Luke’s willing and the Cats too
THERE was no holding back during training at GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday as the Cats ramp up their preparations for this Saturday’s preseason clash against Essendon.
Geelong players took part in an intense match simulation exercise under the watchful eye of coach Chris Scott.
There were positive signs from several players who will push for selection in Round 1.
Of note was the performance of small forward Luke Dahlhaus, who has been battling a groin complaint this summer.
Key forward Tom Hawkins was unaware whether Dahlhaus would take on the Bombers or potentially run out in an earlier scratch match against North Melbourne on Saturday morning, but said it was good to see his teammate back in action on the track.
“Either way he (Dahlhaus) is going to get some footy into him, which is really good because he has been a little bit slow in the initial part of the pre-season,” Hawkins said.
“He has really ramped things up in the last three or four weeks and has had a really good block, but the game will be really important. I don’t know what the plan is with Luke but he looked good.
“It is good for us because he is a player that brings great energy to the side and he is a really well-loved figure within the group, so it will be good to get him back out there.”
Hawkins said that he was keen for another competitive hitout before the clash against Adelaide in Round 1 in 16 days.
“I have always openly admitted that I find practice games really important as a personal preference to prepare myself for the season,” he said.
“As a group you get to train together but you don’t get to have the physical contact that you are after in games or you need to prepare for the start of the season, because it gets dialled up in the first three or four weeks.
“So I always find the practice games are a really vital tool for me to be able to get ready and be able to be at my best from the word go.
“My thirst is still there, I feel good physically, and I am excited.”