The Cats are full of confidence following their 23-point win against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.
This week they face an even bigger challenge, playing reigning premiers, West Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
With Geelong’s VFL team registering their first win of the season, a thrilling three-point win against Werribee, competition for spots is strong.
We take a look at which Cats will be discussed on the selection table this week.
Darcy Fort (Three goals, 15 disposals, eight marks)
Drafted as a ruckman, Fort has played predominantly forward for the Bendigo Bank Cats this season. He was crucial in the Cats first VFL win of the season, kicking three goals and taking eight strong marks. Backing up his strong performance from a week earlier when he had nine score involvements and kicked two goals. Shaping as an ideal replacement for Esava Ratugolea should he need a rest in the coming weeks.
Zac Smith
Missed the VFL win against Werribee as the carry-over emergency for Easter Monday. Will be in the mix again this week as the selection committee decide on their best setup to line up against West Coast’s strong ruck duo of Nathan Vardy and Tom Hickey.
Ryan Abbott (36 hit-outs, 16 disposals, seven score involvements)
Won the Damian Drum Medal for best-on-ground in Geelong's thrilling three-point win against Werribee. The in-form big man had 16 disposals and 36 hit-outs.
“I thought his ruck craft was really good and around the ground he had a presence - He looked really explosive away from the contest at times,” VFL coach Shane O’Bree said.
Charlie Constable
Set to return against West Coast after being rested against the Hawks on Easter Monday. Was instrumental for the Cats in the opening four rounds, with his ball-winning ability in the middle on the ground rewarded with a round two rising star nomination.
Zach Tuohy (14 disposals, two rebound 50s)
Made a successful return via the VFL on the weekend, collecting 14 disposals in three quarters of football. The experienced defender is clearly in the Cats' best 22, but may be given another week in the two's to build his match fitness.
James Parsons (26 disposals, eight clearances, six inside 50s)
Arguably the most unlucky Cat not to have played at AFL level this season after a string of consistent performances in the VFL. Parsons was prolific against the Tigers with 26 disposals and received praise from Coach Shane O'Bree post-game.
"He is starting to get to that stage where he is starting to look too good for VFL and needs an AFL opportunity,” O’Bree said.
“He looks confident at VFL level with whatever scenario he is thrown into. He is really damaging with the ball, taking the game on, clean around the contest. He is playing as an inside mid — will he get that opportunity at AFL, who knows?”
Zach Guthrie (19 disposals, six marks, four rebound 50s)
Guthrie pushed his case for AFL selection with another strong VFL performance on Saturday. He collected 19 disposals and six marks to be named in the best for the second time in three games. Seems on the verge of an AFL recall.
Quinton Narkle (18 disposals, five clearances, one goal)
Produced his best VFL performance this year helping restrict Werribee captain Matt Hansen to 12 disposals, while collecting 18 disposals of his own. With Brandan Parfitt in doubt to play West Coast after injuring his quad against Hawthorn, Narkle could be a like-for-like replacement with his ability to rotate through the midfield and in attack.
