An offer I couldn't refuse
“Just when I think I’m out they pull me back in”
– Michael Corleone, Godfather III
Listening to the game on Sunday, this famous quote from Pacino’s most famous character kept running through my head. Last week Geelong was all over Melbourne like stink on fish and once again, having seen them first hand, I was a believer. Screw Hawthorn and their gutless flooding tactics, screw Tasmania and their silent siren and screw the wind, the most useless of elements; I was convinced.
The Cats were tenacious the past 2 weeks; quick, physical, precise, aggressive and accurate. It was great stuff, and seemed like almost too much to take in; Nablett, Hatchet, Wojcak… Both games were over at half-time and I was full confidence that Geelong were the real deal, that we wouldn’t have that let down game we all expect and that we could mix it with anyone in the league, no matter what ground their soul-less drive for money takes them to. And then this. Just when you think you’re out…
So with the head of the Corleone Crime Family’s words ringing in my head, I thought it might be wise to heed some of the Godfather’s other advice and re-visit some of the gems of wisdom that Michael passes down to his nephew Vinny (played by an alternately crooning/yelling Andy Garcia) and see how Geelong can learn from the Godfather.
“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.”
To Paul Chapman, Cam Mooney, Matt Scarlett and the other hot heads of the team. For the Cats to become and remain an elite team they need to maintain discipline at all times, resisting the various personal conflicts that arise and stick to business. That is of course, until we play Sydney; then all bets are off and I personally hope we witness the first ‘hit’ during a game.
“Never let anyone know what you are thinking.”
To Lips Thompson, whom has probably been guilty of being too predictable in the past, and perhaps too revealing with the media. I also think too often coaches get caught up in how they want to play, regardless of conditions or opposition; there is nothing wrong with adjusting your tactics depending on whom and where you’re playing. Taking an example from cricket, spinners play on spinning pitches and fields are adjusted for each batsmen. This clashing of styles could help explain how certain teams seem to ‘match-up’ better than others. And occasionally I’d like to see him throw a curve ball at us, like isolating Gary Jnr deep in attack a bit more, throwing Mooney on the ball occasionally and perhaps forgetting that Hank Playfair ever existed.
“When they come, they come at what you love.”
Although this one could have been for ‘Tickets’ Bartel and his hairhouse/warehouse VIP discount card, it’s actually for the Geelong Advertiser and other gushing media reports, not to mention the players, getting ahead of themselves. Whether or not it is fair, Geelong has been cast as a team liable to ‘believe its own press’ during times of good form. Being a one-team town and having a newspaper whose sole purpose is to feed this fire probably doesn’t help, but the respective Perth and Adelaide teams have been able to handle it, so why not Geelong? Personally I blame the ‘ice’ epidemic.
“Your enemies always get strong on what you leave behind.”
As good as Geelong were against Melbourne, in the last quarter they kicked 1.9, missing a few gimmes and failing to really bury Melbourne when it was clear that’s what they thoroughly deserved. Against Hawthorn they kicked 9.18. The Cats need to take their chances up forward and kick straight, especially against the better teams. Too often wasted opportunities have been the tale of Geelong losses and this year we can not afford to let goals go begging. Take note Shannon ‘Point’ Byrnes.
“The higher I go the more crooked it becomes.”
This applies to finals and expectations. The more you win the more pressure there is to keep winning. The media will focus more on you, opposing coaching staffs will study your game plan more thoroughly and players will get themselves up to play against you. And in the finals this becomes even more apparent, especially if anyone has ever seen that gym bag full of unmarked, non-sequential 50’s that Paul Roos drops off to the AFL each September.
“It’s dangerous to be an honest man.”
This one’s for me. After a loss like that, I think it’s time to break out the classic ‘Geelong pessimism’ for a few weeks. At least until we play Richmond, anyway.
“Just when I think I’m out they pull me back in”
– Michael Corleone, Godfather III
Listening to the game on Sunday, this famous quote from Pacino’s most famous character kept running through my head. Last week Geelong was all over Melbourne like stink on fish and once again, having seen them first hand, I was a believer. Screw Hawthorn and their gutless flooding tactics, screw Tasmania and their silent siren and screw the wind, the most useless of elements; I was convinced.
