Championship Women (0-0): vs. Bulleen (0-0) @ Templestowe Leisure Centre, Sunday 3.00pm

A testing opener to the 2010 Big V season for the Lady Cats against last year’s grand finalists. Star big Candice Rogers confronts her old club in her first game in a Geelong singlet since 2008 While the addition of Kylie Morrissy (Troy University), Anna Teague (Bendigo WNBL/SEABL), Jae Conn (injury) means Maddy Taylor will be the only member of rookie coach Grantley Bernard’s starting five to have taken to the court for the Lady Cats in 2009. The difference to the squad was proven by victory at the Big V pre-season tournament on Labor Day weekend, however Bernard knows the rest of the competition is now aware of the talent at his disposal. “Winning the tournament probably puts a target on our backs in some regards,” he said. “But it doesn't change anything for us in how we approach and play games. Teams might now be more aware of us, but we need to worry about what we do.”

 

Division 1 Men (0-0): vs. Southern Peninsula (0-0) @ Hillview Stadium, Rosebud, Saturday 7.00pm

                                   vs. Keysborough (0-0) @ Springers Leisure Centre, Sunday 1.00pm

The Cats, and first year coach Shayne Bow, have been handed a tricky double-header to open their campaign. Southern Peninsula is always a handful at home, while Keysborough is new to Division One. Geelong’s line-up has seen some changes in the off-season, losing Seb Loader and Keith Harrison back to the Supercats and Leon O’Neill to retirement. However big man Nick Van Der Klooster should fill some of the scoring void left by Loader’s absence, while Youth League 2 MVP Steve Wiasak will spend more time in the senior team in 2010.

 

Youth League Women (0-0): vs. Bulleen (0-0) @ Templestowe Leisure Centre, Sunday 1.00pm

The Young Lady Cats will make their Big V debut on Sunday confident of a strong showing, having knocked off the Boomers during the Big V pre-season tournament. Rookie coach Kat Clancy will hand the reins to assistant Tom King for this game and next week’s home opener against Altona while she gets married. The Young Lady Cats aren’t without experience, with captain Tash Daffy, Jess Watson and Lauren Bellegante all having tasted Big V State Championship action in recent years. “I expect Tash will settle the nerves of those playing their first games at this level,” Clancy said.

 

Youth League Men (0-0): vs. Hawthorn @ The Arena Showcourt, Saturday 5.30pm

The Youth League Cats have made the jump to Youth League One, despite being knocked out in the YL 2 semi-finals in 2009 by the Magic who went on to win the title. Former Scottish international Dave Brown will take charge of the side for a third season. With MVP Steve Wiasak to spend the majority of 2010 with the Cats’ senior side, responsibility will fall onto the shoulders of the likes of Lachie Headlam, Ben Scannell and Michael Rebula, who were the cornerstones of the Geelong Under 20s VJBL Junior League One premiership success last year. The availability of Headlam and Rebula, along with Chris Daniele, will be dependent on when they’re required by the Supercats, with the trio named to Jamie O’Loughlin’s Rookie List. “We are looking to 2010 to be a building year after a good season in 2009 and promotion this year,” Brown said. “Our opener is against the Youth League 2 champions so we should get an idea if we have moved forward.”