'Cost the game': Geelong coach under fire over 'unacceptable' blunder
Chris Scott has come under fire in the aftermath of Geelong’s loss in the AFL grand final, with many criticising his decision to move Patrick Dangerfield into the forward line.
Geelong were on fire in the early stages of Saturday night’s clash with Richmond, leading by as many as 22 points in the second quarter.
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Dangerfield was carving up in the midfield and the Cats led by 15 points at half-time.
However Scott made the staggering call to move Dangerfield into the forward line for the second half, where he had little impact.
Richmond came storming home and went on to win the premiership decider by a whopping 31 points, with Dangerfield’s move back into the middle coming too late for the Cats.
St Kilda champion Brendon Goddard was among those to question Scott’s decision.
“It was quite bleeding obvious, he should’ve been in there,” Goddard said.
Jimmy Bartel added: “You wonder why they have waited so long to put Dangerfield around the middle.”
Hawthorn premiership player Brad Sewell compared the way the Hawks utilised Dustin Marin, who kicked four goals and won his third Norm Smith medal, to the way the Cats used Dangerfield.
“I feel like Richmond use Dusty better than Geelong use Dangerfield,” Sewell said.
“Danger feels like he’s either forward or midfield and maybe doesn’t feel the swings in the game as well as Dusty does.”
Fellow Hawthorn premiership player Xavier Ellis said Dangerfield went from best on ground in the first half to non-existent in the second.
I’ll tweet this until Dangerfield retires or I pass.
Fox talking the importance of Danger playing forward..
He went from BOG in the mid to getting 1 shit disposal in that Q forward before moving into the mid to get a FK late.
He ain’t a forwards sphincter!!
Gun MIDFIELDER— Xavier Ellis (@XaviEllis18) September 11, 2020
Scott discussed the decision to move Dangerfield forward in his post-match press conference.
“We decided to leave him ahead of the ball and back that we could get that contest and stoppage ascendancy back,” Scott said.
“(We thought) if we could give him a chance (in attack) that would be our best chance to score.”
Fans were also highly critical of Scott’s tactics.
You hate to suggest it, but you have to consider Chris Scott’s role in Geelong’s collapse tonight. Dangerfield not being around the ball in the 3rd is unacceptable. History does not paint Scott in a good light. #AFLGF
— Jake Salter (@JakeySalter) October 24, 2020
Why does Chris Scott play Dangerfield in forward line, does he think 5 mids is enough?
Selwood
Guthrie
Duncan
Menegola
Ablett
Does he think Paddy is better as a forward than a midfielder?
No trust in Rohan, Parfitt, Miers, Dahlhaus?
perplexing @GerardWhateley #AFLGF— Pete Nash (@PeteNash73) October 24, 2020
"Always a hard one"... so how many of Dangerfield's 269 games has Chris Scott watched? 😯
So let's all have a stab at where Paddy lines up at the opening bounce, Round 1 next season 🤔 There's your answer, Coach! pic.twitter.com/cJTrmACnv4— Damian Rutledge (@DamianRutledge) October 24, 2020
Dangerfield playing the whole quarter at FF? What a horrible coaching decision. How about you put him on the ball where he can impact the game #AFLGF
— Max Nolan (@maximusnols) October 24, 2020
Chris Scott puts his best midfielder forward throughout the game cost us the game. Blew 22 points lead 😠
— Joy Hoppy (@JOYBABY2010) October 24, 2020
Great coaching by Chris Scott to leave a player like Dangerfield in the forward line. Wasteful. 😒
— Monty (Lord Chokito) (@maartychokito) October 24, 2020
Obviously Dangerfield fwd is the hill Chris Scott is prepared to die on...
Put him in the guts ffs— Benny Mc (@bennymc7) October 24, 2020
Chris Scott laments missed opportunities
Scott said missed opportunities will “eat away” at his side for some time after they blew a 22-point lead.
The Cats kicked five consecutive goals after conceding the first two at the Gabba and took control of the contest during the second quarter.
Mitch Duncan, Tom Stewart and Cam Guthrie were all influential as they dominated midfield battle.
But Geelong failed to take full advantage in attack, kicking 3.3 in the second term including a horror miss by Gryan Miers from close range.
Martin kicked an important goal in the shadows of half-time to cut the margin back to 15 points and Richmond ran over the top of the Cats in the second half.
“They were always going to have periods where they were going to be on top,” Scott said.
“When you're playing the best team, you've got to take your chances and make the most of the momentum while you have it.
“The goal they got late ... it makes a huge difference, 15 points versus 30 points at half-time and the whole complexion of the game changes.
“That will eat away at us for a little while.”
Scott, who led Geelong to a premiership in his first year as coach in 2011, said he couldn't imagine being more disappointed with Saturday night's result.
“I thought the game was there and for decent parts of the game we outplayed them, but when it counted they were just too good for us,” he said.
“We're really aware of how difficult it is to get these chances and it's going to take a long time to get over - they always do.”
with AAP
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