By Luke Voogt
Geelong faces a selection dilemma in combatting Saints ruck pair Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall after Esava Ratugolea impressed as a last-minute replacement for Rhys Stanley last Friday.
“Ryder coming back in the team in combination with Marshall has changed them the last couple of weeks,” Cats coach Chris Scott told a press conference on Tuesday.
“They’ve been really good around the ball, good at stoppages and Ryder’s a special player – given the chance to do what he does.
“We’ve spent some hours on it already and I suspect there’s a few hours in front of us before we actually come to a conclusion there.
“We’ve got confidence in our guys as well.
“All of our options are a bit different to Ryder and Marshall, so we’ll just have to think about the right combination there.”
Ratugolea was impressive in short bursts, with Mark Blicavs and Jack Henry sharing the ruck duties, in Geelong’s 63-point thrashing of Richmond.
His athleticism in the centre circle stood out when he tapped the ball to himself – albeit against a smaller ruck opponent in Marlion Pickett – sprinted, and hit up Isaac Smith in the forward 50.
Ratugolea is available for Friday’s clash, despite a poke to the eye against Richmond.
Scott acknowledged comparisons between Ratugolea and past ruck-forwards like Brad Ottens and Paul Salmon.
“We can foresee Esava developing into that sort of player,” he said.
“We haven’t ruled out the possibility he could play big game time as a forward.
“I could make an argument to say Esava is one of our better ground-level players full stop, irrespective of size.”
Fellow big man Rhys Stanley dominated against star ruck Nic Naitanui a fortnight before being omitted, but has had an up-and-down season.
Darcy Fort is also a chance following good form in the VFL.
The decision could be important against the Saints, who are rebounding after wins against Hawthorn and Gold Coast.
“A few of the players that have been key to them [and] the newer recruits over the last year or two – look to be in good form,” Scott said.
Scott was pleased with Geelong’s pressure and contested ball against Richmond.
“I think the biggest mistake for us to make would be to get carried away because we beat the best team in the comp – that’s still how we regard them – and let it impact on our progression,” he said.
“You’ve got to find a way to keep a bit of lid on it when things are going well – realise that it’s not as good as it seems – but also pick yourselves up a little bit when everyone’s trying to tell you it’s a disaster.
“I guess there’s been a sense around us earlier in the year that we weren’t quite playing as well as people expected us to.
“We don’t live in the world where we’re trying to meet people’s expectations. We’re trying to improve our game and play the way that we think is best for us, and we think we’re on that track.”
Geelong’s three-pronged attack of Jeremy Cameron (six), Gary Rohan (five) and Tom Hawkins (four) also had a fantastic night with 15 goals between them.
“It certainly gives the guys up the field real confidence that if we provide enough service then they’ll be able to finish it off,” Scott said.
Defender Jake Kolodjashnij is on “the cusp of returning”, according to Cats football general manager Simon Lloyd.
But Sam Simpson looks set to miss a few weeks after low-grade hamstring strain in his return to AFL football.
