You wouldn’t think the premiership favourite would be one of the worst teams in front of goal, but sadly that’s the case for Geelong.
Over the past nine rounds the Cats have developed the yips, becoming the sixth most wasteful team when it comes to goal kicking.
Geelong is ranked 13th for shot at goal accuracy - converting less than half (49.3% ) of their opportunities. In contrast, last year - despite missing the finals - the Cats were the seventh most accurate team (51.4%).
Surprisingly, the ninth placed Demons are the current number one ranked team for goal accuracy (60.6%).
Even Tomahawk concedes he’s not as sharp as he used to be in front of the big sticks.
“We’re looking to rectify it. We’ve acknowledged that it’s costing us in periods of games.” Hawkins said.
It’s a worrying trend.
As I watched us kick ourselves out of the game against the Magpies it made me think – what has changed over the past eight months that could have had such a dramatic impact on Geelong’s shot at goal accuracy?
So I have come up with a theory for the wayward kicking – it may sound far-fetched, but hear me out.
Geelong’s woeful set-shot accuracy coincides with the demolition of the Brownlow Stand at Simonds Stadium.
With the Newtown side of the Cattery now exposed to the prevailing westerly winds, Geelong players are missing more set-shots at training resulting in decreased confidence on match-day.
“Confidence is a big part of goal kicking and we’ve got a few guys, myself included that aren’t kicking that well for goal.” Hawkins said.
How else could you explain Paddy Dangerfield missing from fifteen metres out directly in front against Collingwood and Hawthorn? Believe it or not Dangerfield is a serial offender.
According to Champion Data, of the 109 players this year who have kicked seven goals or more, Dangerfield is ranked 108th (second worst accuracy 30.4%).
Just one position better in 107th is teammate Daniel Menzel (30.8%) who’s kicked eight goals and 15 behinds this season.
“We are doing such good work up the ground, as forwards it’s our job to convert. We’ll work on it and get better.” Hawkins said.
Last weekend in the loss to Collingwood, Geelong had eight more inside fifties and more scoring shots than the Pies but still lost by four goals.
Coach Chris Scott believes the defeat was largely due to poor goal kicking.
“We had chances to take and we just weren’t taking them – it bit us.” Scott said.
As for whether Tom Hawkins and the Cats forwards subscribe to my theory…
“You could be right. I don’t necessarily think it’s just because of the grandstand but I like that theory I might run with it.”
If anything the demolition of the grandstand makes a good excuse for some embarrassing stats.
So let’s hope the mighty Cats put on their old kicking boots against the Blues on Sunday.
Go Cats!
Sean Sowerby
Channel 7 Weekend Sports Presenter/Sports Reporter
Born and Raised on the Bellarine Peninsula
Geelong Cats Member
