STRONG SQUAD HAS CATS BELIEVING

CONFIDENCE ON THE RISE

GEELONG has taken confidence from its squad depth during the fixture cram as it looks to continue to build momentum against St Kilda on Monday night.

Mature-age draftee Brad Close (right) has been one young player handed a senior opportunity, along with Lachlan Fogarty, Sam Simpson and Zach Guthrie.

Each has shown they are up to the level in the past month in an encouraging sign for Chris Scott’s side.

Gary Ablett (personal reasons), Luke Dahlhaus (foot) and Quinton Narkle (hamstring) remain on the sidelines, while Jake Kolodjashnij, Brandan Parfitt, Esava Ratugolea and Gary Rohan were managed against North Melbourne.

Close, who has played the past three games and is the only Cats player to debut this year, said the side would attempt to continue its strong run of form against the Saints.

“Even in the West Coast game, where we didn’t quite get over the line, we still played some good footy and were around the mark all game,” he said.

“That gave us some confidence as well. Another win this week would be very good to keep momentum flowing.

“Obviously it showed last week with a few outs and a few coming back in, we’ll keep getting a few back this week, which just shows the strength of the squad to come in when they need it.”

Scott flagged after the North Melbourne win that Geelong could again rest a handful of players as it managed five games in 18 days.

Close said Geelong’s coaching staff had been “pretty happy” with his start at AFL level since joining the club in last year’s rookie draft.

“All I’ve been looking (to do) is to play the role, that high half-forward, getting up and down the ground, get a few pressure acts and try to hit the scoreboard,” he said.

“As a team, it’s something we work on, trying to be really strong around the contest and getting in hard, winning the ball back as soon as we can, instead of letting the opposition chip it around and use it.”

Geelong will name its Round 11 team on Sunday night.