AFL 2024: Likes and dislikes from the Cattery from Round 8

Chris Scott said the early call on Rhys Stanley wasn’t down to his performance. The numbers say otherwise. Plus, an unheralded Cat should be in All-Australian contention.

Geelong players after the loss to Port Adelaide. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong has lost its last two games after stunning the competition with seven consecutive wins.

And it doesn’t get any easier in the next fortnight with a trip to Darwin to face Gold Coast and then an important clash with Greater Western Sydney.

It was a tale of two halves in their loss to Port Adelaide and there was no shortage of talking points.

See all the likes and dislikes from the round eight.

Jason Horne-Francis is chased by Rhys Stanley. Picture: Michael Klein

DISLIKES

1. STANLEY SPIN

Geelong coach Chris Scott said post-match that Rhys Stanley’s early subbing was an aggressive play with the game slipping away and not because of his performance. The numbers say otherwise. Stanley and fourth gamer Dante Visentini were matched up in 21 direct ruck contests and the Power scored 25 points to zero from stoppages in that period. Port Adelaide won 12 clearances to six and Visentini had four hit-outs to advantage to Stanley’s one. Remarkably, his exit from the game was the earliest tactical substitution since the beginning of last year. It compounded a disappointing three-week stretch where he has had minimal impact while his opponents have impressed. Carlton won 29 clearances to 17 in the 59 ruck contests between Marc Pittonet and Rhys Stanley and piled on 8.7 to 3.1 from clearances. It was a more even ledger between Stanley and Max Gawn, but the Melbourne captain tore him apart in the final quarter with the game on the line. Jarrod Witts is a daunting proposition for the Cats on Thursday night and if Toby Conway is passed fit, he will surely be right in consideration.

2. CAMERON COMPLICATIONS

The AFL and the AFLPA has ticked off the process that allowed Jeremy Cameron stay on the ground after a head knock and then subsequently enter concussion protocols the next day. While it appears due process was followed by Geelong, it highlights the delicate issue of concussion in the modern game and just how cautious club medical staff must be. From a pure football perspective, it means the Cats are without one of the game’s best forwards as well as Tom Hawkins, if Chris Scott sticks to his commitment to rest him. Shannon Neale deserves another chance, having performed strongly at VFL level and kicking three goals in his only senior game this season against North Melbourne.

Should Jeremy Cameron have been forced to come from the ground for a HIA? Picture: Fox Footy

3. STOPPAGE CONCERN

Geelong’s overall profile is strong. The Cats rank among the top six teams in attack, defensively and post-clearance according to Champion Data. But the Cats are vulnerable at the contest, ranking 14th for scores conceded from stoppages, and that weakness was exposed on Friday night. Losing the clearance count is one thing, but a premium is placed on scores from clearance. Geelong conceded 39 points from clearances in the first half alone – 20 of those from centre clearances. Yes the Cats were without Patrick Dangerfield, Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes, but Port Adelaide was missing its captain Connor Rozee. A midfield that should regain Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes will be tested again against a formidable Gold Coast centre-bounce unit in stoppage friendly conditions in Darwin.

LIKES

1. Guthrie AA?

Zach Guthrie has been the shining light from Geelong’s winless fortnight. He has been his side’s best player in both losses to Carlton and Port Adelaide, picking up another 24 disposals, nine intercepts – four of those marks – and a goal on Friday night. The defender’s improvement is so significant that he should be right in consideration from All-Australian selectors. The 25-year-old is having more offensive impact this season and his reading of the play has been first class, rating elite for intercepts, intercept marks and one-on-ones and above average for metres gained and pressure. If the form of Guthrie and Gryan Miers continues we could see two first-time Cats with All-Australian jackets.

Zach Guthrie has lifted his game this season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

2. MULLIN THE MID

In just his ninth game, Oisin Mullin was given the unenviable task of trying to quell the influence of Jason Horne-Francis after being brought on as the sub in the second term. To that point, the No. 1 draft pick was the best player on the ground with 15 disposals, seven contested possessions, five clearances, five score involvements and a goal. For the remainder of the game he kept him to 10 touches, one score involvement and two clearances while winning 10 disposals, seven contested possessions and laying five tackles himself. It wasn’t the luck of the Irish, either. The former Gaelic sensation has the speed and power to keep up with a player like Horne-Francis, and it suggests he has potential to be used as an effective centre-bounce midfielder in the future. Will we see him go to Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson or Touk Miller on Thursday night?

Oisin Mullin has potential as a midfielder. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

3. STENGLE SHINING

Since being subbed out goalless with a minor calf complaint in round one, Stengle has fired in a big way. The 25-year-old has slotted an accurate 18 goals and six behinds in his last eight matches, kicking multiple goals in six of those. His lively four-goal haul in the loss to the Power was arguably his best for the season, going back and drilling three set shots in the second half – the most difficult of those putting the Cats within seven points at the death. It could have been a handful to Stengle had had he not gifted one to Brad Close in a better position. He ranks equal ninth in the competition for goal assists with the same number as assist king Gryan Miers.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Likes and dislikes from the Cattery from Round 8