VFL Cats push case for higher honours

VFL

GEELONG VFL coach Shane O’Bree says his side’s upcoming bye has come at the wrong time for players like Zac Smith and Stewart Crameri on the fringe of AFL selection.

The Cats boast a 3-1 record after Saturday night’s clinical 12.12 (84) to 9.8 (62) win over Casey on the road, with Smith and Crameri among the AFL-listed players pushing their case for higher honours.

Defender Timm House (29 disposals, six marks, 12 rebound 50s) also stood out in the victory as he continues to put pressure on the selection committee, while Wylie Buzza (16 touches, seven marks) produced his most complete performance this season.

“I’m very happy with the boys,” O’Bree said.

“We played four quarters of footy the way we wanted to play and identified what Casey’s strengths were and stuck to it. We deserved that win and probably could have won by more in the end.

“It’s pretty hard to individualise players, but ‘Buzz’ definitely got to contests.

“Their defenders are very proactive and read the ball well in the air and they were coming across. Many times ‘Buzz’ was oneagainst-two and he just competed and followed up, and allowed Gryan (Miers) and JJ (Jamaine Jones) and Jacko McLachlan, and even Stew Crameri and ‘Dobbo’ (Sam Dobson) at times, to follow up and get those crumbing shots on goal.”

While Casey ate into the Cats’ 40-point three-quarter-time buffer in the last half-hour, O’Bree said a number of his side’s more experienced players were “put on ice” with Geelong’s six-day AFL turnaround to the Giants on Friday night. Crameri also showcased his experience, claiming 22 touches and a goal.

“I thought Stew looked dangerous as a forward tonight,” O’Bree said.

“Again, he’s finding his legs and his transition is really good.

“He still hasn’t had a complete game but he’s showing signs that he’s improving every week. If he gets an opportunity in coming weeks, he’ll be ready to go, but he’s just got to keep performing too so he can play the best footy he can.”

But O’Bree said a bye this weekend makes life hard for Crameri and company.

“It is a little bit (frustrating) when you want to complement the AFL team, you want to play games of footy with the boys,” he said.

“But at the same time, with a young group you can manage a few. That’s with my development hat on.

“But it doesn’t really help a few guys like ‘Housey’, Crameri, Zac Smith, where they’re a bit older and want to play to impress every week.

“It’s good to go into the break 3-1. It’s been a pleasing month the way we’ve played. We’ve played the right type of football.”