Pilfering an overly indulgent in-house social media tag, they were just — “untameable” — sweeping the hapless Sydney Swans aside with the deft touch of a street-smart tomcat. The lid that had been shut tight for 16 odd weeks was firmly off.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported venture. Free and paid versions are available. The best way to support me is by taking out a paid subscription.

Subscribe now

As loyal subjects, we were all urged to recall this passage verbatim — “Too old, too slow, too good” — a little nauseating perhaps; yet, it rang true on many different fronts.

Joel Selwood is apt to give, not take. I believe, in this case, his thanks can be attributed two-fold.

Firstly: Coach Chris Scott and his staff, for their unwavering attention to his player-load-management; and secondly: the relentless pursuit of being the best version of himself. Self-gratitude does not come easy for the Bendigo native; however, this time around, Selwood should look squarely in the mirror.

The grand final was a game you couldn’t put down, contrary to all the detractors. I saw a captivating game of footy, which seemed to have everything; a topsy-turvy first quarter littered with nervous moments from both teams, eventually broken open by an unlikely source. The second quarter gave Sydney some claim to optimism then, with a faint heartbeat sounding, Geelong abruptly coerced them into a state of profound inevitability with a relentless intensity that was unmatched throughout the game.

Quarter three meandered along at a manageable clip - it was not the premiership quarter - this was long gone. The finale saw both sides abandoning defensive tendencies, swapping it for care-free self-nourishing play, albeit with Geelong continuing to hold sway. Sustenance was sought all over the ground, though the shining light had to be Joel Selwood’s goal — kicked in heavy traffic from the side of his right boot —which he would later give away — it was a fitting finish and one that brought widespread tears and joy, in equal measure.

Enjoying the read? If you feel like it, I’d love if you’d share this post with your friends!

Share

It might have been the end of February, the cricket season was heading toward finals, and football wasn't far away. Crossing Kardinia Park en route to my regular Barwon river loop walk, my mind congested with cricket anomalies, as is the norm, I glanced across to see a Cats player lapping Anthony Costa oval. Yes, you guessed correctly, it was their captain, Joel Selwood.

A quick aside - why do footballers and cricketers always run ovals anti-clockwise?

Nevertheless, Selwood was running anti-clockwise, alone and with no fitness trainers in tow. His gait was unmistakable; traveling like a racehorse on top of the ground, he looked like he could spend the day there, and most of the night!

An hour later, I was traveling in the opposite direction, heading home, and yes, you guessed right again, it was no surprise to see Joel Selwood still lapping the oval at a pace unfathomable to mere mortals. My earlier exertion paled into insignificance.

Anthony Costa oval sits alongside Latrobe Terrace, the main thoroughfare of Geelong; trucks, buses, and cars continually move in both directions; it mattered little to Selwood. Prying eyes or not, he seemed immersed in his world, oblivious to the mundane existence of his admirers. He would repay them on the field, as he had done for the past 15 years.

Was the running part of his pre-season schedule? — who would know — it might well have been, then it is likely Selwood decided on some extra mayo. Irrespective, to these eyes, it was a defining image of an athlete committed to being the best version of himself, regardless of rank or age. Remember, this was February, not September. We will get to September later.

Upgrade your subscription

Ben Hogan, the golfer, once said, when looking for answers, "you need to dig them out of the dirt." Selwood also has an affiliation with dirt, being no stranger to the extraction process. He spent the majority of his career on the inside. Why would anyone deny him the accolades that will continue to come his way?

The burning question is: how can someone so hard on the outside be so soft on the inside?

Golfers transfix me, particularly the older generation. Ben Hogan would be at the top of that list, nicknamed, “The Hawk” — an elongated connection there — his steely determination was legendary and intimidatory at the same time. Yet, the small amount of film that exists on Hogan, paints a very different picture. It seemed he was a soft and gentle man, one who cared deeply about the game.

Joel Selwood is beloved by the Geelong faithful. Their legacy has been shaped by his very presence; the enduring spirit has never wavered. He, like Hogan, is a soft and gentle soul who seems to care deeply about everyone who crosses his path. Of this, there cannot be any dispute.

An example of this is the 1000+ hours of community work he has given up through Geelong, culminating in him receiving the Jim Stynes Award this year for his community service. Just one of many accolades that will come his way.

The original conclusion I reached when I started my column on Sunday was that Joel Selwood would play in 2023. Now the narrative sits in the past and present tense.

Joel Selwood will not play in 2022. And, realistically, what does he have left to prove to the man in the mirror?

I came to my original conclusion believing he wouldn’t be able to let go of a legacy he and others had built. I assumed he would ring every last drop from a well with no bottom. A fifth premiership, perhaps, and another year, watching the younger brigade grow and blossom, would be too much to resist.

If I had only one quote left — DRS had chewed up the rest — and it wasn’t confined to his coach, teammates, opponents or family, it would be this:

“In Selwood there is all of football: that unflagging industry; that undying spirit; that vaulting brow, often bloodied but never furrowed, beneath that unchanging Roman fringe, now surrounded in the field by all manner of exotic and eccentric haircuts (Gryan Miers? Cam Guthrie?)”

I am biased — I know — the author is arguably the preeminent cricket writer of the current era. He also a Geelong native, and a lover of the Cats.

Thank you — Gideon Haigh.

Thank you — Joel Selwood

As always, thank you for being here.

This week’s version is an amalgamation of content: consisting mainly of my hazy recollection of Geelong’s last flag in 2011, then some Sydney Swans pondering, and a stab at what might transpire tomorrow at the home of AFL football, the MCG, when the Geelong Cats face off against the Sydney Swans.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported venture. Free and paid versions are available. The best way to support me is by taking out a paid subscription.

Subscribe now

Before we get going, I just wanted to call out someone — who in my experience — is THE most passionate, and knowledgable Geelong supporter I know. Jamie — no surnames required — who is the owner/operator of STADIUM Geelong fish and chips, 406 Latrobe Terrace, Newtown VIC 3220. Directly opposite Kardinia Park. And, NO, there is no contra deal here! Jamie will only leave his shop for one reason only, yes you guessed it, Geelong home games, and the grand final. Please seek him out when you get the chance.

A quote from the AFL website to start, this from their 2011 grand final (GF) review piece.

“It's the Grand Final most footy purists had hoped for since midway through the season.”

Geelong and Collingwood had won the previous two flags and dropped only five games between them in 2011.

Most of my AFL writing here at SpeakingNick on Geelong has been centred on their coach, Chris Scott. Looking back to the 2011 grand final, his first year coaching Geelong, it was a fascinating coaching match-up with Collingwood’s Mick Malthouse.

