Ruck ‘n’ role revival for McIntosh

Hamish McIntosh and Sam Bleese in action on Friday night. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

HAMISH McIntosh was glad he didn't listen to his body and quit.

After two nightmare years on the sidelines, the Geelong ruckman realised "how much I missed footy" as he completed Friday night's NAB Challenge win over Melbourne — his first in Cats colours — unscathed.

As expected, adapting to the pace of AFL was a shock to the system."The first five minutes I was calling for the ambulance," McIntosh said.

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"But other than that I felt really positive and felt like I played at the level OK.

"I had so many nerves going into the game, but I feel like I have dispelled a few of them now and can hopefully play some good footy."

As tough as the past two years have been, McIntosh now faces another battle. He will attempt to play 80 minutes against his old club, North Melbourne, on