“Got monstered by the four-gamer”: Why Scott’s explanation of Stanley sub doesn’t add up

Rhys Stanley’s position in Geelong’s go-to ruckman serious jeopardy after the veteran was subbed out before half-time of the Cats’ eventual loss to Port Adelaide on Friday night.

Stanley was dragged from the field with three handballs and 10 hitouts to his name in 30 per cent game time and replaced by young Irishman Oisin Mullin.

Geelong coach Chris Scott was quick to explain in the aftermath of the clash that the switch was not due to Stanley’s efforts on the field, instead describing it as an “aggressive move” with the Cats down as much as 49 points in the second term.

But Gerard Whateley wasn’t buying those comments.

“In the aftermath (Scott) was careful to say this was about balance, but there’s no doubt he subbed Stanley because he was just so weak in the contest against (Port Adelaide’s Dante) Visentini… that was pretty clear, wasn’t it?” Whateley said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“He got monstered by the four-gamer.

“But then Mullin comes in and clamps Horne-Francis, who played so well (early) and Geelong peg (the lead) back from 49 to 6.

“For a tactician, the deep dive into this is so rich. I feel like (it’s the first tactical sub before half-time).

“It was the old-fashioned dragging, except it’s a bit more permanent these days.”

David Kind added: “If you’re having a shower before half-time, things have gone horribly wrong.”

Visentini was brought in for his fourth AFL game with Ivan Soldo and Jordon Sweet out injured and ill respectively and the 21-year-old collected 31 hitouts and 10 possessions against makeshift Cats ruckman Mark Blicavs.

Stanley has played seven games in 2024, with young Cat Toby Conway featuring on two occasions. Scott has hinted Conway will continue to be given opportunities throughout the season and he is viewed as Stanley’s long-term replacement at Kardinia Park.

But Stanley’s last three games have returned a combined 17 possessions and five clearances.

However, as Scott notes, his decision to sub out Staley did have a positive impact for the home side.

“It was difficult, but what we weren’t going to do was sit on our hands. We thought it was a really aggressive move and it would be a risky move if the scoreboard was closer but the game had already got away from us,” Scott said post-match.

“We thought we needed to act urgently and it was nothing to do with the way Rhys was playing, it was more some of the other changes we wanted to make. On balance, we thought it worked.”

Scott also confirmed Tom Hawkins would be rested next week, meaning the 35-year-old will break Geelong's games record the following week against GWS at home.

Geelong stormed home to kick nine of the last 12 goals in going down to the Power by six points, succumbing to their second consecutive loss after winning their opening nine contests.