Geelong coach Chris Scott seeks clarity on deliberate rule after tough calls in wet conditions

GEELONG coach Chris Scott said he expects the AFL to send out another memo to clarify the deliberate out of bounds rule after some tough calls on Saturday.

Geelong coach Chris Scott. Picture: Getty Images

GEELONG coach Chris Scott said he expects the AFL to send out another memo to clarify the deliberate out of bounds rule after some tough calls on Saturday.

Confusion continues to reign on the contentious rule following at least two more controversial decisions, as the Cats clinched a thrilling 10-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

Former Cat Steve Johnson enjoyed a blinding start, kicking the first goal of the game with a signature snap near the boundary, in his first game back at Simonds Stadium.

But Scott was tight-lipped about the ex-champion Cat’s 19-possession performance afterwards, saying he didn’t’ believe Johnson “was an influence we needed to change (in) our system from the coaches box”.

About Johnson’s miraculous first goal, Scott said: “He can do that, can’t he? I’ve seen it a few times, down here at this ground”.

Scott said the win was a “test of character” and reward for winning the territory battle, with 28 more inside 50s than the Giants.

But the deliberate out of bounds rule was again back in the spotlight after Zac Smith was penalised for his ruck tap, which bounced over the line, and Harry Taylor’s direct kick out of bounds was not pinged.

Scott welcomed more direction from the AFL on the rule and said umpires should give players some leeway in slippery conditions.

“I think the AFL will probably acknowledge that (confusion),” Scott said.

“The AFL have done a good job, especially recently, when they think things aren’t quite right, they send out a memo and everyone knows.

“I suspect they might do something similar this week.

“When it is really wet and slippery it makes it so much harder. Is the player deliberately doing it or is he fumbling?”

Harry Taylor was penalised for a deliberate out of bounds. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Scott lauded Zac Smith’s performance in the ruck, saying he clearly won the big man battle against another former Cat Shane Mumford.

“He was influential as anyone on the ground, I thought,” Scott said.

“We thought he was just outstanding.”

With Rhys Stanley still in doubt with a foot problem, Smith may again shoulder the main rucking duties in the blockbuster against North Melbourne on Saturday night.

Todd Goldstein missed Friday night’s win over Richmond but is expected to take on the Cats.

Inspirational Geelong captain Joel Selwood lifted brilliantly in the last term to help seal the victory for Geelong yesterday after back-to-back losses to Collingwood and Carlton in the past fortnight.

Scott said Selwood was blunt about his subdued start, with only four possessions in the first term.

“His comment (after the game) was ‘well, I needed to do something’,” Scott said of Selwood’s fourth-term heroics.

“I don’t think he started poorly, but he was better towards the end, than he was at the start.

“Coaches say it all the time, but the players we all admire are the ones that do it when the chips are down.”