G, WE’RE READY
Geelong coach Chris Scott believes the Cats are well-placed to conquer their hot-andcold MCG record after making changes to the way they play on the wider ground. “There’s no point shying away from it and saying, ‘No, we will just play exactly the same way (as we do at home)’, because slight tweaks need to be made,” Scott said of tomorrow’s blockbuster against MCG-loving reigning premier Richmond.
GEELONG coach Chris Scott says the Cats will not look to turn tomorrow’s blockbuster against Richmond into a lowscoring slog at the MCG.
The free-scoring Tigers boast some of the most lethal small forwards in the competition and have made the MCG their castle, winning their past 15 games at the ground.
The Cats have conceded 80 points or more in 11 of their 17 games at the MCG since 2016, losing seven of those clashes.
The MCG is significantly wider than GMHBA Stadium, making it much harder to defend space. It is something the Cats have struggled to do in the past.
Since Round 22, 2014, the Cats have had mixed luck in their 25 games at the MCG, winning 12 and losing 13.
Scott said the Cats had to find the right balance between attack and defence tomorrow.
“There’s no point shying away from it and saying, ‘No, we will just play exactly the same way (as we do at GMHBA Stadium)’, because slight tweaks need to be made,” he said.
“We think we are in a better position to play well than maybe we were the last couple of times.
“There are some specifics of the ground we need to be aware of.
“Clearly, on the flip side, Richmond are very comfortable there. They defend it pretty well, got some good players in their back half.
“They do put the pressure on the opposition in their forward half, too.
“Making it hard for them to score is clearly a priority. But we don’t have any intention — even in potentially wet conditions — of setting the game up to be a five goals to six outcome.”
The Cats last night made three changes to the team that defeated North Melbourne.
Cory Gregson has been recalled after a five-goal haul in the VFL, while Lincoln McCarthy returns from hamstring tightness and will play barring any setbacks.
Small defender Zach Guthrie has also earned a recall, with Richmond's fleet of small forwards likely to keep Geelong on its toes.
Dustin Martin, Daniel Rioli and Jack Graham have returned for the Tigers, with Callum Moore, Connor Menadue and Anthony Miles dropped.
Scott described tomorrow’s clash as a “big game”.
“They’re the best team in the competition at the moment, especially at that ground,” he said.
“We feel like we are building into our season. It will be a good test.
“At the same time, hopefully we are going to be good enough to win enough games to have another crack at them.
“It would be really pleasing if we think that our game stacks up OK against them. (I’m) pretty confident, at the same time, if we don't quite get the result we won’t be going back to the drawing board.”