RHYS LAUDS LIST HEALTH
IF THE CALL COMES, YOUNG CATS ARE READY
Milestone man and Geelong ruckman Rhys Stanley said emerging forward Shannon Neale was “great” for the Cats on Sunday after coming into the side at the last minute for Tom Hawkins, in a sign that their list was in good order. Stanley, who played his 200th game on Sunday against North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, said a reduced casualty ward allowed younger players such as Neale and teenage debutant Connor O’Sullivan to come in and have an impact.
With captain Patrick Dangerfield and Hawkins expected to return this weekend against Brisbane at the Gabba, premiership midfielder Cam Guthrie is the only notable absentee.
He has an estimated recovery period of two to four weeks after injuring a quad in a preseason fixture.
Stanley, meanwhile, praised Neale’s impact on the contest and said his three goals had exhibited the 21-year-old’s ability to take a strong mark and also showcased his ground level prowess with an impressive running goal.
“He straightened us right up big Shan,” Stanley said. “I thought he was great today.
“It’s a really good place to be having a strong list and anyone who comes in can contribute at a high level.
“We’ve got a really healthy list, which allows us to get fresh players in.”
He also said Albury product O’Sullivan, who was taken with pick 11 in last year’s national draft, was “solid” in defence and provided a glimpse of his athleticism at certain stages of the match.
A modest Stanley said he had been a “little bit uncomfortable” with the media attention ahead of his 200th game but tried to stick to his regular approach.
“It doesn’t sit that comfortably with me,” he said of the increased spotlight.
“There’s a little bit more time on your phone and stuff like that.
“I’ve been around long enough to not get too caught up (with the attention).”
Despite a 5-0 start to the season – in stark contrast to Geelong’s 0-3 beginning to last season – Stanley said the Cats were not bothering with talk about how far they could potentially go this year.