Shannon Neale’s fourth AFL match will probably be huge as Geelong look to the 22-year-old for essential contributions within the ruck and up ahead in opposition to St Kilda.
Geelong are eleventh, half a recreation exterior the highest eight, and should beat the sixth-placed Saints on Saturday night time at Marvel Stadium to maintain their premiership defence alive with another recreation till the finals.
While the return of key ahead Tom Hawkins is clearly an enormous enhance for the Cats, coach Chris Scott notes it additionally means he’ll play alongside Jeremy Cameron and Neale for the primary time this season.
Scott mentioned they’ve needed for the reason that pre-season to strive Hawkins, Cameron and Neale as marking choices in assault.
“It’s really pleasing to have him (Hawkins) back. Even more than that, it’s a combination of Jeremy and Tom, with young Shannon Neale as well,” Scott mentioned.
“We’re really optimistic that those three can cause some headaches.”
Scott famous final week Geelong had 19 inside 50s to Collingwood’s 5 within the final quarter, however couldn’t overrun them and misplaced by eight factors.
“It’s not necessarily a supply issue,” Scott mentioned of their assault.
Neale may even be wanted within the ruck in opposition to in-form Saints huge man Rowan Marshall, given Geelong’s frontline ruckmen Rhys Stanley, Mark Blicavs and Jon Ceglar are injured.
Scott acknowledged Marshall’s menace, however added Geelong should make sure that they maximise their very own strengths.
“They (St Kilda) are heavily dependent on him – he spends big minutes in the ruck, he covers the ground really well,” Scott mentioned.
“We’ve got to find ways not only to nullify him, but to ask some questions of him going the other way.”
Scott mentioned Stanley is an opportunity to return subsequent week, whereas Blicavs may very well be prepared for the primary week of the finals if the Cats make the highest eight.
He added they toyed with Cam Guthrie getting back from damage in opposition to St Kilda, however opted to provide him a run within the VFL as a substitute.
But earlier than these premiership gamers return, the Cats should ship in opposition to the Saints, who’re enjoying at their residence floor for the sixth time in seven weeks.
“It’s just naive for any coach in the modern game to disregard the venue, disregard the weapons at your disposal, in favour of playing the game style you want to play,” Scott mentioned.
“The good coaches always adapt to the situation and what they have.”
The two-time Geelong premiership coach mentioned the urgency of profitable on Saturday night time is apparent.
“That’s the equation, that bit’s not complicated – the more complicated part is how the teams approach it,” he mentioned.
“In our mind, there’s no point running away from the importance of the game. That part’s really clear.
“We simply wish to be intent on enjoying our recreation in addition to we presumably can with out the stress of the state of affairs attending to us.
“But that pressure is real and I don’t think either team will be running away from it – you have no choice but to acknowledge it, embrace it and find a way to let your best footy flow from there.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
