Chris Scott press conference after Geelong Cats win over Richmond Tigers, private chat with Tom Stewart bump on Dion Prestia

Chris Scott has opened up on his non-public post-game dialog with a remorseful Tom Stewart, who instructed the Cats coach he made “a horrible error” and felt “horrible” after his ugly bump on Tigers star Dion Prestia.

Stewart is going through a number of weeks on the sidelines after he was reported for tough conduct on Prestia throughout the first quarter of Geelong’s thrilling win over Richmond on Saturday.

Prestia was finally subbed out of the sport resulting from concussion after he was collected by Stewart, who ran handed the ball and hit Prestia excessive.

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Earlier than Scott addressed his troops at quarter-time, he had a quiet phrase away from the enjoying group to an emotional Stewart, who would finally play a key defensive function in Geelong’s win, ending with a game-high 29 disposals.

Requested what he stated to Stewart on the first change break, Scott instructed reporters post-game: “I simply stated ‘there was one factor you possibly can management and that’s staying within the second and we’ll cope with the long run when it comes’. I used to be actually pleased with him from that perspective.

“I’ve identified Tom for a very long time and he’s a scrupulously truthful participant and only a incredible, sturdy character – elementary to what we do at Geelong. When my time’s come and gone, I’ll look again and say I used to be honoured to have identified and coached Tom Stewart.

“That’s partly as a result of after I spoke to him post-game, he simply stated: ‘I’ve simply made a horrible error and I really feel horrible about it … I ran previous the ball and I selected to bump. I didn’t imply to do it, however gee it was horrible execution and I’m going to pay the value for it’.

“I wouldn’t normally be this expansive, however I believe it speaks to the person. He is aware of he’s accomplished the unsuitable factor. Was it deliberate? In fact it wasn’t. He’s made an error and, as individuals do this I like, he’s ready to face up and say ‘I used to be unsuitable’.

“It doesn’t assist then the thought of restorative justice nonetheless exists. Like they (the Tigers) lose one in every of their greatest gamers, however we don’t run away from that truth. However he ought to have some consolation in the truth that it’s not him and it was an error of execution and nothing extra.”

Requested if Stewart’s character ought to come under consideration when the incident is assessed, Scott stated: “I’m not going to make touch upon that. I’m a bit of bit confused by all of it. As a person, I don’t actually consider in punitive actions virtually full cease, however in some unspecified time in the future there’s acquired to be a line then the way you get to these positions.”

Regardless of copping jeers each time he touched the ball, Stewart completed with a whopping 17 intercepts and 5 intercept marks as he thwarted a number of Richmond attacking forays.

Scott stated was “undecided how” Stewart performed on to have such an affect on the competition after initially being rocked.

“It is a scenario the place what you do is far more necessary than the way you do it,” Scott stated.

“From a training perspective, it’s not as if I walked him by it. Tom, he’s a reasonably emotional man too. He was feeling it, we might see visibly, proper from the second it occurred and it weighs closely on him as a result of he’s that form of man.

“He referenced ‘letting the workforce down’. Effectively perhaps, however what are you able to do about it now?

“He’ll pay a worth, I don’t assume there’s any doubt about that, and you may’t management what individuals consider you.”

After Geelong led by 35 factors within the second time period, the Tigers launched a surprising fightback to take a 17-point lead within the remaining time period.

However the Cats discovered one other gear and hit again on the scoreboard, ultimately holding on for a decent win.

Scott stated he was pleased with his aspect’s resolve and development, however admitted “it felt just like the 2020 Grand Ultimate” a bit of after the Cats gave up an early lead.

“I solely actually convey it up as a result of I can’t consider a greater solution to present my admiration for Richmond,” he stated.

“You sit there and go ‘we’ve acquired full management of this recreation’ and you then examine your self and also you’ve by no means acquired management towards them, we’ve been there earlier than. Even a couple of turnovers from the back-half jogged my memory of that recreation as effectively.

“So the selection is we are able to go into our shell and go down by 15 factors and say ‘we performed OK in patches’, or we might be aggressive and go after it.”