Geelong’s VFL side has finished their pre-season campaign with a compelling victory over Williamstown, defeating the Seagulls, 10.21 (81) to 8.13 (61).
The Cats played their strongest side of the pre season with the likes of Zac Smith and Sam Menegola lining up on Saturday.
The home side kicked with a strong breeze in the first term but were unable to take full advantage, starting the match with seven straight behinds.
However, the Cats only managed one goal for the first term and trailed by 18 points at quarter time.
The wind continued to play a major role in the second term as the Cats kicked three quick goals early in the quarter to regain the lead.
The Cats also played a great defensive quarter of football as the Seagulls couldn’t manage a score in the second term.
Geelong were unable to continue the defensive intensity in the third term as the home side piled on four goals to regain the lead at the final change.
Being only a few points down with a strong breeze, the Cats would have fancied their chances in the final term but the Seagulls did not go down easy.
Geelong finished the game in a similar fashion to how their opponents started it, with a flurry of behinds, but the gap was enough to see the Cats run out 20-point victors.
Cats coach Shane O’Bree was pleased with his side’s performance and with the pre season as a whole.
“All pre season practice matches, we improved every week,” he said.
“We got a lot of games into guys and exposed them to different areas and I think we are in a good spot now.”
O’Bree was impressed with how his side dealt with the conditions and their ability to limit Williamstown’s scoring.
“Against the wind, they only scored one goal for the game, so it was really good how well we set up behind the ball,” he said.
There were numerous positive signs in the victory, with several players putting their hands up for AFL selection.
Sam Menegola showed he is keen for a senior recall with a game-high 35 disposals along with five marks, seven tackles and a goal.
“He is a contested beast, Sam, he gets to more contests than others because he can run so well,” O’Bree said.
Zac Smith was also unlucky to miss out on AFL selection but played strongly, racking up 48 hitouts and 25 disposals as he fights to earn his spot back.
“Zac hasn’t played much footy in the last month so it was good for him to get his hands on it,” O’Bree said.
Rookie Jamaine Jones played his first game in the hoops and impressed from the outset, kicking a goal from 10 touches in limited game time.
Jones also racked up three tackles and his defensive intensity impressed O’Bree.
“(Jones) was very lively, put a lot of pressure on and I was really happy with his first game at VFL level,” O’Bree said.
“He will grow on that, he’s a confident kid and the more games he plays with the boys we’ve got out there, he will keep improving.”
James Parsons also continued his strong form, kicking two important goals in the victory from his 18 possessions.
“He’s obviously got a bit of X-factor, Parso, and he’s heading in the right direction,” O’Bree said.
“He played a full game today as a high mid/half forward, looked cleaned and won contests.”
The VFL listed players in the squad also performed well, with the Likes of Tom Atkins, James Tsitas and Sam McLachlan racking up big numbers.
Atkins looked like he was back to his B&F winning form as he was amongst the best players with 27 disposals, six clearances and four tackles.
Tsitas was also a ball-magnet, collecting 28 possessions, whilst McLachlan finished with 22 and seven clearances.
The VFL Cats will now have a week off as they prepare for their Round One clash with Werribee on Easter Sunday.
VFL Practice Match 4
Bendigo Bank Cats 10.21 (81) def. Williamstown 8.13 (61)
Goals: Parsons 2, Buzza, Narkle, Black, Menegola, Jones, Floyd, Dobson, Atkins
Best: Menegola, Tsitas, Smith, Atkins, Parsons, Black
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
@ Burbank Oval, Williamstown.
