Watching Geelong over the last two weeks one cannot help but get the impression that Chris Scott has reached a Rubicon moment in his coaching career. Since winning the AFL premiership in 2011 in his first year as coach of the Geelong football team it has been slim pickings and near misses. There is no denying his healthy win loss ratio over a decade of coaching at the highest level. Equally there is no arguing with the quality of players under his direction at Geelong. However, there have been no more premiership cups or medallions. One senses a decision by Chris Scott to do whatever it takes to deliver ultimate success in 2021.
Geelong’s Dirty Deeds Scragging, Tagging, & Striking
Chris Scott: Geelong coach crosses to the dark side in his bid for another grand final win. Typically, Scott has not employed the hard tag on first choice opposition midfielders but that has changed in the last two weeks. Brownlow medallist Lachie Neal was tagged out of the game against Brisbane. Tom Mitchell received a similar beating from the same Cats player this Easter Monday. Scragging tags are dark side footy, where the best player on the opposition team is physically nobbled by a player primarily focused on this role.
The Cats Coach’s DNA is Changing
Geelong used to be a team that played the game on the merits of its own best players. They would challenge a team to beat them by playing good footy. Chris Scott as a fine coach of a fine AFL side seemed to have fairness in his DNA. Obviously, things have changed down Geelong way and winning at all costs is the new Cats mantra. Chris Scott: Geelong coach crosses to the dark side, where dirty deeds are done to achieve victory whatever the butcher’s bill.
Paddy Dangerfield the Geelong star midfielder sits on the sidelines after being suspended for three weeks for a knockout bump. The Cats have not had the start to the 2021 season they would have been looking for. A loss to last year’s wooden spooners, followed by a narrow spiteful victory over Brisbane. Gary Rohan was suspended for two weeks for striking Lachie Neal. Chris Scott is probably considering his future after ten years at this club. He desperately wants further success to cap off a decade of coaching at Geelong. Scott a tough defender during his playing career with the Brisbane Lions is going to do whatever it takes to get Geelong over the line in 2021.
©Robert Hamilton