Only inaccurate conversion prevented the Cats from thrashing Hawthorn on Friday night, yet they were still 37 points clear and coasting at three-quarter time.
Scarlett, hobbling with a minor ankle injury, was given an early night and interchanged off the ground. His primary opponent, Buddy Franklin, who had been kept to an ordinary night by his standards, suddenly took full advantage of Scarlett's absence. Franklin and Jarryd Roughead took control of the aerial duels in the Hawks' forward 50 and kicked six last-quarter goals between them to get Hawthorn within eight points with five minutes to play.
It was symbolic and telling that Scarlett had to be interchanged back on and effected a characteristic spoil against Franklin to end the Hawks' winning chance.
Geelong is a great team. Only great outfits can boast 43 wins from their last 46 games.
Yet Scarlett's unique ability to shut down the opposition's gun marking targets is irreplaceable.
So irreplaceable, in fact, that I'm not sure the Cats could win a premiership without him.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
