September 26, 2007
Cats claim TRUenergy VFL premiership
Cats claim TRUenergy VFL premiership
By Ben CarbonaroGeelong (17.24.126) was crowned premiers for season 2007 when they smashed the Coburg Tigers (7.10.52) at MC Labour Park on Sunday.
A healthy crowd of close to 14,000 people were in attendance at the VFL’s biggest day and they were rewarded with beautiful weather. They also saw plenty of brilliance from a Geelong side that was buoyed by an outstanding performance from comeback hero Tom Lonergan.
Both teams had played attacking and determined football during the finals series, but the superior fitness displayed by the Cats proved to be the deciding factor.
The Cats were superb in defence during the second half as they restricted the Tigers to no goals in the third quarter and only three in the last.
Cats coach Leigh Tudor was ecstatic with the win.
“(I’m) really proud of the guys, they’ve worked really hard all year so it was a great effort,” he told ABC TV.
“It’s great to see them (the playing group) get the rewards.”
Tudor highlighted the performance of VFL listed midfielder Scott Thompson who had 30 possessions and strengthened his chances of a possible AFL rookie listing.
“Scott Thompson’s had 30 possessions in a VFL Grand Final, just magnificent,” he said.
It looked like Lonergan’s football career was all but over after a shocking collision against Melbourne last year and an operation to have a severely damaged kidney removed. But after an uneventful return against Tasmania he gradually built up strength to play the aggressive type of football he is known for.
Lonergan kept Coburg forward Jack Riewoldt to just two touches in the first half. He was switched to the forward line after the main break by Tudor in what proved to be a match-winning move. Lonergan kicked five third goals to help give the Cats a near insurmountable 61-point lead after three quarters.
Lonergan capped off a remarkable comeback when he was awarded the Norm Goss Medal for his six goal best on ground performance.
Speaking after being awarded the medal, Lonergan declared the premiership victory as “the best day of my life”.
“This is the best day of my life,” he said.
“I haven’t got the words to describe it.”
The Coburg Tigers (17.20.122) claimed the reserves premiership after defeating Port Melbourne (8.8.56) earlier in the day.
The Tigers were simply too good all over the ground, their speed and ball use too much for the Borough to handle.
Cleve Hughes kicked four goals and Steven Foster was best for the Tigers.
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April 25, 2007
Cats sink Dolphins
Geelong 1.1 9.3 10.5 13.6 (84)
Frankston 2.4 3.6 4.9 6.12 (48)
Goals: Grima 5, Gardiner 2, Varcoe 2, Johnson, Clarke, West, Couch
Best: Callan, Tenace, Owen, Bedford, Gardiner, Djerrkura
Cats sink DolphinsNick Price
A six goal burst in only 10 minutes of football set up the Bendigo Bank Cats’ second win of the season on Saturday.
In wet conditions at Skilled Stadium, Geelong had to fight very hard for their 36 point win against a determined Frankston side that were coming off a bye and a first round win against Port Melbourne.
The round 3 clash saw the VFL debut of Tom Couch, son of club champion Paul. Couch worked his way into the game to collect an impressive 21 possessions and just as importantly, made some dashing chases and well-waited handballs to show that he has all the talent to belong at this level.
Kane Tenace was simply everywhere for the Cats, racking up a remarkable 47 possessions in the win. Playing as a sweeper across half-back, Tenace set up countless attacking forays for the home side and showed the sort of form that would warrant a call-up to the AFL.
After a promising first quarter where the Dolphins seemed to have more players at every contest, they were simply blown away at the start of the second term by a Geelong side playing a direct and attacking style of football.
The goal-scoring onslaught shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone, as it has become a trend in season 2007 for the Cats. 10-goal quarters against Sandringham and Tasmania preceded this contest, evidence that when the Cats use their superior leg speed and skill to full advantage they are simply unstoppable.
Todd Grima kicked an outstanding five second quarter goals to follow up his last quarter effort in Tasmania last week. However, it was the pace and deft touch of Geelong’s indigenous players Travis Varcoe and Nathan Djerrkura that set up the win. ‘Their footy nouse and skills in the wet were fantastic. They won the game for us in the first ten minutes of that second quarter,’ Tudor said after the game.
Stephen Owen worked tirelessly in defence and Sam Hunt managed an outstanding 11 rebounds out of defensive 50 for the game.
Geelong’s attack on the football was ferocious, as they tallied a whopping 45 tackles to 13 for the game, lead by their inspirational skipper James Byrne.
Charlie Gardiner provided a target in the Geelong forward line all day taking 11 marks, and when he kicked his second goal for the day to put the home side 32 points ahead, it looked to be a finished contest.
Other young guns to impress on the day were ruckman Trent West with 14 possessions and 17 hit-outs, and Liam Bedford with 29 disposals.
Tudor was relieved to come away with the four points after the match’s conclusion. “It took a while for the players to work out what style we needed to play to win, but once we played direct and kicked it to Todd Grima one-on-one it paid off. It was a bash-and-crash game, and we’ll need to recover well to beat a well-coached side in North Ballarat next week.”
Like everyone at the ground, Tudor was impressed with young Couch’s debut. The debutant found VFL footy a little different to playing at TAC Cup level.
“There’s definitely a lot more tactics involved, and players demand more from you as well,” Couch explained.
“I’d just like to stay in the team as long as I possibly can.”
Next week the Bendigo Bank Cats play host to North Ballarat on the Sunday as a curtain raiser to the Geelong and Kangaroos AFL game. The first bounce will be at 10:40am local time.
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March 16, 2007
Read to pull on VFL hoops
Phil Read is tackled by Sydney's Amon Buchanan
Read a Cats RoverRolling waves and a new football challenge have lured former Melbourne and West Coast midfielder Phil Read to Geelong.
Read, a keen surfer, signed with Geelong's VFL team this week after he was delisted by the Demons at the end of last season.
The 27-year-old, who was best on ground for Melbourne's affiliate club Sandringham in last year's VFL grand final win over Geelong, has started training with the Cats, but will miss up to 12 matches during this season due to suspension and work commitments.
Read was rubbed out for four weeks for striking Geelong's Mathew Stokes in the VFL grand final and will also travel overseas mid-year for an eight-week work commitment.
But the Cats were still desperate to entice the hard-running rover to the club to add much-needed experience to their young VFL list.
``He is just about the perfect player for our VFL system,'' coach Leigh Tudor said.
``We have got a lot of younger on our AFL list, so we need a couple of players like James Byrne and Phil Read who have played a little bit of footy and can handle the knocks and lead the way with the strength stuff.
``We got hold of him through Cameron Ling. They have got some mutual surf buddies and at the end of the year when Phil was delisted from Melbourne we thought we should give him a ring.
``It just worked out from there that our system was what he was looking for so we're really excited to get him.''
Read said he had been undecided whether he would play this season due to his overseas work placement.
``But I spoke to Leigh Tudor and he convinced me that any involvement in the club would be awesome for them,'' Read said.
``I just love Geelong and love Torquay and have mates that live down there, so it all kind of fit in for me.
``They have such a good young squad down there so hopefully guys like James Byrne and I can help them out a fair bit around the packs and give them some confidence.''
Read said he had walked away from AFL football very proud of what he had achieved both with the Eagles and the Demons.
``The AFL journey has given me a huge head start in life,'' he said. ``I really enjoyed my first three years at West Coast where I stepped straight into the side and played every game for three years with the Wooshas (John Worsfold) and Blueys (Guy McKenna) and all those great players. That was probably the highlight of my career.''
But after he was overlooked by Melbourne's selectors following six best on grounds in a row for Sandringham last season, he knew that his journey was coming to an end.
``Melbourne was always very supportive of me and they decided to go with their young kids who really stepped up last year and that sits fine with me.''
The Cats will play the Northern Bullants in a six-quarter match starting at 9.45am on Saturday as a curtain raiser to the AFL practice match between Geelong and Melbourne.
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September 18, 2006
Cats Into Grand Final
Nathan Ablett came of age yesterday, proving once and for all he is ready for the step up to senior football.Given the interest and hype already surrounding the youngest son of the club's greatest player, it is easy to exagerrate his influence on a VFL match.
But there can be no doubt the 20-year-old, who yesterday kicked four goals in a dominant display from from centre half-forward, proved himself a class above in the Cats' 27-point preliminary final win over Williamstown.
Of his nine marks, of which most were contested, it was one of his first taken leaping high amid three defenders, all trying to punch, that stood out.
He snapped his first major on his left-foot, then nailed set shots from 30, 40 and 50m to cap an extraordinary month-long purple patch with his best game in the hoops.
Coach Leigh Tudor said Ablett's role proved vital as Geelong booked its second VFL Grand Final in five years, kicking five goals in a 10-minute burst midway through the third term to setup victory.
"He's playing AFL-style football,'' Tudor said of his best-on-ground player.
