Post Match. Cats pip Pies All comments.

[Magpietothemax]

We still have Finn McCrae, Caleb Poulter, Trey Ruscoe who displayed plenty of talent and potential last year, yet to play a game in 2022. We will be able to rotate our youngsters throughout the year. I am thrilled that our new game style is allowing this talent to express itself. I love what our team is producing right now.

[Lazza]

[Jezza]

Chin up guys.

I was a little deflated immediately after the game. Upon reflection, I feel upbeat about the direction we're heading in. There's a lot to be excited about despite the manner of the defeat which stings because we relinquished a 37 point lead.

Geelong are a battle hardened and experienced team. They're not the sort of team to panic even if the game is going against them at various stages. Everyone did note pre-match that their talls and bigger bodied players would be our biggest challenge which proved to be the case in the final quarter.

The first half was good in a lot of areas except in front of goal. Missed too many shots early, which haunted us later on.

The third quarter was outstanding. Won the clearances, moved the ball quickly and started getting rewarded on the scoreboard. That part of the game is what will keep supporters optimistic going forward. It was great to watch.

The last quarter collapse occurred because we lost the centre clearances badly and we tired ourselves out after exerting ourselves hard for the first three quarters. We simply need to get fitter, but that takes a few pre-seasons for it to show tangible results especially among younger players.

Tonight is a good lesson for the young players and our coaching staff and will hopefully serve us well going forward in addressing our weaknesses. It's going to be a season of ups and downs, but everyone was prepared for that.

The long term aim for the recruiters is to find a proper key forward which we've been lacking for years. We have a lot of good mid-sized forwards but that reliable tall marking forward is essential in winning premierships.

If someone said we'd be 2-1 and nearly 3-0 before the season started, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

Play with the same intensity as we did tonight against West Coast next week, I'm confident we'll rebound with a strong victory.

[Magpietothemax]

Fly's presser was fantastic. While disappointed with not getting the 4 points, the main emphasis of his comments was on the positive aspects of our performance tonight. He confirmed that our chaotic, high energy game style was taxing, and we are finding out about ourselves. We have found out that we need to get better at sustaining it. He did not think it was a physical issue, but more one of a mental challenge. A mature, experienced opposition won t allow you to keep playing the way you want, so we have work to do in building up the necessary levels of focus and cohesion. He also mentioned that our defensive system collapsed in the last quarter, and we need to draw the lessons. He loves Ginnivan, and doesn't care if he dyes his hair pink while he brings to the table what he is currently doing. He also mentioned that there are several players in the VFL currently waiting in the wings, pressing their case for selection. The warmth and optimism in his comments and manner were so refreshing, and reassuring. I think we are heading in a very positive direction.

[Cam]

Rather have our team than Geelongs. They are getting wins today and sacrificing the chance at higher things later on in the season. Their old guys haven't got enough in them to face a fresh faced unit and survive deep into the finals. We are coming, like a tidal wave.

[#26]

Young players getting tired doesn't explain why we got slaughtered for clearances out of the middle in the last quarter. Plenty of senior players went missing too.

[Lazza]

[Quincy]

[swoop42]

When you're up against a side with 2 AA quality key forwards you need your best key defender to sacrifice their attacking inclinations and be given a more old fashioned lock down role on one of them for the night. Without Roughead in support this was even more critical.

Moore for all of his ability has a habit of giving his opponent to much freedom and puts to much faith in his own ability to read the play or make up the ground required because of his athleticism.

Moore should have been given the task on Hawkins, Maynard on Cameron when he pushes up the field with Howe roaming the D50 in support when he plays deep.

[think positive]

[Jezza]

Fly's post match presser:

What did you say to the players after the game?

[RudeBoy]

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.....but didn't. A very disappointing way to lose a game we had all but won at 3/4 time.

Obviously our errant kicking in the first half probably cost us the game, but nevertheless, we should have been able to hang on from 5 goals up at 3/4 time.

We all wish we had a top key power forward, but we don't. We will have to make do with a combination of Mihocek, Cameron, Krueger and occasionally Cox this year.

We probably still need another strong bodied in and under midfielder to relieve some pressure on our current midfield group. By the last quarter, they had run out of legs.

Our defence is still missing one good tall, so Madgen will make way as soon as Roughead is available.

On the bright side, we showed in the 1st and especially the 3rd quarter, that we are capable of playing exciting match winning football against top opponents. We just need the fitness to be able to sustain that ferocious pressure for longer. It will come.

We are getting good experience into the likes of Henry and Ginnivan, and they will only get better. I think we've found a player in McInnis.

On this form, at 2 wins from 3 games, we are still tracking to make the final 8.

[Jezza]

[Jezza]

[think positive]

thanks for the presser Jezza, much appreciated,