Atkins in hot seat for trial

TOM Atkins will lead the Geelong VFL side on to Central Reserve for the first time as stand-alone captain in Sunday’s clash.

The Cats will run through a number of players in the hitout against Essendon’s VFL squad, with Atkins, James Tsitas, Dan Capiron, Sam Dobson and recruits Luke Kiel and Sam Siggins among the names to lead Geelong.

The Cats will also have a handful of AFL players in the team, the likes of Ryan Gardner, Jack Henry, Timm House, Ryan Abbott and Aaron Black to blow out the cobwebs.

“A lot of the young VFL boys we brought on to our list, like Mitch Diamond, will get a really good crack,” VFL team co-ordinator Nathan Tweddle said.

“Lachie Noble, a young boy from the Falcons, he’ll get a really good crack, too, so a number will get exposure, which will be good for them.

“At 4.10pm, it’s going to be cracking conditions, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Stewart Crameri is still a week away, with the chance to play in Geelong’s hitout against Werribee at GMHBA Stadium next Friday night, while Lachlan Fogarty is expected to sit out the clash after suffering concussion.

VFL recruit Dean Gore also faces a season on the sidelines after scans earlier in the week revealed the former AFL midfielder had torn his ACL, while Jordan Keras will also miss the trip to Colac with a serious hamstring injury, which could see him miss the season opener against Werribee on Easter Sunday.