"He's had an outstanding year and his second half he's really come of age with his running and ball-use and his decision-making, everything is going really well.''
In his first known public interview after the match, Ablett thanked vocal Cats' fans for their support and said he enjoyed playing more up the ground, rather than out of the goalsquare.
"I definitely find centre half-forward better, you've got a bit more space and can do a few more things as opposed to full forward you're just leading all the time, so yeah, it was good,'' Ablett said.
"I think my fitness is improving and knowing the game I think that is really probably why I am stepping up, but as I get older I expect myself to learn a bit more and have a bit more of an influence on the game.''
Henry Playfair's shift to centre half-back also proved a masterstroke as the key tall enjoyed a new lease of life repelling many of the Seagulls' forward thrusts, particularly under pressure early in the contest.
The Cats held a narrow one-point lead at the first change and despite quickly scooting out to a 14-point buffer with Ablett on fire up forward, were two points down at the main break.
But Geelong hit its straps in the third term, winning a string of centre clearances in a five-goal blitz to take a 17-point cushion into the final quarter.
Backmen Tim Callan and Will Slade were inspirational in defence, combining to resist the Seagulls' first four forward-50m entries of the fourth term to prevent any chance of a miracle Williamstown comeback.
And when Kent Kingsely kicked his third goal, from a boundary throw-in and then his fourth and final goal from a well-judged mark backing back with the flight, the game was over.
Mathew Stokes, Paul Koulouriotis and captain James Byrne, with 28 touches and a massive15 tackles, fought hard all day in the midfield, while Charlie Gardiner also relished a push up the ground with two goals.
It was a fantastic effort from Nathan yesterday. Defintely the best I've ever seen him play and the interview came as a shock to me. Hopefully it is a sign of some new found confidence, as he has definitely been playing with it yesterday and from what I hear the week before.
It was an excellent effort from the boys. I honestly couldn't pick out a bad player on the day. Our intensity at times was something to behold and I hope the AFL players were there watching.
Overuse of the ball & poor skills were the only negatives, but then again it is the VFL and not the AFL.
I hope everybody that can gets down to MC Labor Park next weekend to support the boys in their quest for some silverware this season, despite it not being the actual one we've been looking for.
Posted by Sammy D at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2006
Semi Final - VFL Cats Vs. North Ballarat
While this game was going on I was one of the 84,000 people watching the Bulldogs absolutely pump the Pies so I'll leave Jay Clark to tell us what went on:
A new wave of exciting young Cats signalled their arrival as players in the VFL team's remarkable six-point semi-final win over North Ballarat yesterday.No less than eight first and second-year draftees played their best game in the hoops in a dramatic comeback from 36 points down in the second quarter.
Midfielders Mathew Stokes, 21, and Brent Prismall, 20, were brilliant, sharing in nearly 70 possessions between them, while Nathan Ablett, 20, starred across half-forward kicking four goals, including three which turned the game just prior to half-time.
But it was maligned forward Kent Kingsley who proved the hero in a heart-stopping-final quarter, kicking two goals from superbly-judged marks in the dying minutes to claim a memorable victory at Port Melbourne.
Down by 12 points with five minutes left, explosive wingman Jason Davenport kicked a 50m gem on the run before Kingsley's two goals, which gave him five for the match, set up a preliminary final showdown against Collingwood affiliate Williamstown at TEAC Oval on Sunday.
Leigh Tudor described the victory as his greatest as VFL coach and paid tribute to his troops, some injured and completely exhausted, for their courageous final-quarter rally.
``It was a great win, I thought it was a brave win, a hard win and win that the players scrounged out themselves,'' Tudor said.
``They proved again today that they want to play, they want to play football for Geelong and I was really happy their sprit is in the right place.''
Tim Callan and Paul Koulouriotis were both inspirational, particularly in the second half when Callan again risked serious injury taking two of the marks of the year flying across the pack.
While Koulouriotis gathered 36 possessions in just three quarters playing with a badly bruised hip and a broken thumb injured five weeks ago.
The Cats looked out of the contest midway through the second term when 18-year-old back-up ruckman Trent West swung the ascendancy Geelong's way.
For the first time in the match, West gave the Cats first use in the middle often through Prismall and Stokes, who together also shared in a massive 26 hard ball gets and 14 clearances.
Ryan Gamble, 18, also had a day out snagging four goals, including the sealer, sparking jubilant scenes in the coaches box and on the field.
Great news. Prismall is a class act, while it sounds like we'll be seeing more of Stokes, Gamble & Ablett next year. I'd include Callan in that but Thompson obviously has a problem with him.
What the hey, I might even watch next week...
Posted by Sammy D at 01:34 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2006
VFL Cats Go Down But Have Second Chance
I watched this game for a few minutes, but was hungover and really really hate Phil Cleary and if I heard him shit on about Sauntner anymore or how we had 'x' of AFL players more than them I was going to puke so here is a report somebody that isn't me wrote:
Cats down in first VFL finalGeelong’s VFL finals campaign has kicked off with a 21 point loss to Sandringham at Port Melbourne on Saturday.
In a contest that was tight all day, Sandringham was able to extend its lead at each change to progress directly to the preliminary final. The Cats will face the winner of the North Ballarat – Werribee clash in a knock out semi final next week.
Kent Kingsley booted four goals for Geelong while Henry Playfair, Charlie Gardiner and Jay Cheep each added two.
Sandringham led by six points at quarter time, 13 at half time and 19 at three quarter time before claiming the win.
The third quarter was tight throughout, with the Cats closing to within one point, however two goals deep in time on saw the Zebras move to what was ultimately a match winning edge.
Sandringham: 20.16 (136)
Geelong: 17.13 (115)Goals: Kingsley 4, Gardiner, Playfair, Cheep 2, Blake, Varcoe, McCarthy, Stokes, Byrne, Cook, Tenace 1.
Geelong play North Ballarat @ TEAC Oval on Sunday 1:10pm
Posted by Sammy D at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
April 04, 2006
Practice Match Vs Werribee
Only saw the last 10 minutes of the game so I'm going to have to rely on Nick Wade
Cats stand and deliver 4:42:09 PM Tue 4 April, 2006 Nick Wade Geelong Football ClubThe Bendigo Bank Cats asserted their intention to reverse last season’s wooden spoon performance with a comprehensive 47-point dismantlement of 2005 runner up Werribee at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
Taking a strangle hold of the match in the second quarter and continuing that dominance in the third, the Cats annihilated their much fancied rivals in nearly all areas to run out convincing winners 17-12-114 to 9-13-67.
Werribee, with the aid of a notorious Skilled Stadium breeze in the first quarter, gained the early ascendancy and looked in ominous form, but a lack of forward line efficiency kept the game tight.
The Cats’ challenge began in earnest in the opening stages of the second quarter, catching the Tigers off guard and capitalising on a spate of Werribee errors - a result of the Cats’ relentless pressure and a greater desire to win the ball.
Dictating play around the ground and generating tremendous rebounding power from defence, the Cats lifted the match intensity to new heights that simply left the Tigers behind to succumb in its wake.
Much of the same continued in the third quarter as Werribee capitulated under the weight of goals, as the Cats inflicted some of the scoreboard torture they were all too used to receiving.
The Cats were almost at full strength against a relatively full strength Werribee side, with Tim Callan, Tom Lonergan, Paul Koulouriotis, Steven Johnson, Nathan Ablett, Matthew Spencer and Brent Prismall amongst the AFL-listed participants.
Nathan Ablett and Tom Lonergan both had a day out up forward for the triumphant Cats.
The dynamic pair tore apart any aspiration the Tigers had of a revival, with the innate class in the air and on the ground of Ablett, combined with the versatility of Lonergan, proving a futile task for Werribee defenders to negate.
The duo snagged ten of the Cats’ seventeen majors between them, proving almost unstoppable.
Ablett played much of the match inside the forward 50, appearing completely camouflaged from the Tigers’ defence, as he seemingly emerged from the grand stands to kick three of his six goals from strong grabs on the goal line.
Tom Lonergan took a couple of powerful marks early on in the blustery morning conditions, standing tall as he loomed as a formidable target up forward for the Cats.
The developing forward snared four goals in an impressive display that saw him deliver some of the potential he has been threatening to unleash over the past couple of seasons.
Electrifying forward Matthew Stokes was once again outstanding for the Cats, gathering twenty-two disposals and two goals by virtue of his phenomenal work rate.
His unquestionable resolve to pick himself up after being collected by much larger opponents was a hallmark of his laudable work rate.
NAB Cup premiership player Brent Prismall was simply damaging and was the pick of the players for the Cats.
Buoyed by his successful stint in the AFL line up, the hardworking onballer was a prolific ball winner, gathering 23 disposals, and gave his teammates a
Roles Royce ride all afternoon with precision passing and continuous effort.Paul Koulouriotis was more than a handy contributor in the convincing win, rebounding from defence and also clearing the ball from the stoppages in a pleasing 18-disposal performance.
