Blue-turned-Cat makes statement in VFL return

Geelong recruit Jack Martin has shown strong signs in his return to football, putting up strong numbers in a half for the Cats' VFL side on Friday.

Martin, who hasn't played in the blue and white hoops since the pre-season, made his season debut in the VFL against Footscray at Whitten Oval after a period on the sidelines.

The former Gold Coast and Carlton forward has been cautiously managed through the opening third of his maiden campaign with the Cats, who finally gave Martin the green light to pull on the boots against the Bulldogs' reserves.

In a more defensive role for Martin, who was positioned in the back-half, the 30-year-old looked comfortable in his return, recording 17 disposals, seven marks, three intercept possessions and four rebound 50s in just a half of football.

The plan was for Martin and Geelong premiership veteran to both play just the two quarters against Footscray in their returns, with the latter also getting through unscathed after a long battle with an Achilles injury.

Guthrie ended his short stint with 11 disposals, three marks and a goal while moving the ball at over 90 per cent efficiency in the 23-point defeat.

The performances of both Guthrie and Martin will bode well for the Cats as they continue to push for a premiership at AFL level in 2025.

Martin joined Geelong over the off-season as a delisted free agent after five injury-plagued years with Carlton, who decided against offering the speedster a new deal for this season.

The Cats have played the long game with Martin, flagging from his first day at Kardinia Park that the midfielder-forward would be eased back into football.

Both Martin and Guthrie are likely to suit up in the VFL again next week when the Cats' reserves face Williamstown on June 1.

Geelong's AFL side will fly to Perth next week to meet with West Coast on the same day.