GEELONG will unleash big name recruits Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Henderson and Zac Smith against the Hawks in their Round 1 clash.
Former Crows midfielder Dangerfield, former Lion and Blue Henderson and former Suns ruckman Smith were all named on the field in the Cats’ squad of 25, released on Thursday night.
What to expect
It’s no secret that Geelong believes it has put itself right back into the frame for September action in 2016 after a big recruiting drive over the off-season.
Having attracted the services of Dangerfield, Henderson, Smith and Scott Selwood (West Coast) and with players such as Daniel Menzel and Nathan Vardy fit, the Cats will be eyeing a finals berth.
Geelong’s NAB Challenge form was mixed – after losing to Collingwood in a high-scoring encounter at Simonds Stadium, they easily accounted for Essendon in Shepparton before going down to the Dockers in Perth.
However they were without skipper Joel Selwood during that period, and his return to the line-up will boost what is already a talent-stacked midfield.
They certainly have no problems with their bookends at either end of the ground, with Tom Hawkins and Vardy among the tall targets up forward, as well as Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan holding down the key defensive posts.
See Hawthorn’s 25-player squad
Last year the Hawks held a 2-0 record against the Cats, but without Jarryd Roughead, Bradley Hill and Liam Shiels, it’s going to be a much tougher task this time around.
Players to watch
Patrick Dangerfield has been one of the big to impress during the pre-season.
He was unstoppable in the NAB Challenge, collecting 28 touches and three goals against the Pies, 24 disposals and a goal against Essendon and 30 disposals and two goals against Fremantle.
He will come under much closer attention during the season proper but if that form is anything to go by, the Hawks will have a real battle on their hands in the midfield.
GEELONG SQUAD
B: Taylor, Lonergan, Mackie
HB: Guthrie, Henderson, Enright
C: Murdoch, Dangerfield, Duncan
HF: Motlop, Stanley, McCarthy
F: Bartel, Hawkins, Lang
Foll: Smith, Blicavs, J Selwood
Interchange from: Caddy, Cowan, Gregson, Kersten, Kolodjashnij, Menzel, Vardy