Ryan Gamble is growing in stature and confidence for the Cats, revelling in the contested situations and accommodating his teammates with smart team play.
Although he didn’t win as much of the football as other weeks, the draftee gave fans plenty of room for enthusiasm with another solid display.
Livewire forward Steve Johnson was at his artistic best at times, while at other times his lack of match conditioning was evident.
Finding space where there was none, the exciting forward set up Nathan Ablett with an inventive kick around his body close to the boundary line, as he daringly played on with his opponent baring down.
Matthew Torney continued his transformation into one of the competition’s powerhouse midfielders on Saturday, winning plenty of the football around the ground in his typically tough attack, further reiterating his value to the Cats engine room.
Captain James Byrne collected 19 touches and a goal as he primed himself for a blistering season.
The Bendigo Bank Cats’ 2006 TRUenergy season gets underway this weekend with a round one clash against North Ballarat at Skilled Stadium.
North Ballarat last week drew with Frankston in their final practice match and has struggled to post a win in their recent practice matches, including a fourteen-goal walloping against Tasmania.
This eagerly anticipated match will be the curtain raiser to the Geelong-Kangaroos match on Saturday, April 8.
Action commences at 10.30am - gates open at 10.15am.
Posted by Sammy D at 11:26 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2006
VFL Vs Williamstown
Due to Sammy D & The Kolonel having cricketing committments this weekend we have had to call in the services of catempire from the BigFooty crew for our VFL report.
I went along to my first VFL grade match in about 5 years this afternoon. I don't know if it was because it had been so long or because of the standard of this team, but I was shocked at some of the poor skills on display.There were 10 AFL or rookie listed players for Geelong:
1. King
7. Callan
12. Trent West
15. Peter Riccardi
20. Steve Johnson
27. Matthew Stokes
34. Ryan Gamble
36. Todd Grima
38. Sam Hunt
40. David WojcinskiWilliamstown won easily 15.15.105 to 9.5.59. They led comfortably for the whole match except for a minor rally by Geelong in the third quarter.
I'll rate the performances of the 10 senior players.
King played on and off the bench for the first half. He looks a million bucks and moved quite well, jumped without restriction and rucked solidly against the likes of Cameron Cloke and David Fanning. He played 10 minutes at a time then came off for a 5 minute breather. He will be better for the run and I don't see any problem with him coming back for Round 1.
Callan played off half back and was his usual courageous self. Used the ball better than most and did some nice things although also made a couple of mistakes. He copped a really heavy knock on three quarter time but when I walked out to the huddle he walked past me looking fine. Tough as nails. He will be in the mix at some stage in the season when he gains more match fitness and confidence.
West rucked when King didn't. He has a long, long, long, long, long way to go to be a senior footballer. He was soundly beaten in ruck contests by Cloke and Fanning and looks all at sea around the ground. He was tried up forward and he dropped marks and couldn't pick the ball up when it was at his feet. See you in 3 years mate.
Riccardi played the second half off the bench. Classiest player on the field by the length of the Flemington straight and he actually sparked a mini revival in the 3rd quarter with his cool head and high quality handball. Wasn't hampered at all by his hammies and will play Round 1.
Johnson came on in the second half and just roamed around as he pleased. Did a couple of nice things and slotted a very nice goal on his left in the last quarter. The run would have done him no good as he basically just walked between contests. He sprinted forward a couple of times and was surprising fleet of foot. Wasn't proppy at all and should play round 1.
Stokes played on the ball or forward for most of the match. He looked a class above the rest in terms of his skills and poise. He really looks composed and adjusted to the speed without any worry. My worry is that he really is tiny. Shannon Byrnes tiny but maybe even lighter. He copped quite a few hits throughout the match and by the end of the game you could tell they took their toll. I'd question his ability to go deep into the season when his body is likely to take such a pummelling. Hopefully I'm wrong because his skills are top notch.
Gamble was quiet playing half forward. He took an excellent contested mark early in the 1st quarter and turned around to kick it 50m to Grima in the goalsquare - an impressive passage. Other than that he hardly had a sniff. Reminded me of Mackie in his build, the way he moves and his skills. Looks like he'll be a while in the VFL and I wouldn't expect to see him at all in the 1s this season.
Grima played full forward and kicked an early goal. After looking dangerous on the lead a couple of times, he copped a very heavy knock which at the time I thought could be the end of him. To his credit, he got up and played out the quarter. I was sitting next to Varcoe and I overhead him tell another spectator that Grima was vomiting at quarter time. He played no further part in the match. Looks promising though and I'd expect him to kick a few bags in the VFL this season.
Hunt was very disappointing at full back. He generally took the resting ruckman (Cloke or Fanning) or number 35 (who wasn't listed on the sheet) and was beaten many times both on the lead and one on one. He also made a few errors by foot and got caught holding the ball on at least one occasion. This was the first time I'd seen him play so he may have just had an off one, but the signs weren't good. Would have had at least 5 goals kicked on him.
Wojcinski played the first half on and off the bench in the same periods as King and Callan. The best thing was that a couple of times he backed himself and ran with the ball. On one occasion he had a couple of bounces streaming out of defence. He also showed great pace to reach a contest and effect a spoil on a player, however unluckily (and incorrectly), he was penalised for a push. He'll certainly benefit from the run and I came away feeling positive that there were signs his pace has not been lost.
Other than that, I heard Varcoe telling his mate that he hasn't been running at all yet, just swimming and weights. He looks quite fit though and more built than I expected.
Also saw Sheringham who had a pressure bandage on his left knee. Make of that what you will.
Cheers for catempire for a great report and permission to use it on the blog!
Posted by Sammy D at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2006
VFL Practice Match Vs. Casey Scorpions
I somewhat begrudgingly gave in to the dark side and sat in the Brownlow stand to be besides The Kolonel. Here's what The Kolonel made of the days event...
A 12:30 start and a warm sunny day made for the perfect setting to watch the Bendigo Bank Cats ply their trade against the Casey Scorpions. (Who or what is a Casey?) The promise of big names returning to the Geelong side saw a VFL crowd that will probably be larger than any at Skilled Stadium during the year and despite not being shacked up on his favourite Hickey Stand wooden bench (now the Wade stand) The Chant Guys booming cheers could be heard echoing throughout the ground.
The VFL side was hardly recognisable, which will make reporting on it quite the challenge. New Boys West, Gamble and Grima were all playing, while only Callan and Sheringham were the other familiar faces. The rest were top-ups staking their claim for the upcoming season. An ideal situation given the minor importance of the game.
The game got off to a slow start, with goals being hard to come by. New Boys West and Grima filled the key forward posts for the Cats and played admirably all game. West was the surprise of the game, after a lacklustre intra club series, his marking was a real highlight at Centre Half Forward for the Cats, and left me unsure as to what role he will play during the year.
Number 2, I think that is Rob Hiller had a great game as a roaming tall, and took some great pack marks as well as being quite mobile.
To keep it brief though, I’ll move on to how the big 3 went. Ottens, Playfair and Sam Hunt.. err, I mean Wojcinski. All had very limited time (about 20 mins each) and all had limited impact. Ottens took a nice grab but proceeded to totally make a meal of the kick and barely register a score.
Wojcinski looks really fit and made 1 or 2 dashing runs along the wing. He’ll be good to go soon.
Henry didn’t really get near it, but was double teamed most of the time he spent on the park.
For the record, the Cats lost, no-one did anything to warrant getting a call-up. The big 3 are still 1-2 weeks away from senior games, and Andrew Mackie remains on the injured list.
Posted by Sammy D at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2006
Practice Match
The VFL boys are playing down at Skilled Stadium this Saturday arvo against a bunch of mugs (read: Another VFL side, but I have no idea who).
The Kolonel or I or both will be down at Kardinia Park to check out the lads and to keep an eye on Brad Ottens, Henry Playfair, Sam Hunt & David Wojcinski who play their first minutes this pre-season. So expect a report to follow.
Posted by Sammy D at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2006
VFL Cats Vs. Northern Bullants
Sammy D sent The Kolonel & Seb out to Optus Oval on Saturday to get a first hand look at our reserves on the weekend, but they were in short "weak as piss" and did not attend the game due to a "storm".
This was nothing more than a terrible excuse to hit the grog early on Saturday and they have been severely punished by being made to watch the Sydney Vs. Geelong Semi Final 2005 last quarter five times straight. Inhuman I know, but they will learn from their mistakes.
So here's the VFL report lifted from the club's website:
A SEVERE storm brought the Bendigo Bank Cats’ opening practice match of 2006 to a premature end at Princes Park on Saturday.Lightning strikes in the proximity of Princes Park forced the umpires to abandon the match eight minutes into the final quarter, with the Bullants holding the ascendancy and an unassailable lead at the time.
