Geelong VFL: Scouting notes from practice match against Essendon VFL

Jack Martin and several other AFL listed Cats were in action in a VFL curtain-raiser, and a host of familiar names from the Geelong region shone. See the full notes here.

Jack Martin played a half in Geelong’s VFL practice match against Essendon. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Geelong recruit Jack Martin got through a half of a VFL practice match unscathed as St Joseph’s goalkicker Paddy De Grandi turned heads in his first hitout for the Cats.

Martin has been carefully managed this pre-season but didn’t hold back in Geelong’s 17-point loss to Essendon on Tuesday afternoon, which was a curtain-raiser to their AFL clash.

Nine AFL-listed featured in the hit-out but it was local star De Grandi who was arguably the most impressive for Geelong the with three goals, with Lorne’s Charlie McCartin also standing tall in defence.

For the Bombers, recent Colac signing Oskar Smartt impressed with two goals.

See how Geelong’s AFL players fared and all the local standouts.

The Cats have have been cautious with Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

HOW EVERY AFL LISTED CAT FARED

#1 Rhys Stanley

Was probably beaten by Goldstein but had some good moments, including a bursting run out of a centre clearance after roving his own tap. Also showed good bodywork to win a couple of free kicks in the third term. Cats assistant said post-game that he remains in the mix for opening round selection despite his VFL stint and Sam De Koning appearing to hold the No.1 ruck mantle.

#2 Jay Polkinghorne

Keep an eye out for this high-flyer in the future. Geelong’s first pick of the 2024 draft booted the first two goals of the game from marks and took another nice grab one-on-one in the third term, but sprayed it on the full.

#15 George Stevens

Stevens played primarily through the midfield, using his strong frame to win clearances and lay tackles. Out of contract, it’s a defining year for the 189cm Cat and he has the size to step in if injuries strike Geelong’s AFL midfielders.

#14 Connor O’Sullivan

Played in a shortened quarter to finish the VFL contest and didn’t get much action before playing 40 per cent gametime in the AFL match.

Connor O'Sullivan looks for an option in the AFL game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

#19 Jack Martin

Cats fans would have winced watching the injury-prone Martin throw himself at loose balls, but it showed he has a level of confidence in his body. The former Blue and Sun was quiet early but worked into the game in the second quarter with a couple of deft passes. Martin’s day came to an end at halftime and he was forced to complete run throughs on the empty GMHBA Stadium at the main break.

#21 Oli Wiltshire

Wiltshire was plucked from local footy and he continues to produce little eye-catching moments each time he plays. The craft small forward kicked one of the goals of the day with a right foot snap running towards the right hand pocket — just as he did last week in the AFL match simulation against Hawthorn. Don’t be surprised to see him debut in 2025.

#24 Jed Bews

Was named in the AFL line-up but played a full VFL game instead — a surprise given he performed strongly in last year’s finals series. Bews found a fair bit of the footy early and used his speed off the mark on a couple of occasions to intercept. The former junior pole vault star tried to take a hanger in the defensive half but couldn’t quite bring it down.

#27 Patrick Retschko

Retschko had a couple of nice touches but was relatively quiet.

#37 Joe Pike

Promoted from Geelong’s VFL program in last year’s rookie draft, Pike was back-up ruck to Stanley. He competed strongly in the air but Goldstein was a class above at stoppages. Slipped over on his lonesome at one point which wasn’t his finest moment.

GEELONG LOCAL STANDOUTS

#51 Charlie McCartin (Lorne)

McCartin had AFL clubs watching him in action for Lorne last year and his intercepting and precise left boot caught the eye against the Bombers. The brother of 2014 No.1 pick Paddy McCartin and Swans stopper Charlie, is a good size at 194cm and had his work cut out at times trying to contain Peter Wright.

#52 Jack Sarcevic (Bell Park)

The dynamic Bell Park forward kicked a cracking goal from deep in the pocket and looked dangerous when the ball was in his area. Always looked to take the game on with his speed.

Bell Park's Jack Sarcevic celebrates a goal in last year’s GFNL elimination final. Picture: Mike Dugdale

#54 Taj Wyburd (Ocean Grove)

Crossing to Geelong after winning a premiership with Peel Thunder in the WAFL last year, Wyburd made an immediate impression in the hoops. The 174cm playmaker laid two desperate rundown tackles which were rewarded with free kicks and hit a target inside 50 with a sizzling pass in the second term. Wyburd had the chance to put the icing on the cake in the last quarter but missed a sitter from close range, but it certainly didn’t dampen his encouraging showing.

#60 Paddy De Grandi (St Joseph’s)

De Grandi earned a spot on Geelong VFL’s training squad after he finished with 61 goals from 20 games for St Joseph’s. And the 193cm key forward showed he well and truly belongs at state league level. De Grandi, 24, kicked two goals in a flash in the first quarter and a strong pack mark saw him slot his third major late in the piece. Joeys coach Ron Watt might not be seeing much of him this year.

Paddy De Grandi was a prolific goalkicker for the Joeys last season. Picture: Mark Wilson

#64 Patrick Hughes (Torquay)

Toiled hard all afternoon on the inside as usual. Perhaps his most impressive part of his game was his chase on quick Bombers draftee Rhys Unwin on the wing, highlighting the work he has put in to improve his speed.

#67 Kobe George (Bell Park)

The Falcons graduate kicked a nice goal on the run in the third term.

#63 Oskarr Smartt (Essendon/Colac)

Smartt signed with Colac over the summer, but he might not be there much after this showing. He finished with two goals, the highlight a difficult goal on the run from range on a difficult angle, and provided great pressure up forward. Smartt was in the mid-season draft frame last year after impressing for Essendon VFL and in the Young Guns showcase games.

Originally published as Geelong VFL: Scouting notes from practice match against Essendon VFL