No Port start for Steven
Star sits out blockbuster
JACK Steven will be rested for Geelong’s blockbuster against Port Adelaide as one of two changes to the team that demolished St Kilda on Monday.
And Esava Ratugolea appears to have fallen behind in the pecking order, not named for a third consecutive game.
Brad Close was also managed, with Lachie Fogarty and Sam Simpson coming back into the team.
Coach Chris Scott said the Cats “were a better team with him (Ratugolea) in it” but the 197cm forward was overlooked.
He was listed as ‘managed’ when he went out of the side for the North Melbourne game, but that appears to be more like an omission as he has not been able to break back into the team.
Spearhead Tom Hawkins playing as the sole key forward has worked well in recent weeks, with support in attack from Gary Rohan, Patrick Dangerfield and Gryan Miers.
Ratugolea was not included as one of four emergencies, with recruit Josh Jenkins on standby.
Jenkins made a return from a back spasm last week in a scratch match and appears to be nearing a debut for his new club, jumping ahead of Ratugolea in the fight for selection.
Scott said he preferred playing with another tall forward, making the Ratugolea call more bizarre.
“It’s been OK for us and there’s some positivity that has come out of that structure no question but not so much that it trumps having another big key forward,” Scott said.
“Ratugolea has been really good for us in his own right but in my view also has the potential to be exceptional. We haven’t seen enough of the structure over the last couple of weeks to think we might be OK without him. I think we’re a better team with him in it.”
Scott said the Steven decision was “50-50”.
“We had a plan for him that did involve playing him at AFL level before he was absolutely ready given the circumstances of the season and we feel vindicated with that decision now,” he said. Steven Motlop returns to meet his old side and Sam Mayes was also named, while Jarrod Lienert and Cam Sutcliffe were both dropped.