logo
Bonus points for Cats defender as Eagles hurdle looms

Bonus points for Cats defender as Eagles hurdle looms

The Advertiser31-05-2025
Geelong premiership defender Jack Henry has treated most of his AFL career as a bonus.
As he reaches the 150-game milestone, the once rookie-listed Cats backman is pinching himself.
"I wouldn't say I was the most red-hot recruit you'd ever see, but something eventually clicked," Henry told AAP ahead of Sunday's clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.
"You get your opportunity and from there I just didn't look back.
"Especially as a rookie, you're kind of just excited for one game and from there it's been a bonus."
A particularly fruitful one at that.
Henry boasts a 66.4 per cent winning ratio across nine seasons and was a reliable cog in the Cats' backline for their 2022 grand final triumph.
A series of foot injuries restricted his output in 2022-23, and a hamstring strain sidelined the 26-year-old for five weeks earlier this season.
But a second flag is on the radar, with Geelong firmly in contention after a 7-4 start to the season.
Winning one alongside brother Ollie, who joined the Cats from Collingwood in a trade at the end of 2022, would make it even more special.
"It's not something you sit around all day thinking about, but you can definitely dream and that would be a dream," Henry said.
"It's all about your timing and if you can hit your straps at the right time.
"It feels like we've got a lot more to give and we're not quite at our best while still being in a very good position.
"I'm very optimistic that our best footy's ahead of us, so we're all pretty excited."
Former Geelong teammates Sam Simpson, Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable - all of whom now play for WAFL club Perth - will be at Optus Stadium with Henry's family to celebrate the dependable backman's milestone on Sunday.
The Cats are determined to avoid the same fate that befell St Kilda as the most recent Victorian team who took on the Eagles in Perth.
West Coast, winless after nine rounds, upset the Saints in a drought-breaking 28-point victory a fortnight ago.
It was first-year coach Andrew McQualter's first win in charge, made sweeter by the fact it came against his old mentor Ross Lyon.
The shock result served as a reminder to the Cats that West Coast can't be taken lightly, especially on their home deck.
Not even a possible top-four battle with Gold Coast at home next week will distract Chris Scott's side.
"We've narrowed our focus to the Eagles' more recent form, which hasn't been too bad," Henry said.
"A few things have clicked for them and they got that win.
"They've looked pretty dangerous at times, so we've got to show up with the right intent to dismiss them."
West Coast suffered a huge blow when All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury sustained in last week's heavy defeat to Adelaide.
Ruck-forward Bailey Williams (managed) and Tom Gross (omitted) are also out of the team.
Emerging key forwards Jack Williams and Archer Reid have been called up, as has one-game defender Bo Allan.
Geelong made just one change to the team that beat the Western Bulldogs, with Connor O'Sullivan back in place of Jed Bews (managed).
Geelong premiership defender Jack Henry has treated most of his AFL career as a bonus.
As he reaches the 150-game milestone, the once rookie-listed Cats backman is pinching himself.
"I wouldn't say I was the most red-hot recruit you'd ever see, but something eventually clicked," Henry told AAP ahead of Sunday's clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.
"You get your opportunity and from there I just didn't look back.
"Especially as a rookie, you're kind of just excited for one game and from there it's been a bonus."
A particularly fruitful one at that.
Henry boasts a 66.4 per cent winning ratio across nine seasons and was a reliable cog in the Cats' backline for their 2022 grand final triumph.
A series of foot injuries restricted his output in 2022-23, and a hamstring strain sidelined the 26-year-old for five weeks earlier this season.
But a second flag is on the radar, with Geelong firmly in contention after a 7-4 start to the season.
Winning one alongside brother Ollie, who joined the Cats from Collingwood in a trade at the end of 2022, would make it even more special.
"It's not something you sit around all day thinking about, but you can definitely dream and that would be a dream," Henry said.
"It's all about your timing and if you can hit your straps at the right time.
"It feels like we've got a lot more to give and we're not quite at our best while still being in a very good position.
"I'm very optimistic that our best footy's ahead of us, so we're all pretty excited."
Former Geelong teammates Sam Simpson, Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable - all of whom now play for WAFL club Perth - will be at Optus Stadium with Henry's family to celebrate the dependable backman's milestone on Sunday.
The Cats are determined to avoid the same fate that befell St Kilda as the most recent Victorian team who took on the Eagles in Perth.
West Coast, winless after nine rounds, upset the Saints in a drought-breaking 28-point victory a fortnight ago.
It was first-year coach Andrew McQualter's first win in charge, made sweeter by the fact it came against his old mentor Ross Lyon.
The shock result served as a reminder to the Cats that West Coast can't be taken lightly, especially on their home deck.
Not even a possible top-four battle with Gold Coast at home next week will distract Chris Scott's side.
"We've narrowed our focus to the Eagles' more recent form, which hasn't been too bad," Henry said.
"A few things have clicked for them and they got that win.
"They've looked pretty dangerous at times, so we've got to show up with the right intent to dismiss them."
West Coast suffered a huge blow when All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury sustained in last week's heavy defeat to Adelaide.
Ruck-forward Bailey Williams (managed) and Tom Gross (omitted) are also out of the team.
Emerging key forwards Jack Williams and Archer Reid have been called up, as has one-game defender Bo Allan.
Geelong made just one change to the team that beat the Western Bulldogs, with Connor O'Sullivan back in place of Jed Bews (managed).
Geelong premiership defender Jack Henry has treated most of his AFL career as a bonus.
As he reaches the 150-game milestone, the once rookie-listed Cats backman is pinching himself.
"I wouldn't say I was the most red-hot recruit you'd ever see, but something eventually clicked," Henry told AAP ahead of Sunday's clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.
"You get your opportunity and from there I just didn't look back.
"Especially as a rookie, you're kind of just excited for one game and from there it's been a bonus."
A particularly fruitful one at that.
Henry boasts a 66.4 per cent winning ratio across nine seasons and was a reliable cog in the Cats' backline for their 2022 grand final triumph.
A series of foot injuries restricted his output in 2022-23, and a hamstring strain sidelined the 26-year-old for five weeks earlier this season.
But a second flag is on the radar, with Geelong firmly in contention after a 7-4 start to the season.
Winning one alongside brother Ollie, who joined the Cats from Collingwood in a trade at the end of 2022, would make it even more special.
"It's not something you sit around all day thinking about, but you can definitely dream and that would be a dream," Henry said.
"It's all about your timing and if you can hit your straps at the right time.
"It feels like we've got a lot more to give and we're not quite at our best while still being in a very good position.
"I'm very optimistic that our best footy's ahead of us, so we're all pretty excited."
Former Geelong teammates Sam Simpson, Brandan Parfitt and Charlie Constable - all of whom now play for WAFL club Perth - will be at Optus Stadium with Henry's family to celebrate the dependable backman's milestone on Sunday.
The Cats are determined to avoid the same fate that befell St Kilda as the most recent Victorian team who took on the Eagles in Perth.
West Coast, winless after nine rounds, upset the Saints in a drought-breaking 28-point victory a fortnight ago.
It was first-year coach Andrew McQualter's first win in charge, made sweeter by the fact it came against his old mentor Ross Lyon.
The shock result served as a reminder to the Cats that West Coast can't be taken lightly, especially on their home deck.
Not even a possible top-four battle with Gold Coast at home next week will distract Chris Scott's side.
"We've narrowed our focus to the Eagles' more recent form, which hasn't been too bad," Henry said.
"A few things have clicked for them and they got that win.
"They've looked pretty dangerous at times, so we've got to show up with the right intent to dismiss them."
West Coast suffered a huge blow when All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury sustained in last week's heavy defeat to Adelaide.
Ruck-forward Bailey Williams (managed) and Tom Gross (omitted) are also out of the team.
Emerging key forwards Jack Williams and Archer Reid have been called up, as has one-game defender Bo Allan.
Geelong made just one change to the team that beat the Western Bulldogs, with Connor O'Sullivan back in place of Jed Bews (managed).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alex de Minaur beats Jiri Lehecka in three sets to reach DC Open quarterfinal
Alex de Minaur beats Jiri Lehecka in three sets to reach DC Open quarterfinal