It was to be Malthouse’s last game in charge after a marathon 28 seasons in the coaching caper. At the other end of the spectrum was Chris Scott, coaching a GF in his debut season.

“The fascinating match-ups start in the coaches' box. Mick Malthouse will oversee his last game in charge after 28 seasons, while at the other end of the scale, Chris Scott will coach in a Grand Final in his debut campaign.”

Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter comes to mind — the master and the apprentice. Malthouse versus Scott.

Enjoying the read? If you feel like it, I’d love if you’d share this post with your friends!

Share

The winds of change will swirl around the MCG tomorrow afternoon. Transporting back to 2011, Geelong were seen as a ‘long-kicking team.’

“Geelong, meanwhile, have recently adopted more of a long kicking approach to the game.”

The Cats now preferring a quicker, more agile approach to their forward 50.

Looking back, it seems uncanny that Collingwood was dependent on the fitness of Ben Reid; likewise, Sydney will be hoping their Reid, Sam Reid, will make the starting 22. Sam Reid is arguably Sydney’s most important player.

An analyst looking at Collingwood’s backs, against Geelong’s forwards.

“Key defender Ben Reid, who also has had groin problems, has been rated a better chance to play than Jolly all week. However, if his game this week resembles his game last week, it could spell trouble given it would leave just Chris Tarrant as a qualified match-up for the big bodies of Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly.”

Tom Hawkins, the evergreen big man, will be front and centre again tomorrow. This time he will have his wing-man, Jeremy Cameron, to keep him company. Not to mention the All- Australian — Tyson Stengle.

Taking a look at the midfield’s …

“The two midfields are on the surface difficult to split, but you get the sense Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury are the best two players out of the aforementioned eight. With Luke Ball literally in match-winning form and Daisy Thomas always capable of something special, the Pies do appear to hold an edge.

“The Cats will have Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Joel Corey and more … to call upon”

Add Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie, to the equally evergreen, Joel Selwood, and you have some more of the same.

To close, this was from the same analyst when pressed for a conclusion:

“For those keeping score at home, that’s four factors in favour of the Cats, two for the Pies and one factor that really should’ve been left out of this whole exercise. And arguably the biggest factor – match fitness and injuries – is in the Cats’ favour, too.”

“My tip? Geelong by 25.”

And, for the record:

Geelong victorious by 38 points; Jimmy Bartel won the Norm Smith medal; Chris Scott bewitched Mick Malthouse, and sadly for the connoisseurs of American hard rock — Meat Loaf was off-key, and panned by all-comers!

Fast-forward to 2022, with a quick stop-off in 2013.

An admission is needed, and an apology offered to the good folk of Geelong. I was less educated on the virtues of Geelong when I penned this in 2013. I take it all back.

Original piece titled - AFL OBSERVATIONS FROM A POM ABROAD

“Lastly, it is a trip to the “sleepy hollow” that has caught all the media attention. On my last visit to Geelong, I must say I was mightily impressed by the standard of their shopping malls. When I shared this observation with some friends in Melbourne, they informed me that’s where 80% of the population goes on a daily basis. “What about the other 20% I replied”, “oh they go to work”.”

Sorry, I hope the apology is accepted.

Also, from the same piece some words on Sydney.

“Sydney are an anomaly, as far as I can tell, born in working-class South Melbourne, they now reside in the salubrious surrounds of the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Until recently I was under the impression they only played rugby in that part of the world, but, no, the Bloods are a force to be reckoned with. They don’t mind thinking outside the box either, recruiting Canadian rugby players and using elastic bands to fix busted knees.”

For context, you read the full article here.

And because everyone is drinking in Geelong, I was hoping I could share a favourite paragraph?

“As an Englishman living in Melbourne, I am continually left wondering what the AFL hype is all about. Can one man, namely Mick Malthouse, make so much difference to the performance of 22 super-fit athletes running around a ground big enough to host a gay and lesbian mardi gras? Ask a guy on Lygon street and the answer is most definitely YES. He is the Alex Ferguson of this great game.”

So, that’s all she wrote. All that remains is some predictions for tomorrow’s GF":

• Geelong by 14 points

• Patrick Dangerfield - Norm Smith Medal

• Chris Scott becomes Albus Dumbledore

• And, Robbie Williams will do a better job than Meat Loaf!

As always, thank you for being here.

A premiership in your first year is something to behold.

The Geelong cricket club has been waiting thirty years; since its inception. Players, past and present, lie in bed wishing; coaches and administrators stare at the ceiling dreaming of deliverance.

Yet, when Chris Scott delivered this coaching rarity in his first season at Geelong football club in 2011, there was chastisement, not adulation. It was as if he had stolen the town’s crown jewels. It somehow didn’t belong to him, similar to an unexpected inheritance from a distant aunt, something subconsciously you feel you should give back, but of course, don’t.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported venture. Free and paid versions are available. The best way to support me is by taking out a paid subscription.

Subscribe now

So here’s the puzzle. Transporting back to 2011, what did Chris Scott do wrong, what could he have done differently, and what else was there to do?

In short, all that transpired was one coach left, and another came in. It happens all the time, perhaps not as frequently as in other sports; still, AFL is no different in hiring and firing coaches. Coaches come, and they go.

That would be a conclusion reached too soon; there must be more to it than just that.

The other coach in question is Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson. Thompson exited the stage door, and Chris Scott, well, he marched through the front. Scott still had a measure of his enforcer tendencies to call on.

Scott’s fledgling coaching credentials matched the job description, and you could argue that Thompson and Geelong’s partnership had reached its natural conclusion. It’s an idiom but true — being in the right place at the right time is not a sin.

Previously, Scott had traversed the continent — ending up in Fremantle as an assistant to Mark Harvey after his playing career finished at Brisbane. There would be a discussion on where his initial coaching education started — as a senior player under the auspices of the ebullient Leigh Matthews at Brisbane; or Fremantle, under the watch of Mark Harvey. Either way, he emerged as a rookie coach who was — in the right place at the right time.

So why did the Geelong faithful rebuff Scott’s arrival? I believe the facts are not in the detail, but more in the fabric of the locale he came too.

Geelong, as a region, can be regarded as a heavy lifter. The city has been, and is, a critical transportation hub — by port, rail and road, servicing the agricultural needs of the Western District.  Labour intensive industry prevails. The Ford factory, now closed, has been intrinsically linked to the football club for years — the partnership will reach its centenary in 2025. No doubt it was full of bloody tough, no-nonsense, individuals, who endured lengthy work weeks, and even longer weekends.

