New Geelong recruit Josh Caddy. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: Herald Sun
GEELONG coach Chris Scott expects Suns signing Josh Caddy to be a permanent fixture in his star-studded midfield next season.
The Cats pounced on Caddy during last month's trade period.
But with so much midfield talent to draw on, you would think the 20-year-old would need a spectacular pre-season to win over his new employer.Geelong boasts multiple All-Australian midfielders Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Joel Corey, Corey Enright and Paul Chapman.
Taylor Hunt and James Kelly will also start ahead in the pecking order.
Yet Caddy can look them all in the eye, according to Scott, who along with skipper Selwood want the youngster to set his target on a 10-year career with the Cats.
"We don't see any reason why he can't come in and play in our best 22 right away,'' Scott said.
"It's not a guarantee and he knows that. But the one thing we've shown is that we're willing to promote youth who are worthy of that opportunity.
"From what we've seen at the Gold Coast and even earlier than that, we think he's as credentialled as any of our young players."
There are factors, other than the endorsement from Scott, that should aid Caddy's development.
The arrival of former Suns assistant Shane O'Bree as a midfield coach at Geelong will provide a familiar tutor. And there is a feeling that the 2011 premiers could do with a little regeneration, or even evolution.
Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn, Cameron Mooney, Brad Ottens, David Wojcinski and Matthew Scarlett have retired in recent seasons, providing a need for the Cats to assess the future.
The loss of Ottens, now a ruck coach with the Cats, impacted on their stoppages, with Geelong finishing 15th in clearances last season.
Caddy arrived at his new home with a shoulder problem but is not expected to miss any of the pre-season NAB Cup fixtures.
He will team with another newcomer, former Kangaroos ruckman Hamish McIntosh, to help repair the side's engine room. Scott said McIntosh, 28, could also play a major part in Geelong's evolution.
"If he's fit, he'll add something," the coach said. "We've got some mobile athletic ruckman, and he's a different type, a big, genuine ruckman. He was doing ruck work with Brad Ottens who's a big monster, and he compares pretty favourably there."
Jaeger O'Meara's year in the AFL system is a key reason he is the early favourite to win the 2013 Rising Star award. Gold Coast's O'Meara is at $7 with Eskander's Betstar from this week's No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield ($12) and Adelaide's Brad Couch and Melbourne's Jack Viney ($13).
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