Amid all the changes that have marked Geelong’s near-perfect start to the AFL season, they knew not to fix what wasn’t broken.
The Cats ended their disappointing season last year boasting the league’s stingiest defence and that’s where they stand again.
So while recruits Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus have flourished in attack, Gary Ablett relishes his permanent half-forward role and Joel Selwood starts more often on the wing, the miserly Cats’ backline quietly purrs about its business.
One of the features of Sunday’s country festival clash with Essendon at the MCG will be how the Bombers’ attack goes against a defence that strangled reigning premiers West Coast a week ago.
The Eagles only managed seven goals against Geelong and the Cats have not conceded more than 100 points in a game since round 17 last season.
Apart from Mark O’Connor’s eye-catching form and the improvement of Jake Kolodjashnij, it is much the same players doing the job in defence, led by Tom Stewart, Harry Taylor and Mark Blicavs.
Zach Tuohy also returned from injury against the Eagles, his first senior game this season, while first-year player Jordan Clark is back on Sunday after a week off.
“It’s a good thing – it’s a hard team to pick,” said backline coach Matthew Scarlett.
“It’s hard for the players who think they should be in the team as well, but they’ve handled it really well.
“Their opportunities will open up at some stage.”
Scarlett was asked whether he would take the credit for O’Connor’s outstanding left-foot kick on the run against the Eagles.
“I couldn’t kick 50m on my right, so I definitely didn’t teach him that,” Scarlett said.
“He’s going well, he’s doing some really big jobs for us, as is Kol.
“Certainly their teammates appreciate what they’ve been doing.”
Scarlett also praised Taylor and Blicavs for their leadership as key defenders, but is particularly impressed with how Stewart has kicked on from last year’s All-Australian selection.
“He’s just gone from strength to strength – he’s playing better footy than he was last year,” Scarlett said.
“He keeps improving. Really good signs.”
Orazio Fantasia will return to boost Essendon’s attack, led by Joe Daniher, Jake Stringer and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
“We’ll have our hands full and we’re excited about it, too,” Scarlett said of Geelong’s defenders.
“We enjoy taking on the best forward lines and that’s certainly what they are.”