Education, in the main, is delivered through elite, esteemed private schools, where some students still board! Parents seem more willing to transpose themselves in Geelong, working their professional jobs remotely, and then the younger single professional tribe seems content with its nightlife and broadband speeds. And, of course, their Melbourne fix is met by taking the ‘rattler’ to town — which no longer rattles. All that has a paradoxical feel to it when you delve into the real underbelly of Geelong.

So, you have these two contradictory classes that co-exist. The old are reluctant to relinquish a custodial hold on what they believe to be theirs. Football, through these eyes, is still very much a weekend pursuit for both them as spectators and what they expect from ‘their’ players. Yes, ‘their’ players — smothering, helicopter-style parenting is in play here. This tribe separates players from coaches with a clear leaning toward the player.

Then, to the transient tribe, which is more liberal in its views. Chris Scott will be on their radar without them knowing every last detail, and they are unlikely to know his whiteboard tendencies. However, when they look at his holistic achievements at Geelong, I suggest they afford him a good deal of approval — this is a tribe that prefers to inhabit corporate boxes over a seat in the outer with a gut-wrenching southerly coming straight at you. Bear that in mind. This tribe has no clear preference when it comes to players and coaches.

Subcultures can be both enduring and confusing, a place in the world with its own manners and vocabulary; a place with its own rules and governance. Internal rhythms and status structures resonate within and confuse those on the periphery. Who does look down on whom and why, further, who is venerated, and which tribe holds sway. There are a myriad of reasons that Chris Scott is held on the periphery in Geelong. Circling back, though, do we think this keeps him awake at night? I don’t think so.

Enjoying the read? If you feel like it, I’d love if you’d share this post with your friends!

Share

We’re not in the business of plainly listing achievements here. I would hope we look a little deeper. However, an overview of Geelong’s play since Chris Scott arrived is worth consideration. Especially given the argument I am putting forward.

To date: Chris Scott, the coach, has 199 wins from 285 starts, giving him an 80% win rate. In his 12 seasons as head coach, Geelong has only missed the finals once (2015) — a supporter cannot ask for much more — those are the distilled facts. His win-loss percentage ranks alongside the world's finest coaches. And, still, I can hear the bigoted tribe banging their drums — 'his finals record is deplorable in comparison to his regular-season record'. Hello, surely, your players have to take some responsibility here!

With all that said, not too much of it matters.

If Geelong wins the premiership this coming Saturday, the players will be rightly lauded. Their season has been an example of clinical execution, this after some teething issues in the early going. New roles and methods were introduced, and the players have responded brilliantly; many are in career-best form, and the development of the younger brigade has been hugely encouraging.

So was this a tsunami of sorts? Did the stars and planets align over the Western District? Well, no is the considered answer. This is an example of considered coaching, and managing. I believe coaches to be more managers than coaches, specifically at this end of the skill spectrum. Chris Scott has managed the 2022 season to perfection. Almost.

Standing between Scott and his second premiership is a resourceful foe. Sydney will test Geelong’s resilience; their coach, John Longmire, will keep Chris Scott honest. Scott has the magnets; he knows where he wants them; he must stay true to his course, not waiver, and, most importantly, continue to trust his players.

Whether the doubters trust him — and his like — is neither here nor there. Scott is happy to be on the periphery, where he might belong; you could say, what is for sure, though, he will be leaving Geelong Football Club in a better place. And when the time comes, he will leave through the front door.

As always, thank you for being here.

Manage your subscription

To me, they look perfectly positioned to win a premiership, and the burning question is, what can go wrong?

I would say, not too much. A simple mindset pivot has allowed the Cats to "go forward" and go quicker. The previous iteration of safety-first football was failing, specifically in the suffocating cauldron of finals football. This season Geelong ranks fourth in the “kicking in a forward direction” — as opposed to 18th in 2021.

You have to love a metric like that — “kicking in a forward direction” — present that stat to Carji Greeves and you might find yourself on the seat of your pants!

Regardless, Geelong’s senior players have embraced the freedom created by the "go forward" shift. Also, Chris Scott has referred to the pivot as “an optimistic” look at “what is possible in 2022.” Often the reason for change can be too obvious and too clear-cut to see.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported venture. Free and paid versions are available. The best way to support me is by taking out a paid subscription.

Subscribe now

Geelong’s top six players are in reliable form, and the burgeoning support cast — Tom Atkins, Brad Close, Zach Guthrie, and Max Holmes — to name a few, are settled and not missing a line. The dependable backs are as miserly as ever, and most importantly, the coach appears to be enjoying great clarity in his thinking.

My world despises task managers, those with the annoying square boxes to the left of your to-do scribble. Perching there patiently waiting to be ticked, just lifeless boxes demanding entitled attention. I loathe them with a passion.

I wonder if Chris Scott subscribes to them? I think he might — I feel like I am in the minority on this. Further research showed these dreaded beings go as far back as Benjamin Franklin — the founding father of the United States — also the founding father of “to-do” lists. Imagine that!

So, it’s a divide and conquer mechanism. Separate your list into smaller achievable tasks, tick those damn boxes, and when completed, you have it all — a premiership. Simplicity, or not?

Scott’s might read something like this — in the linear form:

Last three rounds no mistakes; secure minor premiership; manage injuries and playing time loads; win qualifying final, break the preliminary final hoodoo; hoist the premiership with a record-equalling 16-game winning streak; and tell the doubters to go bloody jump

For the record, that would be: tick, tick, tick, tick, TBC, not confident, resounding tick.

Enjoying the read? If you feel like it, I’d love if you’d share this post with your friends!

Share

With that said — have you ever wondered what might happen if you only aggregate tasks and not tick them, afford them no attention, shun their flirtatious advances? You could argue the pressure will build to a breaking point, and "God forbid!" They fold.

“Fold.” — there is an unsettling word. Surely the foundations built at Geelong this season will alleviate any downward pressure. As Chris Scott says, “Pressure is a privilege.” This is the question: can they resist my anti-establishment tendencies and play by the rules? If they do — there are only two “to-do'“ boxes to tick.

But, before you merrily tick away, is the most provocative '“to-do” missing from Scott’s list?

That’s the “don't stuff this up” task, a line that will keep coaches awake at night.

It is hard to ignore for any coach. Coaches might tell you they prefer being chased and not the chaser, but it remains a lingering thought of doubt. A behind-the-hands look at win-loss probability is a sobering reality. Sixteen wins without a loss takes some doing.

