Geelong premiership player Tom Lonergan has declared his fomer coach Chris Scott as “clearly” the best in the competition.
The for and against case in terms of Scott has seen plenty of debate, with his supporters pointing to his home and away win percentage of over 72 per cent, greater than any current or former coach in the game.
However, the argument against the 46-year-old is just as clear. He's claimed just one premiership in his time at the helm despite missing just one finals series since 2011.
Lonergan, who played seven seasons under Scott from 2011-2017, is firmly in the first category.
“Clearly, Chris Scott, he’s the best coach in the game, he has to be,” Lonergan told SEN Mornings.
“I know Geelong supporters sometimes get a bit upset the fact we haven’t quite got it done at the pointy end, but to be able to put the team in the position every year to compete for a premiership - and they’ll do it again this year, they’ll be a top four team no doubt - you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Chris and the way he constantly evolves the team.
“Even this year I think, compared to last year, it’s been noted we were quite conservative in our ball movement from the back half whereas this year it seems as though we’re breaking a few lines and moving the ball a bit quicker from the backend.”
The Cats sit second going into Round 17 and with one of the easiest runs home of the contenders, Scott’s side looks destined to make their fourth consecutive top four.
Lonergan also suggested an improved forward line was behind Geelong’s ability to tweak its game plan.
“I think the confidence of having clearly the two best key forwards in the game (Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins) plus probably the best small forward in (Tyson) Stengle gives the midfielders and defenders a lot of confidence to move the ball on quickly,” the former Cat added.
“I think (assistant coaches) James Kelly and Shaun Grigg have played a really pivotal role in the midfield, in terms of just putting the onus on the mids from a defensive point of view, I think we’re a lot more balanced in our approach in there and we seem to be winning the contest more.
“So there’s been some wholesale changes in the offseason which (CEO) Steve Hocking came in and made and I think we’re seeing the benefits of those now.”
Scott and his side could move into top spot on the ladder with a win over Melbourne on Thursday night, depending on the margin of the clash.
The club recently confirmed a long-speculated two-year contract extension for Scott, who will become the club’s longest-serving coach if he serves out his tenure.