Ziebell suspension a sad day for football: Scott

Updated July 19, 2012 20:19:52

North Melbourne AFL coach Brad Scott says Jack Ziebell's suspension is an indictment on the game and could force coaches to tell players that going hard at the ball should no longer be their main focus.

The star midfielder was controversially slapped with a four-game penalty at Tuesday's tribunal hearing after being charged with rough conduct for a head-high clash with Carlton's Aaron Joseph.

"He's devastated. It was a bitterly disappointing day and a really sad day in my mind for AFL football," Scott told reporters on Thursday as the ninth-placed Kangaroos prepared for Sunday's MCG clash with 11th-placed Richmond.

"It strikes at the heart of what this game's about.

"I've never ever seen a player get suspended for making the ball his sole objective, attacking the ball with ferocity, but being punished for the incidental contact that occurred because of that attitude in going for the ball.

"It has been a core fundamental of our game since the game has been invented, that you can attack the ball with ferocity provided you keep your eyes on the ball at all times and you make the ball your sole intention."

Asked if a rule change was necessary, Scott said: "That depends on the groundswell of public opinion as to the way they want the game played."

Scott said the tribunal had ruled Ziebell was contesting the ball.

Ziebell did have a reasonable alternative, which was to wait for Joseph to grab the ball and then tackle him, Scott added.

"To suggest that there's a reasonable alternative is to suggest that those sort of players shouldn't be ... so ferocious in their attack on the ball," Scott said.

"Perhaps we need to re-write the coaching manual. Go back and tell players 'no, it's not about keeping your eyes on the ball and attacking it with ferocity - it's about making sure you don't hurt your opponent'."

Scott said he had heard the argument that if the Ziebell incident was a marking contest, he would have not been suspended.

"It is farcical," Scott said.

Scott said the Kangaroos had counselled Ziebell after his suspension in 2011 for a high bump on St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt.

"We said 'Jack you cannot do that, you cannot line up an opposition player, run past the ball and make him your sole focus'," Scott said.

"He is now saying to me 'I did what you said, I made the ball my sole focus, I attacked it and now I'm not allowed to play for four weeks'.

"That's an indictment, in my view."

The AFL has sent please-explain letters to North's Drew Petrie and Geelong's James Kelly for criticising Ziebell's ban on Twitter.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, north-melbourne-3051, vic, australia

First posted July 19, 2012 15:19:26

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Scott calls for Cats to lift at the contest

Updated April 18, 2012 17:57:02

Geelong coach Chris Scott insists Paul Chapman and a dozen of his struggling senior team-mates can quickly regain their all-conquering form of 2011.

Chapman is a triple-premiership player and 2009 Norm Smith Medallist but was held to just 12 possessions in last week's upset loss to North Melbourne at Docklands.

Without a goal in his past four games including last year's grand final, the 30-year-old forward/midfielder is experiencing the longest dry spell in his 225-game career that has yielded 288 majors.

The stocky Chapman isn't past his best, Scott says, having gathered 24 disposals in round one against Fremantle.

But the two-time All-Australian and his veteran teammates need to start crashing in for the hard-ball gets in a hurry before the 11th-placed Cats (1-2) slide further down the ladder.

"We thought he was pretty good in the first game," Scott told reporters on Wednesday.

"He's not up to his usual lofty standards but that's a pretty hard level to maintain.

"He played some good footy through the preseason competition.

"We're expecting him to get back to his best really quickly.

"You could probably make the same observation about another 10 or 12 (players).

"We really value contested players and, at the moment, we don't have too many of them.

"But it's not as if that ability has left the building."

Chapman's average of 19.3 disposals per game compares poorly with his tallies of 27.8 and 23.5 in the past two seasons.

"We hope that our experienced players lead the way but we want our inexperienced players to be not too far behind," Scott added.

An in-house review of last week's 17-point loss has led to senior players making some suggestions, but not what Scott would call wholesale changes, for Sunday's round-four clash with 10th-placed Richmond in Geelong.

