TAYLOR IN FOR CRUNCH GAME
SKILL ERRORS HURTING
GEELONG coach Chris Scott says uncharacteristic skill errors, rather than a lack of attacking intent, are the biggest issues for a Geelong team in danger of missing the finals for only the second time in 12 years.
The ninth-placed Cats need to win their games against Fremantle and Gold Coast, and hope other results go their way, if they are to play a part in the September action.
They have come up just short in their past two games against Richmond and Hawthorn, despite finishing strongly on both occasions and superstar trio Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood combining for 94 possessions against the Hawks.
“Often coaches can go back to that and say, ‘We’re just not executing’, and it can be a bit superficial but I just think that’s real with us,” Scott said yesterday.
“Anyone who thinks we haven’t been attacking enough either hasn’t been watching us closely enough or doesn’t understand footy.
“What’s been missing with our attempts to attack a bit more has been the execution — basic fundamental errors.
“If we clean that up we’re a much, much better team.”
Swingman Harry Taylor will play only his sixth match of an injury-interrupted season at home tomorrow against a Dockers side well out of the finals race.
The two-time AllAustralian successfully completed a VFL game last weekend and insists he is feeling the best he has all year, having battled ongoing foot problems.
First-choice ruckman Rhys Stanley will miss the rest of the home-and-away season after reinjuring his calf in the 11point loss to the Hawks and is no certainty to return even if the Cats advance to the finals.
“Suffice it to say that it is serious so he won’t play this week or next week — I think that’s pretty clear,” Scott said.
“After that it’s a little bit grey. “It will be fairly fluid. “We are optimistic that he could play again this year, but we’ve obviously got a bit of work to do to give him that opportunity.” EMERG: