Geelong defender Tom Ruggles knows exactly what he must do to earn a reprieve at AFL level: hit targets.

Ruggles featured in the Cats’ first five games this year, but sustained a concussion against Hawthorn and was left out of the next two fixtures against Collingwood and Gold Coast.

Finding himself back in the VFL, the 25-year-old has collected 55 disposals in two weeks but maintains the message is clear from above as to how he regains his position in the Cats’ best 22.

“Just probably skill efficiency and just being strong over the ball and not falling over, trying to ride the tackle and get a clean handball out,” Ruggles told the Geelong Advertiser.

“Pretty basic things to work on but I’ve been working pretty hard at training on that.”

Having played 18 AFL games in his first season with the Cats last year, Ruggles has proven he can cut it at AFL level. VFL Cats’ coach Shane O’Bree agrees and says while he has the tools, it’s how those tools are used which is the problem area.

“That’s one area of his game he’s got to work on, just nailing his opportunities when he does have the ball in his hands,” O’Bree said.

“He can take the rich option at times; we don’t want to take that out of his game, he’s just got to pick the right time to do it.”

“Obviously he works hard and wants the ball in his hands — that’s his asset — so we’ve just got to work on his decision making.”

Though focused on building his case for AFL selection, Ruggles was made captain for the VFL Cats’ match-up with Box Hill last week and feels he can also provide guidance and leadership to those younger players around him.

“I like to think of myself as a leader, whether I’ve got the captaincy or not, so nothing really changes,” he said.

“I’ve played nearly 40 games of VFL footy myself, starting at Werribee and coming to Geelong. With a pretty young list it’s pretty important to try and help them out wherever we can.”