Steven up to scratch in half a match

JACK Steven has showed he is ready for a recall to the Geelong side, after performing well on reduced game time in a scratch match against Collingwood on Friday morning.

The recruit was rested from Geelong’s side to play Brisbane on Thursday night and played a half of the practice match, where he looked lively.

Geelong assistant coach Shane O’Bree said the 30year-old (below) enjoyed the chance to play with some younger Cats.

“(Steven) just played a half, we sort of limited his game time so he is right to go (in the AFL) next week,” O’Bree said.

“He was sharp. He enjoyed playing with all the young boys. He wouldn’t have played much with them before, so he enjoyed it.”

Geelong led at every change but was overrun in the final term by Brayden Sier and John Noble of Collingwood, with the Pies winning the match by two points.

The game began at the Greater Western Sydney training facility as 16-a-side and at stages was played with 14 men on each team.

As Geelong sweats on the scans to find out the severity of hamstring injuries to midfielders Quinton Narkle and Mitch Duncan, a handful of potential replacements continue to impress.

“All our emergencies from (Thursday) night, they are all definitely ready to go,” O’Bree said.

“You’ve got James Parsons, Lachie Fogarty, Jordan Clark and Zach Guthrie. They all play different positions on the ground and they are ready to come in.”

Nakia Cockatoo got more match time into his legs, while Josh Jenkins (back) and Tom Atkins (ribs) are still on the sidelines.

O’Bree said he was particularly impressed by the work of draftees Cooper Stephens, Sam De Koning, Cam Taheny and Brad Close, who will all travel with the team to Perth today.