With 13 rounds in the books and the bye round upon us, Cats Media has taken a look at the performances of some our our young Cats. 

Tim Kelly (13 games, 274 disposals, 10 goals)

What an impact Kelly has made in his opening 13 games. The mature-aged recruit was overlooked for six drafts before being picked up at pick 24 for the Cats. He has slotted right into the midfield rotation, where he has averaged 21 disposals a game. 27 disposals and one goal on debut showed that Geelong had something special on their hands. Has also hit the scoreboard slotting 10 goals, with seven of them coming in his opening six games.

Lachie Fogarty (10 games, 143 disposals, four goals)

Pick 22 in the 2017 draft, Fogarty has certainly made an impact in his 10 games this year. The slightly-built midfielder has averaged 14.3 disposals and 3.7 tackles a game. His defensive pressure is a real highlight of his game, which was on show against Port Adelaide in round five, when he laid 10 tackles.

Jack Henry (12 games, 125 disposals, 65 intercepts)

Just one of the ‘misfits’ in the Geelong defence as described by Zach Tuohy, the former high jumper took a couple of games to find his feet at AFL level, but has really excelled as a third tall down back. His ability to read play and intercept is a feature of Henry’s game and this was on show against the Giants, where he had 18 disposals, 11 marks and 10 intercepts. Will be hard to dislodge when Henderson and Taylor return from injury.

Brandan Parfitt (Nine games, 170 disposals, eight goals)

Parfitt started the year on fire, highlighted by his breakout performance against St Kilda, when he had 28 disposals, seven tackles and kicked three goals. His ability to play up forward as a crumbing forward or in the midfield is crucial to Geelong’s lineup and his pressure around the ball a real highlight. A foot injury saw him miss four weeks, but Parfitt will gear up for a big second half of the year.

Jordan Cunico (10 games, 192 disposals, four goals)

It has taken a few years for Cunico to find a spot in the Geelong side, playing one game in his opening three seasons. Cunico came into the side in round four and hasn’t looked back, as 21 disposals and two goals against the Saints kick-started his solid form in the seniors. His best performance of the year came against the Kangaroos, when he had 26 disposals and six inside 50s. His ball use on the outside has been beneficial for the Cats attacking forays.

Esava Ratugolea (Eight Games, 69 disposals, seven Goals)

It wasn’t so much the quantity of goals kicked by Ratugolea but the way he kicked them that has got Cats fans excited. His towering mark and goal over Patrick Dangerfield against Collingwood was the highlight of his season. The former pick 43 was tracking to make the second forward position his own until he was struck down by a graphic leg injury in round 10.