YOUNG CATS TO EARN HOOPS UNDER EGAN
GEELONG youngsters looking to play in round 1 next year will have to earn their spots over summer, but the opportunities will be there if they grab them, according to the Cats’ new head of development Matthew Egan.
Egan joins the Cats after stints at Essendon and Melbourne, as well as Xavier College, and said while games would not be gifted, those who were ready would get their chance.
“I think you play when you are ready,” Egan said.
“Melbourne took some time before they played guys who played in the premiership – James Jordon, Tom Sparrow and Harrison Petty all took three years before they got opportunities.
“Geelong has done a really good job over the years and the VFL program has always been strong under Shane O’Bree, and you develop in the VFL until you are ready and force your way into the team.
“You need to get your body right and learn the game plan before you jump in.
“But if that is in your first year or that is the first game in your first year, then that is fine, you just have to push someone out of the team through your form.”
Egan will work across a number of key areas at Geelong, including football, welfare and list management.
Having played 59 games for the Cats, the former All-Australian defender said it was an exciting time to be back at his old club.
“There is a really big mix of players who have got some opportunity, like (Gryan) Miers and Esava (Ratugolea), and guys still learning their craft,” Egan said.
“But then there are some guys coming through who haven’t had much opportunity recently, like Cooper Stephens, Nick Stevens and Max Holmes … so there is a really broad mix.
“There are some raw ruckmen coming through and we will have a big draft this year with five picks.
“And we get (Tyson) Stengle in and maybe another rookie, so it is a big group in the academy mix and it is a big part of the list that is still developing.”