AFL 2024: Every Geelong player rated from final pre-season game against Essendon

There were plenty of impressive performances in Geelong’s practice match, but one emerging star stood above the rest. Meanwhile, see who is in the frame for round one.

Shaun Mannagh celebrates a goal with teammates. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong ran over the top of the Bombers by 12 points in front of 11,000 fans at GMHBA Stadium, and several Cats made strong cases for a round one berth.

A number of players were trialled in different roles but it was Max Holmes who was the Cats’ best with a blistering display off halfback.

Geelong assistant coach Steven King said there are a host of players contending for their season opener against St Kilda.

“We even had some headaches just picking the squad of 26 for this week. As a coaching group we probably had a few boys play VFL today that our goal for them was to play four quarters of solid footy, which they got out as well,” King said.

“I think we will go away from this game and have a really good debate around what the best team looks like but we’re in a really fortunate position where we have got 32, probably 35 players we can legitimately play round one – we are really fit and healthy.”

See how every player fared.

GEELONG PLAYER RATINGS

#1 Rhys Stanley – Was well beaten by veteran Todd Goldstein in the first half but fought hard in the second to close the gap. At times you couldn’t help but wonder if the apprentice would’ve gone better than the master, with Toby Conway instead playing a full-game in the VFL.

#2 Zach Tuohy – Spent most of the game up the ground on a wing. The Irishman pushed forward to have a couple of set shots on goal, both which hung out to the right. Still, it was an encouraging display from the Irishman who is by no means a lock as a defender.

Zach Tuohy played on a wing. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

#4 Tanner Bruhn – His disposal was super clean, going at 90 per cent efficiency. The was epitomised by a deft pass inside 50 to set up a goal for Shannon Neale. Managed to win 20 disposals despite having 66 per cent time on ground, which bodes well for his push to become a full-time midfielder.

#5 Jeremy Cameron – One minute he was having a set shot, the next he was deep in defence lending a hand. Cameron could have easily had a few goals to his name but missed some gettable shots but he was moving well around the ground. Was taken off at three-quarter-time

#7 Shaun Mannagh – The VFL recruit didn’t get on until the second half, which was the case during the first practice game. Mannagh did look lively in limited minutes, booting a final-quarter goal, but it might be time to scratch him from your SuperCoach plans.

#8 Jake Kolodjashnij – Copped a knock and was taken out of the game in second half, but the Cats that the defender was instead managed. Played on a range of opponents in Geelong’s smaller defensive line-up.

#9 Max Holmes – You can see why rivals are after Holmes. His breakaway off halfback was damaging and he was also influential in the midfield as he finished as Geelong’s leading ball-winner. The Cats looked to get it in his hands at all costs and this should continue throughout the season.

#12 Jack Bowes – Didn’t come on until late in the third quarter but certainly made up for lost time, racking up 12 disposals in just over a quarter. Was used on a wing and also in the midfield. Still unclear whether he makes the round one side, but he couldn’t have done much more.

Jack Bowes came on late in the piece. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

#13 Jhye Clark – Had a host of eye-catching moments both offensively and defensively. The main highlight from the 2022 first round pick was two rundown tackles that resulted in holding the ball free kicks. His 17 disposals – which he dished off at an elite 94 per cent – doesn’t do his game justice. Looks to have booked his spot in round one after two eye-catching performances this pre-season.

#16 Sam De Koning – Blanketed Peter Wright until the Bomber big man went off at halftime, keeping him to four disposals. Looked to have added size and may well return to his 2022 form.

#18 Tyson Stengle – Was Geelong’s most dangerous forward inside 50 and one of their best on the night, finishing with an equal game-high three goals. Shades of his 2022 campaign.

#22 Mitch Duncan – Had some early fumbles but showed promising signs playing through the midfield in the first half, splitting his time between centre bonces and defence. Duncan gave the Cats some extra bounce off halfback when he was stationed there. A rare full pre-season for the veteran has him primed for a strong year.

#24 Jed Bews – Had some good moments one-on-one and generally used the ball well coming out of defence.

#26 Tom Hawkins – Not his usual dominant display against the Bombers. But Hawkins did kick the opening goal of the game, snapping through a set shot from the boundary after taking a strong juggling grab. Looks noticeably fitter, which bodes well for him given he managed 40 goals without a pre-season last year.

#28 Oliver Dempsey – Flew high once again to take a fantastic mark in the middle of the ground – but it wasn’t quite as good as last week’s hanger. His second quarter in particular was superb, with a smothered handball and another clever kick inside 50 both setting up forward forays. Capped his impressive pre-season with a late goal. Would be hard not to pick him for round one now.

Oliver Dempsey celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

#30 Tom Atkins – Only Mannagh and Bowes had less gametime than Atkins and he still managed to be Geelong’s leading tackler, laying five for the match to go with 13 touches. That says a bit about how Atkins goes about it.

#32 Gryan Miers – Took a little while to get into the game but got better as the game went on, hitting the scoreboard with a goal. Almost tried to do a bit much at times with his kicking inside 50.

#33 Shannon Neale – Had more influence than his four disposals suggests. Neale managed to kick a goal and spent some time in the ruck. Looking at his pre-season at a whole, Neale has presented a strong case to be picked for their season opener.

#34 Oisin Mullin – Was brought into the game at halftime and his speed off the mark caught the eye.

#35 Patrick Dangerfield – Looked to be manned closely at stoppages by Will Setterfield and was kept relatively quiet in the first half. But the Cats skipper came to life in the third quarter and nearly kicked a cracking goal at full speed in congestion.

Patrick Dangerfield is tackled by a Bomber. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

#38 Jack Henry – Was regularly matched up on Kyle Langford who ended up with three goals, but Henry got better as the game went on. Took a number of intercept marks and half his possessions were won off the opposition.

#39 Zach Guthrie – Lovely sidestep in the third was followed up by a kick out on the full. Provided some solid run from behind.

#42 Mark O’Connor – Is he a lock for Geelong’s round one side? Was solid but didn’t have much of an impact.

#44 Tom Stewart – Had close checking from Matt Guelfi in the first half but still got his hands on the footy, racking up 11 disposals to halftime. That included a rare goal. Was also impressive in the third quarter where he put his body on the line and defended strongly, before being rested for the final term.

#45 Brad Close – Provided one of the highlights of the game in the dying minutes with a specky at the top of the goalsquare. Slotted the goal but missed another relatively simple chance earlier. Got involved in plenty of scoring chains.

#46 Mark Blicavs – Attended centre bounces as a ruckman and an on-baller, showcasing the exceptional versatility of the running machine. Competed well around the ground as always and was the third-highest possession winner for the Cats.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Every Geelong player rated from final pre-season game against Essendon