Also, for the record, an alarming stat says of the 10 preliminary finals in the pre-finals bye era (2016-20), qualifying finals winners to have a 4-6 record (40%). Before that, 17 of the 18 preliminary finals (94%) were won by qualifying final winners. (Note: there was no pre-finals bye in 2021)

You can make stats work for you in any way you want.

So, roll probability into chance, or vice-versa, and you have a variable that may or may not play a part in Geelong finishing off a stellar turn-around season. Fascinating viewing awaits.

The preliminary final weekend is often labeled the year's best football weekend. And, it is upon us — Geelong is a great place to be — apart from the weather!

The Cats faithful have much to deliberate over: will Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield start on the bench? Can Rhys Stanley have the game his coaches believe he has in him? Will Gary Rowan be able to play his role again, allowing Jeremy Cameron room to move? The Guthrie brothers are both rippers, and in career-best form, how will they go? Big Tommy Hawkins — what can you say?

And then, on the other side: how will they negate Lachie Neale’s influence? Will Hugh McCluggage have another big night (25 touches) against the Demons despite being tagged? Can the Cats suppress Brisbane’s newfound belief and strength at the contest? What will Joe Daniher and Oscar McInerney bring to the table?

The two teams met only once this season in round four, with the Cats prevailing by 10 points. Tom Hawkins kicked five goals for the Cats, while Joe Daniher and Daniel McStay each had three for the Lions.

How ironic will it be if a rule change initiated by one of Geelong’s own will be the catalyst for their 10th premiership? The new “stand” rule has opened up new opportunities; new avenues to goal. Steve Hocking was single-handedly tasked with opening up the game as AFL football operations boss.

Now, as the Cat’s chief executive, Hocking brings all the ammunition Geelong needs to pivot to a place where they can finally tick all those damn boxes.

Manage your subscription

As always, thank you for being here.

Podcasts, fishing shows, endorsements, a comedian-in-disguise, and more seriously, in his role as President of the AFL players association. He seems to have all the bases covered. Or does he?

Significantly, when asked prior to last weekend’s 300th game if a premiership would be his career's “finishing piece”, he responded, “I think it's the finishing piece, if you will, but I don't think it necessarily defines players."

He added, "Clearly that would be a wonderful thing to achieve, and we've given ourselves a shot this year. We're in a good position.”

And the sinker, "But there's so much enjoyment externally to just that."

“So much enjoyment externally to just that.” How should you unpack that comment? It's a question I think about constantly, both in the specific context presented here, and more broadly in sports, and beyond.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, please consider becoming a subscriber - paid and free subscriptions are available.

Subscribe now

Personally, I have taken a shallow view of Dangerfield’s extracurricular activities, the same narrow-minded perspective taken by many of his critics. He is unjustly maligned for this, and the real question is why.

Why are we conditioned to question people’s motives for existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or sporting sphere? In this case, the incredibly parochial sphere of AFL football.

Answering that question leads you to another question.

When we try to measure the relevance of an elite performer, in this case a sportsperson, namely Patrick Dangerfield, we nearly always miss the purpose of the question. Why is this?

Because, the tendency is to overemphasise peak performance, and underemphasise longevity. Meaning …

Peak performance is confined to one magical game, or a single stellar season, or even narrower—a performance in a final that changes the course of a game and places the perpetrator in a place of folklore eternally. Does this resonate?

So, is this belief more important than a career that spans a significant period, a decade, or close to two, where the level of performance is both consistent and elite? 

It seems the majority of sports fans are dismissive of long periods of elite performance, instead infatuated with absurdly brief periods of extraordinary performance. The sporting landscape is littered with this.

Enjoying this post? I would love it if you shared it with your friends and colleagues ..

Share

An example would be golf’s, Tiger Woods. It is hard to comprehend that any critic could argue a case against his achievements. But they did, and even before his accident, fans and the media were busy writing his epitaph. He might, “never win another major.” “He cannot compete any longer with the younger generation.” Oh, he won The Masters, that’s right!

To list all of Woods' achievements would be folly, firstly because it would take too long. Secondly, he was playing on a different playing field to Dangerfield. A global sport against one confined to the boundaries of a continent.

If you were to sift through Woods' CV it would be as clear as day that his legacy is a combination of eliteness and consistency. His longevity is legendary.

It is prudent, though, to look at Dangerfield’s CV.

He is an eight-time All-Australian and was named captain in 2020 and vice-captain in 2018.

Dangerfield has won his club's best and fairest four times (once with the Adelaide and three times with Geelong), along with claiming the 2016 Brownlow medal.

Incidentally, he has lobbied 230 Brownlow medal votes in his career—only Gary Ablett Jnr and Gary Dempsey have polled more. Of course I choose to use the Dangerfield humour in replacing ‘polled’, with ‘lobbied’. He has polled 230 Brownlow votes.

In 300 games he has missed just 29 games since his debut and never more than six in a row. For all the perceived showmanship, there is a considerable degree of resilience in his DNA—and longevity in his career.

Of course, the last stat is the sinker. He has missed just 29 games, and never more than six in a row. Longevity over the briefness of brilliance.

There have been two significant coaches in Dangerfield’s life. Firstly, Neil Craig (Adelaide Crows) and latterly, Chris Scott (Geelong Cats).

Craig was heavily criticised when the Crows drafted Dangerfield over top SA prospects in 2007—this against a one-eyed tide of South Australian (SA) opinion. Well, guess what? The good parochial folk of SA might have been wrong.

To Scott. Chris Scott knew he was getting a blue-chip, and the good folk of Geelong got one of their own back. Often it is a player’s peers that speak most openly in these instances.

Captain Joel Selwood said of Dangerfield: “He’s a bit of a cheetah, crossed with a lion, and he’s got a bit of bear in him as well.’’

Teammate Mitch Duncan said: “He’s a group one horse.’’

And Irishman Zac Tuohy: “In terms of crash and bash and competitiveness, I’ve never seen a player do what he does. When the ball is there to be won, he turns into a beast.’’

Tuohy added: “Danger, for how ruthless he is on field, he’s probably the biggest child off the field. He carries on like a pork chop around the club.’’

And, so that differentiation between Dangerfield’s on-field and off-field personas probably tells the whole story.

"But there's so much enjoyment externally to just that." was his own quote.

Dangerfield has endured on the field, excelling at two very different football clubs. And it would be foolish to not draw inferences to his off-field activity in helping to maintain this level of performance. He is telling us that in the quote above.

This is Patrick Dangerfield, a person ready for most things that will come his way. Someone who flies in the face of the troubling want for immediacy in today’s society.

As always, thank you for being here.

Been forwarded this post? Sign up to receive it free, or better still, consider taking out a paid subscription to support my work. There are annual, monthly, and founding member options. Subscribe.

