Chris Scott sparks debate with criticism of MCG surface

Geelong coach Chris Scott has come under fire after called the MCG pitch an “own goal” after his side’s loss on Friday night.

Chris Scott slammed the MCG pitch. Pic: Channel 7

Geelong coach Chris Scott has sparked a debate after criticising the MCG surface for his side’s 22-point loss to Collingwood on Friday night.

The MCG surface underwent a $1m repair job ahead of Round 1 of the AFL season, with around 10,000 square metres of surface needing to be worked on in the wake of an Ed Sheeran concert less than two weeks prior.

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Speaking in his post-match press conference, Scott insisted it would be “distasteful” for a losing coach to talk about the surface.

“Yeah I think it is an interesting discussion for others to have, but it’s distasteful if the coach of the losing team talks about the surface, but it’s worthy of discussion I think,” Scott told reporters.

However on the very next question Scott was enticed into an answer, although he did his best to carefully craft the criticism as simply ‘relaying feedback from his players’.

Chris Scott was not a fan of the MCG surface. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I’m relaying this - and I‘ve got an opinion I’m going to keep to myself - but the issue is that there are differences on the ground now,” Scott said.

“Some bits that are really firm and you can keep your feet and other bits that are really soft and you can’t keep your feet.

“I guess the point that is raised - and again, it’s not a criticism, it’s not my area - but it’s been a long time since the grand final.

“It’s the biggest game in the land and it’s the best ground in the world in my view, so to compromise a surface is a strange decision to make voluntarily.

“If stuff happens, and the weather is beyond your control, fair enough, but it was an own goal I reckon.”

Chris Scott talks about the MCG surface, and what's 'worthy of discussion'... pic.twitter.com/7nAMo4gKaj

— 7AFL (@7AFL) March 17, 2023

The answer immediately sparked a discussion online with some fans arguing the state of the pitch was a “disgrace” which deserved to be called out.

“Both teams slipping around all night, fair enough,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“Why play a concert at the G within a week before footy season,” wrote another.

However others insisted it was a clear cut case of Scott being a poor loser.

“How about they just got beaten by a better side on the night. Both teams played on the same surface,” a fan wrote.

James Massola, the National Affairs Editor at the SMH and The Age, went as far as declaring Scott to be “the most graceless loser in the AFL” in a Twitter response to the press conference comment.

The most graceless loser in the AFL.

— James Massola (@jamesmassola) March 17, 2023

Meanwhile, Scott said he was confident Esava Ratugolea’s performance suggested he was set for a big year in defence.

The former forward was one of the Cats’ best as he kept Collingwood’s Dan McStay very quiet.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Scott said.

“I place a really high value on those guys that can stand up behind the ball.

“I’m excited about what he can do ... maybe we should’ve pulled the trigger on him (going) back a little bit earlier because he just looks like a back to me.”

New Cats Ollie Henry and Tanner Bruhn also produced plenty of cause for optimism for Scott.

Parts of the MCG turf were replaced ahead of the AFL round 1. Picture: David Caird

“I keep reminding myself that he (Henry) and Tanner Bruhn are 20 and hopefully they’re going to play a lot of good footy for the Cats,” Scott said.

While McRae was happy with the result, he wasn’t getting too carried away.

“We’re under no illusion that it’s Round 1, we’ve got a long way to go, there’s no patterns of behaviours yet around anything,” he said.

And Scott wasn’t pressing the panic button yet, either.

“(It was) more Round 1 rust I think for us than (our) system breaking down, and we had some guys that were off that have earned the right for us to persist with them for a bit,” Scott said.

- With NCA Newswire