Geelong v Richmond practice match: All the standouts, news and reaction from AFL pre-season clash
If Richmond’s first practice match is anything to go by, this Tiger is going to have a massive 2022. Plus, an ageing Cat showed he has plenty left in him.
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Geelong’s decision to take a punt on delisted free agent Tyson Stengle could pay huge dividends as the former Crow staked a massive claim to play in the Round 1 clash with Essendon next month.
Stengle, 23, was sacked by Adelaide last March after a series of off-field indiscretions with his two-club AFL career in massive jeopardy before turning in a strong SANFL season with Woodville-West Torrens.
The livewire forward, who was taken by the Cats in November, looms as an important part of the club’s forward dynamic after booting 4.3 in his first game in the blue and white hoops.
Stengle was the clear highlight for the Cats in their 18-point loss to Richmond in a spirited practice match at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
He all but booked his spot in the Cats’ opening match against the Bombers in what would be his first AFL game in around 18 months.
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Star defender Tom Stewart made a welcome return from injury, while the Cats also hinted that skipper Joel Selwood will spend more time in attack at stages of this season.
Geelong assistant coach James Kelly said Stengle had worked exceptionally hard over the summer months to prove he had what it takes to revive his AFL career.
“From my point of view, how he has come into the footy club and how he has been training, joining in and connecting with the players has been great,” Kelly said after the match.
“We can’t fault him.
“That shows in the way he is playing his footy. Continuity is a really important thing in footy and he has had that from when he first got here.”
Stengle adds a different dimension to the three-pronged big-man attack of Tom Hawkins (four goals), Jeremy Cameron (one goal) and Esava Ratugolea.
“He (Stengle) is someone who is good with the ground ball, who is very clever and he kicked that goal in the pocket … good teams need … someone who can make something out of nothing,” Kelly said.
“Having said that, in the air he brings the ball to ground against bigger opponents at times.
“It makes him hard to match up on. You (could) put a smaller player on him and he might take a few marks and you put a bigger guy on him and he could chop them up on the ground. We are just very pleased he is here and he is fitting in well at the club.”
At times the Cats showed a slightly slicker use of the ball, which is something they have been working on in terms of their on-field movement, according to Kelly.
Selwood and senior coach Chris Scott had been working ways to slightly alter his role, as the Cats look to prolong the 33-year-old’s sensational AFL career.
“We would like to have a look at Joel forward, we would like to have a look at Joel on the wing, but also around the ball, and potentially at half-back,” Kelly said.
“It’s probably a bit unfair to keep asking Joel to keep doing what he has been doing in the midfield all day every day for a whole season.”
Kelly said it was a relief to see Stewart get through the practice match in good order, in his first game back since injuring his Lisfranc late last season.
“He hasn’t missed a beat at training; he is the ultimate professional.”
Who starred?
GEELONG
Stengle went a long way to booking a Round 1 berth against Essendon next month - and his first AFL game in 18 months - after an exciting four-goal first-up effort for his new club.
The Cats may have lowered their colours to a talent-rich Richmond - with Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch back from injury - by 18 points in a spirited practice match at GMHBA Stadium.
But it was the performance of the former Crow and Tiger Stengle that stood out for the home side, as his forward craft and goalkicking nous added an extra dimension to their attack.
His second goal came from when he shook his opponent deep in the goal square, earning praise from Cats’ development coach Eddie Betts at the main break.
Stengle has had his off-field challenges, but no one has ever questioned his talent.
Now he has the chance to write another chapter of an AFL career that has looked over at stages.
Those questioning Shaun Higgins’ place in the Cats’ 2022 line-up might need to start re-assessing after a strong effort on Saturday.
He relished the chance to spend a little more time in the midfield in the absence of Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola, and was responsible for many forays forward early on.
Tom Stewart was solid, as always, in defence in his first game back from that Lisfranc injury that ended his 2021 season, complete with a practice match hanger.
Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron worked exceptionally hard with four goals and one goal respectively, but it could easily have been more with some accurate goalkicking.
RICHMOND
The Tigers looked sharp from start to finish.
Shai Bolton looks set for a big season after looking dangerous through the midfield, including a superb goal from the boundary line at the end of the third term.
He looks to have another level to go to after his impressive 2021.
Tom Lynch got what he needed out of this match, kicking three early goals and looking a lively option in his first game back from a hamstring issue.
Shane Edwards was solid as always, Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo worked well together in the ruck, while Dustin Martin produced some of his exciting cameos out of the middle.
It was Martin’s first game since he lacerated his kidney back in Round 18 last year, with a highlight coming in the second term with a run through the middle ending with a mark to Lynch on the long lead.
The tightening of the umpire dissent rule the Tigers penalised after they claimed a Jed Bews had been touched, with a free kick being paid against them at the next centre bounce.
Magnets moved
GEELONG
The Cats are looking to add Sam De Koning to their defence this season and he had his hands full with the likes of Lynch and Riewoldt at stages.
Having managed only one game last season, there is the expectation the Cats will give the 20-year-old a chance to cement a spot this year.
He seemed to fit in well in defence, with his headband almost matching those worn by Stewart, Mark Blicavs and Zach Guthrie.
Higgins spent more time in the midfield that he did in many games last year, while Joel Selwood was able to drift between the middle of the ground and forward - which could be a forerunner of a slight positional change this year.
RICHMOND
The return of the Tigers’ “forgotten man” Soldo will mean some respite for Nankervis, with the pair likely to form a tough ruck partnership this season.
Noah Balta will play forward this season and provide an extra avenue in attack, even if he is still developing in the role.
It will be fascinating to see how Damien Hardwick balances the three-man tall attack with Balta, Lynch and Riewoldt a potential threat to opposition defensive units.
Recruit watch
GEELONG
Most of the Cats’ young hopefuls including Cooper Stephens – who came off looking a bit sore at one stage – Cooper Whyte and Shannon Neale only got a look-in late, but had a bit more game time in the secondary game that followed.But all the talk was about Stengle, who has settled into the club well.
RICHMOND
Former Kangaroo Robbie Tarrant and the Tigers’ first round draft pick Josh Gibcus had their hands full with the Cats’ power forwards in Hawkins and Cameron.
Their synergy will improve, while the return of Dylan Grimes will help.
The Tigers went with a mainly senior side for the first four quarters, but Tom Brown got some game time late, as did Tyler Sonsie.
Round 1 bolters
GEELONG
No prizes for guessing ... Stengle appears to be a lock for the Cats’ Round 1 clash with Essendon.
RICHMOND
Gibcus is a chance for the Round 1 clash with Carlton and didn’t look out of place against one of the most potent attacks in the game.
Hugo Ralphsmith played six games last year, but could be a chance to find a slot on the half back flank after some solid work in last week’s match simulation as well as against the Cats.
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Originally published as Geelong v Richmond practice match: All the standouts, news and reaction from AFL pre-season clash
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