quickly. Out run their one paced midfield.

That's true. Ablett is all the pace they have in the middle and the rest is from the defense or forwards pushing up the ground.

Can't have Harley Milburn and co taking marks from our forward 50 entries. Enter Minson. Must play like he did vs St.Kilda rd3 where every ball hit the deck due to him

[LostDoggy]

Re: How good are the Cats?

Tackle like we did against Swans and Brisbane and we will be very competitive. Tackle like we did against Collingwood and we'll get hammered.