HOLD YOUR MARKS
Wait until season’s over before judging us, says Scott
GEELONG coach Chris Scott has called for calm on suggestions his side has underperformed this year, asking critics to wait until the Cats’ season is over.
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.
GEELONG coach Chris Scott says he expects Daniel Menzel to be at the Cattery in 2019, despite his manager Adam Ramanauskas confirming St Kilda’s interest in the free agent.
Menzel is out of contract at season’s end as an unrestricted free agent, but Geelong’s reluctance to offer a multi-year deal remains a sticking point.
Scott said the club respected Menzel’s right to explore the market.
“I’m not sure whether other clubs are chasing him,” Scott said.
“We’d like him to stay but we also respect his status as an unrestricted free agent.
“Conversations have been had with his manager midyear and they’ve decided not to pursue them any further, which is his right and we respect it.
“But my expectation is that he’ll just stay.”
Ramanauskas said his client would have to take seriously any multi-year deals from rival clubs that came his way.
Ramanauskas confirmed St Kilda had inquired about Menzel, but not ponied up with a multi-year deal or more money to make the move from the Cattery to Moorabbin.
“I don’t necessarily think he is going to St Kilda or any other club,” he told RSN Breakfast.
“They haven’t offered a deal … St Kilda have not offered Daniel Menzel a contract.”
It was reported this week that St Kilda was targeting the 26-year-old despite his extensive injury history.
Menzel has played 70 games across nine years after four knee reconstructions.
He missed 12 weeks this season with a debilitating groin injury.
As a result, Geelong is only willing to offer one-year deals.
A similar stalemate occurred last year before Menzel inevitably accepted the oneyear contract extension.
Ramanauskas said clubs had learned to look at Menzel for his strengths and not weaknesses.
“I think it’s more likely still that he’ll stay at his club … this is no different to last year,” Ramanauskas said.
“If there is a multi-year offer to Daniel from another club, he has to consider it