It wasn’t quite a new-look Geelong outfit, but there were plenty of fresh takeaways for Cats fans beyond the one-sided score line at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Geelong took the honours by 85 points over Hawthorn in the first four quarters of the match simulation before the respective VFL sides stepped in for the second set of four, but there were storylines aplenty.
New Faces Impress
Much was made over Geelong’s recruiting haul over the summer, and coach Chris Scott had Cats fans leaning forward in their seats when Tanner Bruhn joined Max Holmes, Patrick Dangerfield, and Rhys Stanley in the centre square for the bounce and Ollie Henry and Jack Bowes took their spots up forward. Henry was like a Cat on a hot tin roof for the entire afternoon – the former Magpie looked dangerous every time the ball went near him, which was often, finishing the game with four goals, including his final one from a boundary line snap after the siren.
Bruhn and Bowes both lived up to early expectations - Bruhn in particular showing a tough, aggressive streak running through the middle of the ground and across half forward, and added a goal for good measure. And Bowes, playing as a high half forward and at times through the middle, came exactly as advertised – cool under pressure, and high-quality ball use.
Classic Cats
It wasn’t just the young guys doing the damage though, there were some familiar faces getting the job done as well. Patrick Dangerfield reminded everyone of his explosive straight-line speed, Sam Menegola’s ball use was pinpoint, Tom Stewart seemed to grow stronger and more confident as the game went on and Tyson Stengle was at times simply electric. His dribble goal hard up against the boundary at the city end was one of the best you’ll see – a play set up by a characteristically desperate Zach Guthrie takedown of a stray Hawk.
As the temperature hovered around the30 degree mark for most of the game, some of the senior players took a seat, Jeremey Cameron the notable conclusion, and watched their younger teammates run out as impressive as a win that you can have in a February match simulation.
Spinning Magnets
Speaking of a new look. It wasn’t just the fresh faces that would have looked different to Cats supporters, with Chris Scott and his coaching group throwing the magnets around, some moves we had a hint of, and others less so. Tom Hawkins’ absence opened the door for Jack Henry to start forward alongside his brother, and by extension Henry’s move forward opened the door for Esava Ratugolea to continue to ply his trade down back, something he did to great effect on Thursday for the full four quarters. Ollie Dempsey, building off his debut season kicked three goals after starting in the first 18.
Sam De Koning started the second half at full forward and at times looked dangerous as a marking target, while Isaac Smith, entering the game in the third term played across half back as well as in his more familiar spot on the wing.
Jezza's House
No one would have been surprised if the mercurial and notoriously relaxed forward had taken it easy during a Thursday afternoon match simulation, but it wasn’t to be, Cameron putting on what’s fast becoming a regular thing – a masterclass in forward craft, with a few highlights for good measure.
Even in the absence of Hawkins, and with extra defensive eyes on the number five, Cameron was at times unstoppable, finishing with four goals, including opening his account with a running left foot high snap, and later a deft tap over the back of a contest that led to an Ollie Dempsey goal.
If it’s a sign of things to come for 2023, he’ll be giving opposition defensive coaches some serious headaches all over again.
After Four Periods
Geelong 5.3 11.6 16.9 20.12 (138)
Hawthorn 2.1 4.5 5.10 7.11 (53)
Goals: Cameron 4, O. Henry 4, Stengle 3, Dempsey 3, J. Henry 2, Blicavs 1, Bruhn 1, Miers 1, Close 1, C. Guthrie 1
Full Time (after eight periods)
Geelong 31.34 (220)
Hawthorn/Box Hill 18.25 (133)
Goals: Riccardi 2, Panuccio 2, Bond, Chalcraft, Feely, Knevitt, Lewis, Quick