Within minutes Optus Oval was transformed into a swamp, as the downpour - baring the characteristics of a tropical storm - intensified.
It was a stark contrast to the impeccable weather conditions that bathed Optus Oval in the opening three quarters, resulting in the installation of a makeshift ice chamber in the Geelong race to counteract the heat and offer respite to exhausted players.
Earlier, the young Cats were simply outclassed by a far more experienced Northern Bullants side comprising nearly fifteen AFL-listed players, including 2004 Carlton best and fairest winner David Teague.Final scores were Northern Bullants 11-9-75 to the Bendigo Bank Cats 6-7-43 (match abandoned).
The depleted Cats’ line up was so undermanned that only two players with AFL experienced, Andrew Mackie and Tim Callan, lined up – but neither played the match in its entirety.
Matthew Stokes, Trent West and Ryan Gamble were the only other senior listed players to participate; while rookie listed players Tim Sheringham, Nick Batchelor and Todd Grima also played.
Andrew Mackie played just over a quarter, but provided immediate impact when he was injected into the Cats’ midfield in the third term.Tim Callan, coming back from a horrendous year of injuries in 2005, played only the first half, but showed no sign of caution as he put his body on the line on numerous occasions in his typically tough style.
The debut of promising forward Todd Grima was one shining light to emerge from the match; who although limited by opportunities up forward, presented well and took a superb mark courageously backing back with the flight of the football.
West Australian import Rob Hillier lived up to the euphoria surrounding his arrival at Skilled Stadium, negating many Bullants’ forays into attack and having the nous and composure to counterattack from the half back line.
With inspirational captain James Byrne missing, and supplementary listed players Simon Clarke, Jay Cheep and Rob Condy amongst the other noticeable absentees, to even get within striking distance of last year’s powerhouse was a commendable achievement for the Cats.
The Bendigo Bank Cats begin their stretch of four home practice matches this week when they do battle with the Box Hill Hawks at Skilled Stadium on Saturday at the amended time of 12.30pm.
With the Geelong AFL team winning their way through to the quarterfinals of the NAB Cup in Cairns on Saturday night, fans wanting a footy fix should head along to Skilled Stadium on Saturday for an instalment of VFL action.A curtain raiser between Grovedale Tigers (GFL) and the Box Hill Reserves will commence at 10.00am.
Seniors match report against Carlton to follow tomorrow.
Posted by Sammy D at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)
December 02, 2005
2006 VFL Fixture
Round 1 Vs. North Ballarat April 8 10:30am Skilled
Round 2 Vs. Coburg April 15 10:30am Skilled
Round 3 Vs. Port Melbourne April 23 2:00pm TEAC Oval
Round 4 Vs. Tasmania April 29 2:00pm North Hobart
Round 5 Vs. Frankston May 6 1:00pm Skilled
Round 6 BYE
Round 7 Vs. Werribee May 21 2:00pm Chirnside
Round 8 Vs. Sandringham May 28 1:00pm Skilled
Round 9 Vs. North Ballarat June 4 2:00pm AUSTAR
Round 10 Vs. Williamstown June 11 2:00pm Burbank
Round 11 Vs. Tasmania June 18 1:00pm Skilled
Round 12 Vs. Frankston July 2 2:00pm Frankston
Round 13 Vs. Box Hill July 9 1:00pm Skilled
Round 14 Vs. Bullants July 15 2:00pm Preston
Round 15 BYE
Round 16 Vs. Bendigo July 29 1:10pm Skilled
Round 17 Vs. Casey August 6 2:00pm Casey
Round 18 Vs. Sandringham August 13 2:00pm Barker Oval
Round 19 Vs. Port Melbourne August 19 10:30am Skilled
Round 20 Vs. Werribee August 26 10:30am Skilled
Posted by Sammy D at 11:45 AM | Comments (0)
September 02, 2005
And The Cats Ran Away With The Spoon? Kolonel's VFL Wrap Up
The sun set on the VFL season but a fortnight ago. No one cared except the Chant Guy. Even though I've written many a VFL match report I did not care. I have risked my life heading to some of the most derralict places the world’s most livable city has to offer. They’re not livable. However I have survived, and live to tell you the tale of woe that was the Bendigo Bank Cats 2005 season.
The season started as you would expect with great enthusiasm and optimism.
The practice games gave great reason for hope and Jay Clark a few cheap
headings and sub-headings about Nathan Ablett. I spent a balmy summer’s night watching Nathan Ablett for the first time put on what can only be classed as an orgasmic display at Full Forward against Port Melbourne. He finshed with 5 goals in just over a half, and the media hype began.
In fact, the Cats went through the lead up games undefeated. A barnstorming win against Bendigo and a hard fought win over Coburg ensuring they would head into the season full of confidence and keeping the players in the AFL team on their toes. Sadly the season proper was where it almost instantly began to turn sour.
The Cats didn’t kick off their campaign until round 2, after the bye in round 1. Steve Johnson (Using his name in a VFL report is almost like using it in vein, what was he doing down there?) and Matty McCarthy turned on a show against the Tasweigans in a 141-139 point shootout.
Rounds 3 through 8 saw the Cats continually flogged. Massacred if you will. There were some memorable trips to various parts of the state though, including one day at Sandrigham where I saw possibly the most intoxicated person I have come across. Box Hill provided me with the chance to heckle the silly Bogans who make the Chant guys life misery, and I also ran onto the field to get Nathes autograph. Memorable.
Round 9 was one of the few highlights of the season. After suffering a humiliating loss to the pies on Friday, we headed to Willy with the aim of drowning our sorrows. But the Cats actually won, shock horror. Led by a telling 3rd quarter display from the great McCarthy the Cats got home in a 3 point canter, and didn’t we love it!
Black Magic Bonson also debuted for the Cats, and looked really classy.
Since then he has gone walkabout. Don’t be too surprised if his name gets read out in the late 60's by Stephen Wells later in the year though. Needs to eat a bit more turtle though he is pencil thin.
Even more ghastly were the outrageous calls from the Chant Guy after the teams round 10 win in the curtain raiser against Springvale. 'We'll play finals now' he said. Not even 3 times, or expecting an accompanying oi oi oi from onlookers. His optimism was genuine, but proved to be unfounded. The Cats didn’t win again until the penultimate round, round 20.
On of these was what I will only describe as a dreadful day in Springvale. Dreadful. What a dank. I wouldn’t even steal hard rubbish from people’s nature strips. If you live in Springvale and are reading this, I pity you, but at the same time hate you.
So it was, the Bendigo Banks Cats made a mockery of the famous nursery rhyme hey diddle diddle and comprehensively ran away with the spoon. Obviously it is hard work to get a side up for games when you are Google searching for players the night before. (or at least thatss what Leigh Tudor told them he was using the internet for).
Ahhh yes, Mr Tudor. What does all this mean for you? Leigh had some pretty good players to work with most of the time, and despite the injuries and whatnot some of those performances were inexcusable. Pathetic they were and I laughed my way through many of them. Can’t say I want him doing it again but it’s the VFL and it doesn’t matter. Put a few young early draft picks into the side and not have a horrid run with injuries and you probably wind your way up the ladder at a rate of knots.
Onto my no holds barred player assessments.
The Following players are soft:
Mark Blake, Nick 'not so eligible' Batchelor. Interesting to not the Powerpuff Girls hang out together at the Eurkeka. Perhaps a romance is blossoming between two of the most buttersoft sooky girls to ever don the Hoops for the Cats?
The Following players can’t kick:
James 'I’ve gotten it so much you’d think id know how to use it' Byrne, Paul Kantkickariotious, James 'we already knew this Kolonel' Rahilly. Matthew 'good marks don’t make up for shit kicks' McCarthy
3 of the more senior players in the team most notably showed some poor foot skills throughout the season. Looking at Koula and Rahilly in particular, it keeps them out of the senior side. McCarthy could be terrific at the elite level I am convinced…ONLY if he could kick. He’s now in jeopardy of losing his spot on the list because of it.
The Following, the Kolonel likes the way they go about it:
Brent 'The sledger' Prismall, Luke 'I should be black because I can jump' Buckland, Paul 'Sarge' Chambers, Timmy Callan, Brooksy Garth.
All of these lads throughout the season showed what the senior team based itself on so well in 2004. Courage, hardwork and commitment. So many times Timmy Callan would go back hard into a contest. So many times Brooksy would crash a pack, so many times Sarge would lay ferocious tackles in the mud. So many times Priss would tell the opposition they did a 'fucken shit kick' and so many times Bucky would ascend into orbit via the agency of some poor chaps back, shoulders or even head!
Kolonels top 3 VFL players in 2005 (lets see how close I go at the VFL medal count)
1 - James Byrne - Like I said I don’t rate his disposal, but get a gets a lot of it and was always going in hard for the ball. One of the few shining lights in a sour season, the Captain will probably get back
to back awards.
