Once again it was evident the Cats pressure around the ball was missing from their 13-point win against the Bulldogs.
The Cats finished 36 behind the Dogs in contested possessions and 21 behind in clearances.
Playing contested footy has always been high on the Cats agenda but over the past few weeks the Cats have let it slip.
“Early on in the year we had a big focus on it but it’s something that has faded away in the last six or seven weeks,” Shane Kersten told Cats TV minutes after the final siren.
Kersten, who made his third AFL appearance on Sunday, says his primary focus is to support Geelong’s leading forward, Tom Hawkins, the best way he can.
With James Podsiadly gone and Nathan Vardy injured, Kersten has been able to make the most of Hawkins guidance on the training track as well as during play.
Now it’s a matter of Kersten developing his partnership with Hawkins to help lift the Cats pressure in front of goal.
“During my first two years I mostly trained with the VFL team so we didn’t get to work together as much,” Kersten said.
“Over the last 12 months I’ve worked with him a lot more and now that Podsy’s gone it’s given me and Hawkins time to work on our craft together, and it’s something that’s only going to get better as we play more games together.”
Kersten says he’s not only there to boost his own goal tally, his role is about soaking up the opponent’s pressure to help Hawkins win the ball.
“Now that I’m in the team I just want to play my role, it’s not all about goals. If I can get onto the score sheet that’s a bonus but as long as I can help Hawky and take a bit of the pressure off him,” Kersten said.
Kersten realises the days of playing along side premiership stars will come to an end and it’s now time for younger players, like himself, to step up to their level.
Sunday night a number of senior players took out team-high statistics. Jimmy Bartel delivered 15 tackles, Steven Johnson had seven clearances and Harry Taylor finished with 11 marks.
“You can always rely on those senior guys around the ball when things aren’t going right, they’re the ones that step up and us younger guys are here to bridge that gap now because they’re not going to be around forever,” Kersten explained.
“So if we can start chipping in and taking some of the pressure off that will be good for the team.”
This Saturday at 1:45pm the Cats will take on the Demons at the MCG for Round 17.
