Geelong v Hawthorn: Best 10 Cats players ranked
Geelong enjoyed its first competitive hit out against another opposition on Thursday, with an eight-period clash with Hawthorn. Find out who were the best Cats on the track in the win.
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Geelong enjoyed its first competitive hit out, excluding internal scratch matches, on Thursday against Hawthorn.
A number of star Cats did not participate in the unofficial match simulation at GMHBA Stadium, with Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan, Gary Rohan and Sam Simpson all missing from the squad.
Geelong won the ‘AFL section’ of the game, kicking 21.12 (138) against Hawthorn’s 7.11 (53) in the opening four periods of the eight-period game.
Former Cat Cooper Stephens did not face his old side as the new Hawk suffered a concussion earlier in the week.
Jeremy Cameron - 10
Cameron will enter the 2023 home-and-away season without his partner-in-crime Tom Hawkins, but the veteran’s absence did not seem to bother Cameron.
The former Giant was dominant throughout the game, grabbing plenty of marks both deep forward and around the ground.
He could’ve ended with a big bag of goals if he did not miss some characteristic snaps, or pass off easy shots at goal, but Cameron still finished with four majors.
Ollie Henry - 9
One of the newest Cats, Henry was electric every time he got near it.
He played mostly in the forward line, kicking four goals and providing Geelong a good target as he ran out on a lead as well as back to goal.
His work up the ground was also impressive, collecting plenty of the ball on a wing and a half forward flank.
It was an impressive first outing for the recruit, and he has his name firmly pegged for round 1.
Tanner Bruhn - 8
Bruhn was widely expected to be outside the best-22 looking in when he made his move from Greater Western Sydney to Geelong, but now the former Giant will be one to watch for a midfield role in round 1.
The new recruit attended the equal-most centre bounces out of any player in the first quarter, tying with Hawthorn gun Jai Newcombe on 20.
His presence was noticeable, and it would be hard to leave him out of the best 22 against Collingwood in round 1.
Max Holmes - 8
Holmes was injected straight into the centre square to start the game and he showed why early, winning the first two centre clearances of the game.
He was unlucky to miss the grand final through injury in 2022, but he looks to have taken his game to the next level, and seems to be an important piece of the Cats’ midfield rotation.
Holmes attended 15 centre bounces, the second most for Geelong, across the opening four periods of the eight-period match.
Esava Ratugolea - 8
After almost being traded to Port Adelaide in the off-season, Ratugolea returned to the Cattery and has trained strongly in defence.
The utility was strong in the air, often playing on Hawthorn’s resting ruck, but found enough space to float across the defensive 50 and pluck a handful of intercept marks.
Ratugolea did not do his chances of an extended run in the seniors any harm after spending 2022 on the outer of the best 22.
Jack Henry - 7
The dependable defender was used at times as a deep forward, often switching with Sam De Koning.
While De Koning struggled with the timing of leads and jumping at the ball, Henry was much stronger in the efforts, kicking a couple of goals and providing a real threat.
Unfortunately Henry finished the day in the hands in the trainers after suffering a foot injury, but it is unclear the severity of the problem.
If Hawkins misses more than round 1, which he has been ruled out for, then a fit Henry playing forward is not out of the realm of possibility.
Jack Bowes - 7
It is not unfeasible for Geelong to hand club debuts to Henry, Bruhn and Bowes in round 1 after their performances against Hawthorn.
Bowes did not play through the midfield until the second quarter, but his work as a high half forward was impressive.
His ball use was clean, his ability to read the play was great and he can find the ball relatively easy.
Tom Atkins - 8
Atkins spent the first part of the opening four quarters on the bench, but he appeared in the third and fourth periods before also running around in the ‘reserves’ game.
His attack on the ball was unrelenting, with the former VFL-listed defender a clear level above those playing in the second half of the eight-period game.
There was a nervous moment when he was on the receiving end of a big bump, but Atkins jumped up and continued to play.
Atkins attended nine of the available centre bounces in the third and fourth periods, winning clearances and laying hard tackles.
Rhys Stanley - 8
Stanley took most of the ruck duties across the course of the four main quarters, with Jon Ceglar giving him a rest.
The mix will change come round 1, with Mark Blicavs not playing any ruck minutes and attending just one centre bounce.
Coming up against Ned Reeves, Lloyd Meek and Max Lynch was not the strongest opposition, but Stanley’s follow-up work around the ground was impressive for a big man who is not well-known for that.
Tyson Stengle - 8
Stengle bobbed up with a couple of quality possessions and goals, but his ability to be clean under pressure was most impressive.
There were times the All Australian forward picked up the ball at full pace below his knees, assessed the forward’s leading patterns at hit the target at full speed.
Stengle still managed three goals, including a classy dribble from the boundary line, and proved his form in 2022 can easily be replicated.
His pressure inside the forward 50, in the absence of Gary Rohan, was really impressive as well.
Zach Tuohy - 6
Tuohy played his standard half-back role and did a fine job.
The veteran Cat took multiple kick outs, playing on and kicking deep.
With the ball spending the majority of time in the Cats’ forward line, Tuohy did not spend much time under pressure and it resulted in a relatively quiet day.
Isaac Smith - 5
After winning a Norm Smith Medal on a wing for Geelong, Smith found himself stationed on the flanks against his old side.
