No. 30 Matthew Scarlett

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
01Aug08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

AT THE start of the season I must admit I did have a browse through some stats and saw that, provided I didn’t cop any major injury, I’d play my 200th game this year.

Well, that game has finally arrived and I’m pretty stoked.

It’s a big achievement, and I can’t wait to get out there against Richmond on Saturday night.

Playing 200 games is pretty hard to do. I think I’ll be only the 23rd Geelong player to reach that mark, so I feel both fortunate and proud to be able to play so many games.

When I arrived at the club as a skinny teenager, there’s no way I thought I’d ever achieve the things I have in my 10 years.

I’ve won a best and fairest, now played 200 games, and of course, reached the pinnacle by playing in a premiership.

A lot of this I put down to playing under Bomber.

I’ve read some of the stuff he’s said about me this week, which obviously makes me feel pretty good. He’s probably only saying it to be nice though!

I can tell you there’s a lot of mutual respect there.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Bomber.

Bomber and Brendan McCartney are responsible for moulding me into the player I am.

When I arrived at the club Gary Ayres was the coach and I only played five or six games, so things weren’t working out great for me back then.

When Gary left and Bomber arrived, I started playing senior footy pretty much straight away.

I grew up barracking for Essendon and was at the MCG in 1993 the day my current coach held up the premiership cup with Kevin Sheedy.

As a teenager, I’d idolised him and other guys like Tim Watson and Gavin Wanganeen, so I was pretty rapt when he took over as coach.

Given where the club is today, I’m obviously thankful he’s still our coach and not elsewhere.

We’re in a great position again this year to challenge for the flag, having got over a couple of big weeks of footy.

Last week we were good enough to beat the Hawks, and I think it was our will to win in the last quarter that was the difference.

We had a few great players out, and we also lost Chappy for a fair chunk of the game.

I enjoyed playing on Buddy, although he is hard to keep up with – there’s no doubt about that.

He’s a freakish athlete. He’s just so tall and quick off the mark.

I think he’s got an edge on everyone he plays on in terms of athletic ability, so you’ve just got to do your best and hope the guys further afield can put some pressure on their midfield.

Luckily, our guys were pretty good all night.

Hopefully, they’re just as good against the Tigers this week.

Last time we played them at Telstra Dome we gave them a fair touch up. But they’ve improved a lot since then, so I don’t think the match will be quite as one-sided this time.

One thing I do know is that despite it being more than likely that we’re going to finish on top, there’ll be no letting up from the guys.

We all just want to keep winning.

I hope we do on Saturday night, so I can celebrate in style.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
The Geelong Advertiser

Item-
Updated News

Cats keen to celebrate Scarlett milestone in style
Brad Green
02Aug08

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Matthew Scarlett at training yesterday.

SORRY Richmond, but your resurgence is about to get a nasty shock.

The Tigers are hungry for a spot in the top eight, having won five of their past six games.

But Geelong is perfectly positioned for a crack at back-to-back premierships and tonight's venue will send shudders down the collective spines of all Tiger fans.

It was at Telstra Dome in round six last year that the Cats kick-started their premiership quest with a rampant 157-point smashing of Richmond.

This time around, the Cats sit 10 points clear on top of the ladder with five rounds left in the season, but still with plenty of incentive to win tonight, not the least of which is full back Matthew Scarlett becoming the 23rd Cat to reach 200 games.

It comes as no surprise that Scarlett credits Cats coach Mark Thompson for his outstanding career.

In his weekly column Scarlett's Web on the Geelong website, the All-Australian full back said he would not have achieved what he has in the game if Thompson had not arrived at Skilled Stadium at the end of the 1999 season.

Scarlett, drafted by the Cats under the father-son rule, has won a best and fairest, been named All-Australian three times and was a key member of their record-breaking premiership team last year.

"When I arrived at the club, Gary Ayres was the coach and I only played five or six games, so things weren't working out great for me back then," Scarlett said on gfc.com.au

"When Gary left and 'Bomber' (Thompson) arrived, I started playing senior footy pretty much straight away.

"I grew up barracking for Essendon and, as a teenager, I idolised him, so I was pretty rapt when he took over as coach.

"Given where the club is today, I'm obviously thankful he's still our coach and not elsewhere.

"When I arrived at the club as a skinny teenager, there's no way I thought I'd ever achieve the things I have in my 10 years. A lot of this I put down to playing under 'Bomber'.

"'Bomber' and (assistant coach) Brendan McCartney are responsible for moulding me into the player I am."

Geelong has won 10 of its past 11 matches against Richmond.

"Last time we played them at Telstra Dome, we gave them a fair touch up (by 157 points)," he said.

"But, they've improved a lot since then so I don't think the match will be quite as one-sided this time.

"We all just want to keep winning. I hope we do on Saturday night, so I can celebrate in style."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
Rnd 18 @ Telestra Dome
v.
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Statistics-
K: 9
H/B: 6
D: 15
M: 2
CP: 2
DE%: 93.33%
r50: 4
i50: 1
T: 1
GA: 1

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency ga= goal assists

Goals Conceded for the Match= 1
Goals Conceded for 2008= 22

Summary-
SATURDAY AUGUST 2nd 2008 will be remembered not for Geelong's comprehensive dissection of the Richmond Tigers, but as the night one it's greatest champions celebrated an illustrious milestone.

In the year 1859, co-founder of Australian football Thomas Wentworth Willis recommended the formation of a Geelong Football Club to take part in a proposed Australian Rules football competition.

149 years later, tens-of-hundreds of players, 7 VFL/AFL premierships, 5 Brownlow Medallists, 28 All- Australians, 4 Coleman Medallists, 3 league MVP's, and the standing as the second oldest brand of any football code in the world, it is hard to believe that before Saturday night only 22 G.F.C players ever, had worn the blue and white hoops on 200 occassions.

However, although difficult to fathom, it only serves to magnify the appreciation that is rightfully due to the 23rd Cat added to that priviledged list, champion full- back Matthew Scarlett, who with passion and an un- matched fierce loyalty, has humbly exemplified everything his beloved club stands for, over 11 grand seasons.

The magnitude of the event was drummed well and truly into the playing group during the lead- up to the special event, and the poignancy of lifting and being able to celebrate the right way for arguably the most admired member of the playing group was evident. This occassion mean't a great deal to those most closely associated with the career of the doyen, and to noone more than coach Mark Thompson who spoke luminously of his esteemed bookend throughout the week once again making his point of view known that Scarlett is the greatest defender he's witnessed and that through his accomplishments he has set the standard for future full- backs.

In spite of his illustrious standing as one of the premier defenders to ever take to the field, Scarlett has successfully shyed away from the spotlight in the otherwise publicity driven world that is the Australian Football League. Nevertheless, such mystique has done little to deny the infinite respect the man affectionately known as "Scarlo" has earned from teammates across 200 outstanding matches.

Like his coach, friend and defensive partner Tom Harley has on several occassions noted Scarlett as the best defender he's seen, whilst full- forward Cameron Mooney recpricated such a glowing endorsement after playing on Scarlett during this year's star-studded Hall of Fame Tribute match. But it is not just amongst his more "senior" companions that Scarlett is afforded such praise, his reputation and influence is a driving motivation to the younger players beginning their careers and searching for an example to follow. Cats prodigy Joel Selwood, confidently proclaimed post- game that Matthew was in the top 5 players the Geelong Football Club had ever had.

There is little we know of him outside of what we see once he crosses that white line. This was never better epitomised than on Saturday night. During the aftermatch congratulatories Scarlett was hounded by Channel 10 boundary rider Christie Malthouse for a few words. Without a fuss, he gave her an acute shake of the noggin and the message was sent. But that is the "Scarlo" we have come to know and love: a no frills, calm, collected yet uncompromising competitor who speaks through concerted action, and does it week after week. So sturdy, so reliable, he has become the rock of Kardinia Park, the foundation for success not just via his individual achievements but the via the positive direction his forthright and honest leadership has guided those around him.

Given the humble beginnings from which he has arisen, from a skinny sapling of a teenager with the "potential" to succeed into a recognised defensive juggernaut, Scarlett has had to work every step of the way and has earn't the reverance of his peers, the adoration of the media, the hearts of the Cats faithful and never ceased to fascinate those who have taken a fascination in him.

Scarlett, hitting Telestra Dome in a touching display with first daughter Tayla by his side and new-born Charlie in his arms, before charging through a banner erected in his honour, was a window that took us perhaps as close as we will come to the "real" Scarlett. But Cats fans wouldn't have it any other way for it is the quiet, un- assuming nature of the man, his unwillingness to be sought or known that makes us crave his dominance for those few hours every weekend even more.

On to the game itself and as predcited, although more comfortably than initially thought, Geelong celebrated Scarlett's night in immpressive style, and in doing so made the job of the defence very easy.

The midfield pressure asserted by Geelong was first rate following a slowish opening 10 minutes. The Tigers were continuously forced into second- rate disposal errors through the middle of the ground allowing the "high-risk = high- reward" Cats to stream forward in numbers and un- pressured, placing ominous pressure on a young opposition defence.