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

Alex de Minaur beats Jiri Lehecka in three sets to reach DC Open quarterfinal

Back at a happy hunting ground, Alex de Minaur has reached his first ATP quarterfinal in more than three months and matched a milestone of Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. Seventh-seeded de Minaur out-gunned big-serving Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 to move into the last eight at the DC Open in Washington, the scene of the Australian's maiden ATP 500 final in 2018. De Minaur's supreme returns and counter-punching yielded three breaks while he also crunched eight aces in dropping serve only twice in a tight encounter lasting two-and-three-quarter hours. The world number 13 could have had it done much quicker had he not double-faulted on his second match point in the second-set tie-breaker. De Minaur then failed to serve out the match at 5-2 in the deciding set before responding with a love service hold to close out the contest. "I dug really deep," the Australian said. "I didn't want to lose having a match point in the second set and hitting a double fault. "I told myself I was going to struggle to sleep at night, so I better do everything I can to try and win that match. It was a tough, tough match." With his 39th ATP 500 victory since the start of 2023, de Minaur tied Alcaraz for the most wins at that level during that period. In promising signs ahead of next month's US Open, the 26-year-old also boasts a tour-leading 19 wins on hard courts this season. Playing his first event since suffering a deflating fourth-round loss to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, de Minaur next faces American Brandon Nakashima for a place in the final four. Nakashima progressed to his 20th ATP Tour quarterfinal with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over Brit Cameron Norrie. Former world number one and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev also advanced with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing. Down to 17th in the rankings, the Russian is surprisingly chasing his first title since May of 2023. Medvedev will play French qualifying lucky loser Corentin Moutet in the last eight. AAP

