Geelong coach Chris Scott has been accused of “panicking” as the reigning premiers’ slump worsened at the weekend with a third straight loss.
The Cats’ premiership defence has been marred by a combination of inconsistent performances and injuries, with Scott’s side currently sitting 10th on the ladder with just five wins from its first 11 games in 2023.
Scott has shown he is not afraid to tinker with his lineup, and was criticised by Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes for moving young defender Sam De Koning forward in recent weeks.
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“I think he is panicking a little bit with the moves he is making from a personnel and structural point of view,” Cornes told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“I can’t believe (Sam) De Koning is playing forward. This is a bizarre one for me. This is a kid who looked like he was take the competition by storm at centre half back.
“You’ve already got (Jeremy) Cameron, (Tom) Hawkins, (Ollie) Henry and now you’ve got De Koning (up forward), who is out of sorts.
“I get he hasn’t had the training, but this is what he was doing last year and you thought this guy was one of the most exciting players in the competition.
“There was that, the Henry brothers (Ollie and Jack) were swapping at either end and (Tyson) Stengle was playing on ball.
“The quickest way to disrupt someone’s career is to throw them all over the place, and that is clearly what’s happening to that young man.
“He’s got to settle him back as an intercepting centre half back that every team would love to have.”
De Koning enjoyed a breakout season last year, playing 23 games and averaging 12.2 disposals and 5.2 marks per game as the Cats won the premiership, but has seen both those numbers dip this year.
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He ranked first among rising star-eligible players in intercepts per game and contested marks per game last season.
Scott’s side is expected to be bolstered by the return of skipper Patrick Dangerfield this weekend in what looms as a blockbuster clash against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
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