The beginning of a football season usually brings with it a degree of loud sentiment. However, if the first two rounds of the 2013 VFL season are anything to go by, it’s a quiet approach for the reigning premiers.
Two workmanlike, yet still equally solid, wins against two finals sides from 2012 again positions Geelong nicely. It’s a perfect two from two in the title defence’s infancy as Kane Hunkin reports.
The tone was set early last Sunday afternoon. Cam Guthrie, returning from injury, backed into a pack and took the knock early. Despite haphazard kicking and at times indifferent displays, the Cats had stated their intentions.
For ardent Cats fans, in points the game was of a secondary concern. The return of Daniel Menzel from a spate of ACL injuries and also the addition of veteran Josh Hunt provided the main interest.
Three quick Sandringham goals to begin the third looked ominous, but it was the home side, kicking 10 of the last 12 goals of the game, that proved too strong.
It was perhaps the little, incidental signs that were most affirming in victory. Whether it was Menzel’s snap goal late in the third to give Geelong the lead or the five goal effort of second-year player Joel Hamling playing as key forward in the absence of Josh Walker and Shane Kersten, the signs were promising.
Moreover, the balance between AFL-listed and VFL-aligned players again appears right. While primary listed players George Horlin-Smith (29 possessions) and Cam Eardley (25) were among the best, Troy Selwood (29), Ben Raidme (27) and Mark Corrigan (24) also featured prominently.
In the rooms, Geelong coach Matthew Knights observed the welcome return of Menzel, noting the effort he put in to get back to playing football.
“I said to the players at three-quarter time, it’s not so much about today, it’s about all the work he [Menzel] has done to get to this point and play – all the challenges he has had both physically and mentally. The boys were really keen to reward him and have a win,” Knights said.
A point not lost on the coach is the continual need to improve and develop within the playing group. Complacency after last season’s impressive feats seems unlikely according to Knights.
“This group has got great character…to grind it out the way we did was just outstanding for the players. We feel like we’ve come back into the season trying to improve and develop again as a team [and] to not rest on what was achieved last season. We feel we’ve got a lot of scope for improvement.”
Geelong now welcome the Box Hill Hawks to Simonds Stadium this Saturday, with the sides squaring off for the first time since last year’s memorable semi-final.
It’s a simple equation of ‘so far, so good’ for the Cats in 2013. As Knights aptly summarises, “It’s exciting at the club to be involved with young players that play the right way.”
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 18/04/2013 12:45