Why a dodgy Thai buffet could save the Australian swimming team's reputation
Why a dodgy Thai buffet could save the Australian swimming team's reputation

Sydney Morning Herald

timean hour ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Why a dodgy Thai buffet could save the Australian swimming team's reputation

Swimming World has reported that US star and Olympic champion Torri Huske was one athlete struck down by illness. Huske is Mollie O'Callaghan's main rival in the 100m freestyle event and an important figure for the US in their 4x100m freestyle relay team on night one. That opening night in Japan — where Australia picked up four gold medals and two world records across five events — was arguably the most dominant two-hour stretch in Australian swimming history. Sam Short and Ariarne Titmus won their 400m freestyle finals, while the men's and women's 4x100m freestyle relay teams defeated the US in memorable fashion. Since the world championships began in 1973, Australia had never claimed four gold medals on the same day. However, fans tuning into Sunday's action in Singapore should temper expectations. A repeat of Fukuoka seems unlikely. Australia's 'crazy' start in Fukuoka, in the words of since-retired Olympic great Emma McKeon, set the Dolphins on the path to a record haul of 13 gold medals, six more than their American rivals. Even half that in Singapore would be considered a strong return. The reason? Australia and the US have taken different approaches since the Paris Olympics. Most of the USA's top swimmers had a shorter break after Paris. They swim more often at big meets, and many are entrenched in the college system. For them, posting fast times all year round is a non-negotiable. The USA narrowly beat Australia on the swimming medal tally at Paris 2024, eight golds to seven. Many of Australia's elite swimmers have taken a slower path, mindful of the long road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. On the whole, swimmers' times at last month's Australian trials in Adelaide were not spectacular. Titmus is the biggest name missing in Singapore — instead calling races for Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead — though part of her will surely wish she was racing Ledecky and Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh. McKeown, who swept the backstroke events in Fukuoka, is again Australia's leading gold medal hope in the 50m, 100m and 200m events. O'Callaghan is also hunting glory in the 100m and 200m freestyle after taking out both events two years ago. Short and Elijah Winnington, both world champions, are the best individual medal chances on night one in the men's 400m freestyle. Loading Cam McEvoy returns in the 50m freestyle after Olympic gold in Paris. Kyle Chalmers is chasing world championship gold in the 100m freestyle but will need to beat world record-holder Pan Zhanle, who took gold in Paris. There will be no shortage of global talent in Singapore. McIntosh is attempting to become the first swimmer since Michael Phelps to win five individual golds at a single world championships. And French star Leon Marchand — who trained with Australian coach Dean Boxall earlier this year and spent much of his downtime surfing — is eyeing world records in the 200m and 400m individual medley events after dropping the 200m butterfly and breaststroke events from his program. Marchand won four individual gold medals in front of his home French crowd last year - including two in one night. 'I think he needed a mental break,' said Marchand's coach Bob Bowman, who also looked after Phelps. 'I think he needed to go away to Australia to get out of France for a while.'

‘It's like they're oblivious': The fight to save a struggling sport in Victoria
‘It's like they're oblivious': The fight to save a struggling sport in Victoria

Sydney Morning Herald

timean hour ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘It's like they're oblivious': The fight to save a struggling sport in Victoria