"We're very low in terms of getting our hands on the ball, both in hard situations and also out in space," Scott said.

"We think those things are relatively easy to correct, but it's a lot easier to say.

"We don't think that our young players have let us down at all.

"We have a critical mass of players who aren't going as well as they can."

Quizzed on reports North Melbourne had adopted parts of Geelong's game plan, Scott said: "I'm sure they don't want to be last for hard-ball gets and second-last for uncontested possessions."

Meanwhile, Scott assured Cats' fans their 59-point loss to Richmond last month during the pre-season cup was 99 per cent irrelevant.

Geelong have won seven in a row against the Tigers. The home side will unveil their 2011 flag before the game.

The Cats are likely to regain small forward Mathew Stokes (teeth), while Billie Smedts (chest) is in doubt and defender Andrew Mackie (cut lip and concussion) faces a test.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220, vic, australia, richmond-3121

First posted April 18, 2012 13:58:38

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Scott wants another flag with Cats

Updated October 07, 2011 00:00:50

Geelong coach Chris Scott wants to extend the AFL club's greatest era further, despite the ongoing challenge of managing its ageing team.

The first-year coach was given a rousing reception as he took to the stage on Thursday night at the club's "Carji" Greeves Medal best and fairest evening.

Corey Enright was named Geelong's best for the second time with 150 votes, ahead of Joel Corey (143) and Norm Smith medallist Jimmy Bartel (142).

It was the closest count in club history, with only 16 votes separating first and 10th place.

Last Saturday, Scott led the Cats to their third premiership in five years, despite the significant challenges that the club has faced over the last year.

Along with several key players either turning 30 or nearing that age, 12 months ago the Cats also lost Gary Ablett to Gold Coast.

Scott proved a spectacular success after the departure of Mark Thompson a year ago to Essendon.

"I don't want to talk about the future too much, except to say I think we know what we're going to get from our guys," Scott said in his speech at the awards dinner.

"We know our playing group is going to be questioned again in the next 12 months and those questions are real and we shouldn't argue with them.

"But you know what? It is possible to do it again."

Scott also promised the Cats fans that the players remained committed.

"I guarantee none of our players will get ahead of themselves ... but if they do, they will have to answer to Matty Scarlett, Corey Enright and those guys," he said.

Cats fans have revelled in the speculation that the team would go into decline this season, but Scott said those concerns remained real.

"As I've said a number of times, I feel incredibly privileged and humbled to be not only a part of the Geelong footy club, but to have been given the opportunity to coach such a fine group of players," he said.

"Twelve months ago we had some huge challenges in front of us - some questions were raised about the playing group that to this day I still think were extremely valid.

"Those questions are still going to be significant into the next 12-month period, but there's one thing for sure - our players won't give up, they don't listen to what's said about them outside the club, good or bad."

Scott paid special tribute to veterans Cameron Mooney and Darren Milburn.

Mooney has retired and Milburn is soon expected to announce he will also end his fine playing career.

"One of the most emotional moments of Saturday was seeing 'Dash' and 'Moons' after the game," Scott said.

"Those guys have made an amazing contribution to our football club."

Captain Cameron Ling also retired on Wednesday and Scott thanked him, calling him "my confidant".

Mooney won the coach's award and also shared with Joel Selwood the newly-named Tom Harley Award, which honours the players who best demonstrate the values of the team and club.

"I was never going to win the best and fairest, but I always desperately wanted to win this award," Mooney said of the Harley award.

"The fact the players vote on it makes it extra special."

Daniel Menzel was named this year's best young player and Selwood was named the club's community champion for his work outside the game.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, geelong-3220, vic, australia

First posted October 06, 2011 23:38:01

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Media Call: Brad Scott

Published:Sunday, July 10, 2011 7:42 AESTExpires:Saturday, October 8, 2011 7:42 AEST

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said his team's 117-point defeat to Collingwood at the MCG was a disgraceful perfomance from all involved.

