The JLT Community Series is merely days away and with it comes a host of looming storylines.
Here’s a handful to wet the appetite ahead of our first taste of football for season 2017.
Return of Jackson Thurlow?
One of the Cats’ most promising talents, the Tasmanian was ready to explode in 2016.
Entering his third season and with 29 impressive games under his belt, it wasn’t to be as he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Geelong’s final pre-season match against Essendon in Shepparton.
His rehabilitation has been faultless – largely in part to his own dedication and the expertise of the Cats’ medical and conditioning teams – and after a strong pre-season, Thurlow is every chance to make his return to football in his home state, in his home city and on a ground he is more than familiar with
First look at new recruits
The Cats have had a fixed seat at the trade table in recent years and dipped their toe into the waters of free agency with frequency. 2016 was no exception as former Blue Zach Tuohy and former Roo Aaron Black made their way down the Princes Highway via trade.
Tuohy has made a seamless transition and looks set to be an integral part of the Cats’ defence, while Aaron Black has been equally impressive as he looks to sure up a spot within the side’s forward structure. Will we see both in Tasmania?
First look at young blood
With a handful of club greats calling time on their careers, opportunity presents itself for even the newest of Cats.
Selected in the most recent national and rookie drafts, young players like Brandon Parfitt (pick 26), Tom Stewart (pick 40) and even rookie Zach Guthrie (pick 33 – rookie) have impressed from the moment they walked into Simonds Stadium.
Could Friday night against the Hawks be our first look at Geelong’s next wave?
The Cats back on the Map
The Cats have not ventured to Tasmania for a decade.
Their last flight south was round four, 2007 with names like Crawford, Franklin and Campbell Brown up against Ling, Mooney and even Ablett’s Gary Jnr and Nathan.
The margin that day was four points in the Hawks’ favour and ten years later the Cats will face an unpredictable Hawthorn with an incredibly impressive record at the venue.
Welcome back, Roughy
No doubt the biggest potential story of the JLT Community Series’ first week – if he plays.
Jarryd Roughead is universally loved by the footballing world and after an eight month long battle with cancer, even the toughest Cats’ supporter will crack a smile seeing the new Hawthorn skipper return to the field.
Once the ball is bounced, it’s on. But we’ll be glad to have you back all the same, Roughy.
SQUADS
Hawthorn v Geelong
University of Tasmania Stadium (Launceston), Friday February 17 at 7.40pm AEDT
HAWTHORN
2. Jarryd Roughead, 4. Billy Hartung, 5. Ryan Burton, 6. Josh Gibson, 7. Ben McEvoy, 8. Taylor Duryea, 9. Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Jaeger O’Meara, 12. James Frawley, 14 Grant Birchall, 16. Isaac Smith, 20. Dallas Willsmore, 21. James Sicily, 23. Tim O’Brien, 24. Ben Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 26. Liam Shiels, 27. Tyrone Vickery, 28. Paul Puopolo, 29. Will Langford, 32. Jack Fitzpatrick, 33. Cyril Rioli, 34. Kurt Heatherley, 36. Kieran Lovell, 37. Blake Hardwick, 40. Kade Stewart, 42. Teia Miles, 43. Marc Pittonet, 46. James Cousins
Notable absentees: Luke Hodge, Luke Breust, Brendan Whitecross, Tom Mitchell, Jack Gunston
GEELONG
1. Rhys Stanley, 2. Zach Tuohy, 3. Brandan Parfitt, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Nakia Cockatoo, 7. Harry Taylor, 9. Zac Smith, 11. Darcy Lang, 12. Wylie Buzza, 13. Tom Lonergan, 15. Matthew Hayball, 18. Josh Cowan, 20. Ryan Gardner, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Aaron Black, 24. Jed Bews, 25. Lachie Henderson, 26. Tom Hawkins, 27. Sam Menegola, 29. Cameron Guthrie, 31. Jordan Cunico, 32. Steven Motlop, 35. Patrick Dangerfield, 36. Tom Ruggles, 38. Jack Henry, 39. Zach Guthrie, 40. Jackson Thurlow, 44. Tom Stewart, 46. Mark Blicavs
Notable absentees: Joel Selwood, Daniel Menzel, Scott Selwood, Jake Kolodjashnij, Lincoln McCarthy
