GEELONG coach Chris Scott hasn’t ruled out bringing Mark O’Connor into the 22 for tomorrow (Friday) night’s preliminary final to play a role on Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale.
The Cats appear set to take the same squad of 23 that defeated Collingwood in the qualifying final into the MCG meeting with the Lions, with Jake Kolodjashnij overcoming a knee injury suffered against the Pies.
O’Connor started as the sub that night before replacing Kolodjashnij during the second quarter.
“To play on him (Neale), he’d have to come into the 22,” Scott said.
“But, we’re going to hold that (decision) back a bit.”
CATS: MILESTONE IN BACKGROUND FOR BEWS
Scott said Kolodjashnij was given the medical tick of approval earlier this week.
“He’s just trained and ticked all the boxes the medical staff wanted him to tick,” Scott said.
“I spoke at length, post-the Collingwood game, about the faith that I have in our current … performance team, which includes the sports science guys, the medical guys, the conditioning guys.
“I have so much faith in them; with Kola, it was a matter of taking a step back and waiting until it was Tuesday when they said, ‘he’ll be right’.”
Scott will continue to back in ruck Rhys Stanley despite a lacklustre performance against Collingwood, which had some experts predicting Geelong would consider former Hawthorn big Jonathon Ceglar.
“Rhys has had a really good year,” Scott said. “Unfortunately for Cegs coming in, he’s – to an extent – had one thing after another.
“He’s had a year that’s been interrupted. He’s taken his chance really well when he’s come in.
“But we think, all things considered – and there are a lot of things to consider – Rhys is our best option this week.”
CATS: REWARD FOR EFFORT FOR ZACH
With rain forecast for Melbourne for Friday, Scott expects the weather to impact the contest.
“It’s so obvious it’s not funny to me that if it’s a dry game, the game’s going to be played differently to the way it will be played if it’s raining heavily,” he said.
“You need to be prepared for that, in terms of personnel, but also the way you play.
“Often in those situations, the team that adapts to the conditions the quickest can get out to a handy lead.”
Twitter: @krockfootball