Smith did not appear until later in the game and played managed minutes, but he kicked out from defence and played off the half back flank before spending a brief period of time in the forward line.
His penetrating boot was exciting to watch from defence, but he was not able to get completely in the game with limited minutes.
Jake Kolodjashnij - 5
Kolodjashnij was not required to do anything spectacular in his game against Hawthorn.
In fact, the reliable defender did his job, and will be better for the run against opposition.
Tom Stewart - 6
It is not baffling to suggest Stewart is the best defender in the AFL, and while he was not as dominant as he usually is, his performance against Hawthorn was mistake-free.
He barely got out of second gear, instead roaming around and collecting some possessions, instructing his defenders on the set up of the zone.
Stewart’s importance to Geelong’s setup cannot be understated, despite a quiet day for the defender.
Brandan Parfitt - 6
Parfitt is one of many younger Cats tipped to increase their midfield role after Joel Selwood’s retirement, but he was not the most impressive out of the group.
He attended 11 of the game’s 30 centre bounces, including nine in the first half of the ‘AFL game’, and while he was handy he did not dominate against a young and experienced Hawthorn midfield.
Parfitt will likely be the first player to get a crack at Selwood’s role, but he has left the door open for the likes of Holmes, Bruhn and Bowes to step into it.
Jed Bews - 5
Bews cannot be faulted for his efforts against Hawthorn, playing the exact role that many have come to expect from him.
However, because of Geelong’s dominance he was not required to perform to an elite standard.
He just played his role and will be better for the run.
Jhye Clark - 5
Geelong’s prized rookie pick did not appear until the fourth period, and played across part of the AFL and VFL games.
Clark attended six centre bounces, missing just one in the fourth quarter, before playing a similar inside role in the VFL game.
He did not escape the game without some concern, spending plenty of time during the VFL hit out in the hands of the trainers, even once going down into the rooms.
Clark reappeared and played on in some discomfort, looking ginger on his right ankle.
Jon Ceglar - 5
Ceglar was used as a backup ruck for parts of the day and performed serviceably against his former side.
The veteran is unlikely to get much of a run around in the seniors this season, but he showed there was adequate depth behind Stanley and Mark Blicavs.
Sam De Koning - 5
De Koning was quiet in defence for the first two periods of the game before being swung forward and playing deep in attack.
While he found a bit more of the ball, the young star did not show he was a genuine utility just yet, missing a couple of opportunities to lead into space and attack the ball in the air.
He did take a few marks and set up a Jeremy Cameron goal, but his best efforts were on the end of effective counter-attacks.
Sam Menegola - 6
Menegola spent the majority of the day stationed on a wing, and he was solid without being spectacular there.
He struggled through injuries last season, so to see him get through a pre-season unscratched, as well as a genuine hit out was promising.
Menegola is likely to play full-time on a wing this season.
Cam Guthrie - 7
He did not come close to a full game against Hawthorn, but Guthrie is set to be the most-senior midfielder in Geelong’s squad this season, and showed his experience on Thursday.
Guthrie attended five centre bounces in each of the opening two periods before disappearing, but in that time he was important in setting the group up and instructing the newer Cats like Bruhn and Bowes around the contest.
With Pat Dangerfield likely to spend more time forward this season, Guthrie will lead the midfield group in 2023, and showed he can do just that.
Ollie Dempsey - 7
Pencil in Dempsey to add to his two-game career total in 2023.
The small forward bobbed up for a couple of goals against Hawthorn, but his decision-making and his match awareness was fantastic.
Geelong’s forward mix will be difficult to break into, but Dempsey showed real and promising development.
Gryan Miers - 5
Miers was quiet despite the dominant scoreline, bobbing up on occasion to apply good forward pressure, but he did not collect a heap of the ball.
His role is not as an accumulator, so not much can be taken out of that, but he was not that noticeable in a side that performed strongly.
Pat Dangerfield - 6
Dangerfield ran through the midfield early and got some characteristic clearances at pace, but he did not spend long on the park, featuring in just three quarters.
The veteran Cat rested forward at times but still had 12 centre bounce attendances across the three quarters, showing his role in the midfield is not completely gone.
He did not get out of second gear, instead opting to use the practice match for game fitness more than anything.
Zach Guthrie - 5
Guthrie was tasked to take a couple of kick outs from defence and had no troubles cutting through Hawthorn’s forward press.
He was solid without being spectacular, and was probably punished by the lack of opportunity he found down back.
Mark Blicavs - 6
Blicavs was relieved of any ruck duties with Stanley and Ceglar both playing, instead lining up on a wing for the majority of centre bounces.
He did head inside the centre square once, but for the most part Blicavs went head-to-head with Hawks recruit Josh Weddle and won that battle.
It is unlikely Blicavs plays that role in 2023, but he showed his running capacity up and down the ground.
He received a big knock from Hawk Jai Newcombe that resulted in a 50m penalty, but he played on despite the heavy hit.
Brad Close - 5
Close went without long sleeves for what seemed to be the first time in years, instead donning the traditional sleeveless jersey in the warm weather.
The small forward was seen working up the ground and running hard back towards goal, but he did not get on the end of the ball too much, instead providing good forward pressure at times.
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