Scarlett's defensive skills were seldom called upon, he spoiled when required, marked when it was there to be taken and picked off any loose ends, and the only goal he conceded came from an outstanding high mark between Scarlett and Milburn by Matthew Richardson late in the 3rd term which was near impossible to spoil.

This did not mean that the full- back went without having an impact, his rebound from defence proving an enriching source of buzz for the crowd. Scarlett's greatest skill, the one which makes him such a brilliant and unique defender, is his decision making, and it was on show against the Tigers. Being present at the game, one is able to better evaluate how exactly a team sets itself up over the field and how plays develop from defence to attack. The number of times Scarlett either commences or is involved in a rebounding thrust and the Cats end up deep inside their attack or scoring is quite astonishing and no fluke.

Whenever Scarlett takes possession his immediete instinct is to look forward and look direct. It is a well known fact that Geelong's ability to defend so strongly can be largely attributed to Scarlett's prescence and direction of the back six. However, the Cats ability to score so heavily owes itself to the ball movement out of defence.

Take for example Adelaide centre-half-back Nathan Bock, who, as stats show is a heavy ball winner in the defensive 50. But, as stats published in the Herald Sun revealed, he leads the AFL for kicks backwards. Indicating the degree to which his numbers are padded.

Scarlett is the "anti- Nathan Bock," in this sense.

When the ball is in his hands it is either in a dangerous area or released quickly to a player in a dangerous position to create, typically in the centre corridor and on the rebound. For this reason, it only takes a handful of Scarlett possessions to turn a game on it's ear and alter potential outcomes. This is the mark of an imposingly decisive contributor.

What this creates is a scenario where Geelong's centremen have the luxury of sagging off when the ball is inside Geelong's defence, because the defenders will garner possession most of the time and then in turn recieve the ball in spots that give them the best chance for optimum, hasty delivery to the forwards. Scarlett is the cornerstone for the implementation of this game style.

Congratualtions Matthew Scarlett, it's right what they say, you have certainly taken things to another level. Long may you run, you've made the Geelong Football Club a very fortunate club to have you, and all those who follow the game very fortunate to have watched you play.

[Last Line Hero]

~IN DEDICATION~

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Matthew Scarlett

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200th AFL Game

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August 2nd 2008

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A True Champion

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:D:thumbsu:

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
The Geelong Advertiser

Item-
Updated News

Cats celebrate Matthew Scarlett's milestone in style
Sarak Bieske
04Aug08

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2008/08/03/Matthew_Scarlett_(350_x_467).jpg
Matthew Scarlett is chaired off the ground by Darren Milburn and Corey Enright.

IT was a masterful performance on a night one of Geelong's most masterful players celebrated his 200th game.

For a man who is known for dodging attention, Matthew Scarlett allowed himself a rare moment in the spotlight on Saturday after the Cats' resounding 63-point win over Richmond.

He was carried from the ground by his two good mates, Darren Milburn and Corey Enright, as teammates and fans alike applauded his remarkable career.

He didn't bask in the glory, didn't want to make a fuss. With a nod of his head and a clap of his hands, he humbly thanked his supporters in return.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said he told his players to win this one for Scarlo, an indication of just how highly he regards his key defender.

"I told the team that they should put every effort into winning this game for this man because he's been such an important person for the club ... a little bit of who we are is because of him," Thompson said.

After the 10-goal win, captain Tom Harley said he had no doubt the players lifted for the All-Australian.

"We like to lift for milestones and it was probably 10-fold for Scarlo," Harley said.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
07Aug08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

MY 200th game went off without a hitch and I was really grateful to Bomber and all the boys that we were able to have such a good win.

Bomber mentioned the fact that it was a milestone game for me quite a few times in the lead-up to our game against Richmond.

In fact, everyone put a lot of time and effort into the game and really pumped it up for me, which I really appreciated.

I was also able to run onto the ground with my two girls, which I loved and I know they did too – even if I wasn't too sure what to do with them once I went through the banner!

This week, having played my 200th game and realising that I've been in the game for 10 years, I was thinking about things that have changed since I arrived on the scene.

Obviously, we're in a pretty good position on the field now.

My first couple of years at the club we struggled a fair bit but with Bomber coming on board, keeping our list together and by getting games into guys, we've gradually pulled ourselves up the AFL ladder.

It hasn't been easy.

One major thing that has changed since I was first drafted -- and although I'm only at the Cats I think this probably relates across the whole league -- is the greater role players and player leadership groups now have.

There's been a huge turnaround in the amount of say and the role players take in everyday life at the footy club.

In my first year or two of footy I think we were in a bit of pickle on the leadership front.

Our captain Leigh Colbert and coach Gary Ayres had left, and Barry Stoneham and Garry Hocking were thrust into leadership roles.

I was very young and maybe I just wasn't that switched onto it back then, but from what I could see the players had no, or certainly very little, control over the direction of the club when I first started.

In the last couple of years however, that has changed significantly and the players have a huge amount of power.

If it's a disciplinary matter, as it was with Steve Johnson a year or two back, the players decide the punishment and it then gets approved by the board.

The coaches and the board trust the players and our leaders to make the right calls, and I think they certainly have over the last couple of years. It's working really well for us.

I know that getting told by a teammate that you've stuffed up hits home a lot harder than it does from a coach.

If something needs to be fixed one of our senior guys, or maybe even a younger bloke, will speak up and we knock it on the head.

Bomber has always given a player his right to speak but it's been more so in the past two years -- probably in the pre-season of 2007 -- that there was a dramatic turnaround.

This has extended to on the field, too.

The group has a player-driven training session once a week, where the coaches play little or no real part.

And it's well-known that our backline often chats out on the ground and we're perfectly happy deciding and shuffling our match-ups during the course of a game.

There's been a greater responsibility given to the players and a greater trust.

And I think by coaches and boards giving that to players, that trust is returned.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
Rnd 19 @ MCG
v.
http://www.tasmaf.org.au/images/afl_mfc.gif

Statistics-
K: 17
H/B: 11
D: 28
M: 5
CM: 1
T: 2
CP: 3
DE%: 78.57%
r50: 6
i50: 1
GA: 1

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency ga= goal assists

Goals Conceded for the Match= 1
Goals Conceded for 2008= 23

Summary-
IN THE LIGHTEST POSSIBLE TERMS losing by 116 points is simply unacceptable, however as a side lacking the adaequate playing personnel as the Melbourne Football Club is, the situation is only compiled when you are coached as poorly as you play.

As the battle between 1st place and last, few would have expected the Demons to come out victorious, but given their early season heroics against Geelong and greasy conditions, there was nothing to excuse a competitive outing.

Few questions have been asked of Dean Bailey in recent weeks as the performances of his Demons have lifted marketably, but the juggernaut that is Geelong quickly put pave to that as Friday night, became Fright night and Bailey's and his troop's weaknesses were ruthlessly put to the sword.

Matthew Scarlett was one of many to take full advantage.

The Dees were keen to test "Scarlo" out early in the piece, and hope his direct assignment Paul Johnson could take advantage of a significant size advantage. Twice within the opening 5 or so minutes, Melbourne kicked long down the flanks to an isolated situation between Scarlett and Johnson only to have the champ put his wears on show with two consumate spoils to advantage.

Any hope the Demons had of a victory their way between that pairing was soon dashed with Scarlett able to expose Johnson when on the offensive, his dynamism and touch in the wet a trademark of the difference in standard between the two sides, and most of time appearing all too easy.

Melbourne failed to trouble the scoreboard for over 1 and a half quarters, largely due to their inability to find targets through the middle, but even when they were able to establish some degree of run and carry their forward line was as inept as it was inexperienced against the "men" of Geelong's vice-like defence, Scarlett impassable, just mopping up all that came near him.

Bailey did little if anything, other than a heated barrage of words at quarter time to give his players a fighting chance of staying within the boundary of respectability. Change up his forward structure: NO, tell his midfielders to kick to the top of the square: NO, alter match- up's that were faltering: NO.

It was bullying at it's most unforgiving and harsh best. The Cats though refused to sacrifice their gameplan for the mercy of their lesser counterparts and the blood would only continue to flow in the 2nd half.

Melbourne in a state of dizziness from all the star-gazing that was taking place were intent of finessing the ball in spite of the wet weather and at times, their basic skill errors, not even through the pressure actually applied by the Cats players, but via percieved pressure became embarrassing.

What was worse was the fact Bailey allowed Matthew Scarlett to wonder for extended periods without an opponent, prowling across half back, looming ominously. The Demon centremen knew it too and evidently made the unanimous decision not kick it in his region. Instead of getting the ball forward quickly to, at the bare minimum, create a contest would look sideways and try their luck at slowly finding a hole in a near flawless armour. The only thing the Melbourne forwards had a hope of getting was a bad cold.

