Geelong coach Chris Scott admits he always enters a new season with a touch of pessimism. But despite a disrupted pre-season for several key players, he says the Cats are ready for a heavyweight opening-round clash with Gold Coast.<\/p>\n
Scott confirmed Jeremy Cameron and Bailey Smith are set to play, while Gryan Miers remains a watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cJeremy and Bailey will clearly be ready from a physical perspective and they\u2019ll play,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGryan, it\u2019s one of those situations where just because he can play doesn\u2019t mean he should.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miers had thumb surgery in the off-season and Scott said the club would not risk players unnecessarily.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t ask players to play through things that might hinder them later in the season and later in life, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cameron\u2019s recovery from a serious broken arm has taken longer than some expected, but Scott said the extended timeline reflected a cautious approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that it took a little bit more time in the off-season is a pointer to the fact that they wanted him to be squeaky clean,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a serious injury.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reece Stanley will not play in the opener, with Geelong instead backing its ruck depth. Scott said the club sees flexibility in its big men rather than a single preferred set-up.<\/p>\n
One thing he is certain about is the challenge ahead.<\/p>\n
Scott labelled the Suns an easy premiership contender, pointing to their midfield strength and overall list balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re coaching that team, the thing that would excite you is the lack of weaknesses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re strong all over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scott also said he was pleased to see Tanner Bruhn return to football after what he described as an injustice last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the most egregious injustices I can think of in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Friday night looming, Scott said speculation means little until real form is exposed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll all feel a little bit more comfortable when we see some exposed form.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Geelong coach Chris Scott admits he always enters a new season with a touch of pessimism. But despite a disrupted pre-season for several key players, he says the Cats are ready for a heavyweight opening-round clash with Gold Coast. Scott confirmed Jeremy Cameron and Bailey Smith are set to play, while Gryan Miers remains a […]<\/p>\n