The Geelong VFL team will look to build some momentum in round four, as they travel to face Werribee on Saturday.
After falling to Box Hill on Easter Monday, the Cats will be looking to bounce-back and record their second win of the season when they face the Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval.
In his first season as coach of the Cats VFL team, Mark Corrigan has settled into the top job after crossing over from the Casey Demons following the 2022 season.
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Following the game with Box Hill, Corrigan said there were plenty of points his side could take from the loss.
“For us, there were plenty of learnings,” Corrigan told geelongcats.com.au
“The first quarter was trending towards the game-style we want to play.
"The second and third quarter there was some learning on our end. When the opposition up the ante around the contest and their pressure, learning how we can handle that and get the game back on our terms.
"I thought we struggled to do that in those middle two quarters, but it was a great response from the boys in the last quarter.”
Playing the curtain raiser before the AFL match, the VFL team were able to play on the MCG for the first time this season, with a healthy crowd building throughout the game to watch the Cats battle Box Hill.
Corrigan didn’t downplay how big this experience was for his young side.
“It’s almost invaluable,” Corrigan said.
"We asked the boys pre-game how many had played on the ‘G, I reckon there would have been five or six that had. Even for some AFL-listed boys, their first time out there was a great experience.
"It was a brilliant opportunity, we touched on it pre-game so it wasn’t lost on the players. To be out on the MCG, on Easter Monday was an absolute privilege. Hopefully it was a great learning for the boys that are hopefully going to play there a lot more in time to come.”
"The VFL Cats will now face a quick turnaround against Werribee on Saturday, facing a five-day break before taking on the Tigers in round four."
Corrigan says it will be a tough task for the Cats, but it could also open the door for other players to see action in the hoops.
“We’ll see who pulls up well and who is ready to play on Saturday, and if not then we will bring fresh guys in.
"It will be recovery and learning focus for those guys who did play on Monday, but that’s why we have a squad of 35 to 40 players. There are guys playing good local footy, that are ready to step up and take the role if that opportunity presents.
"We’ll monitor the guys pretty closely with their recovery, but there will be no excuses come Saturday.
We’ll be ready to go.”