SUPERSTAR Patrick Dangerfield doesn't need to don the Superman cape for Geelong to perform well in the finals, according to coach Chris Scott.
Responding to premiership teammate Jonathan Brown's comments on Dangerfield trying too hard in September, Scott ordered the Brownlow Medal favourite to play his natural game against Collingwood on Friday night.
Speaking on Monday, Brown said Dangerfield's quest for a maiden premiership had previously led to his downfall.
Faster than a locomotive: Paddy Dangerfield in action for the Cats: Picture: AFL Photos
"He's got to leave the cape at home in terms of the way he thinks," Brown told Fox Footy.
"He's got to almost be thinking, 'I've just got to be Clark Kent' and the Superman cape will come.
"I think sometimes we've seen in some of his big games or the big finals - we've seen his record drop of recent times - he tries to do too much."
It's a mistake to think because it's a final and we want it so badly we've got to do something extra - Chris Scott
Scott, who has several selection headaches to ponder before Friday, said Dangerfield didn't need to do anything differently in the blockbuster at the MCG in front of a crowd tipped to push 95,000.
"I am a bit of a subscriber to the idea that you can want something so badly that it manifests in destructive behaviour," Scott said on Tuesday.
"I think will, desire and motivation are overrated in these moments and the capacity to just focus on what's really important is underrated.
"The point would be, (if) Paddy Dangerfield plays the way he does most weeks with the same sort of attitude, that'll be enough.
"It's a mistake to think because it's a final and we want it so badly we've got to do something extra.
"I'd be staggered if we look back and thought they forgot to remind themselves that they've got to try as hard as they can."
Geelong needs to find room for small forward Tom Atkins (hand) and mid-sized defender Jake Kolodjashnij (hip) as they return from one-week injury layoffs.
Scott suggested that one key defender would likely make way before facing Collingwood's dynamic forward line with Lachie Henderson's return to the VFL last week an early hint.
Henderson joined talls Harry Taylor and Mark Blicavs in the same defensive unit for just the second time in 2019 against Carlton in round 23.
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"Our backline and defensive group have been pretty good all year, we've got good availability and it's going to be really difficult to fit all of those guys in," Scott said.
"We've rarely played all of our tall backs all year so that would be unlikely that we'd go that way."
With Atkins back in the front half, it leaves a question mark on Zach Tuohy's place after the Irish defender's experiment as a small forward in the last fortnight of the season.
Zach Tuohy could be dropped for the Cats' first final against the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos
"There's a few little unknowns with our team but it's probably the last spot or two, we are very stable with the 20, 21 spots in our team and we've got one or two guys who might float between areas," Scott said.
"We're far from saying he's (Tuohy) absolutely a forward."
Stanley, who Scott said had been primed for a tilt at September, is the likely match-up for All Australian Brodie Grundy after the Cats had tinkered with their ruck set-up in recent times.
"With the around the ground stuff and Rhys' athleticism, I think he's probably one of the few players who could challenge Grundy over a long period of time in terms of speed, strength and endurance," Scott said.
First-year speedster Jordan Clark is certain to miss after he copped a knock to his previously injured elbow in the VFL on Saturday.
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