Geelong coach Chris Scott insists there will be no guarantees for the club’s trio of off-season recruits in 2023.
Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry all performed well in the reigning premiers’ unofficial practice match win over Hawthorn last Thursday.
Former Sun Bowes and ex-Giant Bruhn were busy through the midfield while former Magpie Henry booted four goals in a promising display up forward.
Despite the positive start in the blue and white hoops, Scott is acutely aware of just how hard his side is to break into, warning the new triumvirate that there are no assurances over a starting senior spot.
“They continued on the form they’ve showed through the pre-season which was a really good sign for us,” Scott said of Bowes, Bruhn and Henry on SEN’s Whateley.
“All three of them were really good. I think as quickly as we can we should move away from grouping them all together and treat them as the individuals they are.
“Jack played a little less game time which was the plan, but he was super early in the game. He looks like he’s adjusted well to the way we like to play.
“Tanner played in the middle from the outset and was really good.
“Ollie kicked four goals but it was more just how dangerous he looked and how he complemented the other guys in that forward line that was promising.
“So good signs but we were clear with those three before we bought them in that at the moment our team is a hard one to pick.
“While we’ll work hard to give them opportunity, as we will for a range of guys who were just outside our 22 at the end of last year, there are still no guarantees.”
Henry’s older brother Jack injured his foot when landing awkwardly on Thursday and although the situation remains “uncertain”, Scott admits he is not all that positive.
“It’s a little uncertain at the moment,” Scott said.
“I always try not to predict how these things are going to go. It’s clearly complicated enough to be a problem, just how bad it is (we don’t know).
“I think we’ll know a little bit more in the next 48 hours. Our club is really forthright with these things once we know. We tend to be guarded when there is a range of possibilities.
“He’s clearly not playing in the next couple of weeks. I think I’ve tried to say we shouldn’t read the tea leaves but if you can detect the tone in my voice, I’m not that positive.”
The club has not provided an update since Henry came off during the Hawks game. The 24-year-old missed the first chunk of last season with a foot issue.
The Cats are next in action against the Lions in Brisbane this Friday as they tune up for their Round 1 clash with Collingwood at the MCG on March 17.
