The Cats remain tightlipped about possible fresh faces ahead of the coming summer but two local young guns are being seeing seen as effectively new recruits.
Peake enjoyed a golden summer in 2023-24 with a debut first grade century for the Cats – an unbeaten 110 against Greenvale in October at Kardinia Park – and some crucial innings during a successful under-19 World Cup campaign in South Africa.
However, the 17-year-old’s involvement with the Cats was restricted to nine games due to school commitments at Geelong Grammar and with Country Victoria at the under-17 and 19 national championships.
Oliver Peake looks for a run for Australia against India in the under-19 World Cup in Benoni in February. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP.
Meanwhile, Blackford, 20, who missed the entire summer due to a complicated arm injury suffered almost 12 months ago, which required multiple surgeries and a rib to be removed, received a rookie contract with Cricket Victoria in May.
New Cats assistant coach Jake Brown said Peake and Blackford, both local products, were essentially new recruits.
“We really didn’t get much of them, or any of ‘Blacky’ last year,” Brown said.
“And we didn’t really get much of ‘Ollie’ last year either.
“They’re two key ins for us.
“I think it’s after Christmas we get (Peake) completely to ourselves.”
The club is also looking to get more out of new playing coach Eamonn Vines who missed the back half of 23-24 with a dislocated kneecap in mid-December.
Ex-Bell Park cricketer Jake Brown, with former Thomson captain Adam Bliss before the GCA3 first grade grand final, accepted an assistant coaching role with Geelong during the off-season. Picture: Alan Barber
Brown added the club was in conversations with a couple of players who could potentially not return this summer.
“It happens every year, there’s always a couple of them who want to return to GCA or they don’t want to play cricket at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, club director Travis Agg said with Peake and Blackford potentially being more available, and some youngsters coming through the grades, the Cats were confident they had adequate batting stocks for this summer.
Liam Blackford missed the entire 2023-24 season due to a complex injury.
However, Agg was disappointed to see young Colac wicket keeper batter Henry Melville switching to Melbourne University but he understood the reasons why.
He said with Blackford fit again and Ryan Aikman enjoying a strong second half of the season – compiling 117 against Northcote in March – he couldn’t guarantee Melville would get first crack with the gloves in the top tier.
Colac product Henry Melville has moved to Melbourne University. Picture: Mark Wilson
“He’s a ripping kid and we wish him all the best,” Agg said.
“He’s too good a player to be in and out of the ones.”
Agg also hoped to lure Essex import Aaron Beard back in 24-25 while the club was still hopeful of recruiting a fast bowler to bolster its stocks.
Pre-season starts on July 8, with Geelong to train at the new Barwon Regional Cricket Centre at Kardinia Park: “It looks like an unbelievable facility,” Brown said.