Geelong VFL v Werribee: The 10 Cats who have powered Geelong to VFL finals
The ‘Shaun Mannagh Cup’ is coming up as Werribee clashes with Geelong in the VFL finals. We take a closer look at the AFL-listed Cats and local players who have shone this season.
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Geelong VFL takes on Werribee in a ‘Shaun Mannagh Cup’ qualifying final on Saturday, but coach Mark Corrigan won’t be asking the former Tiger for any advice.
“I certainly hit ‘Shauny’ up the first time we played them and it didn’t work that well, so I have sort of given him a bit of a wide berth this time because I think he led me up the beaten path,” Corrigan said with a laugh.
Geelong hasn’t played Werribee since its 53-point loss in round one, where the Tigers controlled the ball and overwhelmed them with their pressure.
“They are strong for a reason, they play a really connected brand of footy, they defend really well and they are strong at the contest so for us we know contest is a strength of ours and something we will focus heavily on,” Corrigan said.
“Early on in the year they really showed us how the play, we just weren’t ready for their pressure – they are the No.1 pressure team. We’ve just got to be ready to be up for the fight.
“I think it’s probably moreso about the players specifically, they are playing a similar brand of footy to last year but all-in all it is pretty evident to see what they do really well.
“For us it is going to be about how we win some forward half footy out of stoppage and contest and how we take away their capacity to move the ball.”
AFL-listed key defender Sam De Koning will make his return from injury for the Cats, while Gary Rohan also comes into the side after being managed from the final AFL home-and-away round.
The match kicks off at 12pm at Avalon Airport Oval and there will be plenty of Geelong local talents on show for both sides.
Former Geelong listed defender Cooper Whyte, St Mary’s midfielder Matthew Keast and Lara ball-winner Connor Thar are among the locals for Werribee, while St Mary’s youngster Kade Chalcraft, Torquay bull Patrick Hughes and St Joseph’s forward Lewis Antonac are in Geelong’s side.
10 VFL/AFL PLAYERS WHO HAVE POWERED CATS TO FINALS
Mitch Hardie
Hardie’s outstanding VFL form has left keen Cats observers perplexed as to why he isn’t getting a game. In his first full season at Geelong, the 2022 mid-season draftee has averaging 29 disposals, seven score involvements, six clearances, five tackles and close to a goal per game. His all-round midfield game isn’t the only thing standing out, with his leadership also crucial among the group. Hardie turns 27 in September and couldn’t have done much more to earn himself a new deal.
Shaun Mannagh
He won’t be out there to face his former side, but Mannagh produced some scintillating performances as he learnt a new forward role in the reserves. His stunning six-goal haul – also tallying 21 disposals, 10 tackles and 179 SuperCoach points – got him back into the seniors and he hasn’t looked back. Booted 23 goals in eight games.
Lawson Humphries
Before he had fans reaching for the footy record asking, ‘who is this guy?’, the composed and elite kicking defender was producing the same stuff at VFL level. Coach Chris Scott said they had spoken at length about him debuting before he was given a run in round 16, which speaks to how well he was going in his first season at the Cats.
Brandan Parfitt
Parfitt spent rounds 2-6 in the AFL but has played just two senior games since. The 26-year-old has proved once again he is far too good for the VFL with his clearance winning ability, averaging 26 disposals and seven clearances per game. This publication reported this week that the unrestricted free agent is yet to be offered a new contract and that Melbourne and West Coast have shown a level of interest, and that is sure to grow if his VFL form continues.
Jed Bews
Another who has been stuck in the twos for most of the year, Bews has gotten better as the year has gone on. A dour defender at AFL level, Bews has had greater attacking licence in the reserves, where he has kicked goals in three of his last four VFL games. But he wasn’t named in Geelong’s VFL side for their qualifying final which is a promising sign for his chances of facing the Power in Adelaide.
Mitch Knevitt
Knevitt has been used more on the inside this year and has showcased exciting potential as a tall on-baller – a role he thrived in at the Geelong Falcons. The 193cm midfielder’s best performance came in his last VFL game, where he racked up 32 disposals and booted two goals. Has only played four VFL games – dropped after his recall in round 23 – compared to eight last year, but this is down to Geelong’s availability more than anything.
Ted Clohesy
Clohesy is another who has benefited from more midfield time, with his manic defensive pressure, ball-winning and tackling pressure standing out as a mid-forward. He kicked three goals and had 27 disposals, eight tackles and 140 SuperCoach points against Richmond in round 10 and has scored more than 120 points in six of his last eight matches.
Dan Capiron
Geelong’s VFL skipper has been The Rock of Gibraltar in defence for the Cats. The experienced key defender is averaging 16 disposals, six intercepts and a tick under three intercept marks per game, clunking 12 in a fortnight against Richmond and Sydney. Will continue to be an important part in the finals both on and off the field.
Patrick Hughes
A dominant midfielder at junior level, the joint-Morrish medallist was forced to learn a new forward role. The 19-year-old has been a constant in the Cats side since he was called up from Torquay, and he has been able to impact inside 50 and up forward against seasoned bodies. Corrigan feels he is a 19-year-old who plays like a 25-year-old, which sums up his strength and footy smarts. Has had an impressive season against senior bodies for someone his age.
Marcus Herbert
Herbert has played in a range of different roles for the Cats this season and has spent more time in the midfield, where his ability to weave through traffic has been a highlight. He is hard to miss in his black headband but his on-field ability has been just as eye-catching, averaging 21 disposals, five intercepts and 92 SuperCoach points per game in his third VFL season.
Originally published as Geelong VFL v Werribee: The 10 Cats who have powered Geelong to VFL finals
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