THE performance of second-year forward Simon Hogan was one of the only positives to take out of Geelong's bleak start to the VFL season on Saturday.

The reigning premiers, who experienced a high player turnover during the off-season, were blown away in the first term by Coburg and never looked like getting back into the match, eventually going down by 75 points.

But Hogan, who was taken at pick 57 overall in the 2006 draft but is yet to play an AFL game, collected 20 possessions and did exactly what was asked of him, according to coach Leigh Tudor.

``One of the big positives from today's game was to see Simon playing well and getting in the best, and really playing his role,'' Tudor said.

``He was one of the players that understood and played his role for the team and it was good to see him do that.''

Hogan, who had endured a frustrating introduction to league football with a number of niggling injuries in his first year at the club, admitted he could hold his head high after the game.

``Reasonably happy, but it's always hard to be happy when you get done by that much,'' Hogan said.

He said he was now beginning to feel at ease in the system after building some strong momentum in recent weeks.

``That's the thing, I had a couple of little niggles after Christmas, the fitness isn't quite there yet, but I'm starting to get back up and starting to play that role and hopefully I'll start playing a bit better and go from there,'' he said.

``Especially coming off last year where I probably lacked a bit of confidence at times, this year I feel a lot more comfortable in the side.

``I've got a much bigger role to play in the side, which I'm really going to enjoy the challenge. Just trying to help the young boys helps me and we'll see how we go.''

The day started ominously for the Cats, with captain James Byrne failing a last-minute fitness test. Rookie Liam Bedford, who was one of the Cats' best in a practice match against Collingwood, was also left out with general tightness.

Max Rooke played three quarters and got through unscathed, while stand-in skipper Jay Cheep had his debut captaincy reign cut short by a knee to the hip early in the match.

Tudor was adamant he would not accept another performance like Saturday's, but said the two late withdrawals and having only one player on the bench late in the game, contributed to the severity of loss.

``I think we're probably going to be a little bit up and down with so many young players, but I would like to think that's the last time we would be beaten by that much this year,'' he said.