After being tripped in the crowd, Geelong’s Chris Scott says the need for coaches to walk through spectators at Adelaide Oval is “silly”.
And he has labelled South Australian government restrictions on his visiting AFL side as “arduous”.
Scott’s Cats downed Port Adelaide by 21 points on Thursday night after being given an exemption to enter a state which has closed its border to Victoria.
Geelong’s travelling party was tested for COVID-19 on arrival at Adelaide Airport, then taken by bus to Adelaide Oval where they waited four hours at an indoor cricket centre for their results.
But what struck Scott most was that he and his fellow coaches still had to make their way through the Adelaide Oval crowd to access the arena at breaks in the game.
At three quarter-time, Scott was tripped while being escorted through the crowd.
“I tripped on someone’s leg so I said to the security guard ‘did he trip me or do you need to make sure that the legs aren’t popping out?’,” Scott said post-game.
“It was probably an accident. I’m not sure.
“But strange situation, given the circumstances and the meticulous way in which the South Australian government has looked after us over the last 24 hours, was that we’re still walking in that close proximity, people are actually brushing past us in the crowd.
“You can come up with a million examples of things that don’t make much sense (with coronavirus protocols).
“But we should just focus on trying to jump into line and provide a good example for the rest of the public.”
Adelaide Oval is the only AFL venue where coaching staff must walk through the crowd to enter the playing surface.
“In the most respectful terms possible, when you have a stadium of this quality, renovated, and to overlook the fact that the coaches still have to walk through the crowd is a bit silly – especially in the circumstances we’re in at the moment,” Scott said.
Geelong were due to fly out after the match but fog left them stranded in Adelaide and staying at a hotel for the night.
Scott described the pre-match wait at the cricket centre as “strange”.
“Some of the pictures would have been quite comical; we have got guys sleeping under tablecloths trying to get some darkness,” he said.
“I’m trying to choose my words carefully. But if I was a little bit more of a crazy coach, looking around, I would have been a lot more worried than I was because there were some strange scenes.
“But that is what the South Australian government chose to do.
“The whole way through the pandemic, the rule of thumb has been not to point out the inconsistencies and the silliness of some sort of rules and just jump on board.”
Windrince
Roar Rookie
Yeah... nah
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
You were lucky.
Boo
Guest
Apparently Pablo Cruz the guy that allegedly tried to trip Chris Scott has just had it amputated in case gangrene sets in .
Chanon
Roar Rookie
I tipped your lads l’m pissed as well
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Yeah man definitely, I starting to wonder about our fitness levels. The only thing I don't like about going to the footy is you don't get a feel for the whole game like you do watching on TV if that makes sense. We still seem to be our own worst enemy with basic skill errors and at one stage there, I was losing it as I think it was 5 in a row that went straight to a Geelong player and one or two out on the full as well, like ick the ball along the ground if you have too, we used it against West coast the "dirty ball" I think it was labelled, anythings better than just handing it straight over and having it rebound down to the other end.lol. with the whole not beating a top 8 team yet, well I hate defending loses but if you look at it glass half full or empty, the teams that have beaten us bar west coast are all in the top 4 in betting to win the whole thing, so without trying to jinx it, there could be a lot worse loses to have, if that makes sense at all.lol.
Boo
Guest
Ironically it's not the risk to Scott that's paramount here given the SA health ministers comments re the public touching the ball and the strict protocols surrounding Geelongs involvement in the game why would you want anyone remotely connected to a state lockdowned from covid freely walking amongst people from Adelaide .I know everybody was tested but why take the risk .
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Adam you must be annoyed a tad with your lads after starting so well in the last Qtr!
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Apart from NSW the various state governments response to Covid has been an absolute comedy show.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Pete - the good old days. I remember streaming across the ground at Waverley straight after the siren to get the elusive autograph and slap the players on the back. Sheeds, Francis, Hungry. Back then I was sure Royce Hart was 6ft 5! Everything was larger than life. Now even the kick to kick is gone. Doesn’t help when you get numb nuts trying to trip coaches.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
if somebody tried to trip him thats just stupid but otherwise just watch where your walking and you won't trip over peoples legs, this coming from the guy that can trip himself up on his own two feet on a regular basis.lol.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I think you'll find theres been as many incidents with Adelaide ferals as there has been Ports but in the words of Chopper, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.lol. :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Now that Brad's gone someone's gotta do sour.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea should be a good one but our record at Kardinia park is poor your lads should win blindfolded!
Boo
Guest
Chanon being at Kardinia Park I think gives us a chance if at Marvel wouldn't be confident .Doggies best team IMO onballers and forwards big clash good luck .
RT
Roar Rookie
I assume you didn't watch the press conference either. I assume he was asked what happened and he answered the question. It didn't sound like a whinge to me.
Blitz
Guest
Scott - a voice of reason on every point. Broader society not so intelligent, sadly! You’re right Chris, none of it makes sense but don’t dare question or the thought police will think that you’ve had too much to think.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Yep. Not a Chris Scott fan but no-one should have to put up with rubbish like that. Some 'adults' just never grow up.
Willie
Roar Rookie
Seems a bit precious from someone who never hesitated to run through packs.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
What a time to be alive eyy Pete :laughing: I genuinely envy you, I was born in the wrong era lol
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Cheers DTM, all things considered he handled himself with class and poise after a gruelling few days so the least the media could do is show a little respect. Glad others are begging to see through the media bs, its really not necessary when we had such a high calibre match to indulge in and then analyse. Funny that going in a lot of the talk was about our terrible post bye record, and now that its finally been broken it barely musters a mention.. And agreed, those misses could have been so costly but in the end the sheer persistence and quality overwhelmed the Port defence and won out. It was fantastic and I'm glad I tipped it, knowing perhaps the interrupted and turbulent bye period and game preparation may in fact help the cats break out of their usually post-bye malaise. Like I've been saying all season don't judge the cats until the second half of the year as they've been purposely slowly building into the season, rather than going all in from the start like 2019, which got us nowhere. I think we're rolling very nicely now and will certainly be there at the pointy end when it really counts. I've been very impressed by the Dees so far, but my question is can they maintain the fire? Every team that has started the season hot since 2016 has gone on to lose it in the finals...