Spotlight on Cats, Zebras

GEELONG VFL coach Shane O’Bree says his players will grow from playing in big games such as Sunday’s AFL precursor at GMHBA Stadium.

O’Bree is all for returning to the old days in which AFL reserves would play in the leadup to senior games, with player development front of mind for the former Collingwood footballer.

“It’s such a bonus for young players,” O’Bree said.

“It’s part of their development, playing in those situations where you’re in the spotlight and it’s just another thing in their development they’ve got to learn about.

“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of young players that haven’t played AFL games yet or the VFL boys that haven’t played in GFL finals. Hopefully by the end of the game there should be 20,000 people with the later finish with the VFL and the warm-up of the AFL game.”

Geelong lost to Sandringham by 27 points when the two sides met at the same ground last year, with O’Bree pointing to his side’s inability to curb opposition momentum.

“Probably the last two times we’ve played them they’ve been close games; I think they’ve got the chocolates both times, just purely there have been a few momentum swings where we’ve been in front and they’ve stacked on four or five quick goals and that’s probably been the difference in the end,” O’Bree said.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty tight, close game again on the weekend so we’re just hoping when those momentum swings happen we can control them better.”

Geelong hasn’t played since Easter Sunday at Torquay where it opened its season with a four-point win over Werribee.