Geelong’s VFL side has ended their pre-season strongly, claiming victory over the AFL Academy 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54).
The Cats struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first term but were strong defensively, keeping the Academy boys to a solitary goal.
The second term remained a low scoring affair as neither team could break the game open. The Bankers held on to an 11 point lead at the main break despite an inconsistent period of football.
The home side controlled the third term as they dominated the disposal count but their failure to apply scoreboard pressure saw no increase in their half time lead at the conclusion of the third term.
The young academy side fell away in the final term as the experienced legs of the Bankers proved to be too strong in the end.
“(Academy boys) were up for it today and our boys responded pretty well with the focus areas we wanted to go into and we got the win in the end which was pleasing,” Cats Coach Shane O’Bree said.
The Cats had many standout performers as players had their final hitout before the home and away season gets underway next week.
George Horlin-Smith continues to be a ball magnet for the Bankers as he collected 30 disposals, along with eight marks and eight clearances.
“George’s contested ball work and grunt work in close is really good and sets up the young boys around him,” O’Bree said.
Michael Luxford was at his explosive best with 24 disposals, 16 by hand, as he was involved in many of the Cats attacking runs throughout the match.
“Lux worked his way into the game, he’s had a really good pre-season,” O’Bree said.
“He is a very good transition player and today you saw glimpses of that.”
James Parsons was also impressive as he finished his strong pre-season with another quality performance. Parsons collected 19 possessions and had four inside 50s in the rookie’s best game for the Cats.
Draftee Matthew Hayball was given his first taste of VFL football in 2016 and showed glimpses of his potential in a strong showing.
Hayball played the second half of the match and was dangerous around goal, kicking one major and coming just short of two debut goals.
“Matty got through his first game and he was really excited by that, hopefully he pulls up well and we keep tweaking his program to get him through the whole season of football and adapt to the demands of it,” O’Bree said.
“The group of first year players we have are mentally resilient and we will try and keep building their game so that in the next few years they will hopefully be AFL players.”
The Bankers will head in to their first home and away match next week full of confidence as they take on the Northern Blues at Simonds Stadium on Friday night.
“We have got an even spread of game time into a lot of players to get to know each other and get that chemistry in the lines with top up VFL and AFL listed players. Next week will be a tough selection.”
VFL Practice Match 5 - Bendigo Bank Cats 10.9 (69) def. AFL Academy 8.6 (54)
Goals: Abbott 2, Robinson 2, Hayball, Lucey, Williams, Tudor, Paliouras, Rees
Best: Parsons, Horlin-Smith, Luxford, Tsitas, Atkins, Robinson