2 - Cameron Thurley - really good year from Cameron. Looked crap and soft last year, but this year was good and tough. Few games in the seniors was reward for effort and looked a cut above the rest in the second half of the season.
3 - HAYNSEYYY!! - Its not a VFL report without mentioning Dessy. Always played well, always had a crack always played on when he took a mark. Misses out on AFL because Mark Thompson wants to marry Charlie Gardiner. Will finish high up.
Well girlfriends, that is all from the Kolonel for now. Hope you enjoyed the VFL reports more than I enjoyed the thought of being mugged by 4 Nigerian youths in Springvale. Until next year... err.. Go the Catters!!!!!
The Kolonel. xoxo
Posted by Sammy D at 10:57 PM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2005
Google FC Vs. Carlton's Not Quite Right
The Kolonel took a well earnt rest this weekend as he choose to sleep off his hangover & depression from the night before instead of watching the game.
So here's my short & boring report from the game at Skilled Stadium.
We went in well short as usual, our line up included some boys from up north as the club had scouted a few players over the internet. Northern Bullants on the other hand came in with a side that about half of them had played AFL before. This list included Glenn Bowyer, O'Hailpin, Wiggins, David Clarke, Houlihan, Brett Johnson, Andrew Walker, Deluca, Davies, Norman & no doubt a couple I'd missed.
Not surprisingly we are last, they're top...and it eventually showed. After being only 9 points down at half time they did what good sides do and ran away with it in the second half.
Geelong 2.2 6.5 7.7 10.7 (67)
Northern Bullants 4.4 7.8 13.10 17.15 (117)
BEST:
Geelong: Blake Spencer Byrne Trenfield Byrne Walker
Northern Bullants: Bowyer O'Hailpin Wiggins Clarke Houlihan Johnson
GOALS:
Geelong: Haynes 4 Cheep 2 Cook Buckland Thurley Lonergan
Northern Bullants: Houlihan 4 Wiggins 3 Bowyer 3 Walker 2 Deluca 2 Johnson 2 Davies
Impressive performances by players on our senior list was limited to Blakey who was fantastic in the ruck & Spencer who had an alright day. Apart from that it was a pretty bad day....even chant guy didn't bother showing!
Posted by Sammy D at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2005
It must be a Vietnamese thing
The only thing weirder than Springvillians was the dream I had last night about watching junior cricket in a local park whilst re-enacting the birth of Christ, then leading the gathering in a stirring rendition of the sesame street classic 'Oh what is the letter we love' needless to say its weird.
If there is one thing I learnt today from going to Springvale, it was to never go again. It is the shittest place Melbourne has to offer. After Connex stuffed up the timetable we arrived early into the second quarter to be greeted with the Cats leading by 14 points. 'This may be well be worth mingling with some of the players in Melbourne’s seedy underworld' I thought to myself.
A quick debriefing from the Chant Guy and I was informed that Timmy Callan had done his shoulder very early into the game, yet another setback for Fresh. I also spotted Nablett jogging around the boundary line, and when I heard Mackie was another MIA things didn’t look good. Anyways, when I arrived they had slotted 5 goals, at half time they had slotted; you guessed it, 5 goals.
It was a shit game on a shit ground. The middle of the ground was bog, the centre half forward position down the Chant Guy end was covered in sand, and the whole ground was covered in weeds. What the hell is cooch grass doing on a VFL teams ground these days?
No one impressed me in the second term, so I may as well start my assessment from the beginning of the 3rd. Well I guess I should mention Blake was crap in the second shouldn’t I? It’s not a VFL report without paying out Mark Blake.
Speaking of assessments, Nathan Ablett came out at the half to conduct a few run throughs and stretches. Given it was right next to me (he came to me, I didn’t chase him) I was able to establish he was having some trouble with his groin. But as undermanned as we were he had to play the remainder of the game from Full Forward. He didn’t get too much opportunities and was unable to chase, but got 3 charity goals so he gets his name in the paper for Geelong fans to talk about how he'll be in next week in front of the water cooler.
With Nablett moved away from Half Back, Jarred Garth was sent down to fill the void. Let’s just say Brooksy is a forward and won’t be fighting for Matty Scarlett’s spot any time soon. But as customary for Brooksy he fought as hard as he could and never gave up.
The 3rd term saw the Scorpions able to maintain a comfortable buffer ahead of the Cats, with plenty of drive coming from Turbo, Danny Byrne and Jackson Bolton through the midfield, but not being able to capitalise on chances saw us drift to a 4 goal buffer during the term.
Before I get back to the game I feel it very important to tell the readers just how much of a hell hole Springvale is. I have this quote from the Chant Guy that goes a fair way to summarising the situation.
'We drove in the back way, and there isn’t one house without junk in front of it. It must be a Vietnamese thing'
You know you are getting to the outer echelon of suburbia when the local Mosque is bigger than the footy ground, and 3 doors down some china men are doing a deal for opium in the local Chinese temple. On the way back 3 young lads were trying to nick a bike from the station, and did. If today is the last time I ever come across a Springvillian my life shall be a tad better it is fair to say.
Turbo Tenace kicked a miracle goal on the 3/4 time siren to put the Cats 3 goals behind going into the last break. It should be noted that Springvale had lost the last 10 games, Leigh Tudor calmly noted this being the masterful coach he is and called for the Cats to throw players to the ground and get the first couple of goals to put the pressure right back on them.
The skipper James Byrne was able to nail the first goal of the quarter, but as the classics go, that was as close as the Cats were able to get Springvale didn’t get scared and ran out eventual somethingarather point winners. I guess the major thing to come out the game is the extent of the injuries. I practice as a doctor but don’t have a degree so couldn’t tell you the extent of them. Some hot chicks also honked at me as I was leaving the ground, they have obviously heard about the Kolonel and wanna find out my secret herbs and spices recipe. Can’t blame 'em really.
Scoreboard -
Geelong - Yet again not enough
Springvale - High score, but not as high as the number of rapes commited in the area.
Kolonels best for Cats - Bolton, D Byrne, Tenace, The Mule, Nathe.
Kolonels best for Scorpions - Tudor, Ivan Milat, Mr Baldy, Achy Blakey Heart.
Player Reviews -
Tenace - A few dazzling runs and super goal suggest this boy is over his Flu.
Charlie - Had a crack, not a plumbers, but a go. Was pretty poor though.
Jackson Bolton - Always impresses me when he goes out there. Is lightning quick but his skills let him down. Handy VFL player though.
Leigh Montagna - I quote 'Can you take a hanger like your Dad' to Nathan Ablett. Don’t worry about that Leigh, worry about what the policemen might find in the dustbin outside your hotel room on that fateful night. We all know you did it, that’s why you are at Springvale. Quite ironic his team raped Geelong today.
Brent Prismall - Best sledger ever, not talking crap like Montagna, who cannot kick either.
Bucky - Biggest leap ever today, he was literally standing on some bozos shoulders. Makes me laugh when he does it, wish he had some footy skills. He'll win a few cars over his time I reckon.
The day turned out to be a bit of a sham really, but I did get to know the Chant Guy a lot better after spending quality time with him. Turns out he actually did feel the cold yesterday. The things he uses are not pom-poms (that’s American) and Ron Watt may not have so happy to relinquish the VFL Coaching Role.... watch this space!
The Kolonel over and out.
Posted by Sammy D at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2005
Batman A Winner, Blake Not
Maybe it has been spending the week at Bannockburn, maybe it is staying up until 3am in the morning, whatever it was today’s game against Coburg at Skilled Stadium just didn’t get me excited. Not even the Chant Guy accompanied by his weird and wonderful compadres and their low I.Q's could stimulate any sort of excitement in this game. Despite this I shall press on and give you a report of what I did see whilst I was there.
A meager crowd of about 200-300 turned out for the game, and there was a fair spread of the socio-economic differences offered by the City of Greater Geelong. The AFL guys were out in force as they usually are when the VFL is in Geelong all with cash to burn and thus sporting all the latest threads, although perhaps Corey Enright would be advised to buy a beanie that fits him.
We then have the 'Bronwlow Seat Stealers' who sit in my spot just for kicks. If I had a nickel for every time someone sat in my seat and felt cool, I'd have quite the plethora of nickels. I shall mention this chap separately, because well, he simply does not fit into many other categories, apart from perhaps scary. A solidly built chap with a long blonde plaited pony tail, with his pet Rotweiler no doubt named Brutus. Ahh yes, we were in Geelong.
The Cats started like I felt, lethargic. The Tigers piled on 5 goals to one in quick fashion and it was decided that I didn’t feel like serenading with the Chant Guy today, for starters his hired goons could not even Oi Oi Oi in sync..
