Geelong youngster Mitch Knevitt on his promising round one performance and Patrick Dangerfield advice

While Patrick Dangerfield is out of the Cats midfield for the most part, he has played a key role in moulding Geelong’s newest on-baller. The growing Cat reflects on his steep improvement.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield may be out of the engine room for the most part, but some key advice from the ageing superstar has helped one of their newest midfielders emerge.

Dangerfield has stood up in the clinches throughout his illustrious career and he has instilled that ‘see ball, get ball’ mentality in 22-year-old midfielder Mitch Knevitt.

Drafted from the Geelong Falcons as a tall inside midfielder, Knevitt had only been used sparingly in the centre square across his first 14 games — four of those coming last season.

But after a strong finish to the VFL season last year in the role – including a dominant display in their semi-final — and an even better pre-season, the Grovedale product was a pivotal part of Geelong’s midfield against Fremantle alongside Tom Atkins, Max Holmes, Tom Stewart and Bailey Smith.

And Knevitt passed his first test with flying colours as he strives to cement himself in the Cats side.

Mitch Knevitt shoots out a handball. Picture: Michael Klein

Knevitt conceded he took a while to get going – possession-less at quarter time — but he went on to tally 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 11 tackles up against Dockers stars Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw.

The 193 centimetre Cat says he is finding his feet at AFL level with the guidance of Dangerfield.

“I think Pat has really helped me with my confidence at times, being that man and trying to win the ball more, he has been really good for that,” Knevitt said.

“I think it was just finding my feet. I had that confidence in VFL I felt, and then I probably just wanted to play whatever role there was (in the senior side) and sort of get a spot.

“At times that might be to win the ball, at times that might be to play on the wing or go forward or whatever. I don’t think I lack (confidence), I think it was just a good reminder from Pat there to help me out.

“I think I brought my pressure early (against Fremantle) which was the main focus for me. And the rest will come over time, but pressure was a focus and as a team we sort of brought that I thought – especially those first two quarters.”

Smith was the headline act in his Cats debut on Saturday and Knevitt has looked to follow his example since the bumper recruit joined the club in the trade period.

Mitch Knevitt flies to take a mark. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He has definitely been good for my footy as well. He works so hard and he is easy to learn off and work with as well,” Knevitt said.

“He is a hard worker, you can take stuff from him, he’s eager, he’s happy to help younger boys even use his leadership at times as well.”

Knevitt’s size and overhead marking gives the Cats a different look in the midfield with the burst of ‘Baz’ and Max Holmes – who starred with 24 disposals and two goals in round one – and the grunt of Tom Atkins (12 tackles) and Jack Bowes.

But as the third quarter showed, the Cats still have work to do to be a consistent midfield group.

“I think we have a good mix, we still do have lapses at times as you probably saw in the third quarter that we can get on top of,” Knevitt said.

“We just want to be as connected as possible – I think playing more footy together will help that.”

Like Knevitt, 2023 first round pick Connor O’Sullivan had an impressive off-season and was part of Geelong’s win over Fremantle, with an injury to Jake Kolodjashnij opening the door for the young key defender.

Knevitt was thrilled to see the 19-year-old get his chance after playing just one AFL game last season.

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

“He is great, he is one of my favourite teammates to play with to be honest. Played a lot with him last year, he is so good to have down back behind the ball,” Knevitt said.

“Uses his voice well, he is great to play with. He brings that intensity as well and it’s been good to see him have a good pre-season and now be rewarded as well.”

Knevitt is a popular rookie pick in SuperCoach and he rewarded his 77,000 owners with 82 points in round one.

And he is thankful not too many of his mates play – or so he thinks, anyway.

“If they did, they wouldn’t tell me because I wouldn’t want to know to be honest, that extra pressure,” he said with a laugh.

“I haven’t focused on it too much, I’m not doing it this year so we’ll see what happens.”

Originally published as Geelong youngster Mitch Knevitt on his promising round one performance and Patrick Dangerfield advice