FRIDAY: Towering Geelong ruckman Zac Smith says Cats senior recruits Aaron Black – who was with Smith and a host of other Geelong players the past two days – and Zac Tuohy have slotted seamlessly into their new club.
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“They’ve been fantastic,” he said.
“Aaron Black and Zac Tuohy, those two guys (are) obviously senior players who’ve been on other AFL lists for eight-plus years. They’ve come in seamlessly.
“They both played really well in their first game last week and just bring that bit more experience to the team because we did lose a couple of quality players last year in (Corey) Enright and (Jimmy) Bartel. We obviously miss them, but it’s good to get some more experience in.”
The 206-cm ruckman said he had pulled up well after Geelong’s first pre-season match against Hawthorn last week.
Teammate Harry Taylor was wearing a large bandage on his left knee during his visit to Warrnambool for the Geelong Cats’ community camp, but assured students at Brauer College on Thursday it was just a corkie he sustained in the Hawks’ clash.
Smith said the Cats had “moved on” from last year’s preliminary final loss to Sydney Swans as they look to again make a tilt for the AFL premiership.
“I think we can achieve whatever we put our minds to,” he said.
“Obviously we want to go one step further than last year and we’ve already moved on from that.
“We’re focusing on the things we need to improve on and if we do improve on those things we know we can go a long way.
7.30pm: For the Cats supporters out there, some extra insight from Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor that didn't find its way into the article.
Joel Selwood:
On the return of footy: “Playing the arch rival Hawthorn, probably always going to be tight. Great for a few young guys to get experience.”
On the Cats' recruits: "We looked to get an attacking player off half-back and Zach Tuohy was that player and he played really well on the weekend. He’s sort of been ready to play for the last month, which was good to see. ‘Blacky’ (Aaron Black) took his chance up forward, kicking four goals. Had a pretty big impact, the two boys in their first game. Hopefully that continues throughout the season.”
Harry Taylor:
On footy’s return: "I don’t miss the soreness. It’s certainly something you don’t have as much of during the pre-season but once games start, it all comes very quickly, all that soreness, makes it a bit difficult. But great to be playing again, great that we got to see some new Geelong players wear the Geelong jumper for the first time. Really excited over the next couple of weeks to see if we can keep building for round one.”
On the recruiting of Zach Tuohy and return of Jackson Thurlow: "Fantastic. Both have had a great pre-season. They both bring a real level-headed approach to football, some real stability in our back line which is really important. Great to see them have a good impact in the first game and I’m sure, like me, they’ll be trying to build over the next few weeks.”
On Jamaine Jones: "He came full of life, full of energy and his personality has rubbed off on a lot of people at our football club. Been a little bit in and out of rehab at times, but like all of our first year guys, working really hard on his game, getting to know the structures and build relationships and giving himself every chance to have a great year for the Cats.”
5pm: Check out our story on the Geelong Cats’ visit and a gallery of photos here.
4pm: The Cats players have visited Brauer College, Australia Post, South West Healthcare and St John of God hospital this afternoon.
Captain Joel Selwood said the players were happy to be back in Warrnambool again.
“It’s just about spreading the Geelong love, understanding this is a really important area for us with sponsors, members, supporters,” he said.
“It is a busy road from Warrnambool to Geelong come game day, so we understand and we thank them for their support.”
1.35pm: Geelong Cats players will be making their way to two hospitals and Brauer College this afternoon, before heading to a training session for Hampden and Warrnambool and District juniors at Friendly Societies Park.
Two-time premiership player Harry Taylor said the players enjoyed the chance to visit Warrnambool for their AFL community camps.
“I’m lucky enough to be in my 10th year of AFL football and community camps are part of our yearly schedule,” he said.
“We’ve been to Warrnambool a few times, which is great for me to see some familiar faces.
“But some of our boys are coming down here for the first time as Geelong football players and that’s exciting for them, it’s something they’re going to remember.
“It’s an opportunity to meet some of our supporters who give a lot of time and money to our footy club. (It’s) a good way for them to give something back to local community.”
11am: GEELONG captain Joel Selwood and his three-time premiership-winning teammate Harry Taylor will be the headline acts at the Cats’ two-day community camp in Warrnambool.
The Cats will conduct school and hospital visits on Thursday, attend a function that night and wrap up their stay with a super clinic at Friendly Societies’ Park on Friday morning.