Tom Hawkins’ return and Jared Rivers’ possible absence should make the decision easier this week for Geelong coach Chris Scott.
But the dilemma remains – where do the Cats play Harry Taylor?
The 2010 AFL All-Australian defender added to his credentials as a key forward on Saturday night when he kicked five goals and was best afield in the 21-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
Taylor also went back in the last quarter with Rivers injured and the Cats were under pressure.
He was their main tall forward option because Hawkins was a late withdrawal with a tight back.
Rivers went off in the first term with a knee injury and the tall backman’s absence meant Taylor eventually had to go back.
Taylor’s great form wherever he plays has left Scott admitting he is unsure what to do.
“He’s very dependable – you can make a strong argument to say he’d be as good a forward as he is a defender and that’s saying something,” Scott said.
“We’d love to play Hawkins, (James) Podsiadly, Taylor (in attack).”
That prompted the obvious question – what happens if Rivers is out with his knee injury?
“That’s the other part to the answer – we’d love to play Taylor back as well with Rivers and (Tom) Lonergan.
“We’d probably play him in the ruck as well if we could – he’s a pretty handy player.”
Geelong were not at their best on Saturday night, but they were too experienced for the undermanned and hard-working Bulldogs.
Trailling by 40 points in the the third term, the ‘Dogs kicked the only three goals of the last quarter to keep the game interesting.
“To hang on and win the game is a positive – we did what we needed to do,” Scott said.
He said the Cats were poor, but soon changed that assessment to below average.
Scott also stressed he was not disrespecting the Bulldogs
“They made us play poorly at times,” Scott said.
The Cats were down to two men on the bench after Josh Caddy was knocked to the head in the second term.
Bulldogs defender Brett Goodes will come under video review for the incident.
While the extent of Rivers’ knee injury is unclear, the Cats will regain Paul Chapman (hamstring) as well as Hawkins for next Saturday night’s game against Richmond.
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney praised his young team, saying they kept taking it up to the unbeaten Cats.
“I’m really pleased with our endeavour, pleased that they showed a better ability to just play the game minute-by-minute,” he said.
“That comes when you attack every contest full of confidence.”
Liam Jones (four goals), newcomer Jake Stringer and Mark Austin combined well in attack for the Bulldogs.
