Veteran Cats helping young brigade step up to next level

WHATEVER happens tonight – win or lose – credit must be given to Geelong for its ability to keep on keeping on.

The Cats are contesting their eighth-straight finals campaign and have finished in the top three on the ladder after the home and away rounds on seven occasions since 2007.

While the likes of St Kilda and Collingwood have risen and fallen in that time, Geelong has blended its premiership heroes with exciting youngsters to keep the wins ticking over.

Third-year player Jordan Murdoch, 22, told APN: “It’s exciting to play with legends of the game. I know personally I have learned so much from all of them. I think I’m a lot better player because of that.”

Only seven Cats – Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Steve Johnson, James Kelly, Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood and Matty Stokes – remain from the side’s last meeting with North Melbourne in a final, a 106-point victory three weeks before they won the 2007 grand final by a record 117 points over Port.

But as Murdoch points out, “anyone who comes into the side is expected to play up to a standard” set by the club greats.

The fleet-footed wingman, who has played 22 games this season and kicked as many goals, said Bartel was particularly influential, but “I try to take bits and pieces from everyone.”

“I’ve been happy to have come in and played a role for the side. It’s been a good year ... I’m happy with it, but there’s plenty to improve on.”

Enright will tonight play his 288th game, the equal-fourth most at the club with Peter Riccardi, and behind only Ian Nankervis (325), John Newman (300) and Darren Milburn (292).

Bartel will step out for a club-record 26th final for the Cats, drawing him level with Albert Collier, Dermott Brereton, Stephen Silvagni and Jude Bolton in the top 15 of all time.

Murdoch (pictured) will play just his fourth final and will be hoping it’s a victory after his first three turned out to be defeats, including last week’s setback against Hawthorn.

Murdoch (nine disposals and a goal last week), Josh Caddy (13) and Josh Walker (six, one) are among the younger players required to rise to the challenge in the cut-throat semi-final against the Roos.

“We know that when we play the way we want to play we’re good enough to beat anyone,” he said.