AFL 2021: Geelong Cats news
The Cats are flying in the VFL and an experienced head is expecting his side to do some damage throughout this season.
Geelong
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THE undefeated Cats will get a taste of where it sits in the revamped VFL on Saturday against Casey, according to forward Josh Jenkins.
In their first three outings, Geelong thumped North Melbourne, squeezed past Sydney and comfortably dealt with Northern Bullants.
Geelong appears to be in a sweet spot with its VFL side, boasting quality AFL-listed regulars (Jenkins, Charlie Constable, Darcy Fort), shrewd former AFL players (Aaron Black, Darcy Lang, Jackson Thurlow) and hungry local talent (Jackson McLachlan, Jordan Johnston).
Jenkins said he was positive about where the team sits in the pecking order three weeks in, but much would depend on the health of the AFL side.
“You are only as good as probably your injury list because whenever you get an injury at AFL level you are losing your two or three best players at VFL level,” he said.
“Darcy Fort is probably one of the dominant rucks in the VFL competition and Charlie Constable is going to do what he does and get 25-30 touches every week.
“We have some quality VFL-listed guys as well. Darcy Lang was sensational (against the Bullants). Aaron Black has surprised me because I didn’t know he was such a good defender.
“If we can stay healthy at the AFL level we are going to give teams plenty to think about. I would say next week against Casey will be a truer reflection of where we sit.”
Jenkins has liked what he has seen from forwards McLachlan and Johnston, who he said had “AFL traits” and would “both be worthy of teams having a look at them in the mid-season or rookie draft”.
He has also spent time working with AFL-listed Cats Sam De Koning and Ben Jarvis and even as Jenkins slotted 7.5 on Thursday night, he was conscious of involving the youngsters.
“I enjoy helping guys pick up one or two things in their game and seeing that translate so I get a bit of enjoyment out of that as well,” Jenkins said.
While still keen to add to his tally of two AFL games for Geelong, Jenkins said he was appreciating playing without the spotlight at VFL level.
With newborn twins Piper and Willa at home, preparation isn’t what it used to be for the big man, who has bagged 13 goals in three VFL games this year.
“For me the shackles and the pressure are off a bit, I have really enjoyed that facet of VFL footy,” he said.
“You can lead a very normal life and still be able to perform. I am just enjoying that facet of the game and clearly its working for me at the moment.”
- JOSH BARNES
RICHMOND COACH DAMIEN HARDWICK DECLARES GEELONG THE BEST HE HAS FACED THIS YEAR
RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has declared Geelong “the best side we’ve played this year” after the Cats’second-half demolition on Friday night.
The Tigers have played Sydney, Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs in the first eight weeks of the season but three-time premiership coach labelled the Cats as the benchmark.
Geelong cleared a significant psychological hurdle in the 63-point thrashing, kicking kicked 18 goals to five after quarter-time against its nemesis to score only its second victory over the Tigers in the past eight meetings between the two powerhouse clubs.
In the three games since Jeremy Cameron’s debut against West Coast in Round 6, the Cats have averaged more disposals (+115), inside-50s (+18), clearances (+13), contested possessions (+34), uncontested possessions (+91), marks (+41) and tackles (+9) than their opposition.
Cameron has kicked 12 goals in his three games in the hoops to show why he was Geelong’s No 1 recruiting target.
The star forward’s addition has also allowed Gary Rohan to become a focal point in attack.
Rohan has kicked 10 majors in the past three weeks, including an equal career-high five against the Tigers.
It’s the equal-best three-week return for the enigmatic forward during his 150-game career, equalling his streak from the early rounds of 2019.
Hardwick said Geelong’s ability to break tackles in the second half, after the Tigers led by as much as 19 points early in the second term, was the difference in the game.
“The (margin) is 10 goals but it’s amazing if you nullify those contests … the game becomes a hell of a lot closer,” Hardwick said.
“They’re a well-coached, well-drilled outfit that is probably the best side we’ve played this year.”
Hardwick said Geelong was a better team that made last year’s grand final.
“Geelong are a very, very good side,” he said.
“We can see the way they go about their game, they’ve added talent from last year, you add (Shaun) Higgins, you add Isaac Smith, you add Jeremy Cameron, they’re three really good players, so they’ve got better again — we’ve got to catch them.”
Geelong also expects Esava Ratugolea to be fit for Friday night’s match against St Kilda after he was taken to the rooms following a heavy bump.
The Cats said Ratugolea had only suffered a poke in the eye and would be fine to meet the Saints.
But Sam Simpson (hamstring) and Luke Dahlhaus (chest) are both in doubt.
Simpson, in his first game of the year, game from the ground early in the third term and Dahlhaus was wincing in pain following a bump.
Dahlhaus came back on the ground but quickly returned to the bench and played no further part.
Richmond was missing triple premiership captain Trent Cotchin (hamstring), champion defender Dylan Grimes (concussion) and star on-ballers Kane Lambert (calf) and Dion Prestia (calf).
- TOBY PRIME
Originally published as AFL 2021: Geelong Cats news
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