Door open to form players

GEELONG VFL coach Shane O’Bree says Ryan Abbott’s inclusion in tonight’s AFL side gives hope to senior-listed players that strong form will be rewarded.

Abbott has toiled away at VFL level and earnt a call-up, and with a host of Cats chasing a berth before finals, O’Bree said the message was clear.

“It means a lot, and I think a lot of the VFL boys have been in good form for a fair portion of the year,” he said.

“I suppose it is that time of the year where finals aren’t far away and hopefully the AFL and VFL are both in, and then it is about timing your run to get an opportunity.

“That would be the No.1 priority so it gives a lot of hope to a lot of players that if you stick at it and you’re raring to go you’ll get that opportunity.”

Geelong sits in third and take on ladder leader Richmond at GMHBA Stadium tomorrow, with ball magnet George Horlin-Smith returning after an injury to his AC joint.

O’Bree said the Cats were ready for the challenge.

“We played Casey last round and now we have the Tigers, and they are the top two teams, and even for the remainder of the year we play a lot of top eight teams,” he said.

“It is a really good test for us every week to challenge ourselves against really good opposition, and then we hopefully make finals and you’ve been training yourself up for those games.

“They play exactly the same way as the AFL team so it is a good couple of days for the club to play a quality team like Richmond.”

St Mary’s defender Tom Lang will make his debut, while Sam Dobson, Campbell Floyd and James Gow have been recalled to the squad.