AFL: Sam De Koning, Rhys Stanley could play together according to Chris Scott

Sam De Koning was dominant as Geelong’s number one ruckman in the season opener but coach Chris Scott says he might not always fill the role, opening the door for a veteran’s return.

Rhys Stanley and Sam De Koning at Geelong training. Picture: Alison Wynd

Rhys Stanley and Sam De Koning can play in the same side according to Geelong coach Chris Scott.

De Koning carried the number one ruck role during the Cats’ season opener against Fremantle and was one of his side’s best, recording a career-high 25 disposals.

Stanley was held over from a VFL practice match but will take part in the Cats’ clash against Sandringham this weekend.

Last week, Mark Blicavs and Shannon Neale also shouldered some of the ruck duties.

Scott said De Koning was currently the best option for the “overall balance” of the team.

“Definitely. I will be very surprised if that doesn’t happen at some point,” he said when asked if both players could play together.

“And that probably speaks to a little bit about the way we’re thinking about De Koning.

“We’re not sitting here saying it’s all about developing Sam as a player at the expense of the team.

“We’re still doing what we think is best for the team in the short-term but it multifaceted.

“We think if he can play that position well for us and become the type of guy that helps us in that position, but when we need him to play key back or key forward, that gives us some flexibility.

“If Sam just played as a deep, tall defender for 12 weeks straight, it gives us less confident we could throw him into the ruck, forward.”

Sam De Koning was a handful for the Dockers. Photo: Getty Images.

The Cats will go into Saturday night’s clash with St Kilda as strong favourites after dismantling the Dockers last weekend.

While the Saints were comfortably beaten by Adelaide, Scott was aware of the challenge Ross Lyon’s men would present.

The Saints have won the last three games between the two sides under the roof at Marvel Stadium, including Round 23 last year where the Cats gave up a 33-point lead.

“The last time you play a team always has some relevance in my opinion.

“I think it’s relevant now because the game is slightly different at Marvel compared to the compared it’s played, say at Adelaide Oval.

“I’m splitting hairs here a little bit, but coming off summer fast tracks, even last week was 30 odd

“But I think St Kilda would be rightly confident that they have a method at Marvel that has worked, at least in patches, against us.

“That’s our challenge and it’s good to acknowledge because one of the greatest mistakes you can make in footy is look at a game seven days ago and assume you get something similar the last week.”

The Cats confirmed an unchanged line-up on Thursday night. Small forward Shaun Mannagh will again play in the VFL.

Originally published as AFL: Sam De Koning, Rhys Stanley could play together according to Chris Scott