Abbott set for ruck test against Blues big man Lobbe

FRINGE Geelong ruckman Ryan Abbott will face another stern test in the VFL today against the Northern Blues when he comes up against former Port Adelaide big man Matthew Lobbe.

Abbott, 26, has been one of the Cats’ top performers in the VFL, in the last month in particular, proving his worth against the likes of Nicholas Meese (Williamstown), Matthew Leuenberger (Essendon) and Cam Pedersen (Casey).

Geelong coach Shane O’Bree said the Grovedale product could use Lobbe, who was traded to Carlton in the off-season, as another test for his search for an AFL debut.

“He’s been in good form, but he’s had a challenge most weeks in the VFL playing against experienced AFL ruckmen,” O’Bree said.

“This week he’ll be up against Matt Lobbe, who was at Port Adelaide and probably hasn’t had a crack at it this year because of injury, but another good challenge for Ryan.

“Obviously we’ve got Zac Smith as well to curb his influence on the game.”

Wylie Buzza and Lincoln McCarthy have gone up to the AFL side, but O’Bree said he expected Cory Gregson and Stewart Crameri to play, while James Parsons was another standout in last week’s win over Williamstown.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gardner will again play as a key forward as the Cats search to improve their 4-3 record.

“He’ll play as a forward again. We were really happy with the way he went first up and he looked really rejuvenated and enthusiastic,” O’Bree said. “He had a real impact on the game and we’re hoping he can do that again.”

O’Bree said his side was much better placed this year compared to last July when his side suffered a five-point defeat to the Northern Blues.

“I think we’ve been playing a game style that’s kept us in games long enough and we’ve been pretty hard to play against,” he said.

“I think we’ve still got a lot of players that haven’t hit their straps yet. They’ve been playing OK and as a collective we’ve been playing OK team footy as well, but I think we’ve still got more to give and hopefully this week we keep building again.”

The match starts at 2pm at IKON Park today.