Ollie Henry starred with four goals and Geelong ran away 20-point victors at GMHBA Stadium, 15.16 (106) to 13.8 (86), in the clubs’ first pre-season hitouts of 2025.
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It included big-name recruits Bailey Smith and Josh Battle playing their first unofficial games in their new colours, with Smith producing some exciting moments, while Battle limped from the field in the fourth quarter but returned.
The Cats dominated the game in the first half as their dynamic forward line shined, but their inaccurate 6.13 kicking in front of goal kept Hawthorn in the game.
The Hawks came alive in the second half as their midfield-forward connection was more effective. The visitors momentarily took the lead in the third quarter before Henry kicked two goals — one an epic finish from the boundary line — in the final minutes of the third term to regain momentum for Geelong ahead of the fourth quarter.
The Cats added to their lead in the final period to cap off an impressive performance from Chris Scott’s side.
The 3-2-1 (what we learned) …
3. HENRY DAZZLES AS CATS’ DYNAMIC FORWARD LINE OMINOUS
This Cats forward line is again going to be some sort of nightmare matchup for opposition teams.
There was a lot to like about Geelong’s dynamic attacking group on Monday, with the likes of Ollie Henry (four goals), Brad Close (three goals), Jeremy Cameron and Shannon Neale (both two goals) putting in impressive performances.
Gryan Miers shined early with some elite kicking inside 50, while Henry got better as the day went on including kicking two goals in a matter of minutes to end the third quarter.
It included a freakish finish from the 22-year old tucked up on the boundary line that, if it were eligible, would’ve been early Goal of the Year contender.
Patrick Dangerfield also spent plenty of time forward to add another dimension to this talented and versatile Cats forward line.
“They’re certainly evolving more and more and we’ve seen that throughout this match simulation today,” AFLW Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn said on Fox Footy.
“It’s really impressive that versatility — they have some tall targets they can kick the ball long to and strong one-on-one payers. On ground level their ability to get front and centre has looked dangerous and promising.”
2. DAY READY TO EXPLODE
Will Day looks ready to take his game to another level in 2025.
Day was one of the standouts from Monday’s game as a clear class above, with the midfielder pushing forward at times in a glimpse of his potential new role this season.
The promising 23-year old, who looks every bit Hawthorn’s future skipper, finished with two goals and had a real presence as he looks to cement himself as one the game’s elite players this year.
It came after Day’s 2024 season was disrupted by a collarbone issue that eventually needed surgery. By all reports he’s had a huge pre-season though, carrying that form into Monday’s match simulation.
“That’s a real highlight to his game and what we’ve seen today,” Blackburn said on Fox Footy after Day’s second goal.
“Being able to read the play really quickly and adapt. Getting forward of the footy and getting those clearances out the front of stoppages, which you love to see. Jeez, it’s exciting to watch.”
1. GEELONG ‘EVOLUTION’ ON SHOW
The Cats just continue to find ways to regenerate and keep on keeping on. It’s what’s made them such a successful team the last two decades and why they’ve continued to stay in contention against the odds.
It was again clear on Monday that this new era of Cats have taken the torch from their stalwarts of years past including the likes of Max Holmes, Bailey Smith, rocking a white headband, Connor O’Sullivan, Ollie Henry and Shannon Neale leading the way.
Reigning Carji Greeves medallist Holmes had some particularly bright moments running through the midfield, while Sam De Koning rucked for the Cats for the majority of the first half before Mitch Edwards and Rhys Stanley took over.
Mitch Knevitt also looked good running through the midfield to continue his strong pre-season.
It’s these names that will be key in deciding Geelong’s fortunes in 2025 as the club again looks to be in the premiership mix.
We didn’t get our first look at Jack Martin yet in the blue and white hoops, with the recruit along with Shaun Mannagh and Cam Guthrie absent. Lawson Humphries and Tyson Stengle also missed Monday’s game after playing in the Indigenous All-Stars game against Fremantle on the weekend.
“The way they turn their list over and keep players involved and the evolution of their team, it’s really impressive,” Blackburn said.
“The way they buy in to what they’re doing down here, they’re just one of those teams always around the mark. With a different midfield and forward look again this year, they look dangerous already.”
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Geelong was missing a handful of gun players, with Shaun Mannagh, Cam Guthrie, and Jack Martin all absent. Lawson Humphries and Tyson Stengle also won’t take the field, having only just returned from their Indigenous All-Stars game against Fremantle in Perth less than 48 hours ago.
At Hawthorn, livewire Nick Watson, Massimo D’Ambrosio, Luke Breust and Changkuoth Jiath were among the big names who won’t play, while Indigenous pair Jarman Impey and Karl Amon played on Saturday night in Western Australia.
GEELONG SQUAD
1. Rhys Stanley
2. Jay Polkinghorne
3. Bailey Smith
4. Tanner Bruhn
5. Jeremy Cameron
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
9. Max Holmes
10. Mitchell Knevitt
11. Mitchell Edwards
12. Jack Bowes
13. Jhye Clark
14. Connor O’Sullivan
15. George Stevens
16. Sam De Koning
21. Oliver Wiltshire
22. Mitchell Duncan
23. Jed Bews
28. Ollie Dempsey
30. Tom Atkins
32. Gryan Miers
33. Shannon Neale
34. Oisin Mullin
35. Patrick Dangerfield
36. Ollie Henry
38. Jack Henry
39. Zac Guthrie
40, Ted Clohesy
42. Mark O’Connor
44. Tom Stewart
45. Brad Close
46. Mark Blicavs
HAWTHORN SQUAD
1. Harry Morrison
3. Jai Newcombe
5. James Worpel
6. James Sicily
7. Ned Reeves
8. Sam Frost
11. Conor Nash
12. Will Day
13. Dylan Moore
14. Jack Scrimshaw
15. Blake Hardwick
17. Lloyd Meek
18. Mabior Chol
19. Jack Gunston
20. Finn Maginness
21. Noah Mraz
23. Josh Weddle
24. Josh Battle
25. Josh Ward
26. Bodie Ryan
27. Will McCabe
28. Cam Mackenzie
29. Jai Serong
31. Connor Macdonald
33. Jack Ginnivan
38. Max Ramsden
39. Jasper Scaife
40. Seamus Mitchell
42. Bailey Macdonald
44. Henry Hustwaite
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