All the news as the Cats prepare for Dockers test

Jeremy Cameron lit North Melbourne up with seven goals on Sunday and it was one aspect of his dominant performance that stood out to coach Chris Scott.

Star Cat Jeremy Cameron may have had his best individual day in the hoops on Sunday against North Melbourne but it was his connection with teammates that stood out to coach Chris Scott.

The freewheeling forward gave Kangaroos defenders nightmares in Hobart, booting 7.3, his best haul for Geelong, in a day of dominance.

Jeremy Cameron was the star of the show. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

His running mate Tom Hawkins booted four goals of his own, with the one-two punch now sitting first (Hawkins) and equal-second (Cameron) in the Coleman Medal race.

With Hawkins and Cameron combining for 11 majors, the Cats booted their second-highest score of the year in tallying 17.19 (121).

Geelong has always been confident Cameron could turn on the jets an rip apart an opponent on any given day but having been in-and-out of the side last year, he didn’t get a chance to build much cohesion with teammates.

Scott said he was impressed with the way Cameron worked with his forward group, as Tyson Stengle, Brad Close and Ollie Dempsey all supported their talls.

The Cats appeared confident of where Cameron would want the ball in the 60-point win, finding the former Giant out the back of his opponent on multiple occasions.

“Jeremy has been with us for a year-and-a-half but he had three hamstrings last year and not only missed games but missed training,” Scott said.

“We were always of the view that he is going to have outstanding individual games but what we are after is that cohesion in that group and I thought we saw some good signs of it today.

“I think he is best in combination with others.”

Cameron celebrates a goal with Gryan Miers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong’s front half will be tested at home against Fremantle n Saturday, as only the dominant Melbourne defence has conceded less than the Dockers’ 61.5 points per game in 2022.

Hawkins and Cameron have averaged 10.3 scoring shots per game this year and have found a way to both be dangerous at the same time.

“They got their shots (at goal against North Melbourne) that’s for sure and I thought Hawkins was a real threat as well,” Scott said.

“I think every side is trying to do that, that if the opposition puts too much of a bias towards one of your key forwards, the other one is gong to get a look.”

DEMPSEY IMPRESSES ON DEBUT

The message was clear from Geelong coach Chris Scott to debutant Ollie Dempsey – back your instincts.

The dangerous forward has developed rapidly since being drafted with pick 15 in the 2021 Rookie Draft from Carey Grammar, highlighted by his impressive debut in Geelong’s 17.19 (121)-9.7 (61) win over North Melbourne on Sunday.

“Just back my instincts was the main thing he (Scott) said, he said ‘we picked you for a reason, because we back your instincts, so back yourself’,” Dempsey said.

The 19-year-old finished with 16 disposals, one goal and eight score involvements and looked comfortable at the top level.

“I definitely had nerves before the game but once the game starts and the siren goes it’s just another game of footy,” he said.

“Just (had) to play composed and that was how I approached it and felt out there.”

Dempsey slotted into a forward line that has a lot of experience playing together and has welcomed Tyson Stengle into the fold this season.

Jeremy Cameron’s seven goals led the way in a best-on-ground performance, Tom Hawkins’ four and Tyson Stengle’s two rounding out the multiple goalkickers for the Cats.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena on April 24, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The unit once again had a high number of marks inside 50 (17) and laid seven forward 50 tackles.

“It’s unreal playing with two of the best in the game right now, definitely I think the two best key forwards on the same team which is nuts,” Dempsey said.

“It makes it so much easier as (another) forward to just play alongside them … it’s always good getting to their feet and crumbing.

“I feel like we’re really connected as a forward group and that’s why we kicked so many goals today (Sunday), just because we were all on the same page.

“I feel like I slotted right in there and I was really comfortable in there playing with all those guys.”

Dempsey said communication levels were high from his more experienced teammates, an important part of footy in all areas of the ground but especially important forward of the ball to help create easy scoring opportunities.

“They were very vocal and they told me before the game if I’m ever out of position just ask and they’ll say,” Dempsey said.

“I relied on them a lot, Jezz (Jeremy Cameron) and Hawk (Tom Hawkins) … it’s always good having them talking to you from behind which they did a lot which helped me.”

Dempsey’s support crew were on show at Blundstone Arena, a handful of friends making their support for the debutant known.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Ollie Dempsey of the Cats celebrates with fans during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena on April 24, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“There wasn’t too big of a crowd and it’s a smaller stadium so could definitely hear them,” Dempsey said.

“They’re the best, I’m so happy to have them as my friends, come down all the way from Melbourne to Tassie which was awesome from them.”

Originally published as All the news as the Cats prepare for Dockers test