Bartel brilliant, but it's time to assess Geelong's youth

The attention was all on Jimmy Bartel’s 250th AFL game last night, but Geelong’s first win of 2014 was as much about players at the other end of Cat careers.

Bartel was brilliant, going a long way toward locking up the game when he repeatedly slipped his opponent to steal three goals in the second quarter, with another touched on the line.

He’s been a faultless servant of the club through his whole career, is one of the most respected players in the league, and shows that the phrase ‘role model’ can sometimes be used about footballers without a sarcastic roll of the eyes.

His fellow usual suspects were prominent too, with Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson, Corey Enright, James Kelly and Harry Taylor all on board. But the number of experienced players has dwindled in passing seasons, and Cat-watchers are keen to see what the next generation will do.

Some we know all about: Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, Allen Christensen, Taylor Hunt and Daniel Menzel have proved they can play at the top level when fit. For most young players it’s a slower process, while there are also mature-age recruits who need to negotiate a new club’s system.

Of course there’s a most of a season to come in which players could develop or go off the rails, but let’s see which newer Cats looked the goods.

Josh Caddy – convinced
After 18 games and two finals in his first year at the Cats, Caddy wasn’t exactly peripheral. Last night, though, was his most impressive game for the Cats, and not just for footballing reasons.

When Selwood was slung in a tackle in the second quarter, his flying boot smacked Caddy square in the head as the younger man went down for the ball. Caddy was prone on the ground for some time, then sat up with his face a mask of blood.

It was a confronting sight, but after several stitches and a rest, Caddy came back after half time and put his head straight back over the ball. He went for contested marks up forward and weaved through heavy packs to break out of defence, finishing just short of his career-high disposals count to go with an earlier goal. It was the kind of leadership that the club culture reveres.

Hamish McIntosh – convinced
After an entire first season injured, the ruckman sauntered in to nail a goal from 50 with his first kick for Geelong. His last game had been for North Melbourne in early 2012. But McIntosh looked extremely fit, moved well, teamed with Dawson Simpson to win the hit-outs, and smashed a pack with a big mark that hopefully portends things to come.

Most impressive, though, was in the final quarter. Having run hard to receive a counter-attacking pass all on his own in the forward 50, McIntosh was cruising in for his second goal from point-black range. That is, until he saw Bartel out of the corner of his eye, also tracking to the goal-line.

McIntosh stalled for a second, drew the pursuing Adelaide opponent, and popped a handball over the top for Bartel’s fourth in his milestone game. It showed huge selflessness and team sense from a player who has waited for so long. As coach Chris Scott said later, “”Hamish McIntosh became a Geelong player tonight.”

Mitch Brown – unconvinced
We’re always told that key forwards take longest to mature, but we’ve been waiting an awfully long time for Mitch Brown. Drafted in 2008, Brown will turn 24 this year and has so far managed 11 games and 10 goals.

He did kick three last night, but his tentative approach to the game is a worry. He meets the ball with iron hands, so marks don’t stick. His early goals came from picking up a co-operative loose ball, then having one literally handed to him, both 20 metres out.

Finally he got a bit of juice going in the last quarter and played with confidence, including slotting a running goal from 50 in plenty of space. He could well become a good player, but with several older forwards now gone, it’s time for Brown to raise his level.

Mark Blicavs – convinced
The Blitz is the ultimate cult favourite, with his unlikely path into football, his Olympic-standard running, and the fact that he’d only played half a dozen games at any level before being thrown into Geelong action last year. Remarkably he showed an innate ability to hoof the ball 50 metres, even if indiscriminately, and he’s now honed his handball skills and better learned how to wear a tackle.

An interesting experiment last night had him sub on for ruckman Dawson Simpson after half time and spend some time as a wingman. Unorthodox, yes, but so is everything about Blicav’s career and Scott’s management of it. Wingman? Well, employ Blicav’s endurance gut-running from goal-line to goal-line, and he’ll destroy anyone who tries to stay with him.

Jordan Murdoch – convinced
Playing his 20th game, the man known as a speedster did some hard yards in the contest, too. A couple of snaps out on the full, but also nailed a goal and some important inside-50s, and laid five tackles. He was among the best for disposal efficiency.

Jared Rivers – unconvinced
Rivers was highly rated when he moved from Melbourne, but yet to look comfortable at the Cats. He took a couple of good grabs and was solid, but he lacks the poise and calm that have typified Geelong’s defence. He’s often awkward in gathering loose balls, and flustered in disposing of them. Perhaps his confidence will grow with more time in the team.

Lincoln McCarthy – unconvinced
We’ll go easy on a kid in his second game, but Scott (very gently) identified the need to develop McCarthy’s confidence. He wasn’t much sighted last night.

Cameron Guthrie – convinced
This is a player on the rise. He’s now played 41 games, and after consistent quality as third or fourth banana in defence last year, was thrown into the guts last night with the tagging job on Patrick Dangerfield.

“He was waiting for Paddy outside the hotel this afternoon,” said Brad Johnson from the commentary booth, so claustrophobic was Guthrie’s attention. Sure, Dangerfield had a decent night, but Guthrie chipped in with 13 stats, 4 clearances and 11 one-percenters. He’s also grown a great mop of ‘80s footy hair.

Dawson Simpson – convinced
Needs to lift his usage of the ball, but Simpson was good in the ruck and a disconcerting presence up forward. No defender really wants a 206-centimetre lamp-post coming down to shine a light on his game.

Matty Stokes – convinced
A bit rich including him on this list, given he’s played in two flags and debuted in 2006. But Stokes effectively became a new player last year, from a useful small forward to a genuine midfielder.

It was a stunning transformation, going from averaging 15.5 possessions one season to 26.38 the next. Last night he ticked off his seachange standard, notching 27 disposals and a goal.