Geelong coach Chris Scott has leapt to the defence of Gary Rohan after his finals record was placed under the spotlight.
The Cats forward has struggled in big games in recent years, namely last year’s Preliminary Final loss to Melbourne when he had one disposal from 60 per cent of game time and the 2020 Grand Final defeat to Richmond which yielded just five touches.
In eight finals since joining the Cats from Sydney prior to the 2019 season, Rohan has averaged 7.8 disposals, 1.75 tackles and kicked just six goals, prompting the Footy Classified team to run the rule over his performances.
“In last year’s prelim he had one touch and the Grand Final before that he had five disposals,” Matthew Lloyd said.
“They’re not numbers you want in a final. Chris Scott’s always had belief in him because of what he does do off the ball, but you’ve got to find the footy and bring that pressure.”
Scott was a guest on the show ahead of his side’s Qualifying Final against Collingwood this Saturday.
That presented the opportunity for the panel to question him on Rohan’s output in finals.
Caroline Wilson asked: “Is there nervousness around Gary Rohan as one player under pressure going into finals who hasn’t always stood up in finals?
“And how do you handle a player like that going into this week?”
Scott defended Rohan, saying he plays an important forward role behind Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron while placing vital pressure on the opposition’s defence.
“I don’t subscribe to that theory,” he replied.
“I think every player is a little bit different and the art of coaching is trying to push the right buttons.
“Lloydy mentioned the thing we rate about him the most. There’s probably two things - We think he is a great foil for Hawkins and Cameron, he is a difficult matchup if the opposition give him too much space. His pressure is elite.
“Having said that, I just don’t buy that there is pressure on him. I don’t think anyone who knows footy is thinking, ‘For Geelong to win, Gary Rohan has got to dominate’.”
It prompted further questioning and a vehement defence from Scott, who labelled it as “borderline silliness” to bring a player like Rohan into the spotlight.
Wilson: “A player who doesn’t play well in finals, it can be an unfair stigma, but it’s a stigma.”
Scott: “Yeah but you answered your own question. If it’s unfair, I don’t think we should acknowledge it.”
Lloyd: “One touch and five touches, you’ve got to contribute more than that, Chris.”
Scott: “He did a hammy in the prelim final (last year).
“Even the numbers that you put up there, it was pretty tight.
“It’s a good question to ask me live on TV because I get a bit defensive of my players and I wear that as a badge of honour.
“I think it’s borderline silliness to highlight a player who none of you would have in the top 15 players in our team and say he’s the one under the most pressure.”
The 31-year-old Rohan has played nine matches for the Cats this season, averaging 8.6 disposals, 2.9 tackles and 1 goal per game.
Chris Scott's response: https://t.co/OniZZ9DbaI
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 29, 2022