Geelong coach Chris Scott wasn’t comfortable throughout his post-game press convention regardless of his aspect recording an 82-point victory.
The Cats comfortably took care of business towards Hawthorn on Easter Monday as they produced a shocking second half to assert their first win of the season.
Watch each match of each spherical of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Scott’s frustration nevertheless stemmed from an incident earlier within the contest that left Cats utility Mark Blicavs hunched over in agony in the midst of the MCG.
In a ruck contest towards Lloyd Meek, Blicavs copped a knee to the ribs that despatched him crashing to the turf.
The incident resulted in a free kick with Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield accumulating the ball and sending it deep inside ahead 50.
The contest was delivered to a halt shortly after as trainers rushed to Blicavs’ aspect as he remained on the deck in the midst of the bottom.
Blicavs escaped any severe damage and after slowly making his approach off the bottom returned to the sector and completed out the competition.
The incident nevertheless caught the attention of many watching on with Scott blowing up after the very same contact occurred to Cats ruckman Rhys Stanley in spherical 2 towards Carlton.
“You can’t do it. There are two umpires right there, the AFL sent out a memo that couldn’t have been clearer saying not only is that a free kick, but it’s reportable. You cannot do it.”
“It has to be taken out of the game.
“Just stop doing it – that should be the message from the AFL. The disappointing thing is they sent out a memo specifically two weeks ago saying you couldn’t do it and it keeps happening. It’s so dangerous.”
Scott was additional pressed on if the ugly act ought to warrant a suspension.
“Yes it does. I don’t want to see him suspended because I don’t think it matters. If he gets a week, that doesn’t help us. Some will say it’ll act as a deterrent, but it shouldn’t take that. The AFL and the umpires should just be much, much clearer that you cannot do that.
“Can I emphasise it’s not about one particular player. If this was just one guy I’d be specific about it, but it keeps happening all the time. Now there are four umpires and they were the ones that sent out the memo.”
Former Melbourne participant turned media persona Garry Lyon stated the imaginative and prescient painted an unpleasant image and the movement wasn’t a pure one for any ruckman.
“I hated this bit of vision,” Lyon informed Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“That’s reportable for mine. I know there’s a situation earlier in the season where Geelong’s Stanley got one of these off (Tom) De Koning. He was cited, got a fine, then they argued it was a football action and they let him off.
“That muddies the water, but that to me … you can’t just be stationary on the ground and chuck your knee in. There’s all sorts of organs there that are (vulnerable).
“If this is a natural footy action, we’re in all sorts of trouble. He’s 115 kegs this bloke and you don’t get up off the ground and you go diving in with your knee like that …”
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley clashed with Lyon’s view and stated he noticed the incident in another way, claiming Meek appeared to make use of his knee to guard himself from Blicavs.
“I’ve got my old man’s words ringing through my ears and he would be talking about ruck craft and the responsibility of both ruckmen to use their knee to protect themselves,” Buckley informed On The Couch.
“Blicavs’ ruck craft in that particular instance has been to go 2m over the line to … I reckon Lloyd Meek is half protecting himself.
“What about Lloyd Meek’s organs? If he doesn’t put his knee up, then Blicavs comes through with the knee.
“I see it differently. I think it’s part of ruck craft. I understand the De Koning one that he didn’t have his eyes on the ball. I reckon Lloyd Meek is half trying to protect himself and half trying to go for the ball at the same time.”
Source: www.news.com.au