'But the next generation of players will likely be in the NRL because Rugby Australia has dropped the ball. 'It's like they're oblivious to where the talent is coming from.' Rugby Australia says competition for players is intense nationwide, and rejects claims it dropped the ball. 'Rugby Australia also recently launched the Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships at under 16 and under 18 level, which provided a strong platform for the best players from every state and territory to perform on the national stages,' an RA spokesperson said. 'Several Victorian players from the tournament have been invited into the pathway programs of Super Rugby clubs.' But Harlequin Rugby Club president Brock Parker, who has been involved in the game for more than 30 years, says talented young players are crossing the border. The talent drain Parker has already seen eight to 10 teenagers from Quins move interstate in the past year, at great expense for the players and their families and stripping talent from the local Dewar Shield competition. 'The biggest effect of the demise of the Rebels has been the talent drain, a lot of the talented 18-year-olds have headed north,' Parker said. 'At our club, we've lost eight to 10 players aged 18 or 19 who have gone to play club rugby in Canberra or Sydney or elsewhere because there is no pathway here. Many of them see it as a possible profession for their future.' Wason said his club doesn't have a senior men's side at present and noted there are multiple rugby league clubs in their catchment area between Preston out to Doreen and Mernda. 'I know a lot of the families who are now running around at rugby league clubs who were our players,' Wason said. 'Now there's no obvious pathway into professional rugby in Victoria, there's more of an inclination to go down to the local league club than it is to drive to Reservoir – from the northern outskirts it's a 40-minute drive in peak hour traffic.' The Panthers now train at Mernda once a week. 'If we hadn't done that [the Mernda sessions], then we would have struggled with juniors but we've managed to get teams together,' Wason said. Both Parker and Wason say talented players from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have stopped moving to Melbourne clubs. Players such as Sefa Naivalu arrived in Melbourne from Fiji and within a year went from Box Hill to the Rebels. He went on to play for the Wallabies and is still playing professionally. 'You don't see those players at all – they've totally gone,' Wason lamented. The Melbourne poster boy Former Rebels captain Rob Leota admits it still hurts to know his club is gone. He did his best to show love to his home city as a part of the First Nations and Pasifika team that almost upset the Lions at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night. Originally meant to be a clash between the Rebels and the Lions, Rugby Australia created the concept of the First Nations and Pasifika team to fill the void. Leota made the sign of an 'M' with his fingers then did a cultural dance after scoring a late try in front of the 30,000-strong crowd. His emotions are still raw. He played for NSW Waratahs this year. Next season, Leota will move to France. 'I moved out of my comfort zone. It's the first time living away from home after being in Melbourne my whole life. I felt like a 12-year-old leaving my parents and living by myself with my girlfriend in Sydney,' Leota said. 'As hard as it was to leave the Rebels and see them gone, all I can hope is that we get a team back in Melbourne for these young kids to keep aspiring to keep playing rugby and one day play for the Wallabies.' Wallaroos exodus The Rebels women were also dropped from the Super W competition at the end of last season. It has left a huge hole. Wallaroos games record holder Ashley Marsters is a proud from Victorian and so is lock Tiarah Minns. But they had to join Western Force and Queensland Reds for this year's Super W. 'The unspoken impact has been on the pathway for our women,' Rugby Victoria CEO Aaron Bailey said. But he is buoyed by some interest the ACT Brumbies have shown in signing some young Victorian women after the recent national titles. A partnership with the Brumbies makes sense, according to Harlequins president Parker. They are closer than WA or NSW and the ACT has a smaller local playing base. Reigning John Eales medallist Valetini grew up in Victoria but became a star with the Brumbies as did former Wallabies playmaker Christian Leali'ifano. 'We've got to buddy up with the Brumbies,' Parker said. 'They started running coaching clinics and setting that up in the early 2000s. They really ingrained themselves in our community. 'But I fear they don't want to do that now because they are scared that somewhere down the line they will be forced to move to Melbourne.' Bailey and Rugby Victoria have put a focus on helping clubs improve their elite development, and they aim to form local representative squads for the north, south, east and west where the elite juniors train together, such as the AFL's Coates Talent League. Battle of the codes Loading Just as the Rebels were fading away, the NRL's Melbourne Storm pivoted towards boosting their local player ranks. Wason saw winger Young Tonumaipea leave the Panthers to chase a successful career with the Storm and now he's seeing scores of former union families join one of several NRL junior clubs in his area. One of Wason's prize photos is of Leota and Leali'ifano holding a Panthers jersey. Now he can't be sure his club will produce another Wallaby. Bailey said Rugby Victoria had to keep promoting the success of its players. 'We need to articulate to our parents and players that union is a pathway. There's far more Victorians playing union professionally than in league, but we've got to continue to tell that story.' The future Rugby Victoria hopes the fields at the centre of excellence will be functional by October or November and that talks with Sport and Recreation Victoria, La Trobe University and the state government will lead to the building being finished. Loading RV sees that venue as vital for hosting future events and attracting more international matches. 'Without a professional team, we have to work out the best use of that facility,' chief executive Aaron Bailey said. 'For the people who play and love rugby, they are seeking clarity on what the game looks like in Victoria.' The state government contributed $31.870 million to the centre, and sports funding is scarce due to its budget struggles. 'Significant works have already been completed following our investment with all three rugby pitches being laid, helping fulfil the high demand for rugby pitches in metropolitan Melbourne,' a government spokesperson said. Rugby Australia said it would work with RV and the state government on finishing the centre, which Parker says is critical. 'Now we've got to get the bloody thing finished,' Parker said. Leota offers encouragement to young Victorians who had to leave. 'It's unfortunate to see but all you can say to those kids is that if you really want to aspire to play, then you've got to do what you've got to do,' Leota said. 'Continue to work hard and no matter where you go, never be ashamed to be from Melbourne, even though there is no team here.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store