Geelong news

Stars on the mend for VFL Cats

By administrator June 09, 2008

From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Bradley Green

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GEELONG\'S VFL side could be boosted in coming weeks by the return of key players Scott Simpson and captain James Byrne from long-term injuries.

Cats\' coach Leigh Tudor said Simpson is a chance to play against Bendigo next week while Byrne, who suffered a fractured thumb three weeks ago, was on track for a round 11 comeback.

Both have not played since suffering their injuries in Geelong\'s loss to Coburg at the MCG on May 17.

Simpson, who has kicked 17 goals from seven appearances this season, is recovering well from knee surgery and Tudor was optimistic he would line-up against the Bombers in Bendigo.

Cats VFL captain James Byrne facing hand surgery

By administrator May 20, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Michael Auciello

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GEELONG VFL captain James Byrne could miss up to eight weeks of football after being told he'll need surgery on an injured thumb.

The reigning JJ Liston medallist injured the thumb during the Cats' 34-point loss to Coburg at the MCG on Saturday and will go under the knife as soon as possible.

The injury has probably robbed him of the chance to captain Victoria in the state game against the SANFL in a fortnight.

The news was better for a few other Cats who were also wounded by game's end.

Cats VFL players to play first game on MCG

By administrator May 17, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Sarah Bieske

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GEELONG VFL players Jack Hollmer and Matt Firman will play on the hallowed MCG for the first time on Saturday.

The VFL side will play Coburg in the curtain-raiser to the round eight AFL clash between Geelong and Richmond.

Hollmer said it was a great opportunity for the VFL Cats and shows there is still a place for old-fashioned curtain-raiser games.

"It should be great. I've only been there a couple of times and I've never played there," Hollmer said. "Hopefully we get a few people along to have a look. We're all looking forward to it."

Hollmer and Firman are two of 14 players in the 22-player Cats team that have never played at the MCG before.

But with at least 17 Geelong-listed players in the Cats' VFL side and 15 in Coburg's, the grand final replay is set to be high quality.

Coach Leigh Tudor warns VFL Cats of bolstered Box Hill

By administrator May 10, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Bradley Green

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GEELONG VFL coach Leigh Tudor has warned his players about the perils of underestimating winless Box Hill Hawks in their marquee clash at Box Hill City Oval tomorrow.

With the Cats producing some of their best football for the season in the past two rounds, Tudor urged his side not to become complacent against the bottom-placed Hawks.

The sixth-placed Cats have struggled against Box Hill in recent seasons, including an upset 15-point loss at Skilled Stadium last year.

"So the fact that they haven't won a game doesn't mean anything," Tudor said.

"It will be a really good game and we're looking forward to the challenge. I know they've got up to five or six AFL blokes coming back from injury, but they'll have a really good balance of AFL and VFL players in their side."

Shannon Byrnes hot, but VFL Cats lose to Tassie Tigers

By administrator April 15, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Nick Wade

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GEELONG forward Shannon Byrnes is a white-hot favourite for senior recall this week after an eye-catching performance in the VFL at Tasmania's Bellerive Oval on Saturday.

Byrnes was the standout as a number of the Cats' fringe players did well, but their efforts weren't enough to resist Tasmania's rampaging final-quarter surge, with the Devils winning 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101).

Geelong coach Leigh Tudor praised the commitment of the small forward, who collected 36 possessions to answer his doubters after he was replaced in the Cats' AFL team by Ryan Gamble last week.

"Shannon Byrnes ... has always been an excellent VFL player, so to come back again and perform the way he has is a credit to him," Tudor said.

Promoted off the rookie list at the end of last season, Jason Davenport was in scintillating touch early, winning plenty of ball in the midfield, and floating into attack to kick four goals before half-time.

Geelong VFL Coach expects better effort

By administrator April 06, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
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AN 'embarrassed' Geelong VFL side will be out to get its season back on track when the Cats host Werribee at Skilled Stadium on Sunday morning.

Coach Leigh Tudor said his players were embarrassed by their performance in the opening round against Coburg last week and were determined to use this week's match against Werribee to prove their doubters wrong.

"It wasn't an acceptable performance by quite a few of them and they know that," Tudor said.

"They're pretty keen to get back out there as quick as they can and show the footy world that they're much better than what they showed last week."

The Cats are coming off a 75-point drubbing at the hands of Coburg, but Tudor conceded there was still teething problems as they adjusted to a vastly different line-up.

Former AFL player Sam Cranage teams with James Byrne in VFL

By administrator March 03, 2008
From the Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Bradley Green
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GEELONG'S VFL squad could be further strengthened this season with the addition of another former AFL player.

Ex-St Kilda and Carlton midfielder Sam Cranage had his first hit-out for the Cats in Saturday's VFL practice match against Werribee at Geelong's Skilled Stadium.

The 27-year-old played 18 games with the Saints and Blues after being taken in the 1997 AFL national draft and was invited to trial with the side by his good friend, Geelong's VFL captain James Byrne.

Cranage spent last season playing with Balwyn in the Southern Football League, but Cats coach Leigh Tudor said he believed his side could benefit from his previous VFL experience playing with Williamstown.

"He's keen to play VFL footy again and we'd love to have him,'' Tudor said.

Geelong Football Club tries to revive VFL curtain-raiser

By administrator November 10, 2007
From the Geelong Advertiser

Reported by Michael Auciello
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GEELONG and Collingwood are hoping to bring some tradition back to the MCG next year, requesting a VFL curtain-raiser before their round nine AFL clash.

The two clubs have forwarded the idea to the VFL as part of their requests for the 2008 fixture.

The Pies will join Geelong in fielding a stand alone VFL team next season, after ending their alliance with affiliate Williamstown this year.

Collingwood approached the premiers about the idea of playing a curtain-raiser before the Friday night AFL game on May 23.

Although the Cats are supportive of the idea, the AFL is believed to have said the fixture would be unlikely because round nine is indigenous round and three AFL games are planned for the MCG that weekend.


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