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 their impressive 41-point victory over the Lions at the Gabba on Thursday night. The Cats secured a 17.15 (117) to 11.10 (76) win in a rematch of last season’s grand final, with forward Shaun Mannagh delivering a career-best performance.
Mannagh kicked five goals and recorded 30 possessions, playing a pivotal role in the Cats’ dominant display. Scott expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and outcome, noting that while the strategy against the premiers was straightforward, execution remained challenging.
“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,” Scott said. He emphasized that the challenge lies in how their performance compares to the rest of the competition.
Praise for Geelong’s Performance
Lions coach Chris Fagan recognized the Cats’ commanding performance, which included a streak of seven consecutive goals either side of half-time that opened up the game. Fagan praised Geelong’s pressure and overall hunger during the match.
“Geelong played particularly well. They were fantastic. Their pressure on us was very, very good, Geelong’s hunger was superior to ours tonight,” Fagan remarked.
Tom Stewart, who had an outstanding defensive performance for the Cats, suffered a corked calf but Scott wasn’t concerned about his fitness. “He assures me he’s fine. If I said he just looked like himself (with his performance), that’s high praise,” Scott said.
Shaun Mannagh’s Excellence
Scott also commended Mannagh’s performance in the wet conditions. “It was a really good game (from him). He has been building into the year,” the coach said. He noted that Mannagh has started to look more like himself in recent weeks and highlighted his skills as a smart and clever player.
“In the slippery conditions, there are some guys that feel a bit more and look a bit more at home in those conditions. He’s such a smart, clever player, and his ball handling, even when others are finding it hard, he’s elite.”
Scott observed that both teams were most dangerous in the small forward area around goal. “He was probably the outstanding one of all those, which is saying something,” he added.
Strategic Decision for Jack Martin
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. He noted that the score allowed them to be more cautious, but Martin assured him he was fine.
- The decision to hold Martin back was based on his condition and the need to manage his fitness for future matches.
- Scott emphasized that the team is focused on improving throughout the season and remains confident in their ability to reach the level of the top teams.
