Esava Ratugolea took another major step in his transition from key forward into the back six with a strong showing against Hawthorn in Thursday’s afternoon’s match simulation at GMHBA Stadium.

Ratugolea was swung down back midway through last season and put in some eye-catching performances for Geelong in the VFL; then coach Shane O’Bree highlighting his athleticism matched with an ability to read the play behind the ball, making him a tough proposition for opposition key forwards.

Thursday saw him playing as a deep defender for the full four quarters alongside mainstays like Tom Stewart, impressing early, plucking three intercept marks in the first quarter alone, and adding a few more as the day went on.

Geelong assistant coach James Kelly said a sizzling summer on the track has been the key to Ratugolea’s ongoing development.

“(He’s had a) super summer,” Kelly told media after the game. 

“He's been fantastic, we're really happy with his attitude to work and his ability to work within the system. He's just a great person and really caring and his teammates love having him down there, which is great.”

Ollie Dempsey was another player whose big pre-season looks to be paying dividends, the athletic goal sneak finishing the game with three goals after beginning the game in the starting 18. 

“It’s been a good offseason, just staying around and doing as much running as I can,” he told Cats Media post match.

“For my role, that’s really important.  So, out there today, that definitely helped to be able to get to more contests and be in the right position more.

"I’ve been fortunate to see it starting to pay off.”