Preparations for Round 2 got back into full swing on Tuesday with the Cats completing their first full group training session at GMHBA Stadium.
Only 17 days remain until the Cats host the Hawks in Geelong for the first time 14 years to relaunch their 2020 campaign.
This period shapes as an important one for all 18 clubs and Tom Stewart is backing in the coaches and support staff to get it right.
“That contact conditioning, it’s quite important,” Stewart said.
“I think every club is going to do it differently, but I’m backing our fitness staff and our coaches to get what they think we need out of it.
“I think it’s going to be a fine line between getting that contact conditioning and also being quite fresh.
“You can’t flog yourself too much over the two weeks before round two.”
Stewart is ‘itching’ to get back out there and tackle the Hawks.
“It’s exciting to play them in round one or two whatever it is, against Hawthorn it’s always a great match.”
“Our group is just itching to get out there and have a crack.
“It’s going to be so different to anything anyone has experienced so you just have to do as well as you can and hope you are ready come the first bounce down.”
