Young gun's big call on new Cats generation

Young Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn has warned Cats fans and opposition sides not to underestimate the club’s next generation.

On the eve of his 50th career game against St Kilda in Geelong’s round one clash at GMHBA Stadium, the 21-year-old says he is taking on the pressure that comes with playing in the blue and white hoops.

He also recognises the expectation of maintaining Geelong’s sustained success, with the Cats missing the finals last year for just the second time since 2007.

Despite not featuring in September of 2023, Bruhn, who was traded to the club he supported his whole life from GWS at the start of 2023, says success is already the talk of the new generation of Cats.

“I feel like it’s on the horizon. You’ve seen in our last few practice matches that it looks different,” Bruhn said on Sunday.

Tanner Bruhn has told Geelong fans that the next generation is just as hungry for success as the previous.

“Geelong fans probably haven’t seen that in a while with the age demographic that we’ve got down here, but it’s exciting.

“We’re ready to take the next step.”

Bruhn made the move back to his home town of Geelong after two years and 30 games with the Giants, declaring he finally feels like he is home.

“For the first time in my career I feel settled, I feel happy,” Bruhn said.

His main goal now is to crack into Geelong’s elite, but aging midfield group, sprinkled with premiership stars Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Tom Atkins.

“I want to try and get in there (midfield) as much as I can and help out those older boys,” he said.

“I think that’s where we probably lacked a bit last year.”

Bruhn says he is most eager to unveil his new midfield partnership with highly-touted recruit Jhye Clark, who injured his foot on debut last year.

“Him and I have been working pretty closely for a number of months,” he said.

“You can see it out on the field, I can sense it. It’s going to be exciting to play with him.

“The more games we play together, the better.”

Geelong will host St Kilda in round one next Saturday night, as they unveil their new Selwood Stand, named after four-time premiership star Joel Selwood, increasing the capacity of GMHBA stadium to more than 40,000.

Bruhn, who grew up a Geelong member with his very own reserved seat, says he’s ready to finally play to a full house.

“I was just down there in the Players Stand. I used to see it all. I look around and think ‘I used to be on the other side of the fence’,” he said.