By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE sideshow of Steve Johnson’s shock citing by the match review panel won’t derail Geelong’s preparations for its “biggest game of the year”, according to coach Chris Scott.
“Irrespective of the sideshow this week it (the Fremantle game) is 99 per cent of our focus,” Scott declared at his weekly media conference.
“And after this media conference it will be 100 per cent of my focus.”
And the billing of the game as a grudge match also left him cold.
“When you’re playing the contenders the stakes are raised – there’s no point in hiding away from that,” he acknowledged.
“But it’s the media and supporters who are interested in the history. Maybe it adds a little extra spice for (them).
“If you’re going in with the old-school approach that we owe those blokes you’re not focussing on what you need to do in the moment.
“And I reckon that’s the unprofessional view to take. That’s what the ammos talk about – we’re not about that.”
Fremantle famously defeated Geelong in the Cats first-ever home final at Kardinia Park last year.
Games between the two sides have featured a number of off-the-ball incidents.
But Geelong’s gradual improvement in recent weeks had Scott in a good head-space this week.
“We’re playing better footy than we were even three weeks ago. That (defeating North Melbourne) was close to our best performance of the year against good opposition.
“We’re in the top four, we’ve lost four games and been pretty well-performed.
“As a footy club in the past we’ve relished playing in the big games and long may it continue.
“We’ve made some steps forward in the way we move the ball, made some steps forward in the way we defend opposition teams and there are slight tweaks from week to week depending on the opposition.
“But it doesn’t guarantee anything.
“The external focus will be on what happens off the ball and some pushing and shoving.
“Do you know what influence it will have on the game? None, unless one of them gives away a free kick.
“It will have no influence.”
