Big Cat aims to stamp its own brand on the front line

Shannon Neale is determined to put her own inclination in a post of Geelong Key striker while emerging from the shadow of the great Tom Hawkins club.

Neale, a 200 cm goal, played 15 games in a work campaign last year, kicking 23 goals to help direct the Cats to a preliminary final.

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But the 22 -year -old never felt that he owned his place when his teammate and mentor Hawkins fought to overcome a problematic injury in the foot in an attempt to return to the finals.

Now, with the Triple Premiatory hero, Hawkins retired, Neale has the opportunity to leave his own brand in the reference line.

Start with the first game of the Cats season, against Fremantle at the GMHBA stadium on Saturday.

“There is an opportunity for me to take it and I am excited to run on Saturday against Freo,” said Neale.

“Me and ‘Hawk’ are different players in terms of what we contribute, strengths and weaknesses.

“But I am definitely excited to do so and play in a line of advance that is just as exciting, respectfully, without it.

“When he was injured, I felt that he had to enter and play his role, while this preseason has been good to develop my own role and build a line of progress around the talent that we have there now, and not someone who can be injured.”

Neale will appear next to Mobile Key Forward and four times All-Australian Jeremy Cameron in a Geelong attack that has many weapons despite the game of 796 Hawkins champion.

Tyson Stengle, Ollie Henry and Brad closed, all started 25 or more specialties last season behind the Cameron scorer (64).

Oliver Dempsey, Gryan Miers and Shaun Mannagh are also scoring threats, and the acquisition out of season Jack Martin presents a new option.

Neale, who has played 20 senior games for 24 goals in three seasons, insists that he is still trying to win the respect of his teammates.

“I have only played a handful of games and I still have a long way to go,” said Neale.

“I am looking to build the connection with my teammates in the field and outside the field. It is something I will continue to work on.

“I have not played a full season yet, so I’m looking to take continuity to this year and have an impact and be a good teammate.

“The ultimate goal is to win some games, which would be great.”

Neale kicked two goals in an important interstatal victory over Fremantle when the teams met for the last time, in the 23rd round last year.

He expects a hard battle with the key defenders of the Dockers, Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox, on Saturday.

“I have a clear approach in how I can approach those guys, but I think it has to happen from a whole team’s perspective, not just me,” said Neale.

“They are a really good outfit, but we are prepared for the challenge.”

Neale is out of contract at the end of the season, but it is “comfortable” in Geelong and hopes that a new agreement will be made.