Jimmy Bartel breaks clear against Collingwood. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun
IT WAS a mix of reliable regular performers and exciting new talent for Geelong in its practice match romp against Collingwood yesterday.
Gold Coast trade Josh Caddy and former athlete Mark Blicavs put in their bids for AFL season starts with impressive performances in the 51-point win at Simonds Stadium.
Caddy ran up 20 possessions and booted two goals with his strong work in the midfield and up forward in what Cats coach Chris Scott described as collectively "an overwhelmingly positive'' final tune-up.
"It was pretty important for Josh. He's still learning our system, he's one of a few players who hasn't been exposed to it for long and he got a lot of game-time leading into the season," Scott said.
"It wasn't crucial for his chances of playing Round 1. I've been pretty happy with the way he has been playing and he took another step forward today."
And Blicavs underlined that he might be able to hold down a ruck role if required early in the season. The steeplechase convert complemented his running ability with quick hands as he held his own in the ruck battles with experienced Magpie Darren Jolly.
"He just gives us another dimension. We're a long way from deciding what our best look is in there, but there's some chance he's a part of that even when our big guys come back," Scott said.
"I don't know how switched on Collingwood was, but in the NAB series against pretty good opposition, he has looked like he belongs. He still has a lot to learn, but if he continues the rate, he's going to be a capable footballer.
"I'm not one for massive statements, but there has never been a 198cm footballer who can run like him. If he doesn't play in the ruck, we're confident he can play in different positions.''
Billy Smedts gets tackled by Nick Maxwell. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun
The slick, quick Cats had an astonishing 14 goalkickers, with Jimmy Bartel, James Podsiadly, Allen Christensen, Mitch Brown and Caddy the multiple scorers. And that massive scoring sheet didn't include Tom Hawkins.
Collingwood scrounged only five goals in the first half, but the Pies dramatically lifted their workrate with 6.3 to 3.7 in the third quarter in a far more competitive effort.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said the "intensity reflected the practice match", but he wasn't happy the Cats had 41 scoring shots.
"The game plan is good, we're moving the ball all right. If you take today out of the equation, we feel like we've really progressed to where we need to be," Buckley said.
Big forward Quinten Lynch underlined his importance as an alternate target with four goals and Travis Cloke bagged only two in a fast, open contest made for high scoring.
Magpie Dane Swan in action against Geelong. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun
And Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan were the only players to amass more than 30 possessions to indicate they're ready to go.
Suspended pair Steve Johnson and James Kelly will play with Geelong's VFL team today against a Collingwood team that contains Andrew Krakouer and Ben Hudson.
The Pies were missing at least eight regulars, including Luke Ball, Dale Thomas, Ben Reid, Alan Didak, Alex Fasolo, while Clinton Young was a late withdrawal with a suspected calf injury.
It was the first time a Collingwood team has played at the Cats' home since Round 15, 1999.
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