Scott admits that the Cats have had to make some crucial adjustments to their original list due to a number of injuries, however it was nothing they weren’t prepared for.
“It’s been more difficult, obviously we go into the season with plan a, but it would be folly to go in without plan b and c as well,” Scott told Cats TV.
“We’re pretty confident that our plan b around some of those key players are still pretty sound - the preference is to have a fit and available list and we’re really confident actually that our preparation has been really good.
“The planning process has been affected that’s true but we’re still pretty close to our best going into Round 1.”
After delivering a courageous performance last season, Chris Scott says if the opportunity arises Cameron Guthrie will likely have a run in the Cats engine room.
“We’re very confident that he could do that, whether he does or not will depend on the balance of our team,” Scott said.
He says Guthrie, who played 20 AFL games last season, is the type of player that can implement a solid performance wherever he’s positioned on the field.
However, Scott says the Cats still need to be strategic in where they place such a talented player.
“We think he’s the type of player that could help us in all three parts of the ground, we’ve seen some really good signs in the midfield. It will just depend on how our backline will shape up and where we think he can help us the most.”
Another player who is likely to join the Cats midfield in 2014 is Travis Varcoe.
Scott says the Cats had wanted to play Varcoe in the middle before Steven Motlop and Allen Christensen were put on the injury list.
Nonetheless he’s confident Varcoe’s endurance and speed should fill the gap nicely, as well as enabling some of the younger Cats to occupy a spot up forward.
“His role will change a little bit from previous years and it’s more coincident that it’s changing at the same time that Motlop and Christensen aren’t available, but it’s probably being fortuitous in a way because we’d really like Trav to play more in the midfield with those two midfield type players out,” Scott explained.
“Hopefully Trav will help fill that void - it also opens up some space for some of our younger guys to slot into our forward line.
“Unfortunately Burbury isn’t available but we’re pretty confident Lincoln McCarthy will have an influence on AFL games this year.
To catch the complete episode of this week’s Tweet the Coach with Chris Scott click on the video above.
