STARS ALIGNING

PARFITT, STEVEN TO FACE BOMBERS

GEELONG is ready to unleash young gun Brandan Parfitt against Essendon after being the standout of a starstudded cast in a VFL scratch match.

Parfitt was one of a host of players who missed the Cats’ lacklustre performance against Gold Coast on Saturday night, instead slogging it out at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats are preparing to roll out close to their best team against Essendon on Monday week in Colac to tune up ahead of their Round 1 clash with GWS Giants.

Recruit Jack Steven is likely to be one of those inclusions after a “lively” showing in the competitive training hitout for players who didn’t travel to Metricon Stadium.

Steven showed his trademark running power in the match simulation session that also featured a star-studded cast of captain Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola and Luke Dahlhaus.

While Selwood took part in about half the session, the Cats are bullish he is building nicely towards Round 1 after a steady recovery from hamstring surgery and is likely to take on the Bombers.

“He probably played half the match time of some of the others,” Geelong VFL coach Shane O’Bree told the Cats’ website.

“He looked fine and did what he needed to do to get through the game of football.

“It was good for our younger players just to play with Joel who wouldn’t have had those opportunities before.

“His intensity and his voice and ability to set up others around the contest was unbelievable, so I think our young boys really grew legs and learnt a lot and hopefully they take that on board.”

Steven also showed strong signs as he returns from a minor calf setback.

“Jack was lively,” O’Bree said. “His ability and intensity and his running power was really impressive.

“He was another that got through the match minutes that he needed to get through and hopefully he’s headed in the right direction now and we’ll see him play in the Essendon game.”

But it was Parfitt who produced the most commanding performance.

“He was probably the one that stood out the most, just