Preview Prelim Final 25 - Geelong V Hawthorn Fri 19th Sept 2025 740pm @ MCG

[MisterMarcus]

I was quietly confident in the outcome tomorrow night but after watching that full press conference with Chris Scott I'd be lying if I wasn't a tad concerned. As he himself said when asked, we may not know the real impact of the off field stuff until around 10.30pm tomorrow night.

He looked drained and more on edge than normal. When the journalists started pushing him on the off field stuff he was visibly more unsettled than I can recall seeing him. I was really surprised that with regards to his own situation with the AFL staffer, he acknowledged a couple of times that he let emotions get the better of him.

And on the other matter with Bailey Smith, this was always the concern with him and as much as I love what he's delivered on field this season, there is a clearly a risk bringing someone like that into a normally settled environment. Unfortunately for Geelong I think we're seeing the potential negative impact of that towards the wrong end of the year.

I've gone from feeling low key concerned at what occurred with Smith and Scott, to forming a view that perhaps this has had a bigger impact than we thought and served as a pretty big distraction for the club as a whole. Add to that the fact that our midfield and assistant coach (Steven King) was fronting a media conference on Monday at Melbourne FC and you just wonder whether a few of these things just build.

I hope I'm wrong but our coaches vibes in that extended press conference were a worry.

If you’re pushing the idea that off field issues impact performance, then surely Hawks and Mitchell have had it worse than us?

 

[fpm84]

Who is Lauren, out of curiosity?

Lauren Wood from the Herald Sun and Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle program.

 

[Del216647]

I was quietly confident in the outcome tomorrow night but after watching that full press conference with Chris Scott I'd be lying if I wasn't a tad concerned. As he himself said when asked, we may not know the real impact of the off field stuff until around 10.30pm tomorrow night.

He looked drained and more on edge than normal. When the journalists started pushing him on the off field stuff he was visibly more unsettled than I can recall seeing him. I was really surprised that with regards to his own situation with the AFL staffer, he acknowledged a couple of times that he let emotions get the better of him.

And on the other matter with Bailey Smith, this was always the concern with him and as much as I love what he's delivered on field this season, there is a clearly a risk bringing someone like that into a normally settled environment. Unfortunately for Geelong I think we're seeing the potential negative impact of that towards the wrong end of the year.

I've gone from feeling low key concerned at what occurred with Smith and Scott, to forming a view that perhaps this has had a bigger impact than we thought and served as a pretty big distraction for the club as a whole. Add to that the fact that our midfield and assistant coach (Steven King) was fronting a media conference on Monday at Melbourne FC and you just wonder whether a few of these things just build.

I hope I'm wrong but our coaches vibes in that extended press conference were a worry.

Let's not overthink it. We don't want to start preparing excuses in advance like the Hawks.

If Scott and Geelong let this affect our onfield performance, what does that say about our resilience and professionalism?

Have faith - this club is hell bent on a flag and this will have no impact on this game or the next.

Go Cats

 

[Rubberducky]

ha ha ha. You've got to be effing kidding.

It was a masterclass.

I’m with you on this, felt that press conference was near perfect.
Massive game ahead. The public keeps falling for headlines without substance, I don’t believe the club is letting it impact their preparation.

Bring on tomorrow night!!

 

[Kobe Gryant]

I made a post like this on the main board and "outraged" posters said I was mocking disabled people (indeed the posts ended up deleted for the same reason). It is scary how these narratives can get spun up once the media plants some "concern".

Any faux "concern" is coming from people who couldn't care less about the suffering of those who are marginalised, it's just their way of stamping their ground towards their prejudices - in this case, Geelong.

It's very similar to politics. There are people out there who actually do care about those who are less fortunate, or have been the victims of unfair treatment...but most of the time, they're doing it with the ulterior motive of justifying their hatred for someone/thing else.

Maybe I'm just cynical, but the older you get, you realise how few people actually do care about others misfortune unconditionally.

It's almost always under a condition for their gain and justification.

 

[Tony Barber]

I’m with you on this, felt that press conference was near perfect.
Massive game ahead. The public keeps falling for headlines without substance, I don’t believe the club is letting it impact their preparation.