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Interview: Chris Scott

Published:Friday, July 8, 2011 7:40 AESTExpires:Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:40 AEST

Geelong coach Chris Scott told Grandstand's Gerard Whateley and Chris Grant that the Cats have kept their preparations the same for their clash with West Coast that they do for closer interstate games like Sydney or Adelaide.

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Cats can improve, says Scott

Updated June 5, 2011 08:30:00

Geelong coach Chris Scott said the Cats had plenty of improvement left in them after thumping the Western Bulldogs by 61 points on Saturday.

Scott's Cats continued their unbeaten start to the AFL season with their 10th win, crushing the Bulldogs 23.10 (148) to 13.9 (87).

Big Brad Ottens kicked five goals and third-gamer Nathan Vardy showed promise as a tall-forward option with one goal and 10 possessions including three marks.

The Cats had dropped ruckman/forward Tom Hawkins to the VFL and Scott could not have been happier with the efforts of 19-year-old Vardy.

Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel dominated midfield, as the Cats took control of the match with an eight-goal burst in the second quarter to lead by 50 points at half-time.

Daniel Giansiracusa kicked five goals from limited opportunities for the Bulldogs, while out-of-form defender Brian Lake went forward in the second half and finished with three goals.

It is the Bulldogs' sixth loss in their past seven games as they lose touch with the top eight.

Geelong won the possessions tally 384-306 and the inside-50s were 63 to 41.

"It's the most complete performance we've put together," Scott said.

"Our tall forwards have been questioned a little bit. We got a good return from them today.

"We took the ball forward a little bit quicker and mainly that was a result of our work around the ball.

"We were able to get in and win the contested ball and we tackled a little bit better than we have recently as well.

"It's good that we've still got things to improve on," Scott added, pointing to the tackle count which the Cats lost 72-69.

Tall forward Cameron Mooney was rested on Saturday with a knee injury, but the 31-year-old was expected to return to VFL ranks in a few weeks with the aim of being back in the AFL for the finals series.

Scott laughed off a radio interview in which Mooney said he faced a "make-or-break" period over the next month.

"He's a bit of a drama queen," Scott said.

"There's a chance that he may not come good. It may go wrong but we're anticipating that he'll be okay."

Vardy, who also had 15 hit-outs, was making excellent progress according to Scott, who compared him to St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt.

"I really rate him. He has got the attributes to play as a genuine forward and he's a very good young ruckman as well," Scott said.

"We all know they take time to develop, but he doesn't look out of place at all.

"I can see the similarities (with Riewoldt). He is an exceptional contested mark.

"For a second-year player to be doing those things at AFL level is really exciting because they do take time.

"Tom Hawkins is a good example. He's 22. That's young for a key forward.

"Nathan's really agile and he's a good runner as well.

"We're trying not get carried away, but it's hard."

Geelong host arch rivals Hawthorn next Saturday night at the MCG.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, fitzroy-3065, geelong-3220

First posted June 5, 2011 08:18:00

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Interview: Scott Pendlebury

Published:Sunday, May 22, 2011 4:17 AESTExpires:Saturday, August 20, 2011 4:17 AEST

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury told Dan Lonergan and the Grandstand team that his side was very flat in the first half and it looked like Adelaide was going to keep the Magpies under wraps in the third term but the premiers managed to run away for the win.

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Interview: Scott Thompson

Published:Friday, May 20, 2011 7:05 AESTExpires:Thursday, August 18, 2011 7:05 AEST

North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson told Grandstand's Quentin Hull that the Kangaroos are hoping to get off to a good start against the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday night.

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Interview: Scott Pendlebury

Published:Friday, May 13, 2011 10:53 AESTExpires:Thursday, August 11, 2011 10:53 AEST

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury told Kelli Underwood and the Grandstand team that the Magpies felt they lacked momentum going forward in their first loss of the season against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

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Media Call: Chris Scott

Published:Tuesday, May 10, 2011 5:03 AESTExpires:Monday, August 8, 2011 5:03 AEST

Geelong coach Chris Scott says Friday's top-of-the-table clash with reigning AFL premier Collingwood will test just how good his side really is.

