Geelong coach Chris Scott admits his players got sucked in by Hayden Ballantyne’s niggling tactics, with veteran defender Matthew Scarlett now set to face the full wrath of the AFL’s match review panel.
Scarlett is almost certain to be handed a multi-week suspension after punching Ballantyne on the chin during the third quarter of Geelong’s four-point loss to the Dockers in Perth on Saturday night.
Forward James Podsiadly and defender James Kelly were also reported for separate striking incidents, but it was Scarlett’s left hook on Ballantyne that stole all the headlines.
Ballantyne was at his pesky best throughout the match, irritating Steve Johnson and several other Geelong players before making Scarlett snap.
Scarlett’s moment of madness could see the six-times All-Australian rubbed out for around four weeks.
Ballantyne could also find himself in trouble for his off-the-ball hit on Paul Chapman in the first quarter.
Chapman doubled over in pain and threw up on the ground after the hit, but it’s believed TV cameras failed to capture the incident.
Scott exchanged words with Ballantyne when the pair crossed paths at half-time.
But the former Fremantle assistant coach said he didn’t have a problem with the way Ballantyne played, instead conceding his players should have handled the situation better.
“I’d like to think they were aware he would do it,” Scott said.
“You don’t have to watch too many Freo games to see him niggling people.
“I’d love him on my side.
“His niggling – that’s within the rules.
“You’re allowed to get into people’s faces; you’re allowed to say nasty things to them; you’re allowed to press your head underneath their chin, and the rules say you can’t react.”
Scott said his team were shattered by the first-up loss, but would quickly move on to prepare for their round two blockbuster clash with Hawthorn on Monday week.
“We came for the four points and we missed out. In the context of the season, I still think we’re in pretty good shape,” Scott said.
“Based on what (Fremantle) served up, not too many teams are going to come over here and have easy games.”
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the win over Geelong would give his group massive confidence ahead of a challenging few weeks.
The Dockers take on Sydney in Sydney next Saturday, before facing Brisbane (home), St Kilda (away) and Carlton (home).
“We’re certainly not getting carried away. One swallow doesn’t make a summer,” Lyon said.
Dockers midfielder David Mundy is unlikely to return until round three, but Michael Barlow could be in line for a full match after tallying 13 possessions and a goal against Geelong in less than half a game as a sub.
