Tough contest for spots in Cats line-up
CAM Guthrie finds himself in an interesting spot heading into his AFL return.
Forced to wait for his go at senior level, there will certainly be an element of pressure on the 26-year-old in today’s blockbuster with Hawthorn.
While clearly a player Geelong would love to have in its 22, the positions just haven’t been available for the small utility this season.
A calf injury towards the end of pre-season saw him miss the Cats’ opening games and the emergence of a number of young stars — namely Jordan Clark in defence and Charlie Constable in midfield — has meant he now has a battle on his hands to play at AFL level.
Guthrie, in many ways, is a victim of his versatility.
He trained as a midfielder over the summer with the Cats loving his quick feet and his ability to use that to explode from a contest. It’s seen by Geelong’s coaching staff as crucial with the new 6-6-6 set up.
But is he on the same level as Patrick Dangerfield, Tim Kelly and Joel Selwood? Not quite.
He has also made a name for himself as a very handy small defender. He can go to an opposition small and play a lock-down role. He can also do damage with the ball, again using the explosiveness to generate run off half-back.
However, he hardly walks into a defensive group that has performed so well this season and is still eagerly awaiting the return of Zach Tuohy.
Guthrie’s not the only one battling to get a gig in a flying Cats team.
With a relatively healthy list and a strong VFL squad, competition for spots has never been hotter.
And you can tell the competition for spots is having an influence in the AFL team this season. Lachie Henderson, before his foot injury, had to wait for his chance at AFL level.
James Parsons has been racking it up at VFL level as an inside midfielder, but is yet to get a sniff of senior action.
Zach Guthrie has been one of Geelong’s best performers in defence and is another yet to feature.
He’s now got to compete with a returning Tuohy for a game — that’s if either can dethrone a really solid group of backmen Geelong is rolling with at the moment.
Then you’ve got Ryan Abbott, Darcy Fort and Zac Smith all pushing Rhys Stanley for a spot.
Stanley has started the season in career-best form.
Throw Quinton Narkle and Sam Simpson — two players who are now starting to find form — into the equation and its easy to see how hard selection night is at GMHBA Stadium.
Today Guthrie gets his chance. If he — or any other Cat — doesn’t take it then there is someone waiting in the wings to snatch it. It’s a strong position to be in.