Any coach, me included, prays for individuals like Selwood to walk through the door. Ready-made players who are good-to-go from day one. They are a godsend to coaches and their teams.

And, many coaches will confide, reluctantly, that they need many different pieces to make up the perfect jigsaw, and those pieces are not always easily found. Selwood plays a role that is easy to define, but hard to perform. Younger players tend to prefer the outside game. He opted for the inside. Also, most importantly, his coach and the team entrusted him with this, from the outset.

Selected in the 2006 Australian Football League (AFL) draft. Selwood was drafted seventh overall, and was Geelong’s first pick. There are many well documented horror draft stories, but this was a winning match for both player and club. Today, the pairing remains strong as ever.

SpeakingNick is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Subscribe now

When Selwood walked through the door, Geelong was ‘on the nose.’ A watershed loss at home to North Melbourne, 2007 (Round 5), resulted in a kangaroo court inquisition, which in short, exposed shortcomings that were eventually owned by the players, and the wider dressing-room. Joel Selwood was playing his fifth game, and was easily best-on-ground for the Cats. It was said “he brought a steel and a hunger that at times bordered on disturbing”. Geelong, at that time, being described as “provincial, parochial, happy with mediocrity, but poisoned by it too”.

Selwood immediately went about changing this perception. It feels to me that he worried little about the external perspective; his motivation was to help change the internal mechanisations that did not resonate. Being ‘happy with mediocrity’ would not sit well with the Bendigo native. An elite sporting family had conditioned Selwood in a way that only a few can.

For the record, the Selwood brothers hold the combined AFL/VFL games record, with Joel extending the gap as each week passes. Twins - Adam and Troy, and the youngest brother, Scott all outstanding players in their own right. This milestone will obviously be increasingly hard to surpass. The famous Danhier clan sit second on the ladder.

He quickly realigned Geelong, dragging it kicking and screaming into contention year after year. First as a rising star, then as vice-captain, and now as captain in his own right. In the early part of his journey there were valuable learnings garnered from both Tom Harley, and Cameron Ling, his respective captains.

Looking back on his early career, the individual and team achievements are truly astonishing. He set a VFL/AFL record with a 92% winning percentage in his first 50 games (46–4), and was a member of three premiership teams in his first five seasons: (2007, 2009, and 2011), the last of which as vice-captain. There was an AFL rising star award, and an AFL players association award for ‘best first year player’. Add to this three Carji Greeves Best and Fairest Medal’s: 2010, 2013 and 2014. Extraordinary.

Enjoying this post? I would love it if you shared it with your friends ..

Share

Talking on the radio this morning with Rob Cameron (Pulse 94.7), we concluded that in-the-moment, it is hard to appreciate the enormity of individual achievements.  One week rolls into the next, game after game, finals, and before you know it, another season is in the books.  There seems little time for consideration.  And, then, we are forced to stop, and give appropriate time and thought to a player when a milestone is reached. Again, 350 games is an enormous individual contribution to the game of AFL football. So, here we are, looking back on the achievements of a remarkable player, one who is both unique and common in his methods.

Geelong are fortunate to have such a durable, dependable, and acutely cognitive player leading them.

Joel Selwood was born to compete. An easy same-sport comparable would be Luke Hodge. Both have relied on natural instincts throughout their careers, and a natural want to, and need, to problem-solve. They thrive in the unpredictable vacuum of leadership.

Would Steve Smith be a cross-sport comparable?  Smith too, started his career not long out of school.  His apprenticeship was short and confined to an ‘on the tools’ education.  Continually bouncing around an Australian team that was trying to find itself.  If you walk down Moorabool Street, Geelong, in the shadows of GMHBA stadium, and look east, you will see a poster of both Selwood, and Smith.  The local sports store has chosen to market them both as role-models to their youthful, expectant clientele.

Yes, I know, there was a significant blip in the journey of Steve Smith, which is not for here; however, there are many character traits shared, and leadership continues outside the auspices of officialdom. I believe the poignant of all acronyms is: LWT (Lead without title)

I don’t believe it is, or was, a pretence on Saturday night when Selwood was so reverent to his interviewee.  Also, visibly thanking the fans of Geelong in the appropriate manner.  Pretence - NO - but, there seemed a want to be done with all of this, and be with the game, with his team. In the contest.

That’s my view, and you also have the view of his coach - Chris Scott.

Scott describes him as a “carer”.

He went on to say, “It might be a little bit of a soft word to attach to such a tough guy, but he’s always thinking about other people.”

And, “That’s what I saw out on the ground too, he’s not going out to wave to the crowd and accept all the adulation, he’s going out there to thank them and show his appreciation for being a part of his big night and big career”.

I believe Joel Selwood is a lot more than just a ‘warrior' - he is also greater than many of the adjectives used to describe his play and personality. To me, he is best left to only the best behavioural profilers, he is as deep and intense as the eyes we see on the football field.

For the record, the Cats recorded their 15th win of 2022. They sit atop of the ladder, Captain and Coach seem suitably aligned, and there is much to look forward to through August and September.

I take my Tigers hat off to Mr Joel Selwood. Arguably, Geelong’s most important player ever. Period.

Ps. As always, thank you for being here.

Like what you read - buy me a coffee

And an appendix of Joel Selwood’s career at the 350 game mark …

• Triple Premiership player (2007, 2009 and 2011)

• Six-time All-Australian (2009, 2010, 2013(c), 2014(c), 2016(c), 2017)

• Geelong games record holder (350)

• Three time captain of the All-Australian team

• 3× Carji Greeves Medal: (2010, 2013, 2014) - Geelong Best & Fairest

• Geelong captain: (2012–)

• Most games played as an AFL captain (238)

• Selwood is 4th all-time in most wins played in (253) behind Michael Tuck, Shaun Burgoyne and Kevin Bartlett and first among active players.

• He is 2nd for most finals played in (37), two behind Michael Tuck, and the most among active players. 

• He has laid the most tackles in VFL/AFL history (1775)

• He is a 4-time AFLPA Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award winner (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Franklin joined a pantheon of AFL greats after booting goal number four, taking him to the nirvana of 1000 league goals, so, becoming just the sixth VFL/AFL player to reach the historic milestone.  

As an 'Englishman in Geelong' - my attention peaked the moment the yellow Sherrin was en route to the magical 1000th. 

The kick was a precursor to my uninitiated curiosity around the imminent ground invasion. Fans sat atop the perimeter fencing, anticipating their opportunity to share in this unique, and magical moment. I was not disappointed. The fans were not to be denied, either.

