Cats relishing challenge
Team to take positive attitude into showdown
GEELONG coach Chris Scott says the Cats are “extraordinarily excited” about tomorrow night’s challenge, adamant that no defeatist mentality has infiltrated the playing group.
The Cats are considered outsiders to defeat last year’s grand finalist Sydney in a knockout semi-final at the MCG tomorrow night, after copping a 51-point pasting to Richmond last weekend.
But Scott said the side would go into this weekend’s final with an opportunistic mindset.
“I think if you go in with the approach that somehow we’ve got to pick ourselves up off the canvas, that would be a real challenge,” he said.
“But if you go in with the mindset that this is a fantastic opportunity against probably the form team of the competition, I think that’s a little bit more positive and easier to get your head around.
“It’s certainly the approach I think we should be taking.
“We’re extraordinarily excited to get the opportunity to play another home final towards the pointy end of the year.”
Geelong has lost five of its past six matches against the Swans, including last year’s bruising preliminary final defeat.
Scott said the Swans posed a challenge all over the ground.
“I think they’ve got some really powerful players, really high level players — AllAustralians on every line — great players ahead of the ball and have a really seasoned, strong midfield that play well together,” he said.
“When they all fire, particularly early in the game when they’re all fresh, they can be particularly hard to stop.”
With at least one change for the match, headlined by the return of Daniel Menzel for injured Cam Guthrie, Scott said he had no concern about tweaking with the side.
“In the last seven years we’ve been unchanged — I think I’m right in saying — three times,” he said.
“We pick the team each week based on what we think is right for that game, that opposition.
“We won’t be sitting here thinking two or three changes will destabilise our team because we’re very used to that scenario.”