Geelong coach Chris Scott lamented his side’s inability to capitalise on a period of dominance before halftime in the AFL grand final defeat to Richmond.
Scott says missed opportunities will “eat away” at his side for some time after they blew a 22-point lead.
The Cats kicked five consecutive goals after conceding the first two at the Gabba on Saturday night and took control of the contest during the second quarter.
Mitch Duncan, Tom Stewart and Cam Guthrie were all influential as they dominated midfield battle.
But Geelong failed to take full advantage in attack, kicking 3.3 in the second term including a horror miss by Gryan Miers from close range.
Norm Smith Medal winner Dustin Martin kicked an important goal in the shadows of halftime to cut the margin back to 15 points and Richmond ran over the top of the Cats in the second half.
“They were always going to have periods where they were going to be on top,” Scott said.
“When you’re playing the best team, you’ve got to take your chances and make the most of the momentum while you have it.
“The goal they got late … it makes a huge difference, 15 points versus 30 points at halftime and the whole complexion of the game changes.
“That will eat away at us for a little while.”
Scott, who led Geelong to a premiership in his first year as coach in 2011, said he couldn’t imagine being more disappointed with Saturday night’s result.
“I thought the game was there and for decent parts of the game we outplayed them, but when it counted they were just too good for us,” he said.
“We’re really aware of how difficult it is to get these chances and it’s going to take a long time to get over – they always do.”
Regardless of the result, Scott said he was proud of his players and the people employed at the club for the way they had conducted themselves throughout a difficult year in which the team spent more than 100 days in interstate hubs.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I can’t recall the exact statistics, Pete. But yes, it was generally a harrowing experience when we had to face Geelong & ‘him’.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yep. Ablett Snr and Dunstall gave me lots of nightmares.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Tiger fans my age can correct me but I have a feeling he kicked 14 twice against Richmond, once when he started wing which is the game I was at. Not a tall bloke but like Dusty an absolute freak. I reckon he kicked double figures goals against the Tigers a few times.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Wow, I’m glad I didn’t see or can remember that game :crying:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Like when they put Ablett Snr on a wing against your Tigers once Dave. He kicked 14.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Agreed Pete, when dusty fires up like that, let him play wherever he likes :thumbup:
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Good one two dogs.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
That’s what I’m talking bout
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Not sure Danger is as relaxed and at ease like Dusty seems to be. Dusty appears to have an instinct of when to go into the mid field or when to fold back. Danger? Seems really intense and bull at a gate attitude for mine. Great player of course but doesn't have the mindfulness of Dusty.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
As a neutral I simply would have liked to see Danger put in the middle a lot earlier but hindsight is a wonderful thing hey. I noticed in Dimma’s presser he said that Dusty takes himself forward or mid depending on the feel of the game. Seems he has license to choose when and where and why wouldn’t you encourage that with one of the greatest players ever. Does Danger have that freedom?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Perhaps B.Scott would be a better choice.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Can you see the irony in your comment? The only genuine dives when frees weren't there were executed by Geelong players. Often their senior guns.
Squiggly
Roar Rookie
Oh yes and Richmond aren’t a team of divers though
Squiggly
Roar Rookie
They will never win a flag while that pig headed man is the coach
2dogz
Roar Rookie
I don’t wanna rock, DJ
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
The harsh reality of painful memories. They will get you if you let them. The war goes on after the warriors leave the fields. Being brave when the coaches are telling you what to do is one thing. Understanding why you did the things you did and accepting them is quite another. No wonder clubs are getting into meditation and cognitive understanding. Wait till they hear about this thing called emotional intelligence. That's about creating the appropriate emotion for the occasion. Just being normal really. One of the great things about sport is it throws up up these dramatic moments so you can reflect on them and get stronger through the understanding. Then you can laugh at them and it is they who are beaten. You can grow through this pain if you want to be a better man. Heck even Robbie Williams knows that and he's effed up more big time than all these players put together.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Time for C Scott to change from horizontal to vertical stripes
sven
Roar Rookie
danger for sure but didnt notice selwood doing it, one of my faves selwood, think the years of using his body to bludgeon packs might finally be telling a little but the courage & will is still there, he certainly didnt let his team down last night
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Wasn't just you, Mick. They've both been doing it for years. It's beginning to permeate through the ranks at Geelong too. Dalhaus, Miers, Rohan and Parfitt, just to name a few, gave it a decent crack last night. The umpires were generally onto it though which was good to see.
Mick
Guest
Is it just me or did it seem like Dangerfield and Selwood were deliberately falling over and playing for free kicks pretty much the whole game?