Coach Chris Scott concedes Geelong will “agonise” over the decision to tinker with their ruck setup before succumbing to another AFL finals letdown.
The minor premiers are staring at a possible straight-sets exit after being consigned by Collingwood to a week-one finals loss for the third consecutive year.
Friday night’s 9.7 (61) to 7.9 (51) defeat at the MCG comes after the Cats swung a late selection change which ultimately backfired.
Rhys Stanley was dropped and Sam Menegola recalled, leaving Mark Blicavs to shoulder the ruck load against All-Australian Brodie Grundy.
But the forecast rain dried up and Grundy dominated, racking up 48 hitouts and 21 disposals for a Collingwood side that had winners across every line.
The defeat means the Cats face the unenviable task of hosting premiers West Coast in a do-or-die semi-final at the MCG next week.
“We’ll agonise over whether it was the right decision,” Scott said.
“But we review and agonise over a lot of decisions we make, we generally just don’t tell you guys about them.
“There’s always a bit happening behind the scenes every week. I’ll reserve my judgment on the impact Grundy had.”
Patrick Dangerfield was superb but the other star Cats were subdued, with Gary Ablett well-beaten and frustrated throughout by Brayden Maynard.
Tom Hawkins was held goalless and neither Tim Kelly nor Joel Selwood were particularly influential.
Adding to the Cats’ woes, midfielder Mitch Duncan suffered a medial ligament injury and is highly unlikely to recover in time for next week’s game.
Scott identified the Cats’ poor start and lack of composure with ball in hand as key factors in squandering their double-chance.
But he was adamant his team had the capacity to overcome their disappointment and deliver a better performance against the Eagles.
“You have to be positive about the opportunity that presents itself,” Scott said.
“There’s a period of mourning, if that’s not too strong a word. But our players, in particular this year, have shown really good capacity to bounce back when we have had some disappointments.
“I don’t see any reason to suspect that that will change.”
