TonyK
CibbuanoForwards let us down: Thompson
September 27th 2008 17:20
GEELONG coach Mark Thompson says poor kicking in front of goal was to blame for the Cats' 26-point loss to Hawthorn in Saturday's grand final.
The Cats went inside their forward 50 on 62 occasions to Hawthorn's 43 and won the clearances 41-27 but they failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 11.23.
Thompson said the Cats forwards badly let down the work of their defenders and midfielders.
"Our defence was fantastic, our midfield reasonable but to score just 11 goals from 62 opportunities (inside 50) is just not good enough," Thompson said.
"We just didn't make the most of our opportunities."
He also admitted that he felt sorry for Gary Ablett Jnr, who was Geelong’s best with 34 possessions and two goals.
"He (Ablett) just looked like he wanted to win so much, I just wish he'd had a few friends (team-mates) in that frame of mind," Thompson said.
Thompson dismissed suggestions that his side had 'choked' under the pressure of being expected to win successive flags after such a dominant season and vowed his team will hit back hard next season.
"Our guys will bounce back - we're taking it hard and I don't think you'd want us to take it any other way," Thompson said.
"I'm already really determined just to go back and smash them in 2009.”
"The fact is, this group is better than just winning one premiership and that's the challenge now."
The Cats went inside their forward 50 on 62 occasions to Hawthorn's 43 and won the clearances 41-27 but they failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal, booting a wasteful 11.23.
Thompson said the Cats forwards badly let down the work of their defenders and midfielders.
"Our defence was fantastic, our midfield reasonable but to score just 11 goals from 62 opportunities (inside 50) is just not good enough," Thompson said.
"We just didn't make the most of our opportunities."
He also admitted that he felt sorry for Gary Ablett Jnr, who was Geelong’s best with 34 possessions and two goals.
"He (Ablett) just looked like he wanted to win so much, I just wish he'd had a few friends (team-mates) in that frame of mind," Thompson said.
Thompson dismissed suggestions that his side had 'choked' under the pressure of being expected to win successive flags after such a dominant season and vowed his team will hit back hard next season.
"Our guys will bounce back - we're taking it hard and I don't think you'd want us to take it any other way," Thompson said.
"I'm already really determined just to go back and smash them in 2009.”
"The fact is, this group is better than just winning one premiership and that's the challenge now."
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