Tim Watson says Richmond and Sydney have exposed a weakness in Geelong’s backline – defending small forwards.
The Tigers’ smalls gave the Cats plenty of problems in their Round 17 clash and Swans star Tom Papley (2.5) squandered several opportunities in Sunday’s thriller on the Gold Coast.
“When they played against Richmond, I think they went into that game with one of their worst sides of the year by the way, but they (Richmond) exposed them in an area that Sydney exposed them in again yesterday – and that is small forwards,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“I’m not sure their back six plays particularly well on small forwards.
“If you can break through and supply enough quick ball into the forward line, we know that Richmond can and they proved it on that night, then I think they’re going to be under pressure.
“Papley could have kicked seven or eight goals yesterday against Geelong, and he was the only really smart small forward in their forward line.
“He could have put them to the sword on his own yesterday, that’s a real concern for them.”
Geelong survived a major Swans scare to seal a top-four finish with Patrick Dangerfield kicking three crucial goals.
Cats coach Chris Scott should continue to play Dangerfield forward alongside Tom Hawkins and Gary Rohan, according to Watson.
“I think Dangerfield has to play forward,” the Bombers great said.
“I think he has to play forward alongside Tom (Hawkins), Rohan and you’ve got (Gary) Ablett who is going to be at ground level.
“Those guys have to play in the forward line, therefore I think Jack Steven is the interesting one here.
“He looked rusty as all hell yesterday and he hasn’t played a lot of footy but having him in the midfield gives them the ability to be able to play Dangerfield forward a lot more often.”
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