Geelong Cats: Toby Conway strong in debut

It was not the result the Cats wanted in Isaac Smith and Sam Menegola’s farewell game, but the next generation was on show at GMHBA Stadium.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - August 26 , 2023. AFL . Toby Conway of the Cats during the round 24 match between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

The next generation is now.

Geelong’s fans still found a way to pack out GMHBA Stadium to watch their side play in a dead-rubber contest with the Western Bulldogs, with seven changes to the Cats side signalling a lacklustre end to a disappointing season.

But the contest was anything but lacklustre, with Geelong booting the first goal through retiring great Isaac Smith, and if it was not for its early inaccuracies the Cats would have easily led the contest from quarter time.

Geelong fans were also treated to two debuts, with project ruck Toby Conway taking the first centre bounce of the night, winning the opening hit out and impressing early in the contest.

Cats coach Chris Scott hinted during the week that the 20-year-old Falcons product would be shouldering the ruck load, with the recalled Rhys Stanley set to offer a marking target inside the forward 50.

While Conway was the clear first-choice ruck in the contest, a nod to 2024, Stanley showed he was deserving of a contract extension to maintain some depth for the Cats after Jon Ceglar announced his retirement.

One player who is fighting for a contract extension, albeit not at Geelong, is Sam Menegola, who was impressive in the contest.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - August 26 , 2023. AFL . Toby Conway of the Cats battles in the ruck with Bulldog Tim English during the round 24 match between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

Menegola was informed during the week that his first game of the 2023 season would be his last for Geelong, with the Cats’ list managers not offering the 32 year old a contract extension.

He had 14 touches in the opening half, providing strong run and carry over the grass of GMHBA Stadium, and finished on 27 disposals.

But the highlights came mostly from Geelong’s injection of youth, with Conway finishing on six disposals and 24 hit outs, winning the hit out count over English.

Ollie Henry enjoyed life as the number one forward option, kicking three goals from five scoring shots and finishing with eight disposals.

He also almost took the mark of the year, and possibly the decade, in the second quarter when he jumped on Rory Lobb’s shoulders.

Mitch Knevitt had glimpses of excellence playing on a half forward flank, and Shannon Neale showed plenty of promise as a key forward with a few contested grabs and his first-ever goal.

Debutant Ted Clohesy was subbed on in the last quarter, replacing Knevitt, and got into the action quickly.

The St Joseph’s product finished with five disposals.

Originally published as Geelong Cats: Toby Conway strong in debut