But Geelong coach Chris Scott yesterday foreshadowed the prospect that this season may yet prove another outlier ahead of a weekend of critical games as the end of the home-and-away season draws near.
The Cats slipped from the eight after a three-point loss to reigning premiers Richmond last Friday and face a massive clash against archrivals Hawthorn at the MCG tomorrow.
Richmond seem certain to claim the minor premiership, which will guarantee them two finals games at the MCG, a ground where they have won 19 matches in succession. As a result of that dominance, the Tigers are heavily favoured to claim back-to-back premierships.
But rather than be discouraged, Scott believes last Friday’s clash gave the Cats and others reason for optimism with three weeks remaining in the home-and-away season.
“They are clearly the best team in the competition but we pushed them pretty hard,” Scott said.
“The other thing that really gives us room for optimism is that if we can play well enough, it is not as if we will be limping into the finals.
“I am still firmly of the view — and I may be proven wrong — but I am firmly of the view that there are a lot of teams in it, more than any other year I can think of.
“I can see a team finishing eighth and getting no more disadvantage than if they finish fifth, and then you roll on from there. Those sort of things are possibilities.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-season-2018-crucial-round-with-many-horses-in-the-race/news-story/4d71aad58b07f36355e817ceac83602d
