A faultless pre-season from young Geelong midfielder Cooper Stephens has thrust him into the selection mix on the cusp of the club’s pre-season campaign.

The hard-edged midfielder and former first round draft pick has hardly missed a session and completed an extended off-season fitness program after his 2021 campaign was cut short by an ankle injury.

Stephens is yet to play a game for the club at any level other than hub scratch matches after two injury and covid interrupted seasons.

Assistant coach Nigel Lappin is keen to see what the club has in the youngster.

“Yeah he’s had a terrific pre-season and he’s got himself in great nick and he’ll definitely be putting his name up for selection in the early rounds which is really positive,” Lappin says.

“It’s nice to have younger players coming through and it’s nice to have pressure on everyone for spots.

“It brings the best out of all his teammates as well and he’s a good young man so we wish him well.”

Another new Cat hoping to raise his hand for selection is off-season acquisition Tyson Stengle.

Stengle was signed by the club as a delisted free agent this off-season after 16 games for Adelaide and Richmond.

“Since the moment he walked through the doors he’s been really professional with the way that he’s gone about it and he’s been impressive on and off the field,” Lappin says.

“He’s pretty exciting to watch play. He’s a really smart footballer so he’ll work well off our talls and around our talls.

“When he gets his opportunity he’ll finish, whether that be finding a mark inside 50 or shot on goal, so he’s pretty exciting.”