Geelong Cats: Tanner Bruhn seeing his own development in 2023

Cats midfielder Tanner Bruhn believes the young Cats core will give Geelong fans hope of sustained success over the coming years.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Tanner Bruhn (left) and Tom Atkins of the Cats celebrate during the 2023 AFL Round 15 match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at GMHBA Stadium on June 22, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cats midfielder Tanner Bruhn says the young Geelong midfielders are starting to hit their straps in the back half of the season.

Geelong has been able to give substantial midfield time to Bruhn, Max Holmes, Tom Atkins and Mitch Knevitt, as well as blooding prized draftee Jhye Clark earlier in the year.

Bruhn said the older heads were guiding the young Cats through and teaching them valuable lessons while they developed.

“I think it’s exciting for us, but it’s also exciting for the fans, it gives them a bit of a picture of what the future will look like over the next few years,” he said.

Tanner Bruhn. Picture: Michael Klein.

“But at the same time the way that our leaders go about it, the way Pat (Dangerfield), ‘Blitz’ (Mark Blicavs) and even ‘Guths’ (Cam Guthrie), I know he hasn’t been out there, but each of them have been so good in teaching us young kids.

“There’s a really good mix at the minute, those older guys are still playing great footy and are really important for our success, but then the younger guys are learning off them and are ready to step in when they get the chance.”

Bruhn has impressed during his first season in the hoops, averaging 15.9 disposals, 4.6 tackles, 3.1 inside 50s, 2.9 marks, and 0.6 goals over 14 games this season.

Bruhn has enjoyed career-best numbers in 2023. Picture: Dylan Burns

The 21 year old started his Cats career in and out of the side, playing the opening three weeks of the season before being dropped and returning as the substitute in round 7, but has since played every game in the starting 22.

Bruhn said it had been difficult to initially adjust to his role in the Geelong side, but he felt he was in career-best form in the past month, averaging 19.5 touches per contest in the last four weeks.

“Pretty much the way I’d describe our season has probably been my story as well, especially the last four to six weeks,” he said.

“I think I’ve been building in a good way the last month or two, I feel like I’m in a good spot and I’m playing good footy, and as a team we’re hitting our straps too.

“All the boys are in a great spot, everyone’s training well and we’re finally getting that turning into good form.”

Geelong will travel to Brisbane to face the Lions in a ladder-defining clash on Saturday afternoon.

Originally published as Geelong Cats: Tanner Bruhn seeing his own development in 2023