GEELONG mentor Chris Scott still rates embattled Fremantle counterpart Ross Lyon among the premier coaches in the AFL, and feels "well and truly" Lyon's junior ahead of a clash with the struggling Dockers this Saturday.
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Scott and Lyon went head-to-head in two finals during the Cats coach's early tenure, with Fremantle defeating the reigning premiers in a 2012 MCG elimination final and stunning qualifying final upset the following campaign at GMHBA Stadium.
Michael Walters celebrates Fremantle's qualifying final win over Geelong in 2013. Picture: AFL Photos
Both teams have travelled vastly different paths since, with Geelong missing finals for the first time in a decade in 2015 before mounting a resurgence to now sit atop the ladder, while the Dockers are towards the end of a four-year rebuild.
Scott, who was an assistant at Freo for three seasons under Mark Harvey, returned to Perth this week at the helm of the League-leading Cats, while Lyon is facing pressure on his job after another post-bye fadeout.
But Scott was still wary of the Dockers, who have lost five of their past six, while his side steadied its season with a win over Sydney at the SCG.
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"I've got a great deal of respect for the football club. I spent three years here as an assistant coach, and I've got great respect for Ross Lyon as a coach as well," Scott said as the Cats trained at Fremantle Oval on Wednesday.
"He was, along with Alastair Clarkson, amongst the premier coaches of my generation as I was learning my craft as a coach, and he has presided over the most successful era in Fremantle's history.
"I'm sure it doesn't feel like it to some right at the moment – it probably doesn't feel like it to him, but to my observation it's a fact.
"A little bit of short-term pressure doesn't diminish the respect I have for all of them.
"What I do know is outstanding coaches don't go out of form in the space of a couple of weeks or even a couple of seasons.
"I've probably spoken too much about Ross – it wasn't my intention – but I'll just repeat that I've got great respect for him and I still consider myself to be well and truly his junior."
Chris Scott and Ross Lyon coached together during the 2014 International Rules Series. Picture: AFL Photos
The Cats can likely seal top spot with two wins from the final four matches given their outstanding percentage, and are set to recall dashing defender Zach Tuohy and forward Gary Rohan.
Midfielder Sam Menegola is in the mix, while Gary Ablett trained on Wednesday and appears likely to play on Optus Stadium's firm surface, where he pinged a hamstring last year.
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"We've put a bit of thought into the surface, but that's not why he did a hamstring in round three last year, we're pretty certain of that," Scott said.
"The surface is a slight consideration, but I think it's more the cumulative effect for the teams that play here every other week.
"Whatever we do with the team, I can say with great confidence it won't really be because of any issue we have with the surface."
Geelong is also set to be boosted by youngster Nakia Cockatoo's first game back in the VFL after not being sighted since hurting his knee against West Coast in the same game Ablett went down.
Scott was keen to see Cockatoo get through managed game time, but is hoping for more.
"Yeah, but I'd prefer he had 40 and kicked four. He's got that capacity. He's had a preparation that means he can come back in and perform," Scott said.
"Our expectation isn't that he will force his way into our team towards the end of the year, that's not what our timing is about, it's more a longer-term play, but we won't put a ceiling on it."
