OUT OF TOUCH: Kent Kingsley attempts to mark in front of Scott Bassett yesterday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Monday, March 31
FIONA WELSH

GEELONG spearhead Kent Kingsley had not played for a month, but yesterday's game against the Western Bulldogs was not the comeback he had planned.

The Cats were feeling confident after a solid pre-season and had close to their best line-up at Telstra Dome.

It was supposed to be their springboard into the season, instead it was a painful lesson in what sharp skills and desperation can achieve.

As good as the Bulldogs were with pinpoint passing, Geelong struggled to find a target and was left feeling the frustration.

``I haven't seen a game where kicking has been so accurate, it put pressure on our midfield,'' Kingsley said.

``Our kicking was off which was disappointing because we'd put lot of work into that.''

He said coach Mark Thompson expressed his disappointment after the game but the team needed to look ahead to next week and concentrate on the Kangaroos clash at home.

``It's a long season and we could be 1-1 if we can get over the Roos.''

The test may be how the players recover from Telstra Dome's unforgiving surface which played havoc with the players, including Kingsley, Ben Graham, Peter Riccardi and Cameron Mooney who all suffered severe cramping.

``It takes longer to get your legs right after playing here,'' he said.

The Cats' leading goalkicker with three said there were good signs up forward with first-gamer Matthew McCarthy and rookie Charlie Gardiner showing promise.

``Charlie's going to be great, he's a real livewire across half-forward and good on a lead,'' Kingsley said.