One positive was Scarlett's opponent Johnson fluking a miraculous goal dribbling snap during the final term. Surprisingly enough it was manafactured as a result of the Demons getting the ball long to a contest. Johnson was outmanouvered but with space over the back could run on to it and at least have a chance of scoring. It was that touch of extreme luck that unfortuntaely denied "Scarlo" another clean sheet.

But hey, that what it has come to thesedays to kick goals on Matthew Scarlett.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
14Aug08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

THIS week we have another big challenge when we come up against the Sydney Swans.

We trained at night during the week in preparation for Saturday night’s game, just to get the body clock ready for the match.

It’s something we’ve started doing during the year in the lead-up to night games.

Even at the start of the year we weren’t doing it but I think a couple of players floated the idea and the coaching staff thought it was a good idea.

It seems to be working pretty well. We couldn’t have asked for any more against Melbourne last week.

We’ve spoken about it over the last month and we just want to keep the foot on the pedal and not flirt with our form at all.

Sometimes it can be a bit tough to get up for certain games. Last week one might have thought we didn’t have much to play for. We were up against the bottom side, it was cold and wet and there weren’t many people there.

But the guys were just sensational all night, and Bomber was really happy with our performance.

Now, we’re pretty much in the same position as last year. It’s virtually impossible for us to lose top spot so one might think we’d just be going through the motions.

There’s no way we’ll be doing that though, because all the guys have so much pride in their performance.

It will really help us having been in this position last year. There’s no doubt 2007 was a bit of a trip into the unknown for us and there was a lot of pressure on us.

We could probably feel that the whole town, while supporting us 100 per cent, was waiting for us to fall over a little bit.

Having been through all that last year we know what it’s like and that’ll definitely help us out this time around.

Still, there’s a few weeks to go before we get to the real business of finals, and first we’re concentrating on the Swans who’ll be tough to beat.

Barry Hall looked in good touch last week and he hasn’t played against us the last couple of times, while Adam Goodes is someone else we’ll probably have to worry about.

There were reports he was a bit injured but he comes back in and kicks eight goals last week, which is a fair effort!

Guys like Harry Taylor and myself will have our hands full with those two guys.

We play the Swans and North Melbourne in the next two weeks and while we haven’t really spoken about it, I’m sure everyone down here knows we might be playing one of those two sides in the first week of the finals.

Obviously we’ll be wanting to put our best foot forward in the next week or two and play really well against those sides.

Hopefully we can just keep going along nicely and keep building towards September.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
21Aug08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

I SCORED my first win in the coaches’ box last weekend.

Obviously I’d have preferred to have been out on the ground against the Swans, but with myself, Darren Milburn, Paul Chapman and David Wojcinski all missing with injury we were able to sit together and watch last week’s win.

The boys were terrific last Saturday night, and it was great being able to cram into the coaches’ box – for the first half at least – and listen to Bomber and all the other coaches during the game.

It got a little cramped in there with so many of us so Dasher and I moved to a box next door after half-time.

Sitting alongside the coaches, you certainly get an idea of what they expect of the players during a game.

I went to Sydney expecting to play but, after not being able to fully train on the Friday night because of my back, decided it was best not to risk it.

It didn’t matter in the end anyway. I was set to play on Barry Hall but by sitting out it meant a younger bloke, like Harry Taylor, was able to get great experience playing on one of the game’s best forwards.

I know from speaking to Harry after the game, he was pretty impressed with how good Barry is. But the experience “H” got will be invaluable, and he’ll have learned a hell of a lot for future battles.

He actually did okay the other night, it was just that Barry was on fire and, as any backman will tell you, there’s not much you can do when some forwards are “on”.

I’m pleased to say I should be back on deck this weekend against North Melbourne.

It should be a great game down at Skilled Stadium on Sunday. I know the guys are looking forward to it, and finishing off the home-and-away season with two games down there.

I think I’m certainly going to play, while we might get one or two of the other guys back as well, so we should have our best side for a while.
We’ll need to play some of our best footy because, along with ourselves, the Roos are the form team of the competition.

I think North Melbourne has improved a lot from 12 months ago. Obviously they copped a couple of beltings in the finals last year but everyone knows that isn’t the true North Melbourne.

While the Kangaroos have improved this year, there’s no doubt that we have too.

We’re playing better footy than we were last year and are a lot more confident in each other than we’ve ever been. Now we’ve just got to keep winning.

The whole group has got better, while individually I think most of us have also become slightly better players.

I know I’ve noticed a big improvement in Andrew Mackie. He’s gone from being a good player last year to a really good player this year.

He’s become a vital part of our team, providing attacking run off half back, while some of the defensive work he’s done this year on often bigger opponents has been sensational.

I remember he got picked pretty early in the draft a few years back a few people asked questions and maybe raised their eyebrows, but he’s always been a beautiful kick and a fantastic runner and athlete. He just had to get a bit of confidence, put on some size and strength and get some games under his belt.

Now, everyone at the club is seeing what a good player Andrew Mackie is – not that anyone ever doubted him. He’s just another one that our recruitment manager Stephen Wells can take credit for.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
Rnd 21 @ Skilled Stadium
v.
http://www.southernfootball.com.au/images/afl_nmfc.gif

Statistics-
K: 11
H/B: 5
D: 16
DE%: 93.75%
M: 5
CM: 1
r50: 4
CP: 2

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency

Goals Conceded for the Match= 4
Goals Conceded for 2008= 27

Summary-
SHADES OF SEASON 2007 reared their ugly head for Matthew Scarlett in last Sunday's Round. 21 encounter with the always plucky North Melbourne.

Up until Sunday, Matthew Scarlett was yet to see a tally of 4 goals stand against his name for season 2008. Champion St. Kilda full- back Danny Frawley always states that once a forward has 4 goals to his name he has had the better of his opponent, most would concur. And if that is the case then Scarlett was yet to beaten.

In 2007, whilst Scarlett blew any chance of obtaining that record with a horrid Round. 1 against the Western Bulldogs, he went the next 20 games without even looking like conceding such an amount. As history tells us, it all came apart at the hands of Jonathan Brown in the final home and away game, as Scarlett suffered a career worst showing of 7 goals against, a night which arguably cost him an All- Australian full- back spot.

The penultimate outing of 2008 was not quite on the same disappointing level, however it did end any hopes that Scarlett, for the first time in his career, could go a whole year in the "technical" sense without being beaten after David Hale slotted the final 4 of his 8 goals on the champion defender.

Over 11 fine seasons it has been the treasured fortune of opposing supporters to bask in the ambience of a victory to their star forward over Matthew Scarlett due to the severe rarity of such an occurrence. However, when the same man can accomplish such a fete twice in the space of one year, they'd be excused for selling everything they own and purchasing a lottery ticket because the chances of winning the jackpot would be significantly greater than seeing that happen ever again.

For the second time in not even the space of half a season Kangaroos bean- pole ruckman turned forward David Hale left the AFL's best defence with no answer, and the 20 odd thousand fans present at Skilled Stadium in sheer bewilderment.

Earlier in Round. 11 Hale's height and sticky hands proved a worthy kryptonite to Scarlett's supreme one-on-one repotoir, before the defender left the field injured. That night Hale was forced into attack to play a make- shift role in the absence of Nathan Thompson, but quickly became the forefront of a fruitful attack that penetrated Geelong's defences for 114 points, the highest 'against' score in a win for the Cats all season.

Few would have imagined Hale delivering as he did that evening, and whilst the Kangas attack failed to replicate it's overall scoreboard success in the 2nd leg, it well and truly uncovered the ingredient that just may have Geelong's star- studded back six on the back foot come September, David Hale.

The 200cm Hale was simply amazing, bettering his 4 goals from Round. 11 by double with 8 at the weekend, in a performance his coach Dean Laidley described as one of the best he'd seen. Fair enough too, against such quality opposition. Those goals saw his tally against Geelong rise to 12 for 2008 at an average of 6 per game.

It was a day where all that could go right, did. Several of his goals came from free kicks, that may or may not have been warranted depending on individual interpretation, and the ball just seemed to find a way into his hands.

Cats coaching staff opted to start Harry Taylor on Hale, understandable considering that none could have foreseen the way things would ultimately unravel (he is no Fevola or Franklin after all), given Taylor's more suitable physical dimsensions and the fact that Hamish McIntosh began the game at full- forward.

The Kangaroos set about implementing simple tactics to exploit the match- up with the youthful Taylor, bombing the ball in high and long and often. It succeeded swimmingly as Taylor's lack of defensive nous came to the fore, simply failing to come to grips with the range of his gangly nemesis and thus grappling him at contests and paying the price.

Taylor, Mackie and Harley were all seen off before it came to Scarlett's turn early in the 2nd term. By that time Hale had 4 goals to his name. Whilst Scarlett slowed the flow of goals, and stymied the influence of Hale to a small degree he too looked clueless as to how to cool the blistering Hale.

