Matthew Lloyd has proclaimed that it is time for Geelong to enter the draft rather than using their picks to supplement their roster with ready-made midfielders.
The Cats are on a three-game losing streak, including a 64-point loss to the Suns in round 10. It was the third worst loss in coach Chris Scott’s career, and it was caused by their lack of midfield willpower.
Lloyd is now asking Scott to explore the AFL draft as his next destination for a generational star, such as West Coast’s Harley Reid.
Lloyd has stated that Scott’s ability to rest players is the reason the Cats have won two championships during his tenure, but the veterans will not be there forever to come in and win games when their youthful team is unable to compete with major opponents.
“I laud him for the way he manages his list, but I’m not going to hammer him when he leaves players out,” Lloyd said on Monday night’s Footy Classified.
“It’s smart; you don’t take somebody like Tom Hawkins to Darwin. “He’s great with how they do it (rest players). As a result, he has won premierships.
“But I am looking forward to the end of the year. Do they go with Bailey Smith or try to get Clayton Oliver? “I would not.”
Lloyd believes that Scott’s technique of replenishing the roster with ready-made players to maintain a successful cycle has kept the Cats relevant since taking over in 2011.
“I know that Chris Scott will probably go that way, because he’s always done it that way,” he stated.
But now, he wants Scott to recruit and develop genuine talent by returning to the draft and working hard to secure young midfielders.
The Cats’ current middle men are Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, and Cam Guthrie, as well as Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, Max Holmes, and Jhye Clark, who are younger.
“I look at the future of this midfield at Geelong and saw it up against the Gold Coast Suns,” Lloyd stated.
“I don’t think those guys are the answer.”
“I think they need to look to the future and say ‘Dangerfield’s going, Mitch Duncan’s going, and we don’t need to bring players in with baggage, who are going to give up’.” The Cats are third on the ladder with a 7-3 record and will face the Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