Boston, MA - is a mad, mad, sports town.  Having a circle of friends who reside in 'Bean town' - I managed to give them an early 'heads-up' on the unique prospect of an allowed ground invasion, during a professional game of football! Explaining what code of football was too difficult, and might of distracted them from their curiosity.

The majority mocked in dis-belief; some were amused at the prospect; the rest wished Big Buddy on, having little idea who he was. Most of them still use Jarryd Hayne as a conduit between American and Australian football; the 'Hayne Plane' flew high for a short time. Sadly, the plane is now permanently grounded.

Buddy did not disappoint. Rarely has he done this during a stellar 17 year career.

The yellow Sherrin obliged, turning end over end, depicting a perfect drop-punt. A theatrical masterpiece. And, Boston rocked in unison, marveling in the unprecedented chaos that followed. Buddy was no longer a stranger to them; Fenway Park invasions were already in the making.

Travel back to the 2013 American League Championship game.

The Boston Red Sox were trailing the Detroit Tigers 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning. Enter, David Ortiz, dubbed the Babe Ruth of the Red Sox. Ortiz (Big Papi) launches a grand-slam hit off Joaquin Benoit, tying the game, and then his side went on to win the World Series. If only they could travel back in time. Fenway would have its own invasion.

35-year-old Franklin joined; Tony Lockett (1,360 goals), Gordon Coventry (1,299), Jason Dunstall (1,254), Doug Wade (1,057) and Gary Ablett senior (1,031) in the exclusive club. There's a firm argument that this exclusive club is closed to all membership applications, with Franklin likely to be the last inductee. What do you think?

Personally, I'm saying, never say never. Much the same as we will await the next Shane Warne - patiently, oh so patiently.

With a Cats hat back on - spare a thought for Geelong young gun Jack Henry, who is seven centimetres shorter than Franklin, 12 years his junior, and sits 229 games behind Franklin, his opponent, for most of the night.

Franklin opened his account with a set-shot from the pocket just before quarter-time.  A quiet second quarter was followed by a productive third, with goals two and three registered.  Then, as if stage-managed, he slotted the magical 1000th close to the end of proceedings.  Chad Warner had the assist. And it was a night to remember, across continents. 

The Cats started strongly with a pair of goals from Jake Kolodjashnij and Zach Tuohy inside the opening five minutes. Sadly, the karma bus stalled soon after, and never got going again.

An innate sense of inevitability set in - propelling the unrelenting Sydney Swans forward; I was sure the occasion might get in front of their performance; it was not to be. On the contrary, they ran on top of the ground all night long, leaving the Cats constantly off pace. Contest after contest went to the Swans advantage, and they converted opportunities with confidence.

Geelong did miss opportunities, still, it seemed they always had to play catch-up. Sydney punished them with direct corridor control, and continual over-lap running, allowing the Swans to get out the back too often.

A four-goal blitz within a seven-minute burst early in the second quarter opened up a 28-point lead. And, the Swans never looked back. 

On a night when Sydney dominated forward play, Brad Close stood tall for the Cats with four goals from 18 disposals. He added five tackles, and a game-high 11 score involvements. *Working hard here on my analytical switch to Footy*

Irony abounds when you think about a Coleman medal winner playing in this game - the Cats, Jeremy Cameron.

He kicked 67 goals in the 2019 home-and-away season, earning the Coleman medal. On this trajectory, assuming that this was his first year, and he maintained form and fitness, he would have to play 15 more seasons to join Franklin, in the 1000 goal club!

Kudos to Cameron though, he chose to back up after a tough hit last week. Pakington Street is not as seductive as she might think. Cameron worked tirelessly through the night, finishing one of the Cats best, regardless of him not hitting the scoreboard.

SYDNEY:         4.3       11.3       15.4       17.5 (107)
GEELONG:      2.4       6.7       8.13     10.17 (77)

GOALS 
Sydney:   Heeney 5, Franklin 4, Hayward 3, Gulden, McLean, Mills, Rowbottom
Geelong: Close 3, Atkins, Duncan, Kolodjashnij, Parfitt, Tuohy

BEST 
Sydney:   Heeney, Mills, Gulden, Blakey, Warner, Franklin, Stephens
Geelong:  Close, Selwood, Stewart, Smith

Agreed … very little coach talk here, we will get back to that next week. Locked in.

Decided on more of a report based column, and some embellishment on the back of Buddy, and his 1000, also a connection to Boston and baseball. As always, I appreciate your reading time.

Read SpeakingNick in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

David Ortiz, and the Red Sox, are big deals, larger than life. I heard a priceless quote on Ortiz during the most recent baseball lock-out. Wanted to share this with you?

He was arguing for the players, obviously, but, in this instance his comments might of crossed a blurred line. The commentator unwittingly said ‘David Ortiz doesn’t realise how much weight he carries …’ Big Papi was a designated hitter, and played first base. He didn’t move too far, he wasn’t required to move too far. He is a big unit. Run for the hills that commentator.

As always, thank you for being here.

Editor’s note - if this is a re-send, apologies. It seems the scheduled post didn’t publish last night as intended

'Geelong doesn't work hard enough,' - a statement from a 'high profile recruit' at his 2021 season exit meeting. Weighty words.

You might be more likely to find it in a 'mates' WhatsApp group, or the cerebral surrounds of the Cremorne Hotel, on a mid-summer Sunday afternoon.

For the record, this is second-hand to me, and not substantiated. But, for the sake of this column, we can make some assumptions.

The debate is not centered on the comment; it is looking more broadly at the presumption that everyone, and all teams, should 'work hard.'

You generally hear, and see the 'hard work' card played in one of two circumstances; a team is struggling, results are not coming, the coach is under mounting pressure, or; as a result of a turn-around in form, a team starting to feel the flow, and a coach ready to accept recognition for this.

Something like this:  'We just need to work harder, things will change, it's all about hard work' or 'We just went back to basics and worked our butts off, hard work does pay off, eventually'

So the first assumption we will make is that the 'high profile recruit' came from Hawthorn FC, again, there is no incriminating intent here.

He spent ten seasons with the Hawks from 2011 to 2020; collecting three premierships along the way. A stellar first stanza for a supremely gifted footballer.

He had one coach during that time - Alastair Clarkson. 

In one sentence you could describe Clarkson as - A leader of change, an adopter of innovation, and a tireless worker.

There can be no doubt that the 'high profile recruits' perception of 'hard work' might be very different from those of his new teammates, and his new coach. Hence, most probably the catalyst for him to pitch his flag at that end-of-season review. Perhaps, there was a hint of defensive play in his words, also.

