Cats skipper retirement off grand final agenda

Andrew Mathieson
RETIREMENT talk is off the agenda this week for Cats captain Tom Harley despite hinting otherwise all season.
The 31-year-old defender told a Skilled Stadium media conference on Monday that this weekend “could be” his 198th and final game.
However, Harley ruled out the Cats using his retirement as a motivator for Geelong to clinch a last-gasp premiership against St Kilda.
He brushed off the opportunity to set up the grand final as a swansong with a traditional lap of honour.
“It’s really of no concern either way as to how I approach this game,” Harley said.
“It’s a grand final and everyone plays a grand final like it’s the last game of the year because it is.
“But I’m not lying when I say a decision hasn’t been made.”
Harley has been restricted to 13 games this year and has struggled to play more than four on the trot.
Dodgy knees and hamstrings have hampered his ageing body, ensuring every last game, even possession, becomes more memorable than the last.
“To play in a grand final at this age is fantastic,” he said.
Geelong’s inspirational leader said he, star forward Steve Johnson and big man Brad Ottens – all in doubt for much of the year – were better for the week off a fortnight ago.
The Cats medical staff had developed a tailored approach to have the team’s stars ready for the finals.
“A lot of people say you’ve lucked in but it’s been really methodically planned by the medical department and the coaches,” Harley said.
“We’re giving ourselves the best opportunity to have a good day on Saturday.”
Harley said Geelong would also be in a better state of mind for a premiership this year.
“You can never erase a grand final loss,” he said.
“It’s there and you can only sort of live in the moment and that’s certainly what we’ll be doing.”