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Trengove's tackle the target: Scott

Updated May 11, 2011 19:13:00

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott believes the Jack Trengove suspension Melbourne is appealing is for exactly the type of tackle the AFL wants to wipe out.

Melbourne will front the appeals board on Thursday in an attempt to have the 19-year-old's three-game ban overturned.

The Demons are arguing that Trengove laid a textbook tackle on Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield.

Dangerfield had to be subbed off with concussion after Trengove pinned his arm and threw him down, causing his head to hit the ground.

Trengove's team-mates have used Twitter to publicly lambaste the Tribunal's decision and Demons football manager Craig Notman labelled the tackle "as close to perfect as we could want".

The Demons have been contacted by the AFL, asking them to explain why their players breached rules banning excessive criticism of tribunal decisions.

But Scott, whose Kangaroos face Melbourne at Docklands on Saturday, said it was the type of incident the AFL had targeted when it tightened its rules governing dangerous tackles.

The league updated tribunal guidelines for rough conduct before the 2007 season and again before the 2010 season, to detail the kinds of tackles it wanted outlawed.

"I don't think there's confusion at all, I think the AFL made their stance," Scott said on Wednesday.

"They made a rule change for this particular incident and they made their stance very clear.

"So our players are absolutely clear as to what the rule is."

Scott added that any frustration should be reserved for the rule, not the Trengove verdict.

"The AFL made things really clear as to how they would deal with those particular incidents," he said.

"You can agree with the rule or not, but they've adjudicated the rule as they said they would."

Scott said he did not want to see aggression driven out of the game, but did not want to see players concussed either.

His view is completely at odds with the Demons' thinking.

Melbourne is fighting the charge on the grounds the decision was so unreasonable that no tribunal could have made it with regard to the evidence.

The club also says both the classification of the level of offence and the sanction imposed were manifestly excessive.

"We deem it as a tackle that, from what we teach our players, was completed to a tee," Notman told Melbourne's SEN radio.

"It's unfortunate that Patty Dangerfield was hurt, but part of his actions actually contributed to the force he hit the ground."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson defended the tribunal's decision.

"It's one of those ones that's very much debatable over where the line should be drawn, but where we do, we make no apologies for reducing neck and head injuries in the game," Anderson told Triple M radio.

"We don't want to see players concussed and we ask that you show some care towards your opponent when the arm is pinned."

Thursday night's appeals board hearing will be the first since Carlton skipper Chris Judd unsuccessfully fought a misconduct charge at the end of the 2009 season.

The incident was memorable for Judd, who was charged for placing his hand near the eye of then-Brisbane midfielder Michael Rischitelli, claiming he had been searching for a "pressure point", which he later said was a joke.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted May 11, 2011 19:02:00

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Scott sticks by battered Roos

Posted April 14, 2011 18:51:00

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has kept faith with the players thumped by Collingwood a fortnight ago, as his side resumes after its AFL bye against Fremantle on Sunday.

Scott has named 22 players who were involved in the Magpies' loss in an extended squad of 25 for the match in Perth.

He has also included inexperienced ruckman Cameron Pedersen in the squad with an eye to dealing with giant Dockers Aaron Sandilands.

"There's no bigger ruck challenge in the game than Aaron Sandilands - he's a terrific player," Scott said on Thursday.

"I've watched him play for a long period of time now and I haven't seen a formula that works consistently against him.

"He's a very dominant player and the premier ruckman in the competition."

With number one ruckman Hamish McIntosh still sidelined with an Achilles injury, the Kangaroos will rely on Pedersen and Todd Goldstein to tackle Sandilands.

The Kangaroos are yet to win in their two matches and are making their second trip to Perth in a month after a narrow round one loss to West Coast.

- AAP

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