Expounding out to other pursuits; it is worth noting a quote made famous by South African golfer, Gary Player.

Player infamously said 'the harder I practice, the luckier I get.'  At least Player replaced the 'work' with 'practice.'  So he did remove the ambiguity around the word 'work.' Practice became an obsession for Player, and with this, he cultivated an unhealthy feeling of exclusivity around himself. He was affixed to the notion that 'hard work' translates to 'luck' which in turn results in 'success.'

Staying with golf, and moving up a notch.

Tiger Woods moved to Florida soon after turning pro; originally home for him was in Southern California. He opted for the popular golfing community of Isleworth, in the north of the Sunshine State; his friend and mentor, Mark O'Meara lived there. With deepening pockets, and no female strings attached, Woods pretty much had the pick of the available real estate.

His house choice was intriguing. This story was relayed to me via a PGA Tour caddie. He was sober.

Woods’ choice was a three-bed, two-bath, single-level townhouse. It had no water frontage, very little street appeal, and no direct access to the golf course.

But, it did have one thing going for it, one very big plus in the 1997 world of Tiger Woods. There was direct access to the driving range, more to the point, walking access to the practice tee. Woods, like Gary Player, was married to golf, and the pursuit of perfection. 'Hard work' was in his DNA, or, was it 'smart work' and not just 'hard work.'

To finish the sober caddie story... Woods’ party piece was to walk out to the tee around 2 am - six-iron in hand, ten or so balls in his pocket, no lights, complete darkness - and he hit the best 10 shots he could, the balls disappearing into the darkness. At first light, he would return, walk out to where he thought the landing area would be, to find, nearly always, the balls from the night before, in a tight circle, perfect dispersion. I believed the caddy, why wouldn't you!

So, if we characterise Alistair Clarkson as a leader of change, innovative, and hard-working, how do we identify, Chris Scott?

Any coach who has a win-loss record like Scott's has to have the 'hard working' tick? Surely?

And he must be open to change, and this is not a one plus two equals three equation. Affecting change, and the urgency to do this is difficult. Disloyalty to your beliefs as a coach feels dangerous, counterintuitive. The effect is magnified if you are already in a place of worry.

Scott is open to change. His football department has welcomed 16 new staff members for the 2022 season. Gone is the need for 'line coaches' - he sees a more collaborative, and holistic coaching panel. More inclusivity. This is all born out of the ability to change course. Tick!

And, strategically, he has to have a deeper knowledge of the game and his players than other coaches more junior in experience. You can almost see the mouse-wheel turning when the camera traps him in the box. His playbook would be extensive.

In short, he has all the tools he needs. Whether he sits alongside Alistair Clarkson on a peer level, who knows, does Scott care, I doubt it!

Do the Cats 'work hard enough' - watch this space. There will be no talk of this while they are winning, and if the wheels start to wobble, or the finals approach, well that misinterpreted cliche will likely be rolled out. 'Hard work' means next to nothing; it is the work you do - that really matters.

It seems this post didn’t publish last night as scheduled, during the pre-game!

So my Cats tip did not eventuate, Sydney did not suffer any interferences, and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin stopped the game as only he can do - kicking his 1000th league goal. I will have to check the tape to see if Geelong’s ‘high profile recruit’ was the first to congratulate Buddy!

I have to tip a 2-0 start for the Cats. The individual significance of tonight's game might carry too big a burden for the Sydney Swans, and Lance 'Buddy' Franklin. However, assuming Buddy does kick the goals he needs, I am looking forward to the 'controlled ground invasion'

And my second tip is the 'high profile recruit' might be the first to congratulate Buddy!

Nevertheless, if both parties are happy, he remains at the helm until 2025; an apparent three-year extension agreed to. And, as said last week, this will take Scott past Reg Hickey’s record for most games coached at Kardinia Park.

It was nice to read, and hear the word ‘rejuvenated’ in his presser. Coaches ride the ebbs and flows of a team, momentum providing energy and vision, then poor form derailing the flow that both crave.

I’m not sure there is a more pivotal four-letter word than ‘flow’ in professional sport. I am hopeful we both have it with us today.

Changes in administration also provide a stimulus for coaching resets.

The Cats have newcomers; Steve Hocking and Craig Drummond in the key positions of chief executive and president respectively (Drummond serving his first year in 2021). This can also serve as a catalyst for renewed creativity from the coach, and his panel.

Optimism abounds after change; we see this in politics, sport and business. Periods of grace ensue, room to breathe, time to get accustomed, or in this case, reacquaint oneself with your group.

Scott is both street-smart, and corridor-smart; he has aligned himself with the change in administration, buying time to covertly introduce changes to his modus operandi. He must be able to play his hand a different way, and the team understand how the cards need to fall.

How this change looks will be food for thought.  The majority of Cats fans will be hoping he adds some maturing wine to his ageing wine cellar.

The peerless Sting sang about ‘An Englishman in New York’ - I will attempt to write like ‘An Englishman in Geelong’.

It wasn’t he who was an ‘Englishman in New York’ he wrote of an unlikely character, Quentin Crisp, an eccentric gay icon of his era. Crisp confided with Sting on the complexity of residing in the city that never sleeps.

I don't drink coffee, I take tea, my dear.  He muses of ‘aliens’ and ‘legal aliens’ - he crows the virtues of manners, and how they maketh man, he suffers ignorance with a smile, and attempts to be himself, regardless of what they say.

Crisp shared how propriety can lead to notoriety, via modesty. He points to sobriety being lost in society, and how a nights candle burns brighter than the day's sun.

He goes further, encouraging all to confront their enemies when they can.  And, to be like a gentleman; he will walk but never run.

Agreed, enough self-indulgence on my part. Sting still remains peerless, though!

So, write I will, the best I can. Looking from a mildly uneducated view when it comes to the vagaries of Australian rules football, but then, from a more assured mind on the intricacies of coaching a team.

Looking at Geelong’s selected side there are few hints of dramatic change, more a pedestrian lurch toward a maturing cellar for Scott.

Only one new Cat was named, Tyson Stengle, recruited from Adelaide in the off season. Stengle impressed in practice matches, and he does come with a streak of tiger in him!

Being a traditionalist, I am firmly in favour of the Cats’ 2.10pm Saturday start time.

The Bombers of Essendon will be the first to face Scott’s resurgent Cats - they will be hoping to read the hand that Scott might choose to play, and see off a group of players that will be primed and ready for 2022. It might be too much for Essendon.

Scott will add to his already impressive home and away record in the season opener.

For me; the other Geelong Cats drive up the highway to take on Richmond in a Victorian premier cricket elimination final. Go the Catters!

