Three-time premiership ruckman Brad Ottens has returned to Simonds Stadium as specialist ruck coach for 2016.

One of the most dominant big men of his era, Ottens retired in 2011 and has been enjoying life away from football, completing an apprenticeship in cabinet making and starting his own business.

Ottens will work with the Cats much-improved ruck stocks in a part-time capacity and is impressed by what he’s seen so far.

“There’s some really good talent there,” Ottens said.

“It’s just a matter of one – keeping them fit and two – getting them playing the sort of footy that is going to benefit the Cats in the long-term.”

“It’s about as strong a midfield as going around so the role of the big bloke to try and make their job a little bit easier is really important.”

“If I can help the boys develop in any way, that’d be great.”

Ottens played 116 games of his 245 game career with Geelong and was mainstay of the 2007, 2009 and 2011 premiership teams.