Bring on tomorrow night!!

I actually think he pulled all of the next 24 hours of media away from the team and placed it straight on himself.
Just perfect.

Because he won't even hear responses. He doesnt care.

 

[BotsMaster]

The last time off-field issues affected our performance was probably 2010.

 

[logan wilson]

Looking at the addy article comments and jeez people are taking scott so serious

Already predict his script. Never his or any cats player’s fault.

Remember, Geelong run the AFL and whatever they say goes.

Disgraceful conduct by Smith hardly covert photos she had a telephoto lens also was accredited media. Then to send a text message is weak.
i could go on

 

[Munich]

Her coverage has been embarrassing, her employer must have given her a quota for clicks on her articles so she has manufactured outrage.

Did you see her X post?

 

[Mr Meow]

Any faux "concern" is coming from people who couldn't care less about the suffering of those who are marginalised, it's just their way of stamping their ground towards their prejudices - in this case, Geelong.

It's very similar to politics. There are people out there who actually do care about those who are less fortunate, or have been the victims of unfair treatment...but most of the time, they're doing it with the ulterior motive of justifying their hatred for someone/thing else.

Maybe I'm just cynical, but the older you get, you realise how few people actually do care about others misfortune unconditionally.

It's almost always under a condition for their gain and justification.

Looking at the addy article comments and jeez people are taking scott so serious

Already predict his script. Never his or any cats player’s fault.

Remember, Geelong run the AFL and whatever they say goes.

Disgraceful conduct by Smith hardly covert photos she had a telephoto lens also was accredited media. Then to send a text message is weak.
i could go on

Exhibit A.

 

[Phill Hendo]

Yes "Lauren" has been dredging this up non-stop for 2 weeks now.

Lauren is doing a good job of making all Karens fell better.

 

[Cataholic]

Looking at the addy article comments and jeez people are taking scott so serious

Already predict his script. Never his or any cats player’s fault.

Remember, Geelong run the AFL and whatever they say goes.

Disgraceful conduct by Smith hardly covert photos she had a telephoto lens also was accredited media. Then to send a text message is weak.
i could go on

I'm not sure what you're trying to say on our Board......or are you lost?

 

[Cataholic]

Did you see her X post?

No?

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Exhibit A.

Could set your watch to it.

 

[Munich]

No?

 

[logan wilson]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say on our Board......or are you lost?

No i just dont get the geelong hatred feels like its never been this bad?

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Alright, which one of you dumb campaigners is Trevor.

Terrible name btw. Never call your kids Trevor. It's as un-sexy as it gets.

You have to think long-term on these things.

 

[Munich]

No i just dont get the geelong hatred feels like its never been this bad?

It hasn't.

We're hated because we're constantly competing and oppo think we must be cheating.

 

[Cataholic]

She's obviously upset people, but the threats are very poor form indeed.

 

[you pick one]

I loved Scotts answer to the harder questions. It's the cost of admission.so true.

 

[Cataholic]

No i just dont get the geelong hatred feels like its never been this bad?

It's a manifestation of the Tall Poppy Syndrome.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

It hasn't.

We're hated because we're constantly competing and oppo think we must be cheating.

Let's be real, the club is asleep at the wheel.

They should've just followed the lead of the KKK like Hawthorn, Adelaide, and Brisbane with Fagan.

You get a slap on the wrist if you do that, and everyone moves on pretty quickly. Going after a photographer though? That's crossing the line.

Come on Hocking, read the room man. Be better.

 

[dudusmaximus]

Don't feed the trolls

Report & move on

I had scrambled the jets and engaged. Stood down after you had Mortein'ed the thread down.

 

[Johanpetro]

The funny thing is , those threats from “Trevor” are obviously from a non Geelong fan just trying to stir sht, and morons are replying “typical Geelong fans” etc

 

[Kobe Gryant]

The funny thing is , those threats from “Trevor” are obviously from a non Geelong fan just trying to stir sht, and morons are replying “typical Geelong fans” etc

Mr Meow 20 bucks says that Trevor is Aristotle. You in?