SPORTING BLITZ

Cats to launch brutal review

GEELONG has launched an immediate review of its game style and recruitment philosophies after yet another crushing finals exit.

Cats chief executive Brian Cook said the time was right for a deep analysis of its position, including whether the club should return to “simply just drafting kids”.

The Cats will explore why their game style continually fails to stand up to finals scrutiny.

Cook said Scott’s position was not in jeopardy, but admitted the game plan needed a close examination. Scott is signed for four more seasons, a year longer than reigning premiership coach Damien Hardwick.

GEELONG will consider overhauling its recruiting philosophy in the wake of another frustrating finals exit.

In an expansive interview on Melbourne radio yesterday Cats chief executive Brian Cook opened up on the 2018 season and the fallout from the loss to the Demons on Friday night, conceding that a new approach was on the cards.

“We have to look at that (changing our recruiting philosophy), for sure. I can’t say too much but I think we need to do that,” Cook said.

“I have had a long time in football, nearly 30 years, and I remember at the Eagles we finished sixth, seventh and eighth but really didn’t have a great chance of winning the flag.

“So you have got to make a decision at some stage as to whether you really go all in to try to win a premiership or try to stick around (the eight) … so we have got to talk about those things.

“The evolution of drafting has changed so much that you can err on the side of trading or you can err on the side of picking up young kids through the draft, or a combination of both.

“We have to decide whether we continue to go through both or whether we err on one side or the other or go back to simply just drafting kids. So they are decisions we need to make.”

Another area of major concern was the familiar way in which Geelong began the elimination final, conceding five goals in the opening quarter without kicking one at the other end.

Cook told SEN Breakfast the Cats simply did not handle the heat applied by Melbourne.

“I’m not a coach, but to me it’s rather obvious that you’ve got the possession-type football and you’ve got the pressure-type football and we’ve shown some weaknesses I think in relation to the pressure,” he said.

“Melbourne were by far the best side, but I don’t think I’ve seen Melbourne play with that sort of pressure for a long, long time. We take our hat off to Melbourne, but having said that, we didn’t really perform well on the weekend and we know that and we’re going to do something about it.

“I think making the finals 13 years out of 15 says that we’ve done pretty well.

“Both Mark Thompson and Chris Scott have been at the front of that, they are both good coaches, but it’s probably time for a really good look at what we’re doing right through our playing list and our style.”

“I am pretty sure he will (play on), he has got one year to go and based on his form this year I think he should.” – BRIAN COOK ON GARY ABLETT