By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CATS coach Chris Scott is backing in his young guns against Sydney’s hardened premiership players in Friday night’s game of the round at the SCG.
“We’ll back our second and third-year players against their experienced players. That might be too much to ask, but we’ve got some confidence in our young guys,” Scott said.
While he conceded that stoppage and contested possession statistics were important, they were was not the “be all and end all”.
“One thing we’re determined to do is give experience to players that haven’t played a lot inside, so expect to see Steven Motlop, Billy Smedts and Taylor Hunt inside the contest a little more than they have been.
“There’s lots of the midfield battle that it’s easy to look at clearances and contested possessions but there’s a bit more to it than that.”
Scott said the midfield battle in the only meeting of two undefeated teams in round four would be crucial, especially with Geelong having to cover the loss of Travis Varcoe for three months to a shoulder injury.
“Motlop and Hunt are better players, Smedts has improved and James Kelly coming back will help.
“We’ve always been a team that spreads the load across the midfield group, and we’ve shown even in the early rounds that even without high-quality players like Steve Johnson and Kelly we’ve been able to cover, so I hope that’s the same this week with Travis.”
Scott said he saw difficult but suitable match-ups for Hunt in a run-with role.
“But Taylor has been an important part of our defence as well, so we have that option up our sleeve.
“I’m sure Taylor will be through the midfield at times this week but I suspect he’ll play back at times as well.
Scott said Geelong regarded Sydney was one of the best teams going around.
“It’s going to be a real challenge for us. We played quite poorly there in the first quarter last time.”
