The NAB Cup has traditionally been a time when clubs experiment ahead of the home and away season, with many younger players getting the chance to shine. Expect more of the same for the Cats in the 2010 competition.

“We’ll give some of the younger players a chance,” senior coach Mark Thompson said after training this week.

“In the past we have used the pre-season to give players experience, so that when they get the chance in the normal season they have at least had a taste at that level.

“The NAB Cup is a step up from what they have experienced at junior or VFL level, and it’s also important that players get to play in front of bigger crowds, in bigger stadiums and with the other senior players that they train with.

“Overall it’s worked out well for us and we always learn about players during the pre-season and it always helps with their development.”

In recent years many younger players enjoyed their first opportunity through the pre-season competition. Some, such as Travis Varcoe, used the NAB Cup as a chance to show that they were ready for a run in the AFL.

“Travis did well against the Lions (in 2007 NAB Cup semi final), and that opened our eyes a bit,” Thompson recalled. “He came in and the pace of the game didn’t bother him, he kicked some goals and was active. He looked like he could play at that level.”

Varcoe went on to play 18 senior games that year and his NAB Cup performance went a long way to securing him his first senior game.

“A lot of the younger guys have been training well over the summer and we’d like to give them a chance,” Thompson said.

“We don’t necessarily want to play the senior players in all four games, so that will create some more opportunity, and the AFL allows a bigger interchange bench as well. We have tended to play 32-34 players through the pre-season in recent years and I don’t see that changing too much this year.”

While Thompson was unwilling to individualise, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the likes of Tom Allwright, James Podsiadly, Mitch Duncan, Taylor Hunt, Ben Johnson, Jeremy Laidler, Tom Gillies and Nathan Djerrkura feature prominently.

Geelong will face North Melbourne in its opening NAB Cup clash on Sunday 21 February at Etihad Stadium.