Mark Thompson expressed his disappointment in his defenders immedietely after the close of proceedings, and laid down the challenge for them to ressurrect over the coming weeks. Lord only know's Scarlett and co. should be breathing fire and brimstone in the event of a 3rd round at the Qualifying Finals, and the immense challenge of stopping the one man who has troubled them when it matters most; on the big stage.

Thankfully for Scarlett he has the opportunity to end things on a brighter note than 2007 with a response in Round. 22.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
27Aug08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

FINISHING with two games at Skilled Stadium is just what we needed on the eve of a finals series.

And who knows? It could even give us the advantage we need over other sides as we head into September.

I love playing at home. You get a bit of an extra sleep-in and most of the guys have only got a 15 or 20-minute drive to get to the ground.

Playing at the ground we know so well also gives us an advantage over any opposition, as we obviously know the conditions and dimensions better than any other team.

Importantly, this year, we finish the year at home.

Last year in round 22 we had to travel up to Brisbane in the last week before the finals, which wasn’t the best.

Finishing the season on one of the best (if not the best) surfaces in the competition – as well as avoiding an interstate trip – could be really important heading into the finals.

Our ground is also in good condition at the moment. It’s always just a little bit soft under foot which helps players pull up really well after games.

I know from speaking to players at other clubs that they also feel we’re pretty lucky to get to regularly play on such a beautiful surface.

I remember speaking to Adam Goodes and Jonathan Brown around the time of the Hall of Fame Tribute Match, and they both said how they loved playing down here at Skilled Stadium.

They’re used to having cricket pitches in the middle of their grounds but we don’t have any concerns with things like that, so that might give us an extra advantage as well in the coming weeks. I sure hope so, anyway.

As for where we play our best footy, well, I’m not too sure about that.

We play well at Telstra Dome and we obviously love playing at the MCG, where our record over the past 18 months is pretty good.

I think the ’G suits us well. It’s a big ground and given that we generally use the ball to good advantage, we’re always pretty happy to play there.

Wherever we play in the coming weeks, we’ll need to be playing at our best – which we’re confident we can continue to do.

Last week was another good effort, although I think we can improve in a few areas.

Big David Hale kicked a few goals for North Melbourne but still, we managed to hold them to 12 or 13 goals. If you’re winning games and keeping the opposition to that sort of number, you’ve got to be pretty happy.

The big fella was on a bit of a roll, but I also felt we were a bit stiff with a couple. While he took a couple of great marks, he also got a couple of free kicks in front of goal which helped his cause.

Our backline will do its best to ensure that should we come up against him again, he won’t be able to replicate that sort of effort.

We’ll try to fine-tune things against West Coast this weekend.

Yes, we’re playing one of the bottom sides and everyone expects us to have a good win.

But this week is all about how we want to play and preparing for the finals.

Bomber has said we’re going to be pretty ruthless against them and that’s the approach we’ll be taking into Saturday.

They’re a great club, West Coast, and we respect them a lot. But now is not the time to be taking the foot off the pedal.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
Rnd 22 @ Skilled Stadium
v.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n160/gaz-robot/West_Coast_Eagles_logo.gif

Statistics-
K: 8
H/B: 11
D: 19
DE%: 84.21%
M: 6
CM: 1
r50: 1
i50: 2
CP: 2

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency

Goals Conceded for the Match= 0
Goals Conceded for 2008= 27

Summary-
IT WAS ROCK SOLID FINISH to yet another sterling home-and-away juncture for Geelong's Matthew Scarlett.

After the disappointment of a week ealier, Scarlett re-grouped and capped his consistently interminable regular season output with a 4th clean sheet for 2008 across 19 games.

On home soil for the second consecutive week leading into their Qualitfying Final against a rampaging St. Kilda, Geelong eased their way to a comfortable 99 point victory in stereotypically 'boggy' Geelong conditions.

Scarlett wasn't present when Geelong humiliated the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco in Round 13 by 135 points due to injury, but like his teammates, more than enjoyed an outing of relative informality in the return bout at Skilled Stadium.

Opposed to Quinten Lynch or most of the afternoon, that is when the beastly full- forward was stationed in attack, Scarlett was seldom troubled.

Lynch, enjoying an excellent year when taking into account the lowly fortunes of his once mighty side, has revelled undertaking a role that allows him to freely rotate between the forward 50 and midfield.

However, whilst he amongst the Eagles best in Round 22 collecting plenty of the ball, when directly assigned to Scarlett he struggled to have any real influence, one strong contested mark at half- forward that floated into his lap his only real victory, albeit a minor one.

Players of his stature, especially in such conditions as were present at the weekend, should play a decisive role in creating opportunities for smaller more 'aptly suited' forwards, however Lynch's impact at contests was neglible.

The defensive master would often just manouvre his nemesis away from the contest and whilst Scarlett couldn't then directly impact the drop of the ball it did ensure Lynch was absent from any occassion the ball was flighted in his vacinity inside his attacking zone.

This was, put simply, a typical display of Scarlett defence, spanning beyond the mere fact his opponent was slotting majors.

Quinten Lynch has understandably struggled against the Cats in recent battles with Scarlett having now managed just 1 goal from their last 3 encounters.

When Lynch pushed into the centre of the ground, Scarlett would either leave the ground or rotate onto the deplorable Ashley Hansen for brief spells when Harry Taylor was benched.

On the offensive front, Scarlett found himself creating attack through handball an obscurely high number of times due to dicey nature of disposing by foot that was presented by the falling rain.

But nevertheless, he was able to agress with contemptuous comfort and prototypically decisive collectedness from defence and involve himself in the destruction.

After quarter time, the Cats asserted their authority, over- powering their un-seasoned competitors. The Cats defence was put into cruise mode even before half time.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
ABC Online

Item-
Updated News

Cats dominate initial All- Australian squad
ABC Online
03Sep08

http://a396.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/13/l_1e72282acfc4f560d123803bdefcad0b.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=11216277)
Matthew Scarlett is set to for All- Australian honours once again.

Geelong is poised to dominate the All-Australian side for the second year in a row.

There are 10 Cats players in the initial 40-man squad named last night.
Geelong contributed a record nine players to the final 22-man team last year.

Captain Tom Harley, midfielder Joel Selwood and defenders Andrew Mackie and Corey Enright are in line to claim All-Australian honours for the first time.

Cats defender Matthew Scarlett is set to earn his fourth selection.

The final 22 will be named on September 15.

MATTHEW SCARLETT
2008 Statistics

Games played-
19

Goals conceded-
27 (avg. 1.42 pg)

Disposals-
178 kicks
145 handballs
323 (avg. 17 pg)
45 contested possessions

Marks-
5 contested
58 uncontested
63 (avg. 3.32 pg)

Disposal Efficiency-
Avg. 86.07%

Tackles-
27 (avg. 1.42 pg)

Inside 50/Rebound 50-
22 i50 (avg. 1.16 pg)
57 r50 (avg. 3.00 pg)

1%'s-
49 (avg. 2.58 pg)

Goal assists-
4

[Vegas 15]

Loving these reads mate.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
04Sep08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

LIKE a lot of people last Sunday morning, I thought we were going to be playing the Crows this week after seeing Adelaide pip the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

I went to the movies on Sunday and one of my mates was texting me during the St Kilda game, giving me updates from the match about how close the Saints were getting to the margin they needed to grab fourth spot.

After learning the Saints had done it – and they’d now be playing us – I immediately thought of my former Geelong teammates Charlie Gardiner and, more particularly, Steven King.

Kingy and I are great mates. I speak to him every week and I’ve spoken to him a couple of times already this week.

He’s looking forward to playing against his old side, although he hasn’t given too much away.

We’ve obviously spoken a little bit about footy, but not a whole lot.
While footy is taking up a lot of focus at the moment we’ve also been chatting about Kingy’s wedding, which is going to be in Bali in October.

I’m going to head over there for that and will be spending about a week over there with him later in the year, so we’ve spent a bit of time talking about that, as well as getting into each other about this week’s game of course – which has been fun.

I think even he’s pretty surprised with how it’s all worked out for the Saints over the past couple of weeks, as I don’t think he or even his club expected to finish fourth given where they were a few weeks back.

It should be a great game on Sunday, and I’m really pleased for Kingy that he’s getting another chance to play finals.

I was disappointed to see him to go at the end of last year, as I would have liked to see him finish his career at Geelong.

But it’s just great that it’s all worked out well for him. His last month of footy, in particular, has been really good and his body has held up really well.

In saying all that, I think everything’s worked out for the best. Kingy got an opportunity elsewhere to continue his career while Mark Blake, who was so unlucky to miss out on playing in a premiership last year, has had a great year for us as well.

This weekend when our teams run out on the ground, Kingy and I, such good mates for so long, will be fierce rivals for 120 minutes. And I’ll be right behind our two big fellas.

There was a really big rivalry built up between Geelong and St Kilda a few years ago, especially when Grant Thomas was coaching the Saints.

There’s no doubt the two clubs still really respect each other. I know all our boys really enjoy playing against the Saints.

The intensity definitely lifts in finals footy, but we don’t need to do anything drastically different in the coming weeks.

