Is the “Mosquito Fleet” (Motlop, Christensen, Varcoe and Stokes) the biggest tactical change for the Cats since 2007?

Cats TV ask, James Kelly and journalist Scott Gullan, if the “Mosquito fleet” (Motlop, Christensen, Varcoe and Stokes) is the biggest tactical change for the Cats since 2007?

Kelly agrees that the pace of play produced from the midfield’s “Mosquito Fleet” is just as fast as it was back in 07, although he finds it hard to determine whether or not its the biggest tactical change to take place since then.

“It’s hard to say if its bigger but in terms of personnel and having leg speed across the ground it is definitely as fast as the side has been since then, and it really shows in our ball movement and our pressure in the front half,” Kelly said.

Whilst Gullan believed all four players played really well, he was most impressed with Varcoe’s battle against the Hawks, considering he only had 13 touches.

“His last game we really saw him play was the Cats last grand final when he did that amazing goal,” Gullan said.

“I think he only had 13 possessions but he was one of the best on the ground.”

“Geelong’s always had quick ball movement and that’s why they were so successful and now add leg speed into it and if you’ve got three or four of them… well it exposed Hawthorn.

“I mean Hawthorn are great at contesting the ball like the Cats but when you’ve got that added extra it’s impressive.”

Gullan feels the Cats win against the Hawks emphasises the true strength of the club’s younger players, and their efforts indicate that they have the skill set to step up when needed.

“I think their depth and the fact that the man next to me and Steve Johnson wasn’t there and they didn’t have an experienced ruckman, they were undermanned against a very good team and it just showed that the kids stood up, Smedts and the mosquito fleet, it was impressive,” Gullan said.

The Cats continue to offer their younger players the opportunity to play senior footy and Kelly confirms that the younger guys are thirsty to impress, which is important for the club going forward.

“It really is, those guys have been hungry to play footy for the last 12 to 18 months and getting their opportunities last year lets you come into the preseason with a fresh attitude,” Kelly said.

“You know if you do the right thing you’re going to get games and they’re in the side now and they’ve played some good footy early, which we’ve been really happy with and hopefully they can keep going.”