The demise of the Cats

[Saint wagga]

Been a long time coming - i'm just hoping they hit the wall and hit it hard!! Have copped it for the last 3 or so years from some of my cats supporter friends...no sympathy for us, they kept harping on about how they were never going to bottom out, they had future proofed their club! Well, i hope their time is coming from a supporters perspective! its not comfort for missing out on premierships...but I get peeved when they have rubbed in the fact that they thought they were immune from the fluctuations of the competition...no team is immune.

[cwrcyn]

Trying to squeeze every last drop out of an era that has passed. From 2016 onward will be in similar position to where Carlton was when Ratten got the heave-ho

[Sobraz]

Aside from one or two, their kids look far more average than their last crop of players that formed their core headed by Johnson, Bartell, Ablett, Kelly, Corey etc... Very hard list to live up to, and it looks like the end of that era has arrived. About bloody time too.

[dragit]

While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment here, I don't think they are quite as bad as it seems right now…

They've lost to Hawthorn and a rampaging Fremantle last week without Bartel & Motlop.

They're not challenging but are still a decent side at full strength and will still probably smash us...

But I am looking forward to seeing them in the bottom 4 at some stage.

[gringo]

While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment here, I don't think they are quite as bad as it seems right now…

They've lost to Hawthorn and a rampaging Fremantle last week without Bartel & Motlop.

They're not challenging but are still a decent side at full strength and will still probably smash us...

But I am looking forward to seeing them in the bottom 4 at some stage.

I tend to agree even though the roid rage is telling me otherwise. Geelong are on a southerly trajectory but are still a middle to the table team. They should finish around 7th to 14th.

[Sainternist]

With the season only a couple of rounds old, I'm still yet to be convinced that the Geelong Cockroaches' long streak of playing finals is finally over.

[gringo]

With the season only a couple of rounds old, I'm still yet to be convinced that the Geelong Cockroaches' long streak of playing finals is finally over.

If everything goes right they will still be just in the 8 but if a few things go wrong with injury they will be behind a few. Free look more convincing, I thought they might be struggling more than they are.

[remboy]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

[samuraisaint]

They have also played two top four teams. When they play the Suns today you will see that they have a massive victory.

[longtimesaint]

Being wet will certainly help the stronger bodied cats.

[Con Gorozidis]

They have a very favorable draw with a lot of games at SS.
I reckon they are gone but will still get their 10-12 wins from a good draw this year. Huge advantage. Next year though I think they might be in some real strife.
God Ill be angry if they get Dangerfield.

[samuraisaint]

How could they afford him? They still have plenty of expensive players on that list. Even Clark and Stanley cost something.

[Dr Spaceman]

How could they afford him? They still have plenty of expensive players on that list. Even Clark and Stanley cost something.

Dad getting $1.5 mill p.a. to sell scarves on match day while mum has a new contract for $1 mill p.a. to supply scones for the President's Lunch

[Con Gorozidis]

How could they afford him? They still have plenty of expensive players on that list. Even Clark and Stanley cost something.

Enright, Bartel and Kelly could all hang them up this year. Stevie J one more year.

I hope they arent paying Stanley much

[saintspremiers]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

Agree. Don't understand why people get joy about the Cats possible slide.

Carlton going backwards though is something to rejoice!

[SaintPav]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

I don't think it works that way and it's probably the opposite and like shopping, it's never enough.

No one likes going to the footy and seeing their team lose no matter what has happened in the past.

[Stephen Theodore]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

Agree, been a great era for the Cats, seeing as they started their reign around the same time we did.

[saintspremiers]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

I don't think it works that way and it's probably the opposite and like shopping, it's never enough.

No one likes going to the footy and seeing their team lose no matter what has happened in the past.

We don't know.

I'm sure it's a lot easier when you've won 3 flags on 5 seasons though

[longtimesaint]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

Agree. Don't understand why people get joy about the Cats possible slide.

Carlton going backwards though is something to rejoice!

If you followed the saints 2004 -2010 you should know why most of us dislike Geelong and am happy to see them take a turn down the ladder.
Right from their smarmy coach Thompson and his coments about Aaron Hamill, to 2009 when they "pinched" our rtightfull premiership.
Not only did we outplay them all day, but for the Hawkins poster being given a goal and that lucky toe poke the flag should have been ours.
I was very sorry to see the Suns go down yesterday, and will be cheering for the Kangaroos next week.

[spert]

Like it or not, the Cats recruited better and smarter than us in the 2000's and were a strongly run club and that's how they won premierships. I found them as a team, and their supporters, quite arrogant and I'm not fussed if they fall away now. I doubt if they will stay off the radar too long, as they know what it takes to succeed. I'm really only concerned about the progress of the Saints, and after last Friday I though we took a big step backwards- we better win in NZ or that venture will be doomed for us IMO.

[fingers]

If I was a cats supporter I'd sleep very easily at night knowing I was going to dream about the 2007, 2009 & 2011 grand finals. Wouldn't bother me in slightest if they were on a downward trajectory.

Absolutely. I would gladly take a slide if I lived through that.

Carlton on the other hand......

[Con Gorozidis]

I effing hate the cats.
Supporters just so smug and mouthy.
Really cant wait to see them go down.
If you dont understand this you never went to a saints v cats game.

[plugger66]

I effing hate the cats.
Supporters just so smug and mouthy.
Really cant wait to see them go down.
If you dont understand this you never went to a saints v cats game.

Don't seem different to anyone else to me. And ive been to many cats games.

[saintspremiers]

Like it or not, the Cats recruited better and smarter than us in the 2000's and were a strongly run club and that's how they won premierships. I found them as a team, and their supporters, quite arrogant and I'm not fussed if they fall away now. I doubt if they will stay off the radar too long, as they know what it takes to succeed. I'm really only concerned about the progress of the Saints, and after last Friday I though we took a big step backwards- we better win in NZ or that venture will be doomed for us IMO.

NZ is all about Aussies flying over the ditch and spending NZ dollars.

That is the key driver for them.

[Life Long Saint]

Like it or not, the Cats recruited better and smarter than us in the 2000's and were a strongly run club and that's how they won premierships.

I will buy part of that.
in 1999 they drafted Corey (pick 8), Chapman (31), Ling (38) and Enright (47)
in 2000 they drafted Josh Hunt (pick 44 - their first)
in 2001 they drafted Bartel (8), Kelly (17), Stevie J (24), G Ablett (F/S 40),
in 2002 they drafted Mackey (7), Lonergan (23)
in 2003 they drafted Tenace (7), Blake (F/S 38)
in 2004 they drafted Prismall (32), N Ablett (F/S 48)
in 2005 they drafted Varcoe (15), West (31), Stokes (61)
in 2006 they drafted Selwood (7), Djerrkura (25), Hawkins (F/S 41)
in 2007 they drafted Taylor (17), Simpson (34)

In addition they received Scarlett as a father/son selection.

The 1999, 2001 and 2006 drafts stand out here.
The 1999 draft was a gem for them.
So was the 2001 but today you'd never get Bartel, Stevie J and G Ablett in the same draft because Geelong would have been forced to give up a first round pick (8) to get Ablett.
Same in 2004 and certainly in 2006.
To get Selwood and Hawkins in the same draft is outrageous.

The other factor with Geelong is that they develop their players much better than we ever have. It helps when you have a good set-up and your own reserves team.