Chant Guy - Brooksy Brooksy Brooksy
Hired Goon - Oi Oi Oi Oi Oi
I hate people, and will not be going out of my way to engage with anyone who cannot Oi Oi Oi just the 3 required times. Anyway some slick play lead by Andrew Mackie and Jarrod Garth saw the Cats creep back within range at 1/4 time, with the most notable thing coming out of the first term being the form of Blake and Batchelor. Now I know I may be a little harsh on these two guys sometimes, so I'll go on record as saying "I was wrong"... They are softer than I first thought. Too many times Batchelor would dish off the ball to the opposition for fear of getting tackled, and too many times Blake would do, well, nothing for fear of pain. Before I forget I will also mention Paul Koloriuotiousosusisosiasbnkjbkos did not take part in the game, so expect him to line up tomorrow as a late inclusion for.. hopefully Gardiner. Or King.
Tom Lonergan and Cameron Thurley came to the party in the second and third as the Cat Juggernaut filled with gas and put some air into the tires, but the most impressive Cat was Jarrod Garth. Batchelor and Blake take note, this chap is a hard nut and left a few Tigers holding their backs in agony after selflessly crashing a few packs inside the forward 50 on hard leads from the goal square and also pinged 3 handy goals. Many like myself would've though Cameron Thurley was a tad soft, well this guy is now as selfless and courageous as they come. Many say it is impossible to teach a player to be courageous, Thurley may be an exception to the rule, or he was just lazy last year and the scent of AFL that now fills his nostrils now drives him to new levels. He had a great game through the midfield.
Lonergan also was terrific, quick, lots of ball and played at both ends of the ground when allowed. Andrew Mackie got his skeletal frame in the wrong place one too many times and sat the majority of the second half on the bench after impressing with his classy foot skills and renewed commitment to the contest. Whilst on the subject of class I may as well mention Nathan Ablett, because the boy has a lot of it. Started in defence and went pretty well on Adam Pattison which was pleasing for many reasons. He then switched forward in the second much to the delight of the crowd, but again struggled to know where to lead. Has sensational hands in close, perfect foot skills and finished with a goal, In my best.
Anyway, Ablett’s goal put the Cats out to a 9 point in the last and it seemed a matter of how far, the only problem was, it ended up being how far for Coburg. They exploded like an explosion and kicked 5 unanswered goals to seal the game. Kelvin Moore who had a terrific battle with Spencer all day kicked a swag of goals, probably 30-40 and was a real bastard up forward for them. So in summation, the loss cane be blamed on Tudors incompetence to act when needed, and Batchelor and Blake. Because I don’t like them.
Scoreboard
Geelong - Enough until they got overrun in The last quarter
Coburg - Bloody Kelvin Moore!!
Kolonels best for the Cats - Lonergan, Thurley, Mackie, Garth, Ablett, number 58 was decent also.
Kolonels best for Tigers - Moore, Grayham, Blake
Random Reveiws
Rahilly - Played just the first half, perhaps a late inclusion along with Koula tomorrow.
Bonson – Didn’t play, so he was quiet. No doubt those Cats are trying to hide him away until November.
Bolton - Cant work out what side is his natural foot, kicks set shots with right, but prefers his left when on the run. Nevertheless poor with both.
Batman Begins - Best movie I have seen in a while, get along to it!
For those who like facts...
Geelong 4.5 8.6 13.10 14.12 (96)
Coburg Tigers 6.0 9.0 14.3 19.5 (119)
BEST:
Geelong: Spencer Sheringham Lonergan Batchelor Thurley Blake
Coburg Tigers: Pattison Roach Moore Foley Morrison Raines
GOALS:
Geelong: Cheep 3 Garth 3 Thurley 3 Bolton Batchelor Lonergan Ablett Byrne
Coburg Tigers: Moore 6 Pattison 4 Jorgensen 3 Houlihan 2 Randello Hyde Morrison Archibald
REPORTED PLAYERS:
Geelong: T.Lonergan (Geelong) for charging J Schultz (25) of Coburg Tigers in the 2nd Quarter
Posted by Sammy D at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2005
Young Pussies Hammered By Cock-a-Doodle-Doos
Who lives at Skilled Stadium under the Hickey Stand? Catbob Trackpants. That’s right folks a strange lady now haunts the Hickey Stand, possibly lives under it and has lots of Cats. She doesn’t come out very often but she did today. And I can see why she doesn't come out very often... she talks like a Crow.
Catbob tracksuit pants is a wrinkly old foe, cannot hit the fence in tune with the Chant Guy (although many cannot) and randomly says 'Go Cats' in a crow type chortling sound. We had the privilege, or lack of perhaps, of sitting near this strange lady, and given she was weird decided to start an urban myth about this godforsaken woman and her crow like voice.
Catbob Trackpants lives under the Hickey Stand with about 30 Cats, they are her only friends. Even the Chant Guy was laughing at her. She is one strange cookie. You may have heard about the crazy old hag who lived in Moorabool Street in the house with the enormous hedge, she may have actually lived in the hedge, but since the fire burnt out the hedge she has had to move on and has taken up squatting under the Hickey Stand. People in the Hickey Stand be warned: She likes apples so do not leave them unattended during games. She will send her minion Cats to fetch them.
Anyway despite being mesmerised and slight grossed out by Catbob Trackpants, I did manage to watch a game of footy. A strong wind from the word go made the Hickey Stand end the advantage end, but with all 3 emergencies not playing (perhaps a sign for tomorrow) and with so many top up players some were not even VFL listed, the young and inexperienced Cats were going to be up against it from the word go.
They looked okay in the first despite kicking to the city end, but some absolute dodgy kicking from Nick Batchelor lead to easy chances not being converted. (this boy is so soft he wouldn’t even run hard into the wind) The Roosters didn’t waste chances and opened up a tidy gap at quarter time. The skills displayed in the first quarter reminded me of the aftermath of when I ate uncooked cake mix with off milk in it, no not runny, but crap! And it was the players you would expect to hit targets, James Byrne, Paul Kantkickaritious and Kane Tenace. Matthew McCarthy was impressive early marking strongly across
half forward and played another terrific game, making sure after Charlie Gardiner and Andrew Mackie put in donkey games this week they will not be rewarded with another chance.
In the absence of Tom Lonergan, that man Ablett stepped up to play his best game for the Cats this season at centre half back. The kid is strong, so much so he was able to win one on one contests with man mountain Stephen Jurica. His skills were again sharp and his one percenters were also terrific. The second quarter didn’t go as well as planned with the Roosters outscoring the Cats into the breeze taking a handy 20 point lead into the main break with the Chant Guy only being called upon 3 times in the half.
Desperately needing a focal point in the third term, Jarrod Garth and Matty McCarthy came to play in the 3rd, leading and marking strongly. But despite their best efforts the Cats still surrendered an extra 9 points to the margin and the chance of a revival was slim. Mark 'I cant believe he’s not butter' Blake returned to form after an uncharacteristically good game last week. His partner in crime Nick Batchelor also played poorly and another joke about how soft they are goes as follows, they are so soft they won’t hit targets. That would explain a lot. Batchelor is the worst kick on the list, while Blakey is a puny little weakling who gives away more free kicks than Cameron Mooney. Let’s see if Phat reads this...
After last week saying Koula should’ve been selected now I am at odds, as well the GFC may be. The decision to include Prismall ahead of him for the Brisbane squad may well send a few alarm bells ringing in his head, if they did he didn’t respond accordingly and everything went wrong for him today. Surfie dude Simon Clarke was a revelation at centre half back. The lad is tall, athletic has good skills and looks a player.
The Cats were valiant in the last, but an undermanned midfield and a crap ruckman taboo meant any remarkable comeback was but a pipedream. Kudos to Matty McCarthy who finished with 4 goals and was dubbed by the balding ugly runt number 2 from North Ballarat (not to be mistaken with the bald ugly number 7) Grieg as 'the worst fucking kick In Australia'. Speaking of the Kolonel kicking for goals, At half time the Kolonel showed up the city end bobby, conversation as follows..
Bobby - Hey Kent, get of the damn field!
Kolonel - Just watch me drill this straight through the middle
- Ball sails straight through from a tight angle 3/4 post high 30m out (no bull)
Kolonel - Hahaha yeeeeeaaah! You like that bobby?
Bobby - If only the real Kent could do that
Kolonel - So true
Scoreboard -
Geelong - Old Habits
North Ballarat - Take home the Biddiscombe cup
Kolonels best for the Cats - McCarthy, Garth, Buckland, Ablett, Clarke
Kolonels best for Roosters - Blake, Batchelor, Nathan 'Porn Star' Braddock.
Random player reports -
Kane Teance - He is quick and has a few runs, but doesn’t find much of the ball and seems to get stuck on the left side a lot. Disappointing to say the least.
