Cats star set for scan, Crows’ Stewart plan fails

Cats star Patrick Dangerfield will need a scan after feeling soreness in his hamstring in the win over the Crows

PATRICK Dangerfield will need a scan on his hamstring after leaving the field in the dying minutes of Geelong’s win over Adelaide on Friday night, coach Chris Scott said.

Dangerfield was one of his team’s best players in the 19-point triumph, but was replaced by substitute Mitch Knevitt inside the final two minutes as he grabbed his left hamstring on the bench.

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“He described a cramp,” Scott said post-match.

“If he was just cramping in both calves I wouldn’t be worried at all, but it was a cramp in his hamstring, so probably needs to be watched carefully.

“I’m just parroting what I heard him say to the media so we’ll follow that one up a little bit closer over the next couple of days and get back to you.”

It continued a turbulent 36 hours for the Cats on the injury front after Tanner Bruhn (foot) was ruled out on Thursday and then Mitch Duncan (personal reasons) and Tom Atkins (adductor) were late withdrawals.

Duncan left Adelaide at 4:30 p.m. to catch a flight back home to be with his wife, who was about to go into labor.

The Cats were outstanding despite the losses, headed by a masterful performance by Tom Stewart in his 150th game.

Scott expressed his admiration for his younger players’ ability to adapt so well to so many last-minute changes.

Even though they’re up 2-0, Geelong isn’t getting carried away.

“We’re optimistic and positive, but we’re also very respectful of the rest of the competition,” Scott stated.

It’s going to be pretty close, in my opinion, and I think that you should avoid getting ahead of yourself when things are going well. Almost every team will have times when things are going well, so avoid becoming too attached to yourself.

“And when you have the inevitable patch where good teams just get the better of you, don’t throw the toys out of the cot either.”

Matthew Nicks, Scott’s rival, stated that Adelaide needed to “get ourselves going” following their second consecutive loss.

Nicks was left to lament lost chances as his squad outscored 53 to 66 inside 50s, but ineffective distribution and finishing in front of goal proved costly.

“In the end, although we had our chances, we lacked composure when we needed it,” Nicks stated.

“That can occasionally be brought about by coercion or perceived pressure, as Geelong demonstrated tonight.

“We had our opportunities. We simply couldn’t carry out the inside 50 foot execution by foot.”

Stewart was a contributing factor for Adelaide, as his ten interceptions tied the AFL record.

Early on, Luke Pedlar attempted to take a defensive posture against the five-time All-Australian, but Nicks was forced to abandon that strategy as Stewart gained the upper hand.

“We came in with a number of plans and the first one didn’t work,” he explained.

“He proved tonight why he is one of the top players in the tournament and why he is a highly rated talent.

“We had a good plan A for Stewart and their backline, but we didn’t carry it through at all, so we turned to Plan B. He’s a terrific player.

“The majority of people would say, ‘Why don’t you just put someone on him?'”

“Some players are skilled enough to influence the game even when they are not receiving as much attention. He belongs to the group.