Geelong coach Chris Scott was delighted with his new-look side after a thrilling seven-point win over Collingwood at the MCG.
Geelong coach Chris Scott was understandably proud of his new-look Cats after their stunning seven-point win over last year’s beaten grand finalist Collingwood.
But he says it will take more than Friday night’s thrilling 10.12 (72) to 9.11 (65) win at the MCG to validate the club’s off-season overhaul.
Scott’s side contained no less than six new faces, four of whom were making their AFL debuts.
Experienced hands Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs) and Gary Rohan (Sydney) impressed, but so did debutants Jordan Clark, Tom Atkins, Charlie Constable and Gryan Miers, who didn’t wilt in the heat of the frantic final term.
“We, as a collective football club, were really proud of them,” Scott said of his new crop.
“We thought they all executed their role, as we thought they would.
“It wasn’t a great surprise to us that they delivered – that’s why we picked them – but one of the really pleasing things is they didn’t look overawed by the occasion.
“So hopefully that will give them some confidence. We’ve got a long way to go and there’s a lot of growth in them, but we are excited.
“… (The win) was, in some way, validation of the things that we’ve worked on.
“I think it will take a lot longer than that for us to feel as if we have been endorsed by the footy world (though).”
Scott’s team overhaul isn’t just about new players, it’s also about the redeployment of tried and true stars to new roles.
Gary Ablett kicked two goals in an influential display playing predominantly as a forward, while skipper Joel Selwood often started on a wing at centre bounces instead of in at the coalface.
“I don’t want to expand too much in terms of Joel’s role … it’s something we’d like others to have to work out rather than give the game away,” Scott said.
“But he wants to win for the team and if we wanted him to play in back pocket he’d do it.
“They’re the sort of captains you love.”
Scott lauded his players for stepping up in pivotal big moments late in the game.
Tom Hawkins was one such player, booting his 500th career goal with just over five minutes left in the see-sawing contest to put the Cats in front.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Thought a few of Collingwoods champions were a bit rusty. Sidebottom did not have the impact he normally does but champions like him rarely have too many ordinary games in a row. Elliot good early faded a little as you would expect from a guy with his lack of matches. He will worry a lot of sides if he stays fit. I think they will be a little stung by their performance and will come out hard against the tigers. I'm expecting the woods to win a close game on thursday.
Bell31
Guest
let's hope it's just round one jitters, esp. given the truncated pre-season (which might lead to more variance in performance in round 1), although it certainly wasn't encouraging --- you may recall that I'm a bit of a Sier 'fan-boy', so looking forward to having him back, and Adams of course is a very good inside mid. Many commentators were writing off the impact of 6-6-6, but I wasn't (and many have now changed their tune) - little tweaks like that in elite sport can make an important difference and I wonder if our mid-field depth is slightly less important with this change, as it should help serious mid-field beasts like Danger and Fyfe (hence why Adams and Sier might be more important this year than last - we'll see!)
Brendan
Guest
As a supporter nothing better than watching young players debut.It is a win/win lose and there better for the experience win and your hopes rise.Its only one game and the year is long but Geelong don't have much pressure on them as a team.Most pundits have written us of so these new kids won't have as much pressure on them as other youngsters in the so called top teams.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
As Cat explained pre-match Bell, Geelong had 10 players under 50 games experience, 6 newcomers and 4 AFL debutants so it was the Cats who had every excuse. I’m hoping it was just round one jitters and a slippery surface. To me, the Cats seemed to have bigger bodies and no one wanted the ball as much as Danger. We certainly couldn’t get any run happening and it turned into a slog. Adams and Sier were our best inside mids last year and can’t wait for them to get back. No panic stations yet though. Look at the Demons today.
Bell31
Guest
Buckley bashing aside, what did you think of the pies standard? It looked more like collingwood 2017 than 2018 - sloppy by foot. I also wondered if team selection was quite spot-on, although more an intuition than looking carefully at other available squad members. I do recall though that we started 2018 quite modestly in losing to hawks and gws, and although we have a tough start and end to the draw, the middle section isn't too bad (esp round 4 to 10), so hopefully one swallow doesn't make a summer (Given the new blood for the cats, it really felt like a game we should have won)
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Yep, I am still pushing it thanks.
Cat
Roar Guru
Gee some of you people carry on like you've never seen a round 1 game before. Rusty skills are nothing new, nor unexpected. The shorter the preseason gets the more we'll be seeing it in H&A. Intrasquad games and a couple half-hearted JLT games where most players play limited minutes only prepare so much. The game was still quite edge of the seat and thrilling.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Already with the Buckley knocking?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Still pushing your anti Buckley rant Aligee? It's telling you don't rate a coach who got his side to within a kick of the flag. I guess like James Hird, the tall poppy syndrome alive and well with some.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
really was a very ordinary game, kicking and marking skills at times were diabolical, hopefully just an early season aberration, both teams looked bottom 4 ATM Not sure what contract extension Buckley got, when he should have been given the move on notice a few years ago, but it was probably way to much. A quarter of the Geelong team was new.