We’ve showed that we’re a pretty good side and we’ve been able to sustain that over most of the year.

Now, if we can just keep that going for the next few weeks, the results should take care of themselves.

I know I, along with the rest of the players, feel more confident and relaxed going into the finals this year.

Last year, you could feel the pressure.

Let’s just hope we can come through with the goods on Sunday.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
The Age

Item-
Updated News

Club buries Harvey/Scarlett incident
Samantha Lane
09Sep08

http://www.realfooty.com.au/ffximage/2008/09/07/GEESTK5_gallery__384x400.jpg
Scarlett is full- flight before his heated post- match exchange with Robert Harvey.

HOWEVER miffed Robert Harvey was about his exchange with Geelong full-back Matthew Scarlett at the end of Sunday's qualifying final, the soon-to-be-retired St Kilda legend and his club were putting it behind them yesterday.

Terse repartee between the pair was highlighted as the teams walked from the field after what, in all likelihood, was Harvey's last match against Geelong, but St Kilda yesterday described it as a "non-issue". "He's moved on," Saints football manager Matthew Drain said yesterday.

"And I think for us and Robert it's really a non-issue insofar as whatever happened on the ground stayed on the ground, but more importantly there really wasn't much in it."

It's understood Scarlett was goading Harvey about his age and speed during the match but the exchange at the end apparently did not relate to their mid-game jousting.

[Big Nasty]

I cannot believe how many people are getting stuck into Scarlett when nobody knows what happened.

People are hanging the bloke out to dry, when it sounds like he was just sticking up for a teamate. :thumbsd:

[Metallica_Man]

It surprises me how many people on this site know Scarlett personally :confused:
Everyone seems to know what sort of bloke he is

[Baby Duck]

It surprises me how many people on this site know Scarlett personally :confused:
Everyone seems to know what sort of bloke he is


People on BF like to pretend they know more than they actually do. They also consider personal opinion as fact.

[Dawn2Dark]

We might only have to wait a year or so until the Saint Harvey autobiography comes out.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
1st Qualifying Final @ M.C.G
v.
http://alpineopinion.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/stkfc_logo.gif

Statistics-
K: 9
H/B: 11
D: 20
M: 8 (1 contested)
T: 1
CP: 4
DE%: 80.00%
r50: 2
i50: 2
GA: 1

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency

Goals Conceded for the Match= 0
Goals Conceded for 2008 Finals= 0
Goals Conceded for 2008= 27

Summary-
PRIOR TO SEASON 2007, THERE WERE THOSE WHO QUESTIONED Matthew Scarlett's ability to aclimatize to the rigours of finals football, since, he has more than earnt his reputation as a 'big game' performer.

On the other hand, Scarlett's direct opponent from last Sunday's Qualifying Final at the M.C.G, the Saints' Justin Kositczkhe, continued to justify why he won't be having such a ringing endorsement bestowed upon him any time soon.

The intentions of St. Kilda coach Ross Lyon were clear early: make the Cat's defenders work to our forwards. Lyon saw a window of opportunity to exploit the so- called and well- documented "weakness" in Geelong's defence, by implementing an attack premised around the height and marking power of Nick Riewoldt and Kositczkhe.

As many expected "Kosi," who entered the match- up in somewhat imposing form, was thrust deep forward to stretch the resources of Scarlett and co.

St. Kilda's forward structure had functioned so seemlessly the second half of the 2008 home and away season, with it's pulse Nick Riewoldt playing more exclusively as a full- forward.

Intriguingly, Lyon to chose to fluctuate come finals by placing the strong- bodied Kositczkhe in the goalsquare, whilst Riewoldt was pushed out into a more customary centre- half- forward role, one which he has long dominated as a Saint.

Understandably the "twin- towers" honed front- line was ever- tantalising, and it is a fair statement that Kositczkhe's best football has been exhibited as the focal point inside the attacking 50.

Evidently, Ross Lyon had placed on the onus on "Kosi" to put his best foot forward when it mattered most. Nor did the football media hold back in their beliefs that if the Saints were to reign this was Kositczkhe's time to deliver, and most sensed that he would.

However, as is too often the tale with the enigmatic big man, there was no happy ending. But granted, he wasn't helped by drawing the best defender in the land.

Kositczkhe appeared inept against a fiesty Scarlett who had that glint of September in his eye, and the difference in approach and attitude by the pair showcased the mind- set needed to win under the pressure of finals.

It was a great lesson, not only for "Kosi" but for St. Kilda whom many would have thought would be prospering in the position Geelong is now a matter of two or three years ago.

Aside from the fact the forward failed to impact the scoreboard it was his lucklustre all- important "presence" that disappointed most. He didn't impose himself on contested situations by meeting the ball and either utilising his marking scope or affording opportunities to crumbers, and he allowed himself to be worked out of these situations by Scarlett too easily and often.

At times you may have been excused for assuming "Kosi" didn't want the ball due to his lack of vigour, and his vital duty of stymieing Matthew Scarlett's run from defence was just as ineffective.

In years gone by, Scarlett has made a meal of the lumbering Fraser Gerhig with his dash but Kositczkhe's athleticism should have acted as a more effective counter to Scarlett's attacking dominance.

It didn't, as Scarlett tenaciously got off his man seeming nothingless than inspired by the occassion and atmosphere. He was robust when the ball was in disupte, dour in the air, and unrelenting in his persuit to lead from the front, or rear so to speak. His support of Harry Taylor on Riewoldt was first class when required killing several testy scenario's with a timely fist.

Scarlett's all- round defensive performance was top of the tree in the battle for the week off and a home Preliminary Final.

The pertinacious antics of Matthew Scarlett spilled over after the siren also, when he was embroiled in a controversial exchange with Saints legend Robert Harvey. Scarlett approached Harvey during post- game congratualtions and condolences, shook his hand and as cameras revealed muttered a brief dialogue which the veteran took offence to.

At this stage, no details have been revealed as to what was said and/or why other than a few chinese whispers, but what cannot be denied is that Matthew Scarlett is a brutally honest competitior and person. Over his career, he has always shyed away from the public eye, but teammates, coaches and friends alike have ensured that Matthew will speak up when, from his point of view, something needs to be said. It is proposterous to conjur the belief that Scarlett tauntingly confronted Harvey without motive.

Dermott "Silk-purse" Brereton has defined the incident as "breaking the players code," and going by what he has "heard" Scarlett said as "disappointing." Ho- hum... says a man who once trampled a fallen peer's face. He wouldn't be trying to win back some brownie points from the Harvey camp now would he?

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
The Age

Item-
Updated News

Cats too cocky, says Aka
Brent Diamond
14Sep08

http://geelong.keldar.net/Images/MScarlettR162004_1.jpg
Matthew Scarlett's character has copped a hammering this week.

WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Jason Akermanis has labelled Geelong "cocky" in the lead-up to the Dogs' preliminary final clash against the Cats on Friday night.

And he has criticised the speed of Michael Voss' appointment as Brisbane Lions coach.

The outspoken star claims that Cats full-back Matthew Scarlett told him during their round-16 clash at Skilled Stadium that the reigning premier was set for back-to-back flags.

"The last time we played Geelong, in the last quarter … he was saying, 'Here we go boys, we're going to win another flag, there's another flag coming our way'," Akermanis told Channel Ten's Before The Game.

"I remember thinking at the time, even in the premiership teams I played in, you would never say that, you wouldn't tempt fate."

Akermanis said the Bulldogs had learnt a lot from their heavy defeat that day.

"You've got to have enormous pressure, one-on-one, and they have this rolling zone like Hawthorn," he said.

"We were very competitive for a big chunk of the game and I think we'll do some things differently …"

Akermanis was also critical of his former club, Brisbane, saying "I didn't think the club was thorough enough" in Voss' appointment.

"I'm sure he has more of an idea (about coaching) than when he finished (retired)," he said of Voss.

"My point is that I don't think he's ready and I think the first year, generally as a coach, you're going to learn a lot and the players will be up — but it's in the second and third year that it's going to be an interesting point."

Akermanis also repeated his dislike of Sydney's Jared Crouch. The two players have had a strong onfield rivalry, with Crouch often given the task of tagging Akermanis.

"I respect his career, but when, as a player, as you can see when he holds and stuff like that, I don't really like it," he said.

"On the field, I couldn't detest the bloke any more, I don't think."

Akermanis has been outspoken on many topics throughout his career and had a long-running, public feud with former Lions coach Leigh Matthews.

He has also raised the ire of Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.

His assertion that a West Coast player — later identified by other sources as Michael Braun — was taking performance-enhancing drugs because "he ran like superman" drew much criticism.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Sportal.com

Item-
Updated News

How many Cats?
Paul Gough
14Sep08

http://sportal.com.au/site/_content/leadimage/00026685-image.jpg
Scarlett will be one of ten Cats in line for All-Australian.

There are two major dilemmas surrounding the naming of this year's All-Australian side - just how many Geelong players will be named and how will the selectors squeeze in the huge number of star forwards that have been nominated in what has been a stand-out year for the AFL's spearheads.

