Rivers, who played 150 games for Melbourne before joining the Cats over the summer told Cats TV that he was excited to play in the Geelong guernsey this weekend.
‘’It’s definitely exciting and it’s going to be a bit different putting on the blue and white hoops for the first time,’’ Rivers said.
‘’Can’t wait to get over there… interstate trips are always good because you get to know the boys a bit better as well, so looking forward to getting over there with the boys and putting the hoops on for the very first time and hopefully get a win.’’
The Cats take on Fremantle and the Eagles at Paterson’s Stadium on Saturday night in the NAB Cup round one action. Rivers said it will be a tough first month of the AFL season and this weekend’s game would be great preparation for the year ahead.
Rivers added that the NAB Cup games will again provide a great opportunity for the younger players in the squad. Last year the Cats had 10 players make their first grade debut.
‘’At the start I didn’t know a lot about the young playing group but watching them play over the last few months they’ve been really exciting, and the likes of Josh Walker who I think played a few games last year looks like a good type, a solid type and he’s really fit. The young draftee Jackson Thurlow looks really good at the moment as well,’’ Rivers explained.
‘’Those young boys that you’ve got like Cameron Eardley, you’ve got Ryan Bathie who has done a really good preseason as well… the Cats’ supporters should be really excited about the young playing group because they’ve trained really well this preseason.
‘’They will probably get an opportunity over the next few weeks to show what they can do…’’
Geelong Cats play West Coast at 4:40pm and Fremantle at 5:45pm at Paterson’s Stadium this Saturday night.
