Geelong’s VFL side has won their second consecutive practice match on Saturday, defeating North Ballarat, 18.12 (120) to 7.4 (46).
Kicking the first five goals of the match, the Cats steamrolled to a commanding lead in the first term, dominating at either end of the ground before a late lapse saw the Roosters kick three straight.
The Cats regained composure in the second quarter with five goals to one and were rarely challenged for the rest of the contest.
The home side dominated around the contest in the second half and were a class above in the centre of the ground with Padraig Lucey and Ryan Abbott impressing in the ruck.
The Roosters managed two final quarter goals but it was subpar in comparison to the Cats’ scoring ability, as they ran out 74-point victors.
Despite being a practice match, Cats coach Shane O’Bree sees early season wins as crucial for the confidence of the playing group.
“Confidence, development, culture, all those areas you’ve got to work on, we are doing that really well at the moment and playing good team footy,” O’Bree said.
Daniel Menzel, who was left out of the Cats AFL side, was impressive up forward with 23 touches and four goals.
Menzel and teammate Nathan Vardy provided the Cats with two imposing targets throughout the match, with the latter kicking four goals from ten disposals.
“Their attitudes were fantastic, they went into the game with a few focus areas and they did those really well,” O’Bree said.
“We just wanted (Vardy) to contest and clunk a few and he did that and set the game up.”
The Bankers welcomed Tom Ruggles back to the VFL lineup for the first time in 2016 and last year’s best and fairest winner did not miss a beat.
He was a dominant force off half back, totalling 28 possesions, 12 marks and six rebound 50s.
“We are rapt we have got Tom back because he sets us up, he knows our game style and he is a very complete VFL player,” O’Bree said.
Ruggles is reaping the rewards of a preseason in an AFL system, allowing him to refine his game in the hope of playing at the highest level.
“He is a quality VFL player just waiting for his opportunity at AFL level. He will get that and hopefully take it with both hands.”
George Horlin-Smith led the way for the Cats in the middle of the ground, collecting a game-high 35 possessions (22 contested) and seven clearances in a best on ground performance.
“George just wanted to get to as many contests as possible and be clean around the contest. I thought tonight he did really well,” O’Bree said.
“We all know what George is capable of, he’s a smart footballer and it’s just a matter of him continuing to chip away and he will get reward for effort.
James Tsitas also impressed, playing against his former club, collecting 29 possessions, along with five clearances and seven marks
“(Tsitas) will be really good. He’s got that VFL experience, he has got high energy. He is still learning our game plan but I think as a mature player on our list, he will grasp it pretty quickly,” O’Bree said.
The Cats will return to Simonds Stadium next week to play their fourth practice match, facing Collingwood on Saturday.
VFL Practice Match 3 - Bendigo Bank Cats 18.12 (120) def. North Ballarat Roosters 7.4 (46)
Goals: Menzel 4, Vardy 4, Rees 3, Haintz 2, Horlin-Smith, Bates, Williams, Paliouras, Kol
Best: Horlin-Smith, Rees, Menzel, Ruggles, Vardy, Tsitas, Haintz
@ Simonds Stadium
