Cats want to hit the ground running

The Cats get stuck into it at a training session. Source: Getty Images

GEELONG is gearing up to hit the ground running in Round 1, determined to avoid a repeat of the sluggish start that cost the Cats a top-four berth last year.

The Cats sweated through their longest pre-season session of the summer yesterday, with star midfielders Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly back in full-contact work.

Aside from injured Daniel Menzel, Geelong will have close to a full list to pick from when its NAB Cup campaign kicks off against West Coast and Fremantle in mid-February.

The Cats will pump solid match practice into their stars during the NAB Cup to try to avoid a repeat of last year's unconvincing 4-4 start.

Geelong starts the season with a Round 1 showdown against Hawthorn, then has three six-day breaks in a row, and faces reigning premier Sydney at the SCG and Collingwood inside the first eight rounds.

Young midfielder Mitch Duncan admitted yesterday the Cats could not afford to fall behind the pace early.

"We've got a tough start to the year with a couple of six-day breaks and we play some quality opposition, so our stars have got to be good," he said.

"We've got to start the year well and hopefully finish with a premiership. (A good start) is going to be crucial.

"The AFL has become a lot more even and if you're not on your game, even against the lesser sides, you'll get towelled up."

Duncan, feeling fit as he moves through his fourth AFL pre-season, said yesterday's session at Simonds Stadium was one of the toughest he had been involved in.

"It was definitely one of the toughest - one of the longest sessions of the year so far, which was good, and the boys got through," he said.

"(The season) has come around very quick. When you look at it, it's less than a month before we go to Perth to play Freo and West Coast.

"A lot of preparation has been put in, so we're really looking forward to playing good footy."

Veteran Paul Chapman ran a personal best 2km time-trial and Josh Caddy is on the verge of full-contact training.

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