Scott hits back at medico

GEELONG coach Chris Scott has returned serve at sports medico Peter Larkins for claiming the Cats were “delusional” in believing Tom Stewart can make a miraculous return for a grand final.

All-Australian Stewart had Lisfranc surgery on August 16 and starting running on the weekend as he eyes a remarkable recovery.

The highly-respected Dr Larkins last month said the procedure would rule Stewart out for the season. Then, in a tweet last week, responding to suggestions the Cats were holding hope Stewart would be right for a grand final, Larkins posted: “delusional”.

“We are confident that we have the very best people in Australia certainly, but maybe even the world, who are across this,” Scott said on Wednesday ahead of Friday night’s preliminary final against Melbourne.

“So someone in the medical profession who hasn’t had the opportunity to look at the situation in detail throwing haymakers like that from the cheap seats, I think is highly unprofessional.

“Maybe he (Larkins) doesn’t consider his role in the game now to be one of a medical professional first, maybe he is an entertainer, so I take it in the context of that.”

The focus on the 28-yearold’s rehab will only intensify if Geelong advances to a secondstraight grand final.

But Scott said the decision on whether to play Stewart or not would be made in the best interests of his health.

“Tom is on a program that was laid out by the very best medical experts,” he said.

“And anyone that questions that, especially when they are a level below those expertise, doesn’t really know what they are talking about.

“So he is following a plan that was laid out right from the start and he just keeps ticking off those days, so that is the process that we are going to work through and if he makes it he makes it and if he doesn’t he doesn’t.”