Get up to speed: Chris Scott says the Cats will need greater flexibility against the Dockers.
ERIN PEARSON
Geelong coach Chris Scott had some tough words for his players this week after the Cats had to come from behind in the dying minutes to beat St Kilda in a rusty season opener last Friday night.
Scott demanded his players be “more flexible” on the field.
“We want to move the ball faster. Players couldn’t capitalise when in key positions (against St Kilda),” he said.
Scott said Geelong would need a bag of options on Saturday night when it took on Fremantle, where he was a former assistant coach.
“It’s hard to get a gauge on where (Fremantle) is really at,” he said.
“Knowing their strengths doesn’t make them easier to combat. Their good, young players stand up when the game is on the line.”
Scott observed that Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandilands, small forward Hayden Ballantyne, captain Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy and Stephen Hill would give the Cats “a lot to deal with”.
Full-back Matthew Scarlett will miss the game with a one-match ban after the AFL review panel found him guilty of elbowing St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt.
“We’re disappointed he put himself in that situation but if you get caught you get punished,” Scott said.
“The rules are pretty clear in modern footy.”
Scott said players for selection would include Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly, Shannon Byrnes and captain Cameron Ling after all missed round one with niggling injuries.
The Cats didn’t to rule out star midfielder Joel Selwood despite a nasty clash with St Kilda’s Farren Ray that put the Geelong vice-captain out of the game.
Selwood was carried off the ground suffering concussion and a torn lip.
“He’s already put his hand up but we will back our medical staff’s decision later in the week,” Scott said.
