The return of Geelong midfielder Paul Chapman will add some muscle for the Wizard Cup clash with Carlton tomorrow. Chapman has been called up after a strong showing against Springvale in the VFL last week.
He missed the Cats' first-round win over Port Adelaide in Cairns last week after working his way back from off-season shoulder surgery.
Chapman played all 22 games last year for a total of 51 and kicked 22 goals so his return at Optus Oval will be a welcome one.
Geelong has vowed to avoid falling for the same trick of setting the world alight in the pre-season only to be left cold and lonely in the season proper.
Defender Tom Harley said yesterday the 2003 season was a brutal lesson.
The Cats reached the Wizard Cup semi-finals last year only to lose eight of the first nine premiership games.
"Last year was a real reality check,'' Harley said.
"We performed pretty well in the Wizard Cup and the pre-season and come round one a lot of the guys thought it was going to happen because the year before we had a stretch where we won seven games in a row and looked the goods.''
Harley said coach Mark Thompson was using the trial rule of five messages per quarter in the Wizard Cup to find out who his best talkers were.
"That's been one thing he's been big on, that players have got to take control out there and share the load,'' Harley said.