Chant Guy - Has some strange friends, very strange. One copped a spray for taking the flag pole out the flag he uses for a windsock and as a result he didn’t have time to show the player the wind direction and they resultantly missed.
Cameron Thruley - Not his best game, but is now a class above this level.
Buckland - Found some form and was really good at spoiling leads today, which isn’t an easy thing to do. Good game.
I shall summarise the game in the loud words of James Byrne after he dropped mark, this was quite possibly the loudest F-Bomb
the Kolonel has ever heard.... FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK!
North Ballarat 14.15 (99)
Geelong 10.11 (71)
Geelong Goals: M.McCarthy 4, J.Garth 2, C.Thurley, M.Spencer, J.Byrne, J.Cheep
Posted by Sammy D at 07:30 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2005
The Chant guy is happy - the VFL Cats must've won!
The Kolonel...
From the outside, the Cats are seemingly languishing near the wrong end of the VFL ladder. The Chant Guy however, would put his house on them as starters for this year’s final series. The Kolonel won’t go as far as that, but is certainly liking what he sees at the moment.
A beautiful sun greeted the Kolonel as he awoke from his slumber at 8:30, the first time he had since goodness knows when. After making the trek to Skilled Stadium for the 10:30 start I took up my seat in the warm sunshine and looked forward to seeing the same committed effort that I saw last week, and gladly I got it.
Unfortunately Rowan Bonson did not play, nor did Matthew Egan, Egan to later be an inclusion for Tom Harley. Still, the Cats received the boost of Tenace and Lonergan back into the side. Whilst Tenace was fair, Lonergan was very good across the full back line and across half forward in the last quarter.
I must admit I do find it funny that he plays in the AFL team as a Forward, Full Forward if you will, yet due to necessity must line up at full back in the VFL. Anyway the Cats got off to a good start in the first half and were comfortable 3 goal leaders at the break. Paul K
Adam Cook got reported in the second term for fixing up number 13, the guy everyone seemed to hate, he was also fixed up later by Danny Byrne and both will have to appear before the tribunal during the week. It was Cooks only stat for the game. The Kolonel is clueless why a player aged in their mid to late twenties and struggles to get a kick in the VFL is worth persevering with.
Clearly it has come from Mr. Mediocrity himself, Leigh Tudor.
Matt McCarthy also continued his rich vein of form, taking strong marks, crashing packs and kicking well enough to ensure some confidence remained in his ability to play at AFL level. Unfortunately he didn’t take part in the last quarter and received a lot of treatment to his upper leg/ fruit bowl area.
McCarthy has been the key to the teams rise in the last two weeks, offering a focal target for running midfielders. His ability to mark the ball also gives the midfielders the confidence to kick long to him at every chance. Cameron Thurley also played a top game showing he had a glimpse of senior footy, and liked what he saw. The thing that has stood out for the Kolonel has been his improved commitment to the contest, which along with his polished skills will make him a valuable asset.
Nathan Ablett has given up chasing shadows, and is now intent on stopping his man, and putting a bit of pressure on him also. He continues to improve and his skills out of the back half on both sides has real polish about them. It makes the Kolonel happy.
The second half saw the Cats continue to play the same way and really choke the Springvale side with great pressure and intensity. The scorpions never really challenged and the Cats came away comfortable winners.
Brett Prismall is one the Kolonel has really taken a liking to, and I reckon others who see this boy play will also. He’s a beautiful kick, his tackles stick and most importantly he has a bit of mongrel about his, which in my eyes makes him stand out from a few others. If he keeps playing well he could find himself in the seniors at the right end of the season.
A few weeks ago I said Luke Buckland would benefit from playing away from the key defensive post. Today is happened and today he went quite well. Very much and Enright or Milburn type, but with much superior athleticism. He is an athlete through and through, it remains to be seen if he can make the cut come seasons end and get a gig on the senior list.
After the game I ran into the Chant Guy who claims we are the bolter for the flag. With 7 of the last 9 at home and a good run with injuries this Cats team I saw today will go well, really well. Which many will tell you should've been happening from the start, myself included.
Scoreboard
Geelong - for the second week running more than the opposition.
Springvale - if you reckon our depth is bad then worry about st kildas equally.
Kolonels top cats - Koula Prismall Thurley McCarthy Lonergan J. Byrne
Sprinvale Springs best - Cook Batchelor Condy
Reports - Cook for spoiling number 13's broth
D Byrne for not being as good as his brother
Other players -
Kane Tenace - He was fast, he always is fast but he didn’t get a lot of ball and is carrying a few niggling injuries that kept him off the ground in the last quarter.
Mark Blake - Given where I sit, you hear things. I heard this boy counts his disposals. He counted 1 in the second term. Rucked all day and one thigh is stupidly big compared to the other.
Jarrod Garth - May well have gained the most hotly contested crown at the GFC: Worst kick for goal. If you think Playfair, Kent and Macca are bad, this guy missed everything from 25 out right in front. I still like him though.
Roger Ramjett, aka Matt Spencer - I have come to the realisation the boy is nimble for his size.
Given the imminent sale of Oasis tickets for their Australian Tour I may well boycott the footy and make myself a nice camp out in front of a ticketmaster7 for the weekend. If I don’t, I may watch the VFL game.
Rubbish Real Stats
Geelong 4.4 7.7 8.11 12.20 (92)
Scorpions 1.5 4.8 5.15 8.17 (65)
BEST:
Geelong: Blake Rahilly Koulouriotis Lonergan Prismall Byrne
Scorpions: Taylor Eames Stone Rigg Carmody Gram
GOALS:
Geelong: McCarthy 2 Batchelor Byrne Clarke Koulouriotis Garth Thurley Spencer Byrne Haynes Trenfield
Scorpions: Montagna 2 Brooks 2 Sammartino Pfitzner Gwilt Taylor
Posted by Sammy D at 11:57 PM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2005
McCarthy Slaps Willy Which Excites Cats Fans.
The Kolonel being the glutton for punishment he is ventured out to the VFL again, here's what he saw...
There will be a few Cats looking over their shoulders at training this week, after the Kolonel saw his first VFL win of the season, a 3 point cliffhanger at Burbank Oval. The Kolonel awoke at the stroke of midday to scoff a quick meal of Chinese left-overs before making the trek to the industrial cesspool that is Williamstown.
No, Willy isn’t that bad, in fact I could see me and Mrs Kolonel settling down with a nice beachfront cottage and a couple of poodles one day, as long as we didn’t have to mingle with the people. But that is expected when you attend anything that involves Collingwood.
There was a gentle offshore breeze and the weather was beautiful, making the inclusions of Haynes and McCarthy very important. It really was the perfect day for tall forwards. Cameron Thurley was also a handy player to have back and started like he really wanted his spot back in the seniors, running rampant in the first 15 minutes. Unfortunately, it looked ominous in the first with the Cats undisciplined and very scrappy moving forward managing just the one goal in the first quarter, but were kept in the game by an inaccurate Willy, who missed a plethora of chances to have a hefty margin at the first break.
Things looked promising in the second, without being spectacular. The Cats were playing as well as they had all season, without being able to break through with a couple of majors. Eventually Paul Kolourorororororitosisis mongrelled one through and they again were able to stay close: 21 points adrift at the long break.
The backline was playing quite superbly, and did so the whole game. Brenton Sanderson looked a different player this week and marshaled the troops well, including a couple of hefty sprays in the direction of a certain N Ablett, who played at CHB and was quite good. His intensity was certainly a lot higher this week and wasn’t chasing shadows, rather competing hard in contests which were quite encouraging to see. James Rahilly and Timmy Callan gave good run off the backline and could both lay claims on David Johnson’s spot, although an injury to Timmy might see his bad selection luck continue.
A quick conference with the chant guy in the middle at half time had us confident we could conjure up our second win. We felt it pivotal that young Rowan Bonson be brought into the play and unleash some of the black magic we had all heard about. Basically, we wanted him to dodge everyone on the field and kick a few goals. He didn’t quite to live up to our expectations, but the boy does have a bit of magic about him. Classy on either side and has a sublime vertical leap, kicked a very classy left foot snap in the 3rd and showed enough to hang around for a few more weeks.
We assembled at our usual end for the start of the 3rd quarter, hoping quite optimistically we could turn it around. What we got knocked our socks off! It was the Matty McCarthy show in the third, marking everything and kicking true to finish with 5 goals for the quarter. The whole side began to lift, tackling hard
putting on great pressure and playing with a real desire to win. One player who stood out for the Kolonel was Brent Prismall, whose tackles stick and has classy foot skills.
The much maligned 'Mule Boot' of David Haynes also stepped up at centre half forward, taking strong grabs bullocking hard and as usual playing on at all costs. His bizzaro twin Jarrod Garth also does some nice things, although he missed a few crucial shots in the latter part of the game. It is really quite hard to sit here and name one player who the credit should go to, because they really all did step up, even Nathan was crashing packs and running hard. So I'll just give all the credit to the chant guy.
