‘Pay a lot of money for a guy like that’: Dons’ ‘brightest shining light’ stuns Cats – AFL pre-season LIVE

An array of small forwards, including Essendon’s new dynamic duo, have lit up GMHBA Stadium, producing classy goals to set up a tight finish in the Cats-Bombers AAMI Community Series clash.

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A sharp start, accurate kicking and excellent pressure saw Essendon hold a handy quarter-time lead over Geelong, with Nic Martin starring and top draftee Isaac Kako showing promising early glimpses.

Geelong then found its groove, slamming on six goals to three in the second term to take a handy lead over Essendon. The Cats were able to give their forward line greater supply in the second term, with Jeremy Cameron booting two goals and Shannon Neale finding good touch to help give Geelong a three-point lead at the main break.

But Nate Caddy kicked his third goal and Kako added his second in the third term to set up a grandstand finish.

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Geelong will be hoping to firm up its answer to the team’s biggest positional question on Tuesday night when it hosts Essendon in the first match of the 2025 AAMI Community Series.

With experienced premiership player Rhys Stanley named as an emergency, Cats have picked 204cm defender Sam De Koning as the starting ruck for the match, with utility Mark Blicavs to provide support in a similar set-up to the one Geelong used in match simulation against Hawthorn. Skipper Patrick Dangerfield on Monday said De Koning was “raw in terms of his capability (tap ability)”, but stressed he was “brilliant around the ground” and that his ability to win the ball means he’s “almost an extra midfielder”.

Returning for the Bombers after missing their practice match against the Bulldogs are Sam Durham, Ben McKay and Jade Gresham, but Mason Redman has been managed.

This match gets underway at 7.20pm (AEDT) from GMHBA Stadium.

The only place to watch the game live will be on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports, from 7pm (AEDT).

AFL PRE-SEASON TEAMS – AAMI COMMUNITY SERIES

GEELONG CATS

B: L.Humphries, T.Stewart, C.O’Sullivan

HB: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, M.Blicavs

C: J.Clark, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey

HF: P.Dangerfield, B.Close, T.Stengle

F: G.Miers, S.Neale, J.Cameron

FOLL: S.De Koning, T.Atkins, M.Knevitt

I/C: T.Clohesy, M.Duncan, J.Bews, M.O’Connor, O.Mullin, J.Bowes, J.Kolodjashnij, O.Henry

EMG: R.Stanley, G.Stevens, J.Polkinghorne, O.Wiltshire