The VFL Cats will go into the 2010 VFL home and away season with a great deal of momentum and confidence after recording an impressive 11 point win over 2009 semi-finalists Collingwood.

The goal kicking form of James Podsiadly 17 disposals, 10 marks, 4 goals) and the creative genius of Adam Varcoe (19 disposals, 3 goals) accompanied with the silky skills and strong running of Taylor Hunt (32 disposals, 1 goal) and Simon Hogan (23 disposals) gave the Cats the edge eventually running over the top of the Magpies 20.8.128 to 17.15.117.

The Cats faithful that went along to Victoria Park had much to be excited about - the returns of Max Rooke, Simon Hogan and Tom Gillies and the first match in blue and white hoops for new recruits Daniel Menzel, Nathan Vardy and Jack Weston.

The last time Rooke graced a football field was of course that fateful Saturday afternoon where he played a massive role in helping the Cats to achieve premiership glory. Since returning to training the Cats hard nut has battled knee soreness and has been on a modified training program for much of the pre-season. However, he showed no signs of the injury on Saturday, kicking two goals and moving freely through out.

However, that excitement was short lived. Two goals to Magpie key forward Chris Dawes and a dominant opening quarter display by regular AFL performer John McCarthy, set up a twenty five point lead at quarter time with the Cats not looking sharp and low on confidence early.

With the stern quarter time words of VFL coach Dale Amos still ringing in their ears, the young Cats outfit slowly crawled their way back into the match, led by the inspirational Podsiadly and the brutal Rooke. A five goal to nothing fifteen minute burst late in the second quarter gave a glimpse of what the Cats are capable this season and sent a serious warning to the rest of the competition going into round one.

Two Rooke majors followed by goals to Jackson Bright, Adam Varcoe and key playmaker Jeremy Laidler saw the Cats go into halftime full of confidence and only nine points off the Pies.

Early indications in the third quarter were not promising for the Cats as it seemed the Magpies had regained the momentum they had so comprehensively held onto in the first quarter.

It was in fact a first gamer that got the Cats going - Nathan Vardy, the 198cm, 18 year old from Gippsland Power who was taken at pick 40 in last year’s national draft, showed why he was widely touted as the best ruckmen in last year’s draft as he broke packs, took a number of strong marks and gave off a number of slick handballs.

The continued stellar form of AFL emergency Nathan Djerrkura and the continued goal kicking prowess of Podsiadly kept the Bendigo Bank Cats within eight points going into the last practice match quarter of the year.

The final quarter got under way with two quick goals to Collingwood as they once again looked to have the edge, but some Allen Christensen (23 disposals, 2 goals) gut running and the continued midfield dominance of emerging midfielder Taylor Hunt, saw the Cats claw their way back into the contest getting within four points at the fifteen minute mark of the term.

With the game on a knife’s edge going into the last ten minutes both teams where looking for an X-factor to drag them over the line - enter Adam Varcoe (19 disposals, 3 goals). In a magical ten minute burst, Varcoe let the ‘defences’ of the football world know that they may one day have to worry about the brilliance and speed of not one but two Varcoes!. The younger Varcoe kicked two breath taking goals and put the Cats out of the Magpies reach with seconds remaining.

In a very spirited Geelong change rooms after the match, ruckman Trent West (13 disposals, 24 hit outs) praised his team-mates for their ability to run out the game, stating “I think we got better as the game went on, we nailed a few things at quarter time and we were able to run it out well which is good at this stage of the year”.

West was also very impressed with the form of first gamer Nathan Vardy, and his ability to find the footy down forward, “He looked good big ‘Vards’ up forward with his attack on the footy in the forward line. Which is important for when Pods isn’t there - we really need someone to do that”.

A number of VFL listed players also stood tall in the victory. Matthew Firman, Jonathan Simpkin (24 disposals), Kane Smith all made a solid contribution, while Geelong Falcon recruit Jackson Bright provided an alternative option up forward all day kicking two goals.

The Cats kick off their 2010 campaign against the Casey Scorpions next Saturday at Casey Fields. The match kicks off at 7pm.

Bendigo Bank Cats 20-8-(128)
Collingwood 15-15-(117)
Goals: Podsiadly 4, A.Varcoe 3, Rooke, Christensen, B.Johnson, Bright 2, West, Djerrkura, Laidler, T.Hunt, Firman
Best: T.Hunt, Podsiadly, Christensen, A.Varcoe, Laidler, Gamble
Injuries: Drum (broken nose), O’Keefe (ankle)

Round one kicks off next Saturday night at 7pm when the Cats take on the Melbourne aligned Casey Scorpions, at Casey Fields in Cranbourne.