The Cats were tenacious the past 2 weeks; quick, physical, precise, aggressive and accurate. It was great stuff, and seemed like almost too much to take in; Nablett, Hatchet, Wojcak… Both games were over at half-time and I was full confidence that Geelong were the real deal, that we wouldn’t have that let down game we all expect and that we could mix it with anyone in the league, no matter what ground their soul-less drive for money takes them to. And then this. Just when you think you’re out…
So with the head of the Corleone Crime Family’s words ringing in my head, I thought it might be wise to heed some of the Godfather’s other advice and re-visit some of the gems of wisdom that Michael passes down to his nephew Vinny (played by an alternately crooning/yelling Andy Garcia) and see how Geelong can learn from the Godfather.
“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.”
To Paul Chapman, Cam Mooney, Matt Scarlett and the other hot heads of the team. For the Cats to become and remain an elite team they need to maintain discipline at all times, resisting the various personal conflicts that arise and stick to business. That is of course, until we play Sydney; then all bets are off and I personally hope we witness the first ‘hit’ during a game.
“Never let anyone know what you are thinking.”
To Lips Thompson, whom has probably been guilty of being too predictable in the past, and perhaps too revealing with the media. I also think too often coaches get caught up in how they want to play, regardless of conditions or opposition; there is nothing wrong with adjusting your tactics depending on whom and where you’re playing. Taking an example from cricket, spinners play on spinning pitches and fields are adjusted for each batsmen. This clashing of styles could help explain how certain teams seem to ‘match-up’ better than others. And occasionally I’d like to see him throw a curve ball at us, like isolating Gary Jnr deep in attack a bit more, throwing Mooney on the ball occasionally and perhaps forgetting that Hank Playfair ever existed.
“When they come, they come at what you love.”
Although this one could have been for ‘Tickets’ Bartel and his hairhouse/warehouse VIP discount card, it’s actually for the Geelong Advertiser and other gushing media reports, not to mention the players, getting ahead of themselves. Whether or not it is fair, Geelong has been cast as a team liable to ‘believe its own press’ during times of good form. Being a one-team town and having a newspaper whose sole purpose is to feed this fire probably doesn’t help, but the respective Perth and Adelaide teams have been able to handle it, so why not Geelong? Personally I blame the ‘ice’ epidemic.
“Your enemies always get strong on what you leave behind.”
As good as Geelong were against Melbourne, in the last quarter they kicked 1.9, missing a few gimmes and failing to really bury Melbourne when it was clear that’s what they thoroughly deserved. Against Hawthorn they kicked 9.18. The Cats need to take their chances up forward and kick straight, especially against the better teams. Too often wasted opportunities have been the tale of Geelong losses and this year we can not afford to let goals go begging. Take note Shannon ‘Point’ Byrnes.
“The higher I go the more crooked it becomes.”
This applies to finals and expectations. The more you win the more pressure there is to keep winning. The media will focus more on you, opposing coaching staffs will study your game plan more thoroughly and players will get themselves up to play against you. And in the finals this becomes even more apparent, especially if anyone has ever seen that gym bag full of unmarked, non-sequential 50’s that Paul Roos drops off to the AFL each September.
“It’s dangerous to be an honest man.”
This one’s for me. After a loss like that, I think it’s time to break out the classic ‘Geelong pessimism’ for a few weeks. At least until we play Richmond, anyway.
posted by the captain at 6:38 pm
3 Comments:
Just a slight format change, folks, experimenting with just showing the current blog on the main page. All previous blogs are of course still available on the 'previous post' sidebar, or can be ordered in transcript form for $29.95. And for additional $29.95, Mrs. Watson and I will actually come to your house and read it for you, acting out each scene with full infliction.
Tee
(Still can't remember my password)
Definitely down with Cam Mooney on the ball every now and then
It's a bit rich when teams start shouting out "zone!" and pointing at their kick-out positions whenever Shannon Byrnes has the ball in Geelong's 50. Fair dinkum, has the bloke ever actually kicked a goal?
I'd almost rather Ling had the ball. At least his inevitable stop, start, stuttuer, look backwards and then handball to a team mate under pressure gives the forwads a bit of a rest during the inevitable turnover.
Geelong should instigate the Charlie Manson tactic. Whenever Byrnes gets the ball in our 50, he goes down in a screaming heap and the ball is given to Cam Mooney.
Simple, really.
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