Cats won’t take it easy on the Suns

COACH Chris Scott said Geelong would not be tempted into making wholesale late changes against Gold Coast tomorrow – even if the Cats’ finals fate was secured tonight.

If Port Adelaide loses to Essendon at Adelaide Oval, Geelong will have their top-eight berth locked away, regardless of what happens in the clash with the Suns.

It would allow the Cats to give some of their weary stars an extra week’s break before the pre-finals bye. Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola, Tim Kelly, Zach Tuohy, Jake Kolodjashnij and Mark Blicavs have played every game this season.

But Scott said the Cats would not mess with their team going into the final game of the home-andaway season.

“No, we’re not thinking that,” he said when asked if he would be tempted to make sweeping changes if tonight’s result went Geelong’s way.

“With the week off next week, it impacts a little bit.

“I don’t want to sit here promoting the week off is a good idea. But at least in terms of that equation, it’s a little more simple.”

The Cats made only one change to the side that belted the Dockers last Saturday, with Jed Bews returning from a shoulder injury at the expense of Jackson Thurlow. The Suns go in unchanged. Meanwhile, Wylie Buzza’s season is over after having foot surgery in Melbourne yesterday.

The key position player landed awkwardly on an opponent’s foot and then attempted to fly for a mark early in Geelong’s VFL win over Coburg on Saturday.

He hobbled from the ground soon after and played no further part in the game.

Scott said Buzza’s injury was “really unfortunate”.

“He was one of those players that, potentially with good form, was in a position to force his way in,” he said.

“It’s disappointing for him, but Wylie was always a long-term prospect for us, so the priority now has to be getting that foot right and making sure no corners are cut in his rehab.”