Great's takedown of young Cat who 'panicked'

Essendon fable Matthew Lloyd has grilled young Geelong midfielder Max Holmes, saying his mediocre show successful their nonaccomplishment to Collingwood is "symbolic" of the Cats' substandard season.

Geelong went down to the ladder-leading Magpies by 8 points connected Friday night, forcing them to present triumph their past 2 matches and trust connected different results to marque finals.

It's a stark quality to wherever the Cats were past year, connected their mode to a 16-game triumph streak and 4th premiership since 2007.

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"I conscionable didn't similar what Holmes produced connected the weekend. He was coughing the ball up badly," Lloyd said connected Nine's Footy Classified connected Monday night.

"He panicked, clip and clip again erstwhile it became a contested, pugnacious game. He conscionable panicked and coughed it up."

The Cats, who beryllium successful 11th connected the ladder with 10 wins to their name, person mislaid 3 of their past 4 outings.

Holmes had conscionable 13 touches successful Friday's disappointing loss, with lone 14 disposals against Port Adelaide the week before, beneath his play mean of 18.8.

"That summed up their past period. I deliberation helium was symbolic of Geelong the different night, erstwhile it was determination to beryllium won, players getting fumbly and nervous."

Despite a plethora of injuries, including three-time premiership guardant Tom Hawkins (hamstring) and inferior Mark Blicavs (hamstring), Lloyd believes it is nary excuse for the Cats signifier slump.

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"He's (Holmes) got to ramp it up successful these past mates of weeks, due to the fact that helium fto himself down erstwhile it mattered astir connected Friday night," helium said.

The Cats look St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs successful their past 2 location and distant matches, with each 3 sides inactive vying for a spot successful the apical eight.