Eleven 2011 premiership players sat it out last night, betraying the Cats' focus on putting development way ahead of the pursuit of another trinket for a bulging trophy cabinet. The group which went to work in their stead included six rookies, and the efforts of Jesse Stringer, Josh Walker and the Georges, Horlin-Smith and Burbury, showed the premier's list runs deep. ... AND THE CAPTAIN Advertisement While others were happy to wait to open their 2012 account, there was no holding back Joel Selwood. The new skipper charged out of the blocks with 11 possessions in the opening 20 minutes in a do-as-I-do display. EYE-CATCHERS Steven Motlop Injury has restricted this exciting football name to five senior games, but the deft gathers below the knees at speed and crisp delivery hint that much more will be seen of him in the near future. Left-foot snap to seal it was a ripper. Orren Stephenson All those premierships can get a bit dull, so thank goodness for a steady stream of senior-citizen cult figures to keep Geelong fans interested. The North Ballarat 29-year-old did enough to indicate he will play while the injured Dawson Simpson and Nathan Vardy can't. Simon Hogan Held back last year by health issues and warmed all at the club by fighting his way back into the VFL. Was a constant last night, and can figure at the highest level again. THE MATCH It was Geelong but not as you know it - 15 of the premiership 22