CLUB champion Mark Blicavs believes Geelong's bolstered big man stocks will be a major area of strength for the club in 2016.
The Cats recruited heavily in the off-season, landing defender Lachlan Henderson in a trade with Carlton and ruckman Zac Smith from Gold Coast.
That was on top of locking down the prized signature of star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield and West Coast vice-captain Scott Selwood.
"It's really good that we've got a few more key position players. The last two or three years we've lacked in that area, especially having a fit ruckman," Blicavs said as the experienced players returned for day one of Geelong's pre-season training campaign.
"To get Hendo in to help us down back and up forward and Zac Smith in the ruck as well, adds a few more strings to our bow."
Blicavs, who spent much of the second half of 2015 as the No.1 ruckman, said the modern game demanded agile ruckmen.
"I was speaking to Rhys (Stanley) about it recently and just that Port game (round 11) it felt like we had that chemistry and just the way we played together was exciting," Blicavs said.
"We'll be trying to do that with Zac (Smith) and Mitch Clark, when he's fit as well. It just gives us different options and players in the midfield.
"From a ruckman's perspective, it's slowly going that way. Football's a real fitness game and you've got to be able to run out games."
Stanley (foot) and Clark (calf) both remain in the club's rehab group but are progressing nicely from their long-term injuries.
Stanley – who has been training throughout the break – looked in fine nick at St Mary's football ground, with the club confident he will be back in full training prior to the Christmas break.
Clark has also been training solidly and the club's fitness department is pleased with how he is tracking as he continues to build up his running program.
Lincoln McCarthy (foot) and Cameron Delaney (toe) are the only other Cats in the rehab group, although Joel Selwood, Nakia Cockatoo and Jake Kolodjashnij were on light duties at training on Monday.
Blicavs said it was important the existing players developed "chemistry" quickly with the club's new inclusions.
"We've brought in players who now how to play the game and we think they'll be able to play the way we want to play our style of game," Blicavs said.
"It's just being able to put that together and developing that chemistry so that we can play as a team come round one."
Jackson Thurlow and Michael Luxford were impressive in the grid running the players completed at the end of training.
Recruit Lachie Henderson tackles Tom Hawkins. Picture: AFL Media
Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Knights share a laugh. Picture: AFL Media
Joel Selwood and Rhys Stanley running laps. Picture: AFL Media
Mitch Clark looks on as he continues his recovery from injury. Picture: AFL Media
Recruit Zac Smith in action during his first session at the club. Picture: AFL Media