As always, thank you for being here at SpeakingNick

He is also poised to become the Cats’ longest-serving coach on the back of a reported two-year extension.

Typically, those achievements would endear you to the fans for a lifetime. So why is it that the tide of public opinion appears to be against the man poised to break Reg Hickey’s record for most games coached at Kardinia Park?

That grand final victory was over a decade ago, and it would seem many supporters have fatigued of Scott.

The criticism was spun as a “loud minority” of fans by former chief Brian Cook in 2019. But if Scott has his supporters among the rank and file, how come the anti-Scott sentiment, publicly at least, clearly outweighs those supporting the decision to recontract him?

When Scott was quizzed about the record during the 2020 finals series, he labelled the criticism as “lazy”.

Fans would feel like they have been taken for a ride at selection and with vague injury updates.  Consider that Shaun Higgins, medical sub for Geelong’s first final against Port Adelaide last year, was “managed” for the following match against Greater Western Sydney.  

Managed! Players aren’t – or at least shouldn’t be – managed in finals. They are either dropped or injured.

Or consider that ahead of the preliminary final, Scott declared the team had been confirmed behind closed doors but refused to publicly declare the ins and outs until the Thursday night release.  Why would he not confirm the final 22 if the selectors had settled on the side? Would it be to avoid questioning from the press about who was selected and who was overlooked?

Another theory is that perhaps Scott was keeping his cards close to his chest to keep Melbourne guessing.  As it was, Zach Guthrie, sadly a whipping boy for the fans, was recalled, which was again roundly criticised on social media.

It was later revealed Guthrie’s selection was a point of dispute between Scott and assistant Matthew Scarlett, who, it was reported, felt he had to leave the club because of tension between him and his superior.

That grand final victory was over a decade ago, and it would seem many supporters have fatigued of Scott.

Scott even said at one point last year that he was not as transparent with injury updates as he could be.

After the final-round loss to Melbourne, he said Patrick Dangerfield had come down with a stomach bug midway through the game.  It would later be revealed he sustained a nasty hand injury, which he carried through the finals.

It’s a given that clubs would want to guard some information, but to provide misleading answers on the health of players, or when they are expected to return, would rightly frustrate supporters.

And what about the disappointing finals record, which stands at 7-15 since the 2011 premiership?

When Scott was quizzed about the record during the 2020 finals series, he labelled the criticism as “lazy”.

Remember, it’s always the hallmark of the great coaches that they can get their sides to play their best football when it’s all to play for.

So why is it that in four of the past five seasons Geelong’s lowest scores have come in the first week of finals (in the one year – 2020 – it wasn’t; it was Geelong’s third-lowest score of the season). It’s preliminary final score of 8.12 (60) in 2016 was also a season-low.

And this is the man Geelong wants to re-sign - a coach that has a significantly worse record in finals compared to home-and-away?  It’s all become a bit same-old, same-old for the Cats.

And what about the disappointing finals record, which stands at 7-15 since the 2011 premiership?

Many would suggest the game plan, defined by uncontested marks and possession retention, hasn’t changed and has collapsed in the September cauldron when teams typically apply white-hot pressure.

Consider that Melbourne’s pressure rating of 223 in the first quarter of the preliminary final was its season-high and Geelong’s marks (six) and kicking efficiency (41 per cent) were season lows.

There’s been suggestions of game plan tweaks in 2022. Maybe the brains trust has identified a need for a different approach? 

Scott’s supporters would point to his ability to keep Geelong in the mix.  His regular-season strike rate is the most of any coach in the game’s history (for those to have coached more than 100 games), which Scott reminded us of in a video on the club’s website in September 2020.

“Smarter people than me have said to me for a long time – people that have been in the game, involved in the game a long time – that if you can find a way to win 70 per cent of your games, you’re just an outstanding success,” Scott said.

Selection in finals over many years has also infuriated supporters.  Remember when Dan Menzel was strangely dropped for the first final in 2017, this when he was the club’s third leading goalkicker that year?

Remember when Tom Hawkins, managing a persistent back injury, was dumped for the first final in 2013 against Fremantle when he had played every game that year?

Many have also not forgotten Paul Chapman started as the medical sub in that same fixture in a milestone match.

Remember when we were told Rhys Stanley was a late out – how predictable – because of forecast rain for the qualifying final against Collingwood that same year but it was later revealed he had been told of his omission during the week?

And last year it took until the second week of finals for under-performing forward Luke Dahlhaus to be dropped.

It’s why Scott will need another flag in 2022; otherwise it will be another season lost and the discontent among the fans will only grow.

You also have to wonder how much we can trust the coach in his press conferences when on one occasion last year he offered up that he doesn’t take in much football media, but in response to a question about stagnant ball movement, he gave a clip to the ex-key forwards who had called for zippier play.

Maybe, too, the constant trading for older players has taken its toll and that fans are desperate to see young talent be given an opportunity.

The exits of club greats Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Chapman, among others, also disappointed supporters.

So when it was revealed Scott, entering the final year of his deal, would be recontracted for another two years, there was an obvious outcry among supporters.

It’s why Scott will need another flag in 2022; otherwise it will be another season lost and the discontent among the fans will only grow.

Toby Prime. March, 2022

As always, thank you for being here at SpeakingNick

Subscribe Scott's Cats 2022

Finals have followed in every year, apart from one - 2015. His home-and-away record is the best of any coach in VFL/AFL history, but his finals strike-rate is regrettable.  

Despite this, and the state of an ageing list, the Cats hierarchy seem to be marching on with a contract extension - much to the apparent disgust of their supporters.

In 2022, we will shine a spotlight on Geelong and Scott. Will it be another top-four appearance, or the year the cliff, as some have predicted, arrives?

Today we debut the ‘Scott’s Cats -2022’ publication, a weekly newsletter (article) centred on Chris Scott, and his Geelong Cats.

What will 2022 bring? Will it be the cliff that many predict, or perhaps the re-emergence of young talent that Cats fans yearn to see, or a combination of both. Or will it be success, however that looks.

We sincerely hope you can support our journey into what being an AFL coach really entails, and how a one-town-team, and its coach, handles the spotlight of expectancy

Toby Prime has intimate knowledge of the Geelong Cats, and Chris Scott. Seven years experience as a sports journalist, the last two in Geelong, sees him perfectly positioned to give a reader focused view of Kardinia Park (GMHBA Stadium) and its machinations. Welcome Toby!

And, me, well - I’m just along for the ride. And, maybe, some coaching insights also.

Subscribe to Scott's Cats - 2022

As always, thank you for being here at SpeakingNick