By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE PROSPECT of facing Sydney does not present the insurmountable challenge it might otherwise have for a Geelong side back on an even keel.
The Swans, last season’s runners up, handed out a 100-point drubbing the last time the two sides met.
But Sydney has had its own hiccups this season, most notably against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago.
Playing at ANZ stadium on Saturday night also helps Geelong’s cause – at least it’s not the tight SCG, the scene of last year’s smashing.
“We had a difficult preparation before that game. We’re much better prepared this time,” Scott told this week’s media conference.
Another fast start a la Collingwood will help Geelong’s cause enormously but Sydney will mount a response and the Cats have to be prepared to go into lockdown defence.
The most pleasing part of Geelong’s win over Collingwood was the defensive effort when the Pies staged their comeback.
Previously Geelong had folded when teams generated a run-on against it, with a difficulty in switching from attacking mode to defensive mindset.
The ask will be greater against Sydney, which will be far-better organised than Collingwood.
“The way the game is played and the quality of the opposition means there will be ebbs and flows in games,” Scott said.
“As much as anything, it’s a matter of riding the momentum when you’ve got it and stifling the opposition’s momentum when they’ve got it.”
Sydney has already demonstrated its comeback ability with a first-round win against Essendon, managing to rescue the game just in the final quarter.
But Western Bulldogs withstood the onslaught in the rain two weeks ago and Sydney, the city, is likely to be sopping again this weekend.
Scott acknowledged the ground conditions would dictate the approach to the game.
“It did rain and that changes the game a fair bit,” he said.
“It might rain on the weekend and if it does we can learn some things (from the Western Bulldogs win) but if it’s dry the game will be played differently.”
Scott was particularly pleased with his defensively-minded young forward group, including Rising Star nominee Cory Gregson.
“I was impressed with the way some of our inexperienced players were starting to work together.
“Some individuals got recognition but more important to us was the cohesion we started to see with our young group.”
