Geelong has a major problem, its ruckman, after being exposed by Melbourne, Hawthorn

GEELONG has a problem. After two rounds a key weakness Cats coach Chris Scott needs to address is the ruck after being exposed by Ben McEvoy in the Easter Monday loss to Hawthorn.

Rhys Stanley kicks a goal against Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG has a problem this week and his name is Nic Naitanui.

After two rounds in 2018 a key weakness Cats coach Chris Scott needs to address is the ruck.

In Round 1, Zac Smith was soundly beaten by ruckman Max Gawn, who was given two votes in the Herald Sun and named Melbourne’s best player.

DUCK, WEAVE: FANS FIRED UP OVER SLIPPERY SELWOOD

BLOG RE-CAP: RE-LIVE ALL THE EASTER MONDAY ACTION

HAWKS WIN: GOOD PLAYERS BECOME GREAT AT HAWKS

Smith was promptly axed. On Easter Monday, Rhys Stanley was soundly beaten by ruckman Ben McEvoy, who was also given two votes in the Herald Sun.

Stanley stood in the centre circle at the opening bounce above what has been dubbed the Holy Trinity – Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood.

But at three quarter-time at the MCG the trinity had combined for nine centre clearances and Hawk Tom Mitchell had eight, plenty courtesy of McEvoy’s silver service.

Rhys Stanley kicks a goal. Picture: Michael Klein

Ben McEvoy in action against Geelong.

It was the quality factor which hurt the most, and the most damaging one was in the third quarter.

After Daniel Menzel’s third goal Mitchell won the centre clearance, thundered clear of Ablett and hit Jack Gunston on the lead, who restored Hawthorn’s 10-point lead.

What will concern Scott was McEvoy’s dominance around the ground. He took a game-high three contested marks, won 16 disposals, kicked a goal and even collected four first-half clearances of his own.

MICK WARNER, JAY CLARK AND NICK SMART REVIEW A HUGE ROUND 2 IN THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST

In fact, at the final change McEvoy had won more clearances than every Cat except Selwood. McEvoy’s former St Kilda teammate Stanley finished with four kicks, all short, two clearances and one goal.

Scott said post-match the ruck would be a big part of this week’s planning.

“We are looking at it. The guys that we played are under no illusions that we’d like them to play better,” he said.

“But we’re here to help them and support them. We wouldn’t rule out playing them both (Stanley and Smith) together.

“It hasn’t been a strong two weeks for us in that respect.”

Naitanui’s follow-up work could be similarly lethal at Perth Stadium on Sunday.

In 2013 the Hawks gave up pick 18 and Shane Savage for McEvoy. The following year the Cats gave up pick 21 for Stanley.

Jarryd Roughead marks over Zach Guthrie.

So, who rucks against Naitanui? Does Stanley get another crack? Or is it Smith, who played VFL on Sunday and wasn’t named in the best?

The ruck isn’t the only area of concern for Scott.

Jarryd Roughead’s ability to isolate himself on the 22kg lighter and 6cm shorter Zach Guthrie in the last quarter showed how much they will miss Harry Taylor.

But you suspect recruiter Stephen Wells might sleep comfortably, save for the result. No.24 draft pick Tim Kelly was just about Geelong’s best player.

Is the second-gamer walking taller around Ablett, Selwood and Dangerfield?

Do they allow him to get off the chain?

Or is the WAFL recruit just a damn good player already?

Kelly, 23, has won 54 disposals and kicked two goals in front of two big MCG crowds.

His money kicking – going to a target inside 50m – is spot on. Monday, Kelly won two free kicks for holding the ball and kicked a goal after the second one.

He then spotted Dangerfield, Tom Hawkins and Jed Bews all inside 50m. All three undid Kelly’s impressive work.

But he flies back to Western Australia this week after a brilliant but belated beginning to his AFL career.

LIVE stream the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Every match of every round LIVE in HD, with no ad-breaks siren-to-siren! Get your 2-week free trial now