With two weeks under their belts at GMHBA Stadium, the latest Geelong draft class is beginning to find its feet out on the training track.
Six national draftees, one rookie, two Category B rookies and a pre-listed state league player in Nathan Kreuger, have all joined the club and started their Cats journey, and physical performance manager Scott Murphy has been overseeing that transition.
In Murphy’s mind it's important the transition to AFL football is made carefully and without reckless mistakes.
“We will always err on the side of conservatism with those young players. Our belief is that the frequency and consistency of training adds up to a greater sum than pockets of intensity with risk,” Murphy says.
“It’s always crucial that you gather the information appropriately and in our philosophy, we don’t rush them into things that they may or may not be ready for, until we actually understand who they are, where they’ve come from and how they potentially will react to certain stimulus.”
Jacob Kennerley, Oscar Brownless and Jake Tarca run the boundary.
Murphy says the process of steadily integrating new players into full training takes up much of their first month at the club, but that doesn’t mean the new Cats can’t play often and early come 2019.
Tim Kelly and Lachie Fogarty were two first-year Cats to make their debut in round one last year.
“We have a very good history of playing first year players early and seeing what they can deliver,” Murphy says.
“Our vision is that by January, we’re exposing the draftees to their individual level that’s appropriate for what they’re capable of.”
“By then the coaches will also have an idea at how they will fit into the makeup of the team by that time, in regards to whether they are ready and can play immediately.”
Mature-age ruckman Darcy Fort and former Geelong VFL captain Tom Atkins come to the club with a wealth of senior football experience, enabling them a quicker introduction to full training.
“It’s different when you’re a mature age player that has base behind you, you can give them a lot of intensity and they most likely will be able to cope,” Murphy says.
“Tim Kelly and Sam Menegola for example we’ve taken in the draft and they’ve thrived.”