Despite Sydney coming from 35 points down to overcome Geelong by 30 points, Cats coach Chris Scott has defended his young midfield and veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley.
The Cats kicked the first six goals of the game, but were unable to stop the starring Sydney midfield, headlined by Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner.
Gulden had 37 touches and a goal, Heeney 26 and a two goals and Warner also joined the party with 26 and two goals.
RECAP: NRL Round 14 Sunday
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Swans ruck recruit Brodie Grundy had 24 disposals and acted as another key cog to guide his side to their 11th win of the season
His rucking opponent was Rhys Stanley, who managed just eight touches in the Cats’ fifth loss of 2024.
But when asked how they would help Stanley quell future rucking opponents, Scott leapt to his big man’s defence, pushing the focus back onto the dominant Swans middle men, who he believed were the most important.
“I didn’t think that (Stanley was the reason we lost). I thought Stanley was dominant early, when we were on top,” Scott said post match.
“Your opinion is worthwhile putting forward, it suggests that because Grundy is a well-credentialled player, it becomes a bit more obvious there.
“But I thought it was their ground-level players that had the influence. From our perspective, we didn’t think it was a ruck issue, the midfield stuff.”
Meantime, Scott remained positive that Geelong’s first quarter, where they kicked five unanswered goals, was proof that they can kick it with the big guys if they qualify for September.
”Going into our bye with 10 games to go … we feel pretty positive and optimistic about … where we are in the season (and) the capacity for improvement,” he said.
“We come away from the game thinking, our best footy, if we can get to it, is going to be pretty close to being good enough.”
Geelong go into their bye 8-5.
When they return, they’ll face Carlton for a second time in just eight weeks.
Despite Sydney coming from 35 points down to overcome Geelong by 30 points, Cats coach Chris Scott has defended his young midfield and veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley.
The Cats kicked the first six goals of the game, but were unable to stop the starring Sydney midfield, headlined by Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner.
Gulden had 37 touches and a goal, Heeney 26 and a two goals and Warner also joined the party with 26 and two goals.
RECAP: NRL Round 14 Sunday
READ MORE: Inside UFC champ’s surprise Aussie preparation
READ MORE: Slater reveals major concern with ‘sickening’ Walsh hit
Swans ruck recruit Brodie Grundy had 24 disposals and acted as another key cog to guide his side to their 11th win of the season
His rucking opponent was Rhys Stanley, who managed just eight touches in the Cats’ fifth loss of 2024.
But when asked how they would help Stanley quell future rucking opponents, Scott leapt to his big man’s defence, pushing the focus back onto the dominant Swans middle men, who he believed were the most important.
“I didn’t think that (Stanley was the reason we lost). I thought Stanley was dominant early, when we were on top,” Scott said post match.
“Your opinion is worthwhile putting forward, it suggests that because Grundy is a well-credentialled player, it becomes a bit more obvious there.
“But I thought it was their ground-level players that had the influence. From our perspective, we didn’t think it was a ruck issue, the midfield stuff.”
Meantime, Scott remained positive that Geelong’s first quarter, where they kicked five unanswered goals, was proof that they can kick it with the big guys if they qualify for September.
”Going into our bye with 10 games to go … we feel pretty positive and optimistic about … where we are in the season (and) the capacity for improvement,” he said.
“We come away from the game thinking, our best footy, if we can get to it, is going to be pretty close to being good enough.”
Geelong go into their bye 8-5.
When they return, they’ll face Carlton for a second time in just eight weeks.
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