Gun back for Cats

In-form Dobson picked to take on Tigers

ST MARY’S gun forward Sam Dobson has been recalled to the Geelong VFL side to face Richmond tomorrow afternoon, after producing an incredible seven weeks in the GFL.

Dobson sits second in the GFL goalkicking with 32 majors from his seven outings, including three bags of seven against fellow flag contenders St Joseph’s, Colac and Leopold.

He snared three in his side’s win over South Barwon last weekend, leaving Cats coach Shane O’Bree no choice but to reinstate the livewire forward.

“Sam Dobson definitely will play. Dobbo’s form is too good at GFL level to leave out,” O’Bree said.

“Against Williamstown, I thought we lacked one tall key forward to help our structure ahead of the ball, so Dobbo comes into the team this week.”

Dobson, who kicked 11 goals in eight games for the Cats last season, has played just one match this season, in a big Round 2 loss to Port Melbourne.

“He probably had an interrupted pre-season; didn’t start footy training until February,” O’Bree said.

“He played our pre-season game, was going OK. Played his first game of the season, but he wasn’t in the form what he is at the moment in GFL level.

“He’s just gone back and worked on his game; he’s probably been unlucky not to be in the team earlier, but the amount of goals he’s been kicking and how well he’s been marking the ball and playing at St Mary’s, he deserves his opportunity.”

The Cats are coming off their second bye in three weeks, with a disappointing loss to Williamstown a fortnight ago coming in between.

In the eight minutes following three-quarter-time, the Seagulls piled on five goals to end the Cats’ chances.

O’Bree said his side would continue to look for the best midfield mix to help curtail opposition run-ons.

“I think we’ve got a real flexible team that can go through the midfield and everyone’s got their strengths and weaknesses and what they bring to the table as a midfielder,” he said.

“It’s just when the heat’s on and the momentum goes against us, the type of players we actually need in there to nullify or make it a bit of a fight just to get it on our terms, so we've just got to keep finding the right mix when that happens.

“It’s one of those things, it’s frustrating as coaches and players we haven’t been able to put two good games together but we’ve responded every other time this year and I’m expecting the boys to come ready to play on Saturday.”

O’Bree said Richmond posed a valuable test.

“They’re definitely attacking better than what we are; hopefully our defensive mechanisms can take place of their attack and that gives us opportunity on the rebound,” he said. “They’re probably in the same boat as us, on the ladder and on form.

“They’ve got a lot of AFL experience and they’re fighting for their spots trying to get back in the AFL team, so it’s going to be one of those games where our VFL and AFL leaders, who’s going to stand up and respond after our game against Williamstown.”