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Geelong's Hidden Play? Cats Kept Cards Close
19 Jun
Summary
- Geelong Cats may have held back tactical options against Fremantle.
- Key players Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart were absent for Geelong.
- The Cats opted against tagging Fremantle's midfielders in the match.
AFL analysts suggest Geelong may have intentionally held back certain tactical plays during their recent nine-point loss to Fremantle. This perspective arises from the fact that Geelong was without key players, including midfielder Bailey Smith and defender Tom Stewart. Furthermore, the Cats did not employ tagging strategies against Fremantle's midfield, a departure from previous matches.
Coach Chris Scott indicated that the team prioritizes player welfare and avoids pushing injured players. He also suggested that while opportunities may have existed to employ different strategies, the team is not at a stage where they would conserve options for a specific future opponent. Scott emphasized taking games on their merits.
The unusual decision not to tag Fremantle's midfield, contrasted with Geelong's previous approach against Gold Coast, has fueled speculation. Experts believe Geelong might have been gathering intelligence on Fremantle for a potential finals encounter rather than revealing their full tactical playbook. The team's next match after a bye is against Brisbane.
