In the wake of Geelong’s 85-82 last gasp loss to Richmond on Friday night, Cats coach Chris Scott had the temerity the question Richmond’s status as premiership certainties.
“They’re the best side in it at the moment, but they need a lot to go right for them to win it, no question,” Scott said.
“If we’re good enough over the next six weeks and we get another chance to play them, and hopefully we do, we’ll give ourselves a really good chance.
“They’re a good team, but they’re beatable. They’ve won 19 in a row at the MCG, they are good, but watching the game last week I thought Collingwood were on top of them for big parts.
“If you talk about the juggernauts of the competition in years gone by, you’re just never in the game against them. I don’t see that.”
It didn’t go down particularly well with Tigers fans.
Just spotted Chris Scott out and about this morning! Took a pic. #AFLTigersCats #gotiges pic.twitter.com/C7r8sruOan
— Dylan Leach (@leachitup) August 4, 2018
On SEN’s Crunch Time on Saturday Scott doubled down on his post-match comments, saying he was only “stating the obvious” and that a Tigers’ premiership is far from a foregone conclusion.
“I think it’s just a truism,” he said.
“I would even reflect back on my time as a Brisbane player when we were at our best at Round 20, irrespective of the season you’ve had, you still need a lot to go right to win a premiership,” Scott said.
“I think Richmond is by far the best team in the competition, I’m not here to argue that point, I think that’s a given, but where it will be in six to 10 weeks, I think it’s still very much in the air.
“It certainly wasn’t my intention to make a big comment, I thought I was just stating the obvious.”
The Tigers notched up their 19th straight win at the venue, but dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett had a chance to steal the premiership points for Geelong.
Having been behind most of the game, Geelong kicked five goals to two in the final term to get within a kick.
As the ball entered Geelong's forward 50 it fell to Tom Hawkins who found Ablett in space about 40 metres from goal on a tight but makeable angle.
Unfortunately for the 34-year-old and his teammates, the kick slid to the right and Richmond were able to see out the final 90 seconds to claim the win and solidify top spot on the table.
