FORMER Geelong AFL listed midfielder Dean Gore will play his first VFL game for the club since departing for Adelaide at the end of 2015 in Friday night’s season opener against Richmond at GMHBA Stadium.
Gore, 22, was traded to the Crows as part of the Patrick Dangerfield deal after being drafted in 2014.
He failed to play an AFL game in two seasons at Adelaide and after being delisted returned to Geelong and took a spot on the VFL list ahead of last year.
However, a knee injury ended his 2018 season before it had even begun.
He has featured in three of the Cats’ practice matches, and coach Shane O’Bree is looking forward to seeing him action.
“It will be good to have him back playing in our VFL team,” O’Bree said.
“He didn’t get to play a VFL game last year. He’s had a really good pre-season.”
Dan Capiron is also a chance to play his first game since 2017 after a back injury derailed his 2018 campaign.
“(He) hasn’t missed a beat all pre-season,” O’Bree said.
“The good thing with ‘Cap’, we haven’t been able to (previously) play him as a forward.
“We’ve seen two games as a forward now and been really impressed with the way he plays it.
“It gives him flexibility. We know he can play the wing, we know he can play half back, key back. Now he can play forward as well.
“His versatility in the team’s what we need with VFL players.”
With Geelong continuing to play just one specialist ruckman at AFL level, O’Bree has a range of tall options at his disposal.
“It’s challenging coaching, and as a team and for the players, too. But the exciting thing is the guys are learning their craft in different areas,” O’Bree said.
“You look at Darcy Fort, who’s been a ruckman all his life, now he’s learning to be a forward, and he’s really having an impact there.
“Zac Smith’s been the No.1 ruckman for a lot of years. Now he’s had to learn his forward craft as well.
“Ryan Abbott’s been in good form in the ruck, but he’s got to be a forward, too.
“Then it puts pressure on Wylie Buzza, who’s probably our most experienced forward as a key forward, and he’s got to really lead the way and show the way down there.
“As much as it’s challenging, it’s exciting at the same time for those guys to learn that craft and work together.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
VFL MEN ROUND 1
GEELONG vs. RICHMOND
GMHBA Stadium
Friday, April 5, 7:30pm
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