First-year Geelong coach Chris Scott inherited a team used to success and he says when times are tough he knows the Cats can still produce special efforts.
Trailing by 17 points at three-quarter time at the MCG on Saturday night against third-placed Hawthorn, the 2007 and 2009 AFL premiers kicked 3.4 in the last quarter and held the Hawks scoreless in front of 63,476 fans at the MCG.
Steve Johnson kicked two of Geelong’s three goals in the final term while James Kelly with seven possessions and Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel with six were big contributors and defender Matthew Scarlett took five marks in the last quarter.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said the game had so many twists and turns it was like an Agatha Christie novel.
But Scott was confident his dual premiership players would be influential in the final chapter.
The Cats won 13.10 (88) to Hawthorn’s 13.5 (83) in a gripping contest.
“I certainly have had a very small impact on that (win),” Scott said.
“The character of our players, I continue to marvel at it.
“We were outplayed for big parts of the game. In a lot of ways we were fortunate to win.
“But at the end of the day our guys do just find a way.
“It’s not a fluke, it just keeps happening.
“When the chips appear to be down, our good players find a way to turn the flow of the game.”
Scott said the Cats, who boast an 11-0 record after round 12, are simply aiming to qualify for the finals series as their first goal.
He said the Cats still needed to improve their tackling and their efforts around midfield, having been beaten badly in the third term.
“They (players) are fully aware that there’s a lot of work to be done,” Scott said, making reference to several narrow victories the Cats had enjoyed in the first half of the season.
“The win-loss record looks good but we’re a long way from dominating the competition.”
The Cattery
Roar Guru
An interesting tweet on DT/SC, from Fantasy FC: Fun Fact #1: There are 2 teams in the top 500 which have a midfield including Selwood, Mundy, Swan, Pendlebury and Montagna
The Cattery
Roar Guru
While we're on the subject of Geelong, Selwood's appeal has been knocked back, and they've added an extra week for good measure. Funniest tweet so far goes to Footy Licks: It's about this time that my idiotic pre-season decision to not get Joel Selwood in #SuperCoach miraculously pays off...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Everyone predicted that with Chris Scott taking over an aging squad, that it was the worse time possible to take on a team as a debutant coach. So let's not kid ourselves that Scott has just rocked up and allowed things to work themselves out by osmosis.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
I disagree to an extent, the best coach can be given the most talented team and fail miserably, whilst the best coach can be given a relatively untalented team, and drive them to success. A champion team will always beat a team of champions !!, of course there is always a get out clause, Nth Melbourne in 1977 springs to mind. A good coach can motivate a relatively untalented workmanlike team to greatness (Collingwood 1990- bar Daicos ), a great team does not need motivation (Brisbane 3 peat) Matthews was coach of both.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Leigh Matthews wrote an article in which he said the role of the coach was highly overrated, and he estimated that it was at least 80% the players. He would be in complete agreement with Malthouse.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I think only Geelong and Collingwood can be considered genuine flag contenders. Carlton will probably finish top 4, however I can't see them winning the premiership.
GrantS
Guest
I would say that the absence of Roughead leaves a very large hole in the Hawthorn team. However, I don't pretend to know if the Hawks can fill this hole or not but until we find out they must still be considered "contenders".
GrantS
Guest
Megaman in an interview Mick Malthouse gave on TV he said "If the best coach is given the worst team... they will still come bottom." Now if a coach of his capabilities admits something like that it makes you wonder why everyone screams for the coaches' head when a team goes downhill.
Megaman
Guest
Does this prove that coaches don't make much of a difference? A rookie coach inherits a champion team and they are undefeated. Other more experienced (better?) coaches can't do much with crappier teams.
ChrisH
Guest
I don't think he leaves that big a gap. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather he not be injured, but I reckon he's lucky to still be in the team after his two previous seasons. He was only just starting to find some kind of niche for himself, it's a blow, but nowhere near critical.
The Word
Guest
Nope, with Roughhead gone, so are the Hawks you will find. Too big a hole to fill. Be happy you are a top 6 side now as you lot will fall by the wayside in the race.
ChrisH
Guest
Agree. You'd never hear that from me. I've been appalled at the Colingwood hyperbole. Some of the rubbish that was trumped up about them earlier this year was as if Geelong didn't even exist. I just can't wait till Hawthorn pump them as well and bring a little more reality back into discussion.
Aware
Guest
Too old, too slow Geelong. (oh yeh!)
ChrisH
Guest
Exactly. Well done to Geelong, they're a quality outfit. But, how does a five point margin draw the conclusion that Hawthorn are out of the race?? Maybe some reference to Jarred Roughead being put out of action, but I'm not sure that's the deal breaker it's being made out to be.
GrantS
Guest
"The Word" you are kidding! I respect the fact that Geelong won and deserved to do so but Hawthorn should have won and have no one to blame except themselves. Having said that they could easily fix their mistakes and win the next meeting of the clubs. The difference between the two last night was ball handling. Geelong (as usual) were clean and defined. Hawthorn fumbled and dropped marks from the opening siren. I said on the live blog, just before three quarter time, that I didn't know if Hawthorn could hold on. When they came out in the last they immediately fumbled and again dropped marks. The rest is history. Even with all their mistakes there was only one straight kick in it so they cannot be ruled out of this seasons' premiership just yet.
Richclancy
Guest
I think 2008 proves that the hawks on their day can beat anyone and you only have to win the right games. But the cats and pies look a likely gf -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The word
Guest
And then there were only 3 contenders left. 1. Geelong 2. Collingwood 3. Carlton