There were 7000 spectators in the stands during Friday’s thrilling contest in Geelong, but nobody was celebrating louder than Chris Scott.
Geelong clinched a thrilling five-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on Friday evening, with star forward Gary Rohan kicking the decisive goal after the final siren.
The Cats were trailing by one point with 32 seconds remaining on the clock when Rohan claimed a classy mark near the boundary line 45m out.
The former Swan waited for the siren to sound, and after his set shot initially looked as though it would drift through for a behind, it swung back late to split the big sticks.
The Covid-restricted crowd at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium was limited to just 7000 people for the Round 14 fixture, but the spectators went berserk when the Sherrin flew between the posts.
However, nobody celebrated the 12.11 (83) to 11.12 (78) victory more emphatically as Geelong coach Chris Scott.
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While the Cats players mobbed Rohan on the field, Scott leapt into the air with arms raised, sprinting across the coaches box to embrace his colleagues.
The 45-year-old made no attempt to hide his emotions, banging on the windows and throwing in a fist pump for good measure.
“Look at the coach!” commentator James Brayshaw cried on Channel 7.
Geelong forward Jeremy Cameron told Fox Footy after the win: “You’re always excited when you kick goal like that after the siren, aren’t ya?”
“(Scott) wears his heart on his sleeve … everyone was up and about.”
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Scott sheepishly told reporters after the match: “I’m glad I had a mask on, because no one needed to read my lips in that moment.
Neither side was willing to give an inch on Friday, with the arm wrestle featuring 13 lead changes and eight instances of level scores.
Although it was not the prettiest game of football from a skill level perspective, the nailbiting affair between two heavyweights failed to exceed 11 points either way all game.
However, the game came at a big cost for both clubs, with Geelong’s Mitch Duncan subbed out of the game in the opening 15 minutes due to a right knee injury.
Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton was later subbed out at halftime with a rib injury.
The thrilling win pushes Geelong within touching distance of the top two on the ladder, with the Cats now just four points behind ladder-leaders Melbourne.
— with Ronny Lerner, NCA NewsWire