Geelong’s Strong Performance Against Brisbane
Geelong coach Chris Scott has acknowledged that his team still isn’t at the level of the Brisbane Lions, despite a commanding 41-point victory over the premiers at the Gabba on Thursday night. The Cats secured a convincing win with a final score of 17.15 (117) to 11.10 (76), marking their seventh win of the season.
The match was a rematch of last season’s grand final, and it was highlighted by a standout performance from forward Shaun Mannagh. Mannagh delivered a career-best display, kicking five goals and recording 30 possessions. His efforts were instrumental in the Cats’ success, especially under challenging wet conditions.
Scott expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and outcome, stating, “It’s hard not to be content with the performance and the outcome.” He noted that while the strategy against the Lions is straightforward, executing it effectively is difficult. “In some ways, when you play them, the theory is easy and the execution is very hard,” he said.
Despite the win, Scott believes the Cats are still a step behind the Lions. “We’re doing everything we can to chase their level. I suspect we’re still a little bit off it now, but there’s a lot of footy to be played, and we’re confident that we’ll get better.”
Lion’s Coach Praises Geelong’s Performance
Lions coach Chris Fagan acknowledged the impressive performance by the Cats, particularly highlighting their ability to break open the game. “Geelong played particularly well,” Fagan said. “They were fantastic. Their pressure on us was very, very good, and Geelong’s hunger was superior to ours tonight.”
The Cats’ dominance was evident in a run of seven straight goals either side of half-time, which proved decisive in the match. Tom Stewart, who had an outstanding defensive performance, finished the game with a corked calf. However, Scott was not concerned about Stewart’s fitness, saying, “He assures me he’s fine. If I said he just looked like himself (with his performance), that’s high praise.”
Mannagh’s Impact in Wet Conditions
Mannagh’s performance was particularly notable given the wet conditions. Scott praised his skills, noting, “He has been building into the year.” He added, “Over the last few weeks, he’s started to look like himself a little bit more. He’s a very, very good player, full stop, but in the slippery conditions, there are some guys that feel a bit more and look a bit more at home in those conditions.”
Scott also highlighted Mannagh’s intelligence and ball-handling abilities, stating, “He’s such a smart, clever player, and his ball handling, even when others are finding it hard, he’s elite.” He observed that both teams showed their most dangerous form in the goal area, with Mannagh standing out as the top performer.
Managing Key Players
Scott took a “conservative” approach with veteran Jack Martin, who was kept on the bench for the final quarter due to a tight calf. “It was fed back to us that he was OK to keep going if we needed him, but we held him back,” Scott said. “The score allowed us to be more conservative, but he assures me he’s fine.”
This strategic decision reflects the coach’s focus on maintaining player fitness while capitalizing on the team’s strong performance. As the season progresses, Geelong will continue to work on closing the gap with the top teams in the competition.