The preliminary 40 man squad - which in itself featured plenty of surprises particularly the omission of Essendon ruckman David Hille and Geelong tagger Cameron Ling - will be trimmed to the final 22 on Monday night with the selectors to name six defenders, six midfielders and six forwards and four interchange players.

Geelong, which last year had a record nine players in the team as it ended its 44 year premiership drought, has been even more dominant in season 2008 - becoming only the second team after Essendon in 2000 to win 21 of 22 home and away matches.

The Cats led the way with ten nominations or a quarter of the 40 man squad and look set to have possibly up to eight members of the final team with skipper Tom Harley and Corey Enright the only players likely to miss out.

The only clubs that did not have a player nominated were wooden spooners Melbourne, as expected, and Essendon although Hille clearly should have been at least in the 40 man squad, if not the final team.

In Hille's absence the ruck spot is likely to go to West Coast's Dean Cox - an All-Australian for the past three years.

However there is unlikely to be a second ruckman named in the team because of the high number of forwards who have to be accommodated following career best seasons.

To put into context just what a difficult choice the All-Australian selectors face this season; consider the quality of the 12 forwards nominated for the team - remembering only six can be named in the starting 18, although at least one or possibly two more will be given the consolation of a spot on the interchange bench.

Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin seems a certainty to win the prized full-forward spot and earn his first All-Australian guernsey after becoming the first player since Tony Lockett in 1998 to boot 100 goals in a home and away season.

And that is likely to condemn Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola, who ended the season on 99 goals, with a spot on the bench while such is the phenomenal amount of forward talent in the AFL this season that Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead, Brisbane's Daniel Bradshaw and Fremantle's five-time All-Australian Matthew Pavlich will struggle to make the final 22, even though all three kicked over 60 goals this season and all finished amongst the league's top half a dozen goalkickers.

That is because Brisbane powerhouse Jonathan Brown and St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt, who was the league's best player in the second half of the season, are likely to win the other two spots on offer for tall forwards in the final 18.

And Geelong's reigning Norm Smith Medalist and perennial matchwinner Steve Johnson looks a certainty for another forward berth while Kangaroos star Brent Harvey - surprisingly nominated as a forward rather than a midfielder - appears another automatic selection given he is third favourite for the Brownlow.

That leaves only one forward berth - traditionally given to a small forward - and Collingwood's Paul Medhurst has been the game's stand-out goalsneak this season and deserves his first All-Australian call-up.

But Geelong's dominance of the AFL again this season is most likely to be reflected in defence where the selectors could - if they wanted - just about choose the entire Cats defence with Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie, Harley and Enright all nominated.

That is unlikely to happen and instead the Cats may supply three of the All-Australian back six - as they did last year when Scarlett, Milburn and the now injured Matthew Egan were all named - with Scarlett a certainty to be selected for the fourth time and Milburn likely to win a second straight call-up.

But the much improved Mackie, a virtual unknown prior to last year, could pip his skipper and the more experienced Enright for a place after a stellar season while expect Adelaide's Nathan Bock and Hawthorn playmaker Luke Hodge to also win places in the back six with the other spot up for grabs.

And while the midfield also features a host of stars nominated, there are two certain selections here in Geelong's dynamic pair of Jim Bartel and Gary Ablett - who for the second straight season have dominated the competition and are expected to fight out this year's Brownlow Medal, just as they did last year when Bartel upstaged hot favourite Ablett to win the game's highest individual honour.

Gough's All-Australian team:
B: Mackie (Geel), Scarlett (Geel), Milburn (Geel)
HB: S Fisher (St K), Bock (Ade), Hodge (Haw)
C: Judd (Carl), Mitchell (Haw), Corey (Geel)
HF: Riewoldt (St K), Brown (Bris), S Johnson (Geel)
F: Medhurst (Coll), Franklin (Haw), Harvey (NM)
Foll: Cox (WC), Bartel (Geel), Ablett (Geel)
Inter: Fevola (Carl), Selwood (Geel), Richardson (Rich), Cooney (WB).

The All Australian selection panel is: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Bickley, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich, Robert Walls.

[Last Line Hero]

All- Australian
Full- Back
2008

Matthew Scarlett
Geelong Football Club

http://a824.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/94/l_9788079bd9a9c57dc04a6d85420cee1f.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=2916368)


"I'm very honoured to be up here for the fourth time. You're nothing without your teammates, and I'm pretty fortunate to be around some pretty good players."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Matthew Scarlett's weekly column

Scarlett's Web
Matthew Scarlett
16Sep08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/scarlettsWeb246.jpg
Scarlett's Web, with champion full-back Matthew Scarlett

Things are always a bit different at this time of year. For one thing there are a lot more functions to go to. Last night we had the All Australian dinner and it was great that we got so many players into the team.

It must be a hard job for the selectors and obviously I am biased, but it would have been great if Dasher, Sel and Max (Mackie) got in as well. And Lingy was stiff too. But every club would think they had players that should have been in as well.

When you see players every day you have that enormous respect for them because you see what they put in and how hard they work.

The first time I got in a lot of people were excited about it however it was in 2003 and we hadn’t had a very good year as a team so I wasn’t able to enjoy it quite as much. The real reason we play is to have team success and to enjoy that success with your mates.

I was thrilled that Tom Harley got named. He and I have played just about all of our careers next to each other and I think he hasn’t got the recognition he has deserved as a player until recently. People talk about him as a great leader and captain, which he is, but that has over shadowed just how great a player he is.

There can be a lot of distractions going on, and as I said, all the functions are something that we went through for the first time last year.

I think this time around we are better prepared for it.

While we are used to that part of it, one thing that is always tough to deal with is to see a player miss out on this time of year with injuries.

Pris has done very well this year to establish himself in our team and seeing him do his knee against the Saints was really disappointing. I know that injuries are part of the game, but for anyone to miss out on finals is really sad.

We had Ego miss out on the finals last year and all of this year and now Pris is going to suffer a similar fate. Playing finals is the best part of the game. September is the time when everyone is watching and it’s why we put in all the hard work over the summer and through the season.

We’ll be facing another former team mate this Friday when Tim Callan plays for the Dogs. Tim is a great player but he just couldn’t get that extended opportunity with us, so it’s great for him that he cemented a spot in a good team.

We came up against Kingy and Charlie in our first final and they are still alive this week. You never want team mates to leave the club, but it’s part of the game and those guys have all done well this year.

Friday should be a great game. There will be a huge crowd, the atmosphere will be electric. I can’t wait.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
PERSONAL

Item-
Performance Review

Opponent-
Preliminary Final @ M.C.G
v.
http://www.tasmaf.org.au/images/afl_fbfc.gif

Statistics-
K: 8
H/B: 6
D: 14
CP: 6
DE%: 78.57%
r50: 1
CL: 1
i50: 2
GA: 1
T: 2
M: 3
CM: 1

cp= contested possessions de%= disposal efficiency cl= clearances

Goals Conceded for the Match= 0
Goals Conceded for 2008 Finals= 0
Goals Conceded for 2008= 27

Summary-
PICTURE YOURSELF IN THE SHOES of the Western Bulldog's Scott Welsh.

The siren blares ominously for the ready of play, just as you break away for the final time from the team huddle where final sentiments have been heard and last stitch attempts at burly afflation echoe in the ears.

You pulsate with adrenalin from the the buzz emmitted by the nervous energy of the group as you wonder down to your attacking goalsquare soaking up the eyes and the colours of the anticipating crowd, who bellow with enthusiasm at what is to come.

You do your best to shroud the butterflies under a bravado of confident pacing and steely expression. It is the Preliminary Final, the be all and end all of the season, a loss and there would be no tommorow, a win and the dream of dreams would live to fight another day. One had to stand up and be counted or be found wanting, there lies nothing in between.

You reach your destination, alone. Rubbing away at your hands tentatively you turn and face the enormity of the spectacle before you. The siren sounds off again, almost louder than before it would seem, the war is on, this is the time. It is obvious your destiny has been placed in your hands because you've been given the luxury of a vacant forward 50 to weave some influence. The coach has faith.

The Cats defenders prowl closer, each one dropping off the tight knit congregration they've established to man a designated assignment. Milburn to Higgins, Taylor to Hahn, Hunt to Johnson, Harley to Murphy, Mackie to Harbrow... only one left.

You expected it would be him all week long, you prepared for him to come to your side, you know him and the reputation that precedes him all to well, but in spite of the racing in your head you try your darndest to keep it together and focus on the task at hand. You've only mustered 1 goal from the previous three junctures you and he have faced off but you want to convince yourself this is a different game.

Oh well, no turning back. Thud... the ball is bounced.

Daunting to say the least... and that is before Matthew Scarlett becomes your minder.

Bulldog's full- forward Scott Welsh endured what many have dubbed one of the poorest individual finals performances in recent memory at the hands of his almost insurmountable kryptonite Geelong full- back Matthew Scarlett.

