Questions on notice

With just three weeks until Round 1, Geelong Advertiser footy writer RYAN REYNOLDS lists 16 questions that need answers over the Cats’ two JLT Community Series games, starting tomorrow

1. Will Gary Ablett play?

After being the pre-season spruik, Little Gaz hit the handbrake last week after suffering a minor hamstring injury. It now puts him in a race against time to be ready for Round 1. A hitout in Geelong’s last JLT Series game against Essendon in Colac is still on the cards and could be crucial heading into a big season.

2. Who fills the gap left by Lachie Henderson?

Henderson is battling a knee injury and the Cats have conceded he may not roll out in the blue and white until Round 4. So who steps in? The logical choice would be Ryan Gardner, the highly rated key defender who is yet to taste senior football. The 20-year-old has developed nicely in the VFL since being drafted in 2015, but his omission from Geelong’s squad against the Suns tomorrow makes you wonder if he is the one that will replace Henderson come Round 1. If it’s not him then who gets the gong? Tom Stewart and Jake Kolodjashnij can both play tall, while Rhys Stanley has also spent time in defence.

3. Will the next wave of leaders please stand up?

Ablett will not be part of Geelong’s leadership group this year. Nor will Tom Hawkins and Cameron Guthrie, who were both in the leadership group last year. All three have asked not to be considered for selection in the formal group. The Cats will finalise their player leadership group next week. ‘‘(We) have got a couple of guys, for example Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie, who have been a part of our leadership group who have decided they can influence our group more from the outside,’’ coach Chris Scott said on 3AW.

4. Can Cory Gregson get through the series without a hiccup?

The classy small forward has had little luck in his time at AFL level. He will play against the Suns tomorrow, a big step in his push to be ready for Round 1. Let’s hope there are no more injuries this time around.

5. Will we see Jackson Thurlow move further up the ground?

This is a make-or-break year for Thurlow, who has shown a lot of the attributes needed to play at AFL level. But he is yet to reach the consistency needed to hold down a spot in Geelong’s team. Thurlow flagged he was hopeful of getting some midfield time in 2018, moving away from the defensive post where he has spent a lot of his time.

6. Can Tim Kelly cement his spot for Round 1?

Kelly has played senior footy and looks primed to play Round 1 following a brilliant pre-season. There’s no doubt he is one of the frontrunners to fill the void left by Steven Motlop. He will get a chance to make this his own in the next two matches.

7. Which of Geelong’s other draftees will impress most?

Gryan Miers and Lachie Fogarty will both play against the Suns, while Charlie Constable missed the final team after being named in the extended squad of 30. Fogarty and Miers both looked exciting in AFLX, but this is another challenge. Expect both to spend time forward, a position Miers is more natural at.

8. Will we see a more attacking Geelong?

Cats chief Brian Cook said he expected the Cats to show a bit more attacking flair given the troops at coach Chris Scott’s disposal. This will be the first big test. With no premiership points on the line will Geelong unleash the shackles on some of its players? We hope so!

9. Who will be the foil for Tom Hawkins?

Will the partner for Tom Hawkins please stand up. Geelong will trial Wylie Buzza and Esava Ratugolea against the Suns, giving them a chance to make a case for a spot Round 1. But the more experi- enced duo of Aaron Black and recruit Stewart Crameri will also be hopeful of earning a game. This is one position on the ground that is totally up for grabs heading into the season.

10. How does Geelong manage its other stars?

No Ablett, Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Harry Taylor for game one. Surely Selwood and Dangerfield — at least get a game in Colac. Mitch Duncan might be up for a rest against the Bombers after playing in AFLX and being named in the Cats’ team tomorrow. Nakia Cockatoo, dogged by recurring hamstring injuries last year, will not travel to Townsville and there were suggestions last night he was carrying a slight calf niggle. It’s going to be interesting to see how much game time Geelong gives to its stars given how tough its pre-season was.

11. Can Zach Guthrie become a regular fixture in Geelong’s defence?

Blew everyone away with his debut season, coming from nowhere to featuring significantly throughout the course of the 2017 season. Selwood spoke highly of Guthrie’s pre-season heading into 2018 and the JLT Commun- ity Series is a massive chance for him to grab the spot vacated by Andrew Mackie.

12. Just how wet will Townsville be?

Very. The town and surrounding regions have copped a pounding over the past few days, but there’s some better weather on the way tomorrow. It’s doubtful that all that water will be fully soaked up. If only Jimmy Bartel in his long sleeves was playing!

13. What about Rhys Stanley?

A chance for Stanley to nudge his way into the team. There’s plenty of spots up for grabs in key positions. Can we see a move to the backline? Or will he play forward? Can he dethrone Zac Smith. A big JLT Series is needed for Stanley heading into Round 1.

14. Has Mark O’Connor progressed since we last saw him at AFL level?

We might have to wait a bit after O’Connor was left out of Geelong’s final team for tomorrow. But he will be pushing hard for a spot in the final JLT game. O’Connor, an Irish recru it , showed some decent signs in his first season and managed two senior games. He will be hoping to build on that in 2018.

15. How will Geelong’s forward line function under Corey Enright?

Enright has replaced James Rahilly as the man looking after Geelong’s forward line. After spending years terrorising forwards as a defender, Enright will be hopeful he can have Geelong’s forwards dominating opposition defences. Expect the champion to put his own mark on the Cats’ structure. It will be in

teresting to see what that is.

16. Has Lachie Henderson wove some magic with the kick-ins?

Scott has handed kickin coaching to Henderson this year and we will get our first taste of what he has set up tomorrow. Hopefully it ends in lots of coast-to-coast goals.