Geelong coach Chris Scott has addressed the forced change Geelong has made for Saturday's Grand Final.
The Cats have replaced the concussed Tom Stewart with ruck Rhys Stanley.
Stewart has been one of Geelong's most important players this year – though it is worth noting that the Cats were able to wrench momentum back and overpower Hawthorn last week following his injury.
One of the best marking defenders in the AFL, Scott will have the option of replacing him with anywhere man Mark Blicavs.
Blicavs played in the ruck and was one of the Cats' most influential in the preliminary final, but has previously played in defence and has the capacity to play around the ground.
“I think we earmarked going into the first final that our strong preference was to have Rhys available so that's the good news story and I don't think any team is comfortable going into any game without one of their best players and Tom's clearly been that over a long period of time,” Scott said on Friday.
“It's a little bit of a juggle but one that we think we're pretty well prepared for.
“We've had some good performances without him over the last few years which in some ways I guess speaks a little bit to our improvement as a team and squad.
“There was a time where if you said to me we didn't have Stewart or didn't have (Patrick) Dangerfield, we'd be in big trouble, it just doesn't feel that way now.
A positive news story of the Cats reaching the grand final is the participation of All-Australian Max Holmes, who has been injured in his two previous AFL preliminary finals, missing the 2022 premiership as a result.
“I think he has been our most important player in the last three years… My suggestion would be that he keeps doing what he has been doing because he's just been so important for us,” Scott said.
Scott further noted the important cultural impact Bailey Smith has had on the squad in his first season at the Cattery.
While he has continued to be a polarising figure off-field, the move has brought out the best in the 24-year-old, averaging 31 disposals in a career-best campaign.
“I think we knew to an extent he was going to change us…if you look back to the 2022 (premiership) team, they're a big group of introverts within that team,” Scott said.
“Bailey's not one of them but the players have really embraced him…Bailey has obviously helped us on the field, I think that's plain to see but he's certainly brightened things up for us and we've had an impression on him and he's certainly had an impression on us and in particular me as well.”
Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield was coy when asked about plans to combat Brisbane defender Harris Andrews, but also noted his envy for the co-captain when watching him at the grand final parade 12 months ago.
“We're ready,” he said.
“We've had a really enjoyable week, we're well prepared, we've had a good training session on Wednesday and this is why you play the game so for us it's been about embracing the week, enjoy every second of it, try not to play the game in your head before the siren sounds on Saturday but really enjoy the week and I think the boys have done that.”