His cheering, despite being met with 'sucks'(mostly by kiddies, but one guy who was about 40 and hopefully for him mostly 6's and 7's found it amusing also..) every time did not waver the whole game. After our dominant 3rd term we were coming home with the breeze and looking good.
The final quarter was tense, and made even tenser by the fact I really had to go to the toilet after consuming too much liquid. I just wanted that bloody siren to go! The Cats looked good early tackling hard and moving it well, without being able to get reward on the scoreboard. Matty McCarthy kicked the Cats only two goals of the last, the second from a 50m penalty which made it a Shaw thing (hehehe) and also a couple of brain melts(if he actually does have one) from Jason Cloke ensured the Cats would get up in a thrilling 3 point win. Mark Blake’s indecision almost single handedly won us the game, holding the ball for an eternity before nailing a long kick up the wing and being punched over the line. When it happens early you hate it, when he does it late you want to hug him!
At the end of the game, I didn’t really know what to do, so I used my instinct. I ran onto the ground screaming and gave Matty McCarthy a well deserved pat on the back for his heroics. Despite wearing a jumper about 3 sizes too small for him, he deserved it!
Scoreboard
Williamstown 3.7 7.8 9.10 13.13 (91)
Geelong 1.2 4.5 12.5 14.10 (94)
GOALS:
Williamstown: O'Brien 2 Davidson 2 Barling 2 Fanning Hall Cloke Dukes Lonie Walker Coates
Geelong: McCarthy 7 Torney Bonson Buckland Spencer Garth Byrne Koulouriotis
Kolonels best for Cats - Rahilly McCarthy Egan Haynes Thurley Cloke
Kolonels best for Willy - Cook
A few players...
Sando - Could come back, he was pretty valiant in defence and ran out most of the game. Given DJ's injury and Joshs' report he is every chance to play.
Sarge - Sarge > King.
Koula - Not as good as I was perhaps hoping, although he is a chance to play this week if the axe is to fall.
McCarthy - Hard to keep out after today, if H doesnt come up, he’d be a certain inclusion in my Book.
Rahilly - Kicked accurately, could get a gig.
Nathe - Improved out of sight. Good to see.
Well that wraps things up for this week, let’s hope I can report back with a few more wins like these!
It’ll certainly be a much better way to get things done, and you can pay out all the little kids also! But I'd do that anyway.
Kolonel.
Posted by Sammy D at 08:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2005
Everything But The 4 Points
Box Hill Vs. Geelong
Box Hill Hawks 6.3 13.9 19.14 21.20 (146)
Geelong 3.2 4.3 7.7 10.8 (68)
BEST:
Box Hill Hawks: Sewell Lonie Holland Nixon Millwood
Geelong: Spencer Egan Byrne Prismall Callan Chambers
GOALS:
Box Hill Hawks: Holland 5 Harvey 3 Little 2 Miller 2 Alleway 2 Murphy 2 Howat Sewell Height Lonie Jansen
Geelong: Buckland 2 Spencer 2 Garth 2 Cook Chambers Koulouriotis Batchelor
The Kolonel watched things unfold for Voice of The Outer...
The Box Hill City oval was the latest crime scene for the latest mauling for the Bendigo Bank Cats and the Kolonels world tour of Victoria. We have so far been to many settings and belted by many teams, the Cats had consistent footy instilled in them by coach Leigh Tudor who must surely be next in line for a senior coaching gig somewhere.
The Chant Guy opted for a fleecy jumper due to the cool conditions that greeted us at the ground. The Ground was a mud pit in the middle which I thought would suit that tough in and under players of the Cats like Blake and Batchelor. The Cats were disappointing to say the least in the first quarter with Mark Blake winning hit outs, Rahilly hitting targets and Jarrod Garth kicking straight to see the Cats keep within a goal for most of the first stanza.
The Chant guy & I sang a lovely duet each time the Cats kicked a goal, meaning by the end of the first quarter all the Box Hill fans were pissed off and I had managed to make an idiot of myself. Objective number 1 ticked off the list. Young aboriginal boy Rowan Bonson unfortunately didn’t play, and neither did Mule Boot David Haynes, ending speculation during the week we would see the two Mules face off: Haynes verses Mule Face Josh Thurgood, who gave away 5 free kicks during the game for being ugly, and was reported for indecent exposure.
The second quarter the Cats played possessed, a Leigh Tudor spray during the break must’ve inspired them to play insipid football, kicking just one goal and conceding 7. Nathan Ablett spent the majority of the quarter on the pine, channel 7 reporter Craig Hutchinson believes this was because they were selling pies at the game, expect a full report about tomorrow on channel 7 news.
Matthew Egan played a sterling game at Full Back, without looking at the stats I'd say he was our leading possession getter, and should be either promoted or dropped. His hard tackling, selflessness and courage does not belong in any team coached by Tudor. Tim Callan also plays the game in this way, no doubt waking up Monday morning a very, very sore boy after going in hard pack after pack.
The third term and there was no chance of a Liverpool type comeback for the Cats, they are just too undisciplined to let that happen, and it must've had Leigh Tudor grinning from ear to ear in his tin shed excuse for a coaches
box. Nick Batchelor typifies this, kicking the ball before he gets it in an effort not to get any attention from opposition players, and skirting the outside of the packs looking for cheap kicks, which didn’t work because
Jay Cheep spent the majority of the game on the bench. Anyway, the Cats conceded another 6 goals and a 100 point flogging looked on the cards, this young teams best effort yet.
Unfortunately Matt Spencer played a very good game at centre half forward, taking 5-6 strong grabs up the ground and kicking a couple of goals in the last. Luke Buckland who will be cut at the end of the year kicked a couple of goals in the second half also, and nearly took mark of the... A.D, but couldn’t hang on. Buckland is a very athletic player but it gets him only so far. His skills and defensive efforts are flawed and hasn’t done nearly enough to get promoted next season.
Brent Prismall played a good last term and had a pretty solid game. He was the pick of the midfield bunch and when he learns to find the ball to match his silky smooth skills will be a player to watch. Happy, they had the game won on the ground, the Hawks coaching staff sent two bogans down to tag the chant guy. Being the selfless contributor to the team I am, I felt it necessary to step in and help him...
- Matt Spencer kicks a goal -
Kolonel - Yes! The Cats are back, now we get to do Oi,Oi,Oi with the Chant guy!!
Silence....
Kolonel - Hey Chant guy, what about Oi,Oi,Oi??
Hawkswhore - Go back to Geelong you loser, the Cats suck (at the Chant guy)
Kolonel - Yeah, and peroxide hair is cool....
Chant Guy - Spenner Spenner Spenner
Kolonel - OI OI OI
Chant Guy - Spenner Spenner Spenner
Kolonel - OI OI OI
Chant Guy - Spenner
Kolonel - OI
Chant Guy - Spenner
Kolonel - OI
Chant Guy - Spenner Spenner Spenner
Kolonel - OI OI OI
During this time, Hawkswhore has proceeded to say "sucks" after everything the Chant Guy said..
Kolonel - I'll see you at Centrelink on Thursday love!
Anyway, the Chant guy had the last laugh with the Cats outscoring the Hawks in the last by a point and the Kolonel getting the best of the skanky hawks whore and her deadbeat brother/husband/cousin.
You’d think that when the siren sounded we'd walk home content with seeing another percentage boosting win, but my main objective was yet to come. That was to get Nathans autograph. Admittedly, he showed a little more than he had in previous weeks, winning a few one on one duels, laying tackles and ending with 10-15 touches. He has nice skills, is powerful one on one, but is yet to learn how to play the game. Anyway, I got my wish at the end of the game said G’day to him gave him a pat on the back and parted ways knowing I could sell the number 23 hoops I donned with his signature on it for about 500 bucks on e-Bay. No, I won’t do that but what I will do is ask the VFL for a please explain. How can the Hawks fit Nick Holland and John Barker under the salary cap. I mean VB is $3.50 but still, that’s a lot of raffle tickets. He must be getting paid more than the club makes in revenue each year. And to all the Hawks fans who cheer Nick Holland - You make me laugh. Ha! HAHAHAHAHA. How can you cheer a VFL player who is your highest paid player? Is it because his contract is to end soon or are you just idiots.
Kolonels best for the Cats - Egan, Spencer, Prismall, Garth, Callan, Chambers.
Kolonels best for the Hawks - Buckland, Condy, Batchelor, Blake.
Significant others -
Sanderson: Played 3/4's so I guess that is a positive.
Koula - Played most of game in midfield, probably 20 tocuhes. Kicked a nice goal, still needs to lift
to make return.
Surfie Dude (aka Simon Clarke) I like his style, athletic tall who worked hard and could hold head high.
Posted by Sammy D at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)