Cats shine under lights

Training sessions prepare for night games

GEELONG will look to benefit from the addition of night training sessions at GMHBA Stadium, with assistant coach Matthew Knights saying adapting to new routines would be crucial when the AFL season resumes next Friday.

The Cats are slated for two night games and a twilight fixture at their home ground this month, with another Sunday afternoon clash at the MCG rounding out their next four matches.

Knights said while the later sessions provided some challenges, there were clear advantages to training under lights.

“The conditions are pretty trying but it is a great environment and we are obviously going to be playing a host of night games this year,” he said.

“It is fantastic to get the boys out here as a whole group. It is a great session for the boys, even though the conditions are going to be trying at times.

“Just to be able to soak up the night conditions and the lights — and to get the boys here a bit later to get them into that routine — is something that we feel strongly about, so they are up and about.”

Several Cats have made the most of the time away from the club — including midfield duo Mitch Duncan and Joel Selwood — and now appear primed to tackle Hawthorn when the two sides meet next week. Knights said the players had overcome off-season injury concerns and were raring to go.

“Mitch Duncan has been exemplary with the way he has prepared himself,” he said.

“His body shape is great. He will obviously be relied upon to play that midfield role whether that is inside or on the wing.

“I’m expecting a huge season from Mitch, I really am, so it is great for him.

“(Joel) has got a real thirst for the game again and I was lucky enough to be able to do some one-on-one sessions with him over the break. Just to see him go about his work, whether it was running or his ball work, he is just a thorough professional and it has given him really good prep time for this period.

“Now being able to get back into the body-on-body stuff, he is feeling great. He is looking forward to his captaincy and he is looking forward to playing strong footy for the club, so we are all proud of the way he is going.”