Scott yet to settle on best team for finals

GEELONG coach Chris Scott concedes the hierarchy at GMHBA Stadium is yet to settle on its best 22 just a month out from the start of finals.

The Cats clawed their way to a 27-point victory against Sydney at the SCG yesterday after making three changes to the team that lost to Hawthorn a week ago, with inclusions Zac Smith, Scott Selwood and Jack Henry all playing their role in the win.

But with Scott declaring that managed duo Gary Rohan and Zach Tuhoy would return for this Saturday’s clash with Fremantle, there will be further changes for the Cats, who remains clear on top of the table after getting the better of the Swans after quarter time.

A host of players at VFL level, including Sam Menegola, as well as injured midfielder Brandan Parfitt, will also come into contention before the end of the home-and-away season.

Scott said the reality of having a healthy list meant there would be some unlucky players missing out on selection each week.

“There is a balance between cohesion, which I value highly, and having players in good form and in good health,” Scott said. “We managed two players out of this game in Tuhoy and Rohan, who will play next week, so it is a complicated answer, that one.

“We are still a little way away, if we get there at all, from saying ‘OK this is the 22 and we are just going to play them every week no matter what’. We have worked really hard to get a squad of 27, 28 and we are happy to play all of them.

“I think if you look at the good teams historically there tends to be a group of five or six players who are desperately unlucky not to get in the best team at the end of the year. So that is hard on the individuals but that is what we are working for as a club.”

Spearhead Tom Hawkins celebrated his 250th game in style, taking seven marks and bagging five goals, while Tim Kelly (31 disposals and seven inside-50s), Patrick Dangerfield (25 possessions and five clearances) and Joel Selwood (24 disposals and six inside-50s) were solid contributors.

Geelong now travels directly to Perth for the match against the Dockers, where they will be aiming for a fourth win on the road from five attempts in 2019.