AFTER just one game together, Geelong likes what it sees with Tom Hawkins and Mitch Clark patrolling the forward 50.

 

Playing his first game in almost two years against Gold Coast on Sunday, Clark impressed after a slow start and almost pinched victory for his new side with two late goals.

 

Hawkins kicked two in the first term, and although relatively quiet the rest of the day, is one of the competition's best power forwards and looks in fine fettle ahead of the premiership matches.

Assistant coach Blake Caracella said it was exciting to see the key forward duo on the park at the same time.

 

"They're a little bit different as players," Caracella said.

 

"Hawk's a really big, strong guy, contested marker, where Mitch is a bit more mobile, running around the ground.

 

"It's going to give us a bit of variety in attack.

 

"The previous couple of years Hawk's been down there solo, (Shane) Kersten's played down there a bit also.

 

"Two quality All Australian (calibre) players down in the forward line – if we can get the ball down there, it's going to hold us in good stead."

 

After a serious foot injury and then aborted retirement, Clark initially looked rusty in his first game back, running under the flight of the ball a number of times.

 

But despite the hot and humid conditions that made the ball difficult to mark, he got better as the match wore on.

 

"Obviously playing your first game for a new club can be a bit daunting, but he kicked two late and looked good," Caracella said.

 

"He'll be better for the run."

 

Caracella was also encouraged by the performance of a couple of teenagers.

 

Following the off-season loss of speedsters Travis Varcoe (Collingwood) and Allen Christensen (Brisbane Lions), questions have arisen over the Cats' pace.

 

"We've still got a lot of speed," Caracella said.

 

"(Cory) Gregson and (Nakia) Cockatoo – two new draftees that are super-quick – and other players as well like Darcy Lang and Billie Smedts.

 

"We played Gold Coast and they've got a lot of speed, a lot of very good players. So I thought our young kids held their own tonight."