Geelong defender Zach Guthrie pays homage to super Cats development team
Geelong’s recruiting has been lauded for finding diamonds in the rough to keep the Cats at the top of the ladder. Zach Guthrie tells JOSH BARNES Geelong’s development teams deserves just as much credit.
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Rookie success story Zach Guthrie has hailed the rotating cast of development staff at Geelong for making the most out of a series of diamonds in the rough.
The Cats will field eight players originally taken in a rookie draft in Saturday’s preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions, with the club’s ability to turn unheralded talent into vital role players a pillar of its ongoing success.
Longtime assistant coach Nigel Lappin now heads up Geelong’s development program, leading what is named the Cameron Ling Academy, for players in their first four years in the AFL.
Those inside the club marvel at Lappin’s ability to connect with players and churn out strong performers.
Named for the 2011 premiership captain, the academy is the forefront of the production line that has helped turn rookies like Guthrie, Jack Henry, Mark Blicavs, Tom Atkins and Brad Close into premiership players.
Guthrie is one of the many patient winners of the system, having played 20 games in his first four seasons – including just four games across 2019-20 – before turning into one of the league’s best medium defenders.
“We have a number of things in place that really drive that I think,” Guthrie said.
“At the moment it is Nigel Lappin who is working really well and has a great relationship with those guys and puts in the time to help those players get the most out of themselves.
“We have had a number of guys roll through that in my time at the club and they have all been a huge help to me.”
Guthrie could easily have been lost to the AFL as he steadily grew from a skinny kid to a defensive ace but he kept working behind the scenes and in the VFL.
“I feel like I have always been someone who has put a bit of time into my game and had them help me and there have been players along the way who have been huge for my game as well,” he said.
“I think it is a really important part of that list management stuff. If you can get the most out of the guys who come in from different paths, you can set yourself up for some success.”
Guthrie will be handed several unenviable tasks on Saturday, likely rotating between Lions forwards such as Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, Kai Lohmann and Charlie Cameron.
The Cats defence has an excellent recent record against the usually high scoring Lions – having held Brisbane to an average of 60.3 points in eight meetings since the start of 2020.
If Geelong remains that stingy, a grand final surely beckons.
They have got a number of weapons that can pile on the goals pretty quickly,” Guthrie said.
“They are going to pose a real threat for us this week and they have been a really consistent team throughout the season.
“It is going to be a real challenge trying to get the game played the way we want but one that we are really looking forward to.”
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Originally published as Geelong defender Zach Guthrie pays homage to super Cats development team
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