Geelong blew a chance to ramp up their AFL percentage in Saturday’s easy 66-point win over Melbourne.
Coach Chris Scott noted it would be a little harsh to criticise the Cats too heavily, given they dominated the match.
But Geelong’s poor percentage compared to the current top-four teams could prove costly as they chase a second chance in the finals.
They started round 17 in fifth place, level on points with second-placed Hawthorn.
While Saturday’s winning margin meant they improved their percentage by five points, it is still more than 20 below all the top-four sides.
Geelong and Melbourne kicked three goals apiece in a mundane second half.
Scott was unimpressed with the Cats’ third term and let his senior players know about it during the last break.
“That’s the really tangible part – we’re a long way behind them in terms of percentage,” Scott said.
Scott then started talking about how hard Melbourne could be to score against, then checked himself.
“I’m going to take that back, because that’s a cop-out,” he said.
“We had plenty of chances, we missed in front of goal.
“We had some really nice opportunities to score that we blew and they (Melbourne) found it really hard to score.
“(But) for a few bits of lazy play, they wouldn’t have scored much at all.
“I’m not going to talk about the opposition – we should have been better.”
Scott remains unsure what Geelong can do this season.
Their run to the finals includes massive games against current top-four teams Fremantle and Hawthorn.
“If we play like we did in the first half, we’re pretty hard to beat,” Scott said.
“If we roll out what we rolled out in the second half, we’re probably a bit behind those top teams.”
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
The window for givin' someone a real towel up is narrowing. Maybe they need a thrashing coach on their staff next year to ensure this % deficit never happens again. Who's running the joint?!
Ash
Guest
No hope of winning all 3
Len Trezise
Guest
Geelong Cats are still kicking too many points, too many goal hungry players having a shot from anywhere, should be placing the ball in the goal square where Hawkins or Kersten can finish off, they should be feeding their forwards more not having pot shots from impossible angles. Kicking too many points will never win games against the top opposition teams. Mid fields and half forwards must kick the ball straight down the corridor. Geelong's ruck rover combination is still a big problem and must be sorted out before they play in the finals. It would probably be better if the ruck hit the ball out into open spaces towards the wings and open up the game more. Perhaps they could have one of Geelong's tall players drop back down in the goal square because both Hawkins and Kersten will be targeted.
Cat
Roar Guru
Percentage won't be an issue, we'll make top 4 on points. Port looks to be on a real slide now. Lost 4 of their last 5.
Deep Thinker
Guest
Percentage is not an issue for Geelong - they can't catch the other top 4 contenders so it doesn't really matter whetherr they beat Melbourne by 10 goals or 15 goals.
Deep Thinker
Guest
They should be thinking about top 2. If they beat North, Freo at Simonds and Hawthorn at the MCG they will be top 2 and a really good shot at the flag.
Bosk
Guest
Frankly Geelong are doing awfully well just to be in top 4 contention at all considering they're rebuilding. I'd be surprised if many Geelong fans would be expecting them to go all the way this year, letting the likes of Pods, Chappy & Josh Hunt walk was a sign they were focusing on the future, but if they can get 2 or even 3 finals in their kids this year they should be pretty happy with that.