Confidence boost for Mitch

THE performance of first-year AFL-listed midfielder Mitch Knevitt was one of the few highlights as Geelong slumped to a fourth consecutive VFL defeat.

The Cats were no match for the much-improved Frankston, suffering a 56-point loss at Skybus Stadium, 18.10 (118) to 8.14 (62).

However, Knevitt, who made two AFL appearances in May, won 20 disposals as he went head-to-head in the midfield with star Dolphin Will Fordham (23 disposals).

“After he came back from his AFL duties, he probably lost a little bit of confidence,” coach Shane O’Bree told krockfootball.com.au.

“Last night, we gave him a bit of a role as an inside midfielder running with one of their best players, and he’s a very good VFL midfielder in Will Fordham,

“I thought Mitch did a pretty job on him, and it got Mitch in the game.

“I thought his contested work – what we drafted him for – really shone through last night, and he bounced back after a quiet month.”

Since the end of May, Geelong has gone from challenging for a top-four finish to just hoping to be part of finals action.

O’Bree believes the chopping and changing of the Cats’ line-up hasn’t helped.

“Every week changes with who you’ve got,” he said.

“Things can change really quickly, and you can get on a roll like we were at the start of the year.

“I know the group we’ve got; they are trying. We’re just lacking a bit of chemistry and team awareness, having eight changes every week.

“It doesn’t help the synergy of the group. We’ve got to keep working together, and we’ll find a way.”

VFL-listed midfielder Jye Chalcraft was again Geelong’s leading possession-winner.

He finished with 21 disposals with eight tackles and seven clearances.

AFL-listed duo Shannon Neale and Francis Evans finished with two goals, as did debutant Mitch Chafer.

The 2017 Geelong Falcons premiership player earned a call-up after some solid form with Grovedale in the Geelong league.

Geelong’s next assignment is Friday night at GMHBA Stadium against the unbeaten Casey Demons.

VFL-listed Tom Feely will miss due to a concussion. However, big man Toby Conway and veteran Luke Dahlhaus should be right after not playing against Frankston.

“Both those boys weren’t 100 per cent right to play footy this weekend,” O’Bree said.

“Playing Melbourne (AFL) and Casey on Thursday or Friday night, the short turnaround wasn’t worth the risk.”

Twitter: @tom_king79