FRINGE WORTHY

The Cats almost up to scratch

ONE of the compounding effects of Friday’s triumphant victory over Richmond may be the growth in belief in the Geelong camp.

Not only did the win prove the Cats can match it with the benchmark side but it was tangible proof for some players they can compete at the highest level.

That much was clear in Chris Scott’s comments after the game.

“For a while we have had some players in our team, without individualising you can work out who they are, guys who we rate really, really highly and they are nowhere near their potential at the moment so I think games like this help them believe in themselves a bit,” Scott said.

Premiership sides ride the growth among the players who are among the last picked, so let’s guess who those players are that could make all the difference with a little boost.

GARY ROHAN

ROHAN was named as “one of the ones” Scott was talking about and given some startling praise.

“If you could somehow get a hold of his highlights over the years and you look at them in isolation you would think you’re looking at the best player in the comp,” Scott said.

“He has it in him.”

The electric forward has snagged 12 goals in his past four games but he has kicked majors in clumps before — he booted 15 in five weeks in 2019 and 10 in four in 2020.

With Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins around, Rohan will have more freedom and if he plays well, Geelong generally wins.

JACK HENRY

FRESH off a contract extension,

Henry is in the best form of his life after three excellent weeks.

Scott outed the defender as “one that I alluded to earlier”.

Henry has backed himself at ground level this year to use his pace and get away from tacklers and locked down Jack Riewoldt on Friday night.

If he adds more intercept marking, he could be an AllAustralian outside chance.

ESAVA RATUGOLEA

SCOTT has been glowing in his praise of the player Ratugolea is and can become for a long time.

The 22-year-old big man played his 41st match on

Friday night and as has been the case often, he was close to having a big impact but just couldn’t stick some marks to make some key plays.

There is plenty of time for the high-leaper to develop and he has the talent to dominate, as shown by his three-goal effort in the 2019 semi-final against West Coast.

MARK O’CONNOR

A GOOD size for a midfielder, a big tank and generally on target with his disposals.

O’Connor has all the talent to be a quality defensively minded midfielder and if he backs himself in to win the footy, can help drive Geelong forward.

Due back from a hamstring injury soon, the Cats coaches will have to decide if continues to tag or goes back to defence.

RHYS STANLEY

MANY in football have scratched their heads about the talent Stanley shows and his past two games are evidence of that. He outpointed star Eagle Nic Naitanui in Round 6, then sat out the final moments in Round 7 as Swan Tom Hickey gave him a bath.

His best remains very good and his worst is very bad.

QUINTON NARKLE

LOOKING at Narkle’s attributes – good acceleration, slippery around tacklers, sharp in the contest – he should be playing most weeks.

It has been a stop-start 20 games for the midfielder but if he puts it together, he can add an extra dimension to the Cats’ midfield stocks.

JED BEWS

THE nuggety defender from Leopold has been a slow burn since he was brought onto the list a decade ago.

It’s clear his confidence has grown over his past 30 games, and Bews is more willing to back himself and take on the tackler given his explosive power and agility.

He will never be a huge possession winner, but a bit more drive from half-back can only help the side.