Geelong enigma Gary Rohan says Chris Scott's public backing of his much-maligned finals record has helped him play a key role in the Cats' charge to the AFL grand final.
Rohan began the year with a poor record in key finals, most notably in losing grand finals against Richmond in 2020 (five possessions, no goals), the Western Bulldogs in 2016 (five disposals, one goal) and Hawthorn in 2014 (seven disposals, no goals).
Scott actively defended Rohan on the Nine Network ahead of the qualifying final against Collingwood.
"I don't buy there's pressure on him. I don't think anyone who knows footy is thinking, 'For Geelong to win, Gary Rohan's got to dominate'," Scott said.
"It's borderline silliness to highlight a player who none of you would have in the top 15 players in our team and say, 'He's the one under the most pressure'."
Rohan went on to star in the qualifying final win over Collingwood, kicking three crucial goals and having a telling presence in the air.
The introverted Cat bristled as he shrugged off commentary around his previous form but said Scott's support "definitely" helped.
"He's always stood by me and he knows the role I play and some people don't really see what effect I can have on the team," Rohan told reporters on Monday.
"So it doesn't really bother me.
"Youse can write what youse write - it doesn't bother me, I don't read it. That's your job.
"He says (it) to me every week but yeah, obviously publicly it's always good. He's always got our back."
Rohan, 31, departed Sydney at the end of 2018 and later said he'd felt pushed out the door.
But he played down the emotional significance of facing the Swans in a grand final for the first time.
"Four years ago I left, so it's pretty much a brand new team," he said.
"So there might be a handful left that are there but I don't really have any mates (there) anymore.
"I've always followed Sydney and always barracked for them, so I was actually barracking for them on the weekend."
Rohan was battling a cold, picked up from his kids, but said he would be fit for Saturday's decider.
Teammate Max Holmes is racing the clock after his hamstring injury in the preliminary final.
The winger trained by himself with fitness staff but moved well and earned plenty of love from the thousands at open training when he ran laps at a good pace.
