Geelong’s recent training session with North Melbourne has provided coaching staff with a chance to test out youngsters in prominent roles for the upcoming 2019 season.

Development coach and former Geelong premiership player, Corey Enright, spoke to Cats Media regarding the improvement of multiple young players and the team’s development as a group.

Small forward, Gryan Miers, was a key name among several young stars who stood out during the training session, with Enright praising his work ethic and performance throughout the preseason.

“It was pleasing to see him get on the end of the ball and use the ball really well and finish off some goals,” said Enright.

“He played really well and has had an outstanding preseason.”

Miers is still eying an AFL debut but had a strong rookie year in the VFL, playing 20 games, getting on the end of 20 goals and establishing himself as a pressure forward with five or more tackles in multiple games, including an outstanding 10 tackles against Essendon’s VFL side.

On the defensive side of the field, rookie Jordan Clark was rotated through the backline alongside Zach Guthrie and Mark O’Connor, in a bid to add some new faces to the most effective defense of 2018.

The session, held under game-like conditions, also allowed for coaches to gain an insight into how the new rules will impact games throughout 2019.

Although Enright sees the situation as a ‘work in progress’ he is still keen to take the opportunity to analyse the potential effects of the changes.

“It’s just nice to be able to try a few things, see how the rules are going to work and adapt a few things accordingly,” he said.

The rule changes come off the back of a hotly debated year among fans and greats of the game, after proclamations highlighted an issue with congestion around the footy throughout the season.

Preparation for the new rules is gearing Geelong up for their round one clash against Collingwood on 22 March at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, kicking off their 2019 campaign.