Geelong coach Chris Scott goes nuclear over ‘reportable’ ruck incident

An AFL coach has been left seeing red and calling for the league to step in over an ugly blight that is taking over the game.

Chris Scott wasn’t happy.

Geelong coach Chris Scott wasn’t happy during his post-game press conference despite his side recording an 82-point victory.

The Cats comfortably took care of business against Hawthorn on Easter Monday as they produced a stunning second half to claim their first win of the season.

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Scott’s frustration however stemmed from an incident earlier in the contest that left Cats utility Mark Blicavs hunched over in agony in the middle of the MCG.

In a ruck contest against Lloyd Meek, Blicavs copped a knee to the ribs that sent him crashing to the turf.

The incident resulted in a free kick with Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield collecting the ball and sending it deep inside forward 50.

The contest was brought to a halt shortly after as trainers rushed to Blicavs’ side as he remained on the deck in the middle of the ground.

Blicavs escaped any serious injury and after slowly making his way off the ground returned to the field and finished out the contest.

The incident however caught the eye of many watching on with Scott blowing up after the exact same contact occurred to Cats ruckman Rhys Stanley in round 2 against Carlton.

Blicavs was done for a long time. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“You can’t do it. There are two umpires right there, the AFL sent out a memo that couldn’t have been clearer saying not only is that a free kick, but it’s reportable. You cannot do it.”

“It has to be taken out of the game.

“Just stop doing it – that should be the message from the AFL. The disappointing thing is they sent out a memo specifically two weeks ago saying you couldn’t do it and it keeps happening. It’s so dangerous.”

Scott was further pressed on if the ugly act should warrant a suspension.

“Yes it does. I don’t want to see him suspended because I don’t think it matters. If he gets a week, that doesn’t help us. Some will say it’ll act as a deterrent, but it shouldn’t take that. The AFL and the umpires should just be much, much clearer that you cannot do that.

“Can I emphasise it’s not about one particular player. If this was just one guy I’d be specific about it, but it keeps happening all the time. Now there are four umpires and they were the ones that sent out the memo.”

Chris Scott wasn’t happy.

Former Melbourne player turned media personality Garry Lyon said the vision painted an ugly picture and the motion wasn’t a natural one for any ruckman.

“I hated this bit of vision,” Lyon told Fox Footy’s On The Couch.

“That’s reportable for mine. I know there’s a situation earlier in the season where Geelong’s Stanley got one of these off (Tom) De Koning. He was cited, got a fine, then they argued it was a football action and they let him off.

“That muddies the water, but that to me … you can’t just be stationary on the ground and chuck your knee in. There’s all sorts of organs there that are (vulnerable).

“If this is a natural footy action, we’re in all sorts of trouble. He’s 115 kegs this bloke and you don’t get up off the ground and you go diving in with your knee like that …”

Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley clashed with Lyon’s view and said he saw the incident differently, claiming Meek appeared to use his knee to protect himself from Blicavs.

“I’ve got my old man’s words ringing through my ears and he would be talking about ruck craft and the responsibility of both ruckmen to use their knee to protect themselves,” Buckley told On The Couch.

“Blicavs’ ruck craft in that particular instance has been to go 2m over the line to … I reckon Lloyd Meek is half protecting himself.

“What about Lloyd Meek’s organs? If he doesn’t put his knee up, then Blicavs comes through with the knee.

“I see it differently. I think it’s part of ruck craft. I understand the De Koning one that he didn’t have his eyes on the ball. I reckon Lloyd Meek is half trying to protect himself and half trying to go for the ball at the same time.”

Originally published as Geelong coach Chris Scott goes nuclear over ‘reportable’ ruck incident