Second-year forward Jay Polkinghorne has given a glimpse of his undoubted talent in Geelong’s match simulation loss to Hawthorn in a performance that has him in the frame for Opening Round.
The 19-year-old, who joined the Cats with pick 44 in the 2024 National Draft, kicked three goals in warm conditions in the 16.15 (111) to 14.10 (94) defeat at the Hawks’ recently-opened Kennedy Community Centre at Dingley.
With reigning Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron battling a quad complaint and Tyson Stengle working his way back to full fitness after being granted personal leave either side of Christmas, the South Australian could find himself on a plane to the Gold Coast in early March.
“We’ve probably got at least one spot there, so he definitely put his hand up today,” Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly said.
“He competed so well. Even when he didn’t mark it, he brought the ball to ground.
“And he probably could have kicked a few more (goals).
“He’s another young player really working hard on his craft, and it’s great that he played well today.”
Uncapped big man Mitch Edwards was also given an opportunity to spend an extended period in the ruck, holding his own against Hawthorn duo Lloyd Meek and Ned Reeves.
Veteran Mark Blicavs was sidelined today with a minor ankle issue. However, with Rahilly indicating Rhys Stanley has some work to do to take the field, Edwards may not be far behind Polkinghorne in making his AFL debut.
“He has that ability to get after the ball. I think he’s 208 centimetres, so he’s pretty agile for someone that size,” Rahilly said.
With Bailey Smith and Max Holmes not playing after being part of Victoria’s AFL Origin win over Western Australia, and Tanner Bruhn a late withdrawal through illness, Ollie Dempsey spent plenty of time in the midfield and was a regular attendee at centre bounces.
“We’re always looking at different ways that we can improve our players, and Ollie (has) got that wing role pretty much sorted,” Rahill said.
“There’s no doubt we’ll play him there at times,
“But he’s very dangerous forward, (a) very dangerous aerialist, and then we’re trying to add that centre bounce craft to his game.
“He was pretty dangerous there as well. He’s played a fair bit of the pre-season in the mid.”‘
In the absence of Cameron, Shannon Neale kicked four goals, while Ollie Henry, who found himself out of Geelong’s best 23 at the end of last year, was also lively, finishing with three goals.
Zac Guthrie also missed the game due to illness but is expected to be right for the Community Series meeting with Carlton at IKON Park on Wednesday, February 25.
Bruhn, along with Holmes, Smith, and fellow Origin representatives Lawson Humphries, vice-captain Tom Stewart, and skipper Patrick Dangerfield, are all expected to take on the Blues.
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