The unlucky Cats not selected for AFL this week have had a solid hit out against Carlton prior to the AFL game on Saturday afternoon.

The game was divided up into 8 periods of play and the players took to the good conditions for their first competitive game since March for many of them.

Cats assistant coach Shane O’Bree said after the contest that the coaches were happy with what they got out of the session.

“It was great for the boys just to play a game of football.” O’Bree said.

“Towards the end a few of the guys were cramping so I think the intensity of the game was really high and I think we got what we needed to get out of it from a match perspective.”

Both sides were only allowed 16 on the ground for the duration of play and O’Bree said the effect was noticeable.

“It was interesting having less numbers how much space there was. The turnovers stood out more than ever so we focussed on controlling the ball when we did have it.”

In the middle, Darcy Fort gave the Cats first use with dynamic ruck work and was ably supported by Lachie Fogarty and Charlie Constable.

“I thought around the contest the midfield was good with their ability to put pressure on and ride the pressure as well.” O’Bree said.

And with spots at a premium, O’Bree said many players had put their best foot forward.

“Guys like Clarky (Jordan Clark), Zach Guthrie, Forty (Darcy Fort) in the ruck, James Parsons, (Jake) Kolodjashnij, (Lachie) Henderson down back, all those guys who have played a fair bit of AFL football over the past couple of years.”

Nakia Cockatoo was also prominent for the Cats in his long battle back from knee and hamstring injuries and O’Bree said one moment in particular got him excited.

“He got three quarters of football, probably the last minute of his three quarters is the Cocky we want to see where he just broke the game open, took a few bounces and kicked it deep inside our forward 50.”

“He’s done a fair bit of work and he got through unscathed and hopefully he pulls up okay.”