Welsh was a ghost when his output was is at its most invaluable failing to render even the most minimal of influence on a stage following only the Grand Final in terms of significance.

The night of the inconsistent yet nonetheless verile attacker was cursed from the outset. His first move to ball was a swift lead responding to fluid ball movement by the Bulldogs through the middle of the ground.

He found a break on Scarlett off the mark, and the ball appeared destined to lay affirmed in his grasp before an anwares Ryan Griffen dashed any hopes of an uplifting start for Welsh by clammering into him side on and spoiling the ball into Scarlett's creative hands.

Soon after Scarlett set up Geelong's first goal with a supremely timed run down field before delivering a pin point ball to teammate Matthew Stokes in the pocket much to the reverance of the present blue hoop fan base.

From that point on Welsh appeared adverse to utilising his speed to any sought of advantage. He failed to even present when the Bulldogs moved into attack and as a result was regularly caught out either too deep or too far out to cnsider himself a dangerous target.

Scarlett monstered Welsh in contested situations, rendering him utterly ineffective in the air. The experienced defender was seeing the ball flight much better working Welsh under the ball time and time again before getting up to break up the pass.

This not only made Welsh easy pickings for a determined Scarlett, but hindered the Western Bulldogs entry into their 50 meter area. Scarlett set about ohysically imposing himself on his undersized combatant whilst the Dogs were forced to adopt a "bomb away" mentaility, one which catered ideally to Geelong's defence.

What ensued was a saw- sawing affair of stingy defence, a two- way battle the Cats would ultimately win as they held the Bulldogs to a meek total of 54 points, simply not enough to succeed against the very best.

The odd break from defence by a gritty Scarlett at full steam a welcome stimulant from the droll of a match laden with mistakes and sacrificed opportunities.

If you were to pose the question as to which Geelong footballer ultimate success mean't the most, the name Matthew Scarlett would invariably arise again and again.

And such a penchant was made oh-so clear in the heat of the tense final 30 minutes. Scarlett simply went to another dimension with the result up for grabs, almost single handedly quashing any hopes of a fairytale win for the sons of the Scray, with his imperialistic play.

Several timely spoils, including one in support of Harry Taylor in the goalsquare, a pivotal contested mark at half forward and coolness when the ball was in dispute eased the tide of momenteum that had been ever shifting in the underdogs favour.

It was a display that epitomised Scarlett's unique leadership qualities.

There was a palpable sense of deja vu in the wake of Geelong's dour victory over the Western Bulldogs in the 1st Preliminary Final of season 2008.

Similar to a year ago, with a Grand Final birth on the line, the Cats were made to fight every step of the way for their shot at football's ultimate prize, this time against a westerners outfit who's reinvigorated dogged tanacity and superb defence brought them as close as two straight kicks late in the final term.

The Bulldogs backed six competed remarably well one-on-one with Geelong's multi- pronged forward half, letting up in just a 30 minute burst from late in the first term through until half time, unfortunately more than enough time for the Cats to compile a substantial scoreboard advantage.

Backing up after the week off in finals has left the Cats in somewhat of a vulnerable position two years running, and performing at well below their best on the eve of our game's grandest setting. But if history is anything to go by... ;)

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
GFC.com

Item-
Updated News

Cats to rotate defenders on Buddy
Dave Reed
22Sep08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20K-O/Scarlett_Franklin_246a.jpg
Matthew Scarlett and Lance Franklin

GEELONG is planning to use a champion team of defenders to counter Hawthorn's 111-goal champion Buddy Franklin in Saturday's grand final, according to captain Tom Harley.

In a battle threatening to shape the premiership decider, Franklin will probably find himself next to All-Australian fullback Matthew Scarlett at the start of the match but can expect a revolving door of Cat defenders throughout the day.

Franklin had the better of several opponents against the Cats in round 17 but inaccuracy kept him to just four goals. However, he was soundly beaten by Max Hudghton in last Saturday's preliminary final and will be keen to atone at the MCG on Saturday.

The Cats are under no illusion as to just how good Franklin is but Harley says it won't be left to one man to stop the superstar.

"What we've done in the past is rolled over a fair bit with our backline," Harley said.

"Scarlo (Matthew Scarlett) has spent a bit of time on him, Harry (Taylor), I've spent a bit of time there, Andrew Mackie has so [it will] probably be a combination of those."

But Harley said he would be happy to take the responsibility if asked. "If the coach feels so, yeh, definitely, definitely. I know I'll be in the area somewhere," he said.

Harley said the mood in Geelong was building and the players were well aware of the part they played in the life of the city.

"We represent everyone," Harley said.

"We represent the club, we represent the players, the staff, the town, the works.

"That's the unique thing about the Geelong footy club is that we do have a real community feel about what we do.

"So I am sure they'll be right behind us, the town is starting to get a bit blue and white mad now, which is great and we are playing for all of them as well.

"I don't think there will be less buzz now. Expectations have been really high all season and this is what they've been waiting for."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Herald Sun

Item-
Updated News

Geelong defender Scarlett insists that he's far from cocky
Mike Sheahan
26Sep08

http://a991.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/l_e82f563fcddc976508400d7c03719776.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=8306912)
Scarlett is unflustered by claims that he is cocky

MATTHEW Scarlett has moved on from two heated and widely debated exchanges in recent games.

Dismissing Jason Akermanis's claim that Geelong players were cocky, he was also untroubled by the fallout from a post-siren clash with Robert Harvey in the first week of finals.

"The cocky stuff, we'd heard it all before," Scarlett said of Akermanis's assertion that he bragged during the Geelong-Bulldogs game in Round 16 of winning the flag.

"I think our results over the last two years have shown that we're not a cocky side.

"If we were cocky, we would have been knocked over more times than we have, I reckon.

"We respect sides like Melbourne as much as we do Hawthorn when we're playing them. We treat every game the same.

"There was a little bit said out there (the Bulldogs game), but what he (Akermanis) said on the TV was a blatant lie.

"He said that I was running round saying, 'We've got the flag in the bag'. It's an absolute joke.

"I don't think many people actually believed him, anyway."

Scarlett said the Harvey exchange had been "blown out of proportion".

"There was a bit of niggle during the game with me and Harvey, and it was going both ways.

"Then, after the siren, I went up and shook his hand and said, 'Are you right now?' and he was still filthy about what was said during the game.

"I didn't have a go at him at all after the game about anything; I would never do that. It looked like I'd said something to him after the game, but that wasn't the case."

Scarlett admitted indulging in some provocation: "Did I get under his skin? I think I did during the third quarter; that was my plan."

But the Cats defender wouldn't elaborate on the dialogue.

Asked if there had been any subsequent contact, he said: "Nah, I've got bigger things to worry about now.

"It doesn't worry me one bit. My teammates know what happened, I know what happened, and I don't give a s--- what anyone else thinks."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Herald Sun

Item-
Updated News

Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is mine: Scarlett
Mike Sheahan
26Sep08

http://a777.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_8187f9aefd4fafc7b6776d7ce96b05c8.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=3358083)
Matthew Scarlett looks forward to renewing aquaintances with Franklin

THE AFL's premier full-back has declared himself ready and willing for tomorrow's encounter with the game's premier full-forward.

Geelong's Matthew Scarlett has told the Herald Sun he expected first crack at "Buddy" Franklin in what might be the pivotal match-up in the 2008 Grand Final.

"I think I'll start on Buddy, but I think a couple of the other guys will play him as well, as we've done all year," Scarlett said yesterday.

"We rotate a lot. (Andrew) Mackie started on him (Round 17) and we swapped after about five minutes.

"You always want to play on the best players. You rate yourself on how well you do on those guys.

"I like having the pressure on me - pressure to perform. Playing in the backline and full-back, there's no more pressure on any other player on the ground."

Franklin kicked four goals against Geelong in front of 86,179 people at the MCG in the Round 17 night fixture - three on Scarlett.

The Cats beat Hawthorn by just 11 points, but had several key players missing, including Gary Ablett.

Scarlett described Franklin as "a great player", quickly adding: "They showed last week they don't need him to kick a bag to be a good side.

"He's not really talked about a hell of a lot down here (Geelong); we've got to stop all their other guys as well. Mark Williams is a great player and so is (Jarryd) Roughead."

Scarlett, regarded by many as Geelong's best in the 2007 premiership win, said the right teams were contesting the Grand Final.

"I thought Hawthorn and us were clearly the best two sides. I think the Hawks have been in the back of our minds for a while," he said.

Scarlett said the home-and-away result was meaningless now.

"It's going to be totally different," he said.

"Different personnel: Gaz (Ablett), (Cameron) Lingy didn't play; Dasher (Darren Milburn) wasn't there; Chappy (Paul Chapman) was injured early.

"The stakes are huge. The side that settles down the quickest and handles the situation is going to come out on top."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Herald Sun

Item-
Updated News

Cool as they come: Matthew Scarlett
Mike Sheahan
26Sep08

http://a44.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/17/l_090e1b4817a382bcb4a95ccd36b93ce3.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=3358328)
Scarlett has enjoyed a more subdued build up to the 2008 Grand Final

MATTY Scarlett is enjoying Grand Final week this year. The build-up to the game, anyway.

