Loading
Having built his reputation on the wing, emerging Cats star Ollie Dempsey spent much of the game as an inside midfielder and appears set for another robust season. Young midfielder Jhye Clark continued to make excellent strides. Shannon Neale was a man mountain in front of goal. There were also encouraging signs in the ruck, duties shared by Sam De Koning, Mitch Edwards and Joe Pike with veteran Rhys Stanley missing.
For the Hawks, former North Melbourne defender Flynn Perez and VFL star Jack Riding did their best to win the two remaining list spots ahead of the March 2 deadline (should the Hawks opt to fill both spots). Riding’s strong work in tight was impressive, while Perez, with 24 senior games to his credit, was solid in defence and converted a 50m set shot off a free kick in the second term to boost his hopes.
Given only the first half, skipper James Sicily moved well and is over the shoulder and groin/hip injuries which curbed his influence last year. Josh Weddle, who is likely to spend more time on a wing in the season proper, spent most of his time in defence. There is always a buzz when Nick Watson has – or is near – the ball.
Familiar face: James Worpel stepped out for the Cats for the first time.Credit: AFL Photos
Midfielder Josh Ward was a stand-out, and is firmly in line to take Worpel’s spot. Jarman Impey, donning Will Day’s No.12 guernsey, provided dash from halfback. Mitch Lewis moved well inside attacking 50 and further afield, while fellow forward Calsher Dear was also a target in the first term before he left the field.
Injuries
Geelong: Tanner Bruhn (illness) was a late withdrawal. Brad Close was involved in a heavy collision with Karl Amon but returned to the field.
Hawthorn: Dear took a knock to the ribs in a marking contest in the first term but returned to the field, and had an impact.
Absent
Hawthorn: Jack Ginnivan, Will Day, Cam Nairn, Will McCabe, Matt Leray, Cody Anderon, Jack Dalton, James Blanck, Matt Hill, Jamie Uhr-Henry, Tom Barrass*, Jack Gunston*, Josh Battle*, Blake Hardwick*
Geelong: Rhys Stanley, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Conway, Shaun Mannagh, Jake Kolodjashnij, Tyson Stengle, Jack Martin, Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Zach Guthrie, Mark Blicavs, Tanner Bruhn, Patrick Dangerfield*, Bailey Smith*, Max Holmes*, Tom Stewart*, Lawson Humphries*.
(*Played in Origin on Saturday)
What the coaches said
Hawthorn assistant coach David Hale praised Nick Watson’s strong output.
“He has had a great summer. He has done everything right. He has got himself into really good condition [to play in the midfield]. It wasn’t surprising the way he played – we have seen that in the pre-season games. We want to expose him a little more around the ball, obviously with Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald as well. Those types of players we think can bring an x-factor to the group we have got,” Hale said.
Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly said forward Ollie Henry had impressed, having been overlooked late last year.
“He has been working really hard on his game, really disappointed he wasn’t in the team late last year … he went to work, he has got a lot fitter, covering the ground really well,” Rahilly said.
The verdict
That Geelong were severely depleted made this contest hard to judge. Their depth appears sound, while a centre-square set up of De Koning, Worpel, Atkins and Dempsey was still A grade. They now prepare to face Carlton in a community series clash on February 25. The Hawks know they have work to do if they are to vault into true premiership contention. To do so, they need more class and drive through the midfield, particularly with Day injured (and plans to acquire Zach Merrett falling over). Watson and Connor Macdonald have trained as midfielders through the summer, and will add drive. The Hawks now face the Western Bulldogs in a community series clash on February 27.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter
