Defender Zach Guthrie says hard work done before pre-season officially commenced has him confident Geelong will bounce back from just its third finals absence in the past 20 years.
After a short holiday in Europe, Guthrie was back preparing for season 2024 by October.
And he wasn’t alone.
“There were a number of guys who were coming into the club regularly, which was great,” Guthrie told K rock Football.
“We were able to push each other along during those lonely sessions before you get back for pre-season.
“That gives me confidence that everyone is really hungry to put in a good performance for the team this year.
“We’ve had that longer break, which has been great. We’ve been able to prep really well (and) progress our training loads really steadily since we’ve been back.
“I feel like we’re in a really good spot to attack the season.”
Guthrie, one of only three Cats to play all 23 games last year, believes continuity from an unfettered pre-season will help him maintain the upward swing that has made him a reliable member of the Geelong defence.
“My body’s felt really good throughout the pre-season,” he said.
“That continuity of getting sessions in on the track in pre-season is the best way you can go about improving.
“Putting things into practice as a team and as an individual. There are goals that I set for myself to keep trying to improve.
“The last few seasons have been positive, and I feel like I’ve made some improvements.
“But, this season, I’m really hungry to try and keep on a steady progression as an individual, which, hopefully, can help the team start the season really well.”
CATS: THE TIME FOR TALKING IS OVER – STANLEY
After playing most of his first 60 games alongside brother Cam, Guthrie had to get used to his sibling not running out alongside him for much of last year.
That will extend until at least late April after Cam suffered a quad injury in the practice match win over Carlton on February 22.
“I was really disappointed for him,” Guthrie said.
“He had prepped really well and got himself in a position where his body was feeling really good to contribute and start the season really well for us.
“He’s someone that goes away, works really hard in the background, and goes about it (recovery) with no fuss.
“Hopefully, there are no hiccups along the way because I’m keen to play some more footy with him.”
Out of contract at the end of the season, Guthrie enters free agency for the first time, albeit restricted.
However, he has confirmed that negotiations are taking place “positively in the background”.
“I’ve loved my time here at the Cats,” he said “(I’ve) built some really good working relationships with players and staff.
“I’m looking forward to playing my footy here in the future.
“But, to be honest, this time of year’s all about looking ahead to the season, and I can’t get past that excitement of getting back and playing footy.”
