Geelong coach Chris Scott says his players haven't been impacted by the week-long saga surrounding Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli.
It was revealed that Rioli, following the post-match message directed at Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale, that the Power forward had previously expressed on-field threats at Brad Close, as well as Essendon's Archie Roberts.
As the Cats prepare for a crucial clash against the Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday, Scott denied the narrative having any impact on the players, alluding to its "annoyance" in being dragged out publicly.
"I don't think they did get distracted at all, and even if it did, I don't micromanage our players," Scott said.
"They're professionals and we're there to help them if they need it, but these things can kind of become a bit self-fulfilling if you let them.
"Any of our players involved in this were pretty clear from the start, they wanted what they considered to be a private situation kept private.
"The fact it hasn't been this week, I'm assuming it's mildly annoying to them, but that's kind of the extent of it."
Rioli withdrew from Saturday's Showdown contest against Adelaide due to the saga, which was followed by the AFL's one-week sanctioning.
The 29-year-old didn't receive any fine, which immediately drew criticism, given that on three occasions, players, including Geelong's Bailey Smith, have been penalised for "obscene gestures".
"I've been forthright on my opinion there," Scott said.
"I'm not standing here saying I'm right and they're wrong, but if it was up to me โฆ we don't fine players.
"I get you need to have some penalties at a societal level, you can't just never fine people for going two kms over the speed limit, it's difficult when you're trying to manage 25 million people, but when we're managing 50. The AFL has a few more, so it's a bit harder for them, but this punitive approach to justice doesn't make that much sense to me."
