Young Cat Cameron Guthrie spoke to Radio Sports National yesterday morning and opened up on his season so far, saying it takes hard work to hold his spot in such a great team.

“We’ve got a lot of good players coming through playing in the VFL and who aren’t far away after injury.

“The coaches have been really good and positive with me so I know they all want me to do a job and I go out there and try and do it.”

After looking at home on Friday night with 12 disposals and five tackles, Guthrie was able to compete in the air but more importantly tackle well at ground level.

Guthrie said the coaching staff want to see him compete as best he can.

“All the coaches really want from me down there is to just compete.

“When the ball is there to be won, win it myself, but just be hard to play against as a defender.”

After coming into the side for the past three weeks, Guthrie admitted Chris Scott’s mantra is to defend before you attack.

“Scotty always says we’re a defence first team and I just try to do my best down there and I get a lot of help from the older boys like Mackie and Harry Taylor and those sorts of guys which is great.”

Guthrie still can’t believe his luck, playing with versatile types such as Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan who all have the ability to convert up forward.

“They make it very easy for guys like myself coming through who are still relatively early on in their careers. Just their talk and their general systems down there is awesome.”

Corey Enright in particular is one star performer that Guthrie studies closely.

“He was great again Friday night and I watch a lot of his edits with the backline coach Dale Amos, I watch his positioning and how he goes about it.

“If I can put any of the aspects of his game into mine I’d be very happy.”

Guthrie also talked up his teammate, Steven Motlop, who has impressed with blistering form this year.

“He’s started the year off really really well. I love how he excites the crowd and takes the game on. I think that’s something we may have lacked in the last couple of years.

“Guys like himself and Christensen, Duncan, Taylor Hunt, they’ve all come in and really stepped up this year and it’s really great to see.”
Guthrie was also full of praise for the ever-improving Mathew Stokes, giving him the kudos he deserves.

“He’s been outstanding this year. We rate him really highly within the club; he doesn’t really get the accolades outside the club.

“He’s played his role every week and it’s nice to see him getting a bit of the footy himself this year and racking up the touches.”