Coaching legend Mick Malthouse analyses where the Grand Final was won and lost by the coaches
Geelong’s surgical approach saw it lead at halftime of Saturday’s Grand Final. But when Richmond turned up the heat, the Cats’ system failed spectacularly. Mick Malthouse asks: Is it time for Chris Scott to change his methods?
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It’s the most haunting of all experiences as a coach – being on the losing side of the congratulatory handshake at the end of a Grand Final.
On Saturday night, one-time Premiership coach, Chris Scott endured that fate for the first time.
It was the organised, systematic, private school prefect versus the chaotic, unpredictable (except to themselves), high school scruff, and after a whole season, plus a week of homework, both coaches would have entered the game confident in their game plans.
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You study hard, but you don’t lose sleep over things like how to stop Dustin Martin who constitutes 40 per cent of Richmond’s score each game, where Patrick Dangerfield starts and how long he stays there, and how to combat the wet ground and slippery ball, because as German General Erwin Rommel once said, ‘No plan survives contact with the enemy’.”
No one could have predicted injuries to a key Cat and a key Tiger within the opening minutes of the game, but Chris Scott and Damien Hardwick would have at least been prepared for an injury catastrophe. You have to be prepared for that in contact sport.
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A Gary Ablett shoulder injury and a knocked-out Nick Vlastuin cause for instant shake-up and rotation.
Geelong took the lead into the first break because of its methodical and structured play. Four scoring shots from four marks. Richmond’s two goals coming from the ground ball, denied further opportunity as the Cats’ back six remained intact, Tom Stewart and Lachie Henderson superb as interceptors.
As the Tigers’ turnovers made them look a rabble in the second term, Geelong continued its clean entry into the forward 50, three more goals from uncontested marks.
Dustin Martin, as he always does, sparked life back into the Richmond corpse with some sheer brilliance. But an uncharacteristic spray from his second attempt allowed the Cats to hold onto their 15-point lead at halftime.
The Tigers’ in desperate need of a lift from Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli, and Shai Bolton, still in a sleeper-hold from the orderly and stable Geelong backline.
But the boost came from the midfield with a lift in intensity and pressure and flipped the game on its head. And suddenly it was Geelong’s turn to fumble and turn the ball over, with no system in play. Richmond was quick to punish.
The Cats’ structure was straining at the seams when Martin put the Tigers’ in front, chaos and multiple-player tackling reigning supreme. The Geelong spare abruptly lacked effect as Richmond’s goals began to come from clean hands in the impact area. Ten marks in the third term compared to nine in the entire first half, the difference.
Martin in the forward line was brilliant. His inspirational best. Patrick Dangerfield at the other end was having little impact. Even when moved back to the middle where he willed things to happen, his teammates were slow to respond, the sharpness gone from their game as though their previous finals’ wins had been too easy and they’d forgotten how to fight. An injured Ablett clearly needed a rest.
Goals were hard to come by for the Cats as Jayden Short stepped into Bachar Houli’s role, outstanding off the halfback line with his ball-getting and kicking power.
Houli taking on Vlastuin’s steadying role with his usual composure. And Noah Balta excellent in the ruck, giving Toby Nankervis a well-deserved breather.
The first Richmond team since 1921 to trail at half time and win, the Tigers’ unrelenting intensity was too much for the oldest team to play in a grand final, smashing the Cats’ system and breaking their hearts.
Redemption seems out of reach for many of Geelong’s elder statesmen.
Chris Scott will never forget his post-game handshake with Damien Hardwick, on the wrong side of it for the first time.
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Originally published as Coaching legend Mick Malthouse analyses where the Grand Final was won and lost by the coaches