By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Any Geelong supporter who checked the scores at quarter time against Collingwood on Saturday would have let out an audible groan.
According to common football sense, that should not have happened.
But a collection of factors combined to leave the Cats in a deep hole.
Geelong was flat after its emotion-charged ‘Dangerfield Cup’ against Adelaide.
Most of the midfield was down while Collingwood had the emotional confidence born of a big win the previous week – and a win over Geelong in the pre-season.
Plus Geelong’s goal kicking yips surfaced precisely at a time that hurt the side.
Just goes to show that common football sense can become uncommon just like normal common sense.
But the cold light of a few days distance from the emotion of the loss reveals that football life goes on.
Coach Chris Scott conceded Geelong was off its game.
But in all his post-match prognostications, Scott sought to flatten out the roller coaster of one week at a time football.
“We aim to be consistent all the way through,” Scott said.
“We don’t want to be an emotional team that plays really well when things are going our way and capitulates when they’re not.
“We are trying to develop a team that always thinks they’re a chance.”
Nevertheless, Scott will be expecting an upward swing in his player’s mood against Carlton in the early game on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
The Blues struggled against ladder leader North Melbourne last week, particularly in attack where they barely mustered a score worthy of half a game, let alone a competitive four quarters.
With the return of Tom Lonergan, Geelong’s defence resumes its normal flexibility, with the added interest of seeing Lachie Henderson up against his old club.
The key defender departed Carlton under strained circumstances, sitting out the last three games.
No doubt Henderson will receive a warm welcome from former teammates and fans alike but he has been a solid presence in Geelong’s defence this season.
Even though Geelong thrashed the Blues last time they met, the games prior to that were close, with Geelong only able to shake a tenacious opposition in the last term.
Geelong’s Indigenous Round jumper was designed by past player Nathan Djerrkura, representing the fresh and salt-water people of Arnhem Land.
