Former Geelong forward Kent Kingsley says there is a “huge disconnect” between a large section of players and coach Chris Scott.
In the wake of the Cats’ disastrous preliminary final exit against Adelaide, Kingsley says communication and relationship issues are part of an equation that sees the club continually falter in finals.
“There’s a big disconnect between coach and lots of players and I think you can draw a line and connect that to how the side has performed when the stakes are highest,” he said.
Geelong’s finals record since 2012 stands at 3-8 despite three top two home and away finishes and a third placing in 2014.
From the past four finals the Cats have been outscored 4.12 to 17.11 in opening quarters.
Club president Colin Carter labeled this season a successful one despite losing two finals by a combined total of 19 goals.
Kingsley says it’s incomprehensible to analyse the home and away series and finals as separate entities.
“It has to be looked at holistically and if you do that you’ll see a pattern, and that is the Cats cannot translate home and away form into finals form,” he said.
“From my point of view there are a number of home and away games that can be won purely on talent, but elevating that talent, particularly the bottom 12 of the 22 that competes, is where good coaches separate themselves.
“A massive part of that is open and ongoing communication with players and from what I’ve heard that just doesn’t happen at Geelong with the players who need that.”
Kingsley, a four-time leading goalkicker, has forged a successful business career since retiring from the game at the end of 2007 after playing 110 games for Geelong and three at Richmond.
“A footy coaching role is very much like a business manager in that there has to be open lines of communication and strong relationships between all those within your business to ensure the best outcomes,” he said.
“Strong relationships between those at the top and those down the line form strong foundations.
“When those relationships fail, or are non-existent, which I think is more to the point here, things will break down at some level and generally that’s when the heat really goes on. It’s pretty simple.”
In an April interview Geelong CEO Brian Cook suggested reports of Scott’s fractured relationship with some players was a fact of life for all coaches and something they have to deal with to some degree.
“I think he has become a better leader and manager, particularly over the past six months,” Cook told SEN.
“I think the coaches job these days is really difficult, if not impossible.”
During the pre-season it’s believed Scott reacted to criticism by convening a meeting of the second tier leaders at the club. Player’s left believing the meetings would be on-going but never happened again.
Scott signed a two-year contract extension tying him to the club until the end of 2019.
In recent years the Cats have traded aggressively to win a premiership. Lachie Henderson, Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Hamish McIntosh, Zac Tuohy, Sam Blease, Scott Selwood, Mitch Clark, Aaron Black and Jared Rivers have all been acquired with a premiership in mind.
This year 33-year-old Gary Ablett and out-of-favour Bulldog Jake Stringer are in the club’s sights as the top-up continues in earnest.
Home and away form suggests Geelong already has the talent given a pound for pound rating against last year’s premiers Western Bulldogs, and this year’s Grand Finalist Richmond, would be favourable.
“Unfortunately finals are telling a very different story,” Kingsley said.