Matthew Scarlett will probably hate hearing it, but coach Chris Scott speculates that the fullback ranks among the top couple of players in Geelong history.
Given Graham “Polly” Farmer and Gary Ablett Snr hold that lofty status at the AFL club, it is the highest-possible praise.
Scarlett, 31, will become the eighth Geelong player to reach 250 AFL games next Tuesday in the eagerly-anticipated clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.
He is a five-time All-Australian, a two-time premiership player, the club’s 2003 best and fairest winner and one of the best fullbacks in the game’s history.
“A lot of people internally at Geelong, I get the feeling, even though they haven’t said it explicitly, rate Scarlett in the top couple of players in Geelong’s history,” Scott said on Thursday.
“So that says enough, I think – there are some good players in that group.”
Scott also noted that Scarlett might not appreciate such lofty praise and would want as little attention as possible drawn to the milestone.
“It’s fantastic for Matty and on top of that, he’s had twin boys this week, so it’s a big week for him,” Scott said.
“He’s the ultimate professional – as much as anyone I’ve met in football, he doesn’t seek to individualise.
“His motivation for playing well this week will be to help the team.”
Scott said he would bring up Scarlett’s milestone with the team ahead of Tuesday’s match – again, probably against the player’s wishes.
“I’m expecting Matty to ask me not to individualise too much,” Scott said.
“That’s the pattern of behaviour from these players through this era and I’m slowly learning that, being a new person.
“As I’ve said to them a couple of times, it forces me to respect them even more.”
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