"Obviously, the stakes are still really high, but everything is just a bit more relaxed this year," Scarlett said.

"Just knowing we've been there and done it. The whole place is a little bit more relaxed; even the coaches seem more relaxed.

"We're definitely just as desperate as last year, but there's just a better feel round the place this time.

"In a lot of ways, it really does seem just like a normal week.

"Last year, it was out of control; the pressure on all the players was just enormous.

"We did really well to handle it.

"Totally different this time."

It's the difference between trying to end a club's premiership drought at 44 years to backing up to try to win two in a row.

Massive difference.

Scarlett has that spring in his step that footballers seem to adopt in September. He is as fit as any player is entitled to be after six months of battle, and he can share the excitement with his family.

"This time of year, you could play forever, I reckon," he said.

He looks thinner than I expected. Than he does on the ground.

Yes, he is thinner, and it was planned.

He is playing at 90kg, 5kg down on his weight of a year or two ago.

It allows him to play the hard-running, attacking style that helps make him so valuable as a key defender.

"The way the game is now, I couldn't keep up (at 95kg)," Scarlett said.

"I've maybe lost a little bit of strength but I can definitely run a lot better.

"There's a lot asked of us backmen down here (Geelong) in terms of attacking and running off."

He seems relaxed and is keenly looking forward to today's events: training on the MCG, the parade, free time after 4 o'clock, a quiet night.

Scarlett and his wife Milla and his two daughters, Taylor, 9 (from a previous relationship), and Charlie, 16 months, will stay in the team's Melbourne hotel tonight, as they did last year.

Three or four of his teammates will drive back to Geelong to sleep in their own beds, but he says he is excited by Melbourne on Grand Final eve.

"I found it really good last year.

"Just to be in Melbourne, get the feel for it; not worrying about having to travel up on the day of the game."

He is looking forward particularly to the parade.

He will share a car with Corey Enright and his two girls, and soak up every moment.

Like so many before him, Scarlett has been agreeably surprised by the excitement generated in him by the parade and the interaction with so many football lovers.

"Having my two daughters there will be great.

"I know Taylor loved it last year but Charlie was a bit young.

"Sitting there with your daughters and one of your best mates, and you're about to play in something you've always wanted to play in, it's pretty special.

"It's a huge event; good to be part of it.

"It's going to be a great game, I reckon."

We know the Cats face a much stronger challenge from Hawthorn this year than they got from Port Adelaide 12 months ago.

So, are they better?

"I think we're on par with last year.

"I think a few of our guys have stepped up.

"Andrew Mackie and Josh Hunt have helped us, but it's hard to say if we're better than last year. I really don't know.

"I think we're more confident now in our ability than we were last year."
Yet, when he boards the team bus tomorrow for the short trip to the MCG, he will know judgment is nigh.

He will get ready quickly at the ground, walk the dressingrooms with a ball in his hand, caress the Sherrin, sharpen the reflexes by bouncing it off the walls, chat to whoever isn't wearing an iPod, and round off the mental preparation for battle in front of an estimated 95,000 people in the stadium and several million in front of TV sets.

"You just can't wait for the game to start," he says.

Ain't that the truth.

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
AFL.com

Item-
Updated News

Hurt Scarlett vows Cats will be back
Mic Cullen
27Sep08

http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20F-J/scarlo_sad.jpg
Matthew Scarlett cuts a forlorn figure after the Cats' grand final loss

WHEN Matthew Scarlett says there was a lot less pressure in this year's grand final than last, you can be certain he means off-field.

On-field, the Cats were harassed and pressured and harried into submission by the relentless Hawks, who eventually ran out more comfortable winners than the 26-point margin would indicate.

The Cats broke a 44-year drought when they won last year, and a stellar 2008 – with just one loss early in the year – had them overwhelming favourites in the lead up to the game.

Geelong has been festooned in blue and white throughout the finals series, but Scarlett said breaking through last year meant less pressure from the fans, rather than more.

"No, there was a lot more last year, I think," he said. "Pressure from the Geelong town, and all our supporters.

"The boys felt a lot more pressure last year.

"That was very tough to swallow - we've had a fantastic year, but just couldn't get the job done today, and we were beaten by a better side."

The Cats were superb in their defensive zones, and split the midfield battle, but once the ball ventured into the forward 50 it was as if it had disappeared into a giant top-loading washing machine, such was the lack of structure and direction of the forward setup.

Scarlett admitted that the lack of return for hard work further down the field was frustrating.

"For sure – we were doing a lot of good work, we just weren't getting the reward for it, so it does hurt a little bit.

"It definitely hurts – we came in at half time, and I don't know what the score was, but we could have been a couple of goals up.

"Whether that impacted the end result, I'm not sure, but it does hurt when you keep kicking points."

The 29-year-old said the side was determined to come back better and stronger than ever.

"Mate, it hurts more than anything, you know? But we've just got to stick together and come back to training and be a better side, because clearly we weren't good enough.

"It's going to be a long summer."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Herald Sun

Item-
Updated News

We will bounce back, says Scarlett
Rod Nicholson
27Sep08

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/3/l_701f61d8204c4debaa022065fb530bc1.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=571593&imageID=2916368)
Scarlett's job on Lance Franklin was not enough

FULL-back Matthew Scarlett says the Cats will rebound and improve next season after feeling the pain of a loss at the last hurdle in yesterday's Grand Final.

Scarlett said the defeat, when victory seemed there for the taking after only one loss in the season, would spur the club on to perhaps become a dynasty.

"We will stick together and become a better side," he said.
"If we had won today we would have been close to being called a dynasty. The club is in a very healthy shape and we gave it a great shot this year after last season's premiership, and we'll be back for another crack."

Scarlett said the Cats played well below their best and were beaten by a better team on the day.

"We worked hard and it does hurt when you don't kick goals from your opportunities and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition," he said.

"It is tough to swallow.

"We had a fabulous year but an off day.

"We didn't follow our plans and too many players had too much of the ball which means we weren't sharing it around."

Scarlett, who played much of the game on Lance Franklin, said it was a tough contest.

He put Franklin on his butt at one stage in the match, and overall restricted the Coleman Medallist to two goals.

Fellow defender Andrew Mackie said it was frustrating that the team did not convert its opportunities.

"At the end of the day you pay the price," Mackie said.

"We had to bring our best game and clearly we didn't.

"They had opportunities and took them and we simply didn't.

"We knew how good the prize was after last year, and to miss out today is really a bitter pill to swallow.

"We had belief and even when we trailed by 17 points midway through the final term it was only three straight kicks.

"But we couldn't get the spark to kick the quick couple of goals to bring us back into the game and put pressure on them.

"The fact that we contained Mark Williams, Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead as well as we did (seven goals between them) and still couldn't kick a winning score was really frustrating.

"Despite the loss, we are still hungry and we will be back next year."

[Last Line Hero]

Source-
Geelong Advertiser

Item-
Updated News

Scarlett shaves head in Geelong Mad Monday celebrations
Aleks Devic
29Sep08

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2008/09/29/ps_mad_01.jpg
Matthew Scarlett adopts the Kevin Bartlett look at today's Mad Monady celebrations.

It appears the pain of losing the grand final was washed away with a few beers as the Cats celebrated Mad Monday today.

The team headed to Lord of the Isles about 9.30am and left the West Fyans St pub about 1pm in a joyful mood.

See photo gallery here.

(http://tools.geelongadvertiser.com.au/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_popup.php?category_id=4411)Matthew Scarlett chose to imitate Richmond great Kevin Bartlett. The full back wore a Tigers jumper and shaved the top of his head leaving his locks on the side and back dangling.

The players sported vintage style suits and old school clothing for the day.

They walked with drinks in their hand to continue the party at Skilled Stadium.

[madal]

Source-
Geelong Advertiser

Item-
Updated News

Scarlett shaves head in Geelong Mad Monday celebrations
Aleks Devic
29Sep08

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2008/09/29/ps_mad_01.jpg
Matthew Scarlett adopts the Kevin Bartlett look at today's Mad Monady celebrations.

It appears the pain of losing the grand final was washed away with a few beers as the Cats celebrated Mad Monday today.

The team headed to Lord of the Isles about 9.30am and left the West Fyans St pub about 1pm in a joyful mood.

See photo gallery here.

(http://tools.geelongadvertiser.com.au/photo_gallery/photo_gallery_popup.php?category_id=4411)Matthew Scarlett chose to imitate Richmond great Kevin Bartlett. The full back wore a Tigers jumper and shaved the top of his head leaving his locks on the side and back dangling.

The players sported vintage style suits and old school clothing for the day.

They walked with drinks in their hand to continue the party at Skilled Stadium.
hey matty good luck defending your mother

[Big Nasty]

hey matty good luck defending your mother
WTF? :confused: