Geelong Coach Chris Scott Focuses on Long-Term Strategy Ahead of Key Match
Geelong coach Chris Scott has taken a different approach ahead of the Cats’ upcoming clash against the West Coast Eagles. Rather than focusing on the Eagles’ recent 128-point loss to Sydney, Scott has looked further back in their season to assess their current form and potential.
Scott emphasized that while the Eagles’ latest defeat was significant, it doesn’t necessarily reflect their overall capabilities or how they will perform in the upcoming game at Norwood Oval in Adelaide on Sunday.
“We probably haven’t focused too much on the game last week,” Scott said. “It’s obvious to me that when you have rebuilding teams, there are fluctuations.”
He pointed out that rebuilding clubs like the Eagles often take a long-term view, which contrasts with the AFL industry’s tendency to focus on immediate results.
“The irony is that the rebuilding teams are taking a very long-term focus but everyone else seems to want to focus on the very short term,” he said. “We won’t get sucked into that.”
Scott highlighted that the Eagles have shown flashes of strong performance in previous weeks, particularly before their loss to Sydney. He noted that the team managed to secure a win against Port Adelaide in the week prior to their defeat by the Swans, which gives him confidence in their ability to bounce back.
“They have got a lot of young talent, as most of the rebuilding teams tend to have,” he said. “And if there is one thing in the game that I have respect for, it’s how quickly some of those highly talented guys can come in and have an impact.”
Scott acknowledged that several players in the West Coast squad exemplify this rapid development, though he chose not to name individuals.
Current Standings and Team Dynamics
At the moment, both Geelong and the Eagles sit in similar positions on the ladder. The Cats are ranked 12th, just one spot above the Eagles, with both teams having a two-win and two-loss record.
Despite this, Scott is confident in his team’s ability to handle the challenge ahead. He also mentioned that the Cats will be missing tall utility Mark Blicavs for this match. The decision to rest Blicavs was part of a broader strategic plan aimed at ensuring the player’s long-term well-being.
“It was part of the macro plan,” Scott explained. “The best way to summarise it would be that once you put all the information on the table, it just made most sense to be proactive with him this week.”
He added that this kind of decision is not uncommon for him, given his experience over the past 15 to 16 years managing players.
“You sort of feel like the right thing to do for those guys longer term is really clear, but there is a nervousness with taking important players out of your team.”
Scott’s approach reflects a balance between short-term success and long-term player development, a philosophy that has become increasingly important in modern football. His focus remains on preparing the Cats for the challenges ahead, rather than being swayed by recent results.
