By Natalee Kerr
Geelong coach Chris Scott believes his side’s game style will worry an in-form Richmond when they battle it out tonight for a spot in the grand final.
Tonight’s clash at the MCG will be second meeting between the two this year following the Cats dominant 67-point win in round 12.
Scott said he takes confidence heading into the game despite the Tigers charging off a 10-game winning streak and fielding eight players that missed their previous meeting.
“They’ve (Richmond) made a few minor tweaks to the way they’ve been playing since then, but I think to look on the positive side,” Scott told reporters at Kardinia Park this week.
“We do have a method that troubles them.
“Our players would think, ‘well, if we get the game on our terms there is a way to beat them’.”
But the Cats will need some extra fight after key-forward Tom Hawkins copped a one-match ban for striking West Coast’s Will Schofield during last week’s win.
The two-time premiership winner, who helped set up the Cats semi-final victory with four goals, failed to have his suspension overturned at a tribunal hearing on Monday night.
Scott said he “considered everything” in attempt to cover Hawkins absence.
“We haven’t got a Tom Hawkins replacement, so we’ll be different, but different is not necessarily worse,” he said.
“Even the player that replaces him I can guarantee will be desperate to win so Tom gets the chance next week.
“If we didn’t have Tom the rest of the players wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place.”
Geelong resisted a late West Coast comeback last Friday night to take away a 20-point victory and advance through to the preliminary final.
Cats midfielder Cam Guthrie was outstanding with 33 disposals while skipper Joel Selwood finished with 26 touches and a goal.
Meanwhile Richmond are coming off a week’s break after their 47-point qualifying final victory against Brisbane.
Scott said tonight’s clash will be the battle of “two pretty good midfields”.
“There won’t be too many individual match-ups, more so group verses group… we’re happy to take them on in that area,” he said.
Geelong will be looking to make their first grand final since 2011 after losing their past three opportunities in 2017, 2016 and 2013. A loss for the Tigers will mark their second consecutive preliminary final exit.
Mitch Duncan and Jordan Clark will sit on the Cats sideline due to injuries, but speedster Gary Rohan looks likely to return after missing last week with a knee issue.
