Red-hot Caddy ready for the Catteryafl.com.au
9 August 2017RICHMOND recruit Josh Caddy is relishing the prospect of hitting the blockbuster clash with his old club Geelong knowing he's in season-best form.
Caddy, who joined his third club in the off-season after stints with Gold Coast (2011-12) and the Cats (2013-16), enjoyed his best game for the Tigers on Sunday, booting a career-best four goals against Hawthorn.
The 24-year-old had to wait one-and-a-half seasons before playing the Suns for the first time with Geelong, starting that match as a sub, but he will be a key player when the Tigers travel to Simonds Stadium for a critical top-four clash.
"Every player who changes clubs thinks about the first time you play your old club and I've definitely thought about it," Caddy told AFL.com.au.
"It'll be funny going down the freeway and being on the other side of the fence and playing against Geelong, and it's even weirder that it's going to be down there.
"But I'm really looking forward to it and I think we're in really good form.
"They're going to be a big challenge for us and we're excited as a whole group to get down there and give it a crack."
Caddy and fellow recruit Dion Prestia have endured frustrating seasons, but both were excellent in the 29-point win against Hawthorn, which embedded Richmond in the top four.
Prestia has performed recent run-with roles, but was at his ball-winning best against the Hawks, gathering 31 disposals, including 13 contested possessions and seven clearances (both season highs).
"It's round 20 and it's probably the first time it's clicked for us together," Caddy said.
"Hopefully that's a positive that it's starting to click at the right time of the year.
"We haven't had dismal years or anything like that, but we both acknowledge that we can play better.
"Hopefully it's a step in the right direction."
Caddy has averaged 18.5 possessions this season and booted 16 goals, splitting his time between the forward line and midfield.
With an eye injury sidelining Jack Riewoldt for the past two matches, Caddy has stepped up as a forward target, providing a contest as a deep forward and helping bring the Tigers' small goalkickers into the game.
He said his four goals against the Hawks was reward for effort after a season that was yet to take off as he'd hoped.
"I got on the end of a few lucky ones, which is really nice, and missed a few, which is disappointing. But you take what you can," he said.
"It hasn't been a frustrating year, but it hasn't come off for me like that yet and it's round 20.
"When I'm forward I'm just trying to give a contest, keep working and do the right things.
"Sometimes it takes a while to see the fruit of that and it was good to get on the end of a few."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-08/redhot-caddy-ready-for-the-cattery
