Scott re-signs, an alternative view
It’s unclear which players Chris Scott consulted prior to him signing his new deal with the Cats. An uneducated assumption would lead you to senior players only - think Selwood, Dangerfield, Blicavs and (Cam) Guthrie. He seems to place more trust in an ageing red, than an immature wine.
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