Cats hit first speed bump

Geelong finds itself in a strong position after a month of footy, but the challenge now is how they rebound from the defeat.

Because while Saturday’s loss might have slightly halted its momentum, it can’t afford to come to a complete stop.

The Cats have got to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and look to Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

Because as Scott has said, the challenges just keep on coming. “It’s disappointing and it should hurt when you lose but we’re doing enough right to be optimistic about the future,” Scott said.

“We’ll try to ride the momentum when we’re going well and not lose the plot when things go against us.

“Every game is going to be hard this year. It’s been a tough month, but it’s a tough fortnight coming up.

“Hawthorn, West Coast … Essendon won by 10 goals today, turns out they’re OK as well. The hits just keep on coming.”

Cats midfield star Mitch Duncan has backed the Cats to hit back hard against Hawthorn.

Saturday’s loss exposed some areas of concern like: Geelong’s inability to match GWS through the middle of the ground after half-time, its composure with the ball late in games and failing to make the most of good chances in front of goal. But losses can also help you learn. They expose those chinks in the armour that can sometimes be covered up by wins.

It’s better to learn them early than have them creeping up late.

“I’ve got full faith we will be able to rebound. I think it’s good — not that we got ahead of ourselves — but it gives us another challenge to bounce back,” Duncan said.

“This group is a strong group and we are building. We are going to have little bumps along the way, but the way we respond is going to be crucial.”

Scott has always said 2019 was going to be a “tough year” for most in the competition.

He reiterated that again on Saturday. When the competition is so even every win in crucial. “There’s no other conclusion other than it’s going to be tough,” he said.

“We will try to ride the momentum when we are going well and not lose the plot when things go against us.

“It would be great to win today, but if we were zip and four (you would be thinking) ‘just hang in there, it’s going to be one of those seasons’.

“I would be staggered if three teams go 20-2. It’s just going to be a hard year.”

Picture: GETTY IMAGES DOWN TO EARTH: Gary Rohan misses a marking attempt against Greater Western Sydney at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday. The Cats’ perfect start to the season also crash-landed when they were overrun by the Giants.