Geelong coach Chris Scott didn't pull his punches when assessing why the AFL introduced the Wildcard Round.

Should Carlton look at trading captain Patrick Cripps in a bid to reinvigorate its list?

And how are the Blues contributing to the Michael Voss saga?

All that and more from media buzz.

Scott torches Wildcard Round

Chris Scott wished he didn't have to address the AFL's Wildcard Round immediately following Geelong's one-point loss to Hawthorn, but as he suggested, he couldn't help himself.

"I just think – this is why I shouldn't do this so close to the game – I speak my mind, which is good for you, and bad for me, generally,” Scott told AFL 360.

"I tend to think (the AFL) just made it up (wildcard round). They just threw in a couple more finals for no good reason except cash, probably.

"Get me out of here! Our media (manager) Sarah is sweating."

Reid criticism "harsh" as AFL concedes free-kick error

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has attempted to correct the "incorrect" narrative regarding Harley Reid's discipline during the Sydney thumping, while also revealing the AFL made a mistake regarding a free kick.

"I'm really strong on Harley that I want him to be a disciplined player, but I actually think the weekend he was treated harshly," McQualter said on Channel Seven.

"The AFL has come to us (Monday), and one of the free kicks that was paid against him was incorrect. They've admitted that mistake. I think some of the commentary around the free kick that was paid to (James) Jordon wasn't against Harley.

"He's not perfect and he won't be because he plays on the edge, which we love, but I want to make sure the narrative is really honest and correct of his discipline over the weekend."

Blues implored not to "fuel the (sack Voss) narrative"

AFL360's Gerard Whateley has told Carlton to stop "fuelling the narrative" regarding the potential sacking of coach Michael Voss after a disappointing opening month to the season.

"We should culturally value this – we don't march coaches to the gallows after four weeks. We don't have sackings in April," Whateley said.

“You have the president and the chief executive come out after you've seen two games and – you know they're not very good – saying we're in it to make the 10 and we're going to win more than we lose nonsense.

"Then you've got the GM of footy answering questions ‘would you guarantee that he'll coach this week?'. I mean come on! Don't indulge that. Don't fuel it.

"It is bad enough as it is.

"Vossy said the other day ‘I'm not giving three-day updates' – well the rest of the damn club is! Stop it already!

"Back your guy, give him a suitable amount of time and then make your judgments when that time comes."

Sicily's sore shoulders giving "PTSD"

A watch will be on Hawthorn's co-captain James Sicily after yet another shoulder problem during Monday's thrilling win over Geelong.

Sicily suffered a "stinger" in the fourth term of the one-point win, but returned to assist in claiming the victory with an intercept mark.

"I thought I blew my shoulder out again," Sicily told Channel Seven.

"I've got a bit of PTSD with these two shoulders from the last two years so I was a little bit emotional but it's settled and it's completely fine.

"It feels like it's fine structurally, just a bit bruised."

Cripps trade a "win-win"

Hawthorn champ Jordan Lewis believes that Carlton should seriously consider trading captain Patrick Cripps away in a bid to open the door for more opportunity, while also adding draft capital.

"I look at Carlton and the youth coming through and the opportunity. It's a balancing act," Lewis said on Fox Footy's On the Couch.

"What do you do with a player like Cripps? Is he going to be in your next premiership side? He's a great player, his CV is up there with the greats of the game.

"I think he's still got a lot to offer. But if I'm looking at (Carlton footy boss) Chris Davies, if I'm looking at the coach, looking at Graham Wright (and) list management staff, you are employed by the club to make tough decisions to rejuvenate this list and get them to a point where they are competitive.

"I think there's a serious question on whether they can trade Cripps out and get draft picks back in and it be a win-win for both clubs.

"In five years' time, Cripps might be a one-club player and hasn't played in a grand final or premiership success, then what have you achieved for the club?

"List management has got a massive role to play in the player they get in and the character, competitiveness, all that.

"We're sort of starting to see green shoots with North Melbourne, but it's up to the list management for me at Carlton Football Club to make the tough decisions so that in three to four years' time, the Carlton fans finally get to see its side competitive."

Harley Reid's "perfect mentor" revealed

West Coast have been encouraged to go after two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale amid an uncertain future, but also to help guide Harley Reid.

Neale's contract ends, and has personal ties to Western Australia.

"(Neale) has got a huge decision at the end of the year on what he does coming out of contract and with everything that's going on in his personal life," Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy's On the Couch.

"I wonder whether Lachie Neale is the perfect mentor for Harley Reid because that's exactly what Harley needed and the West Coast needed on the weekend.

"I think that Lachie Neale could be the perfect running mate. The perfect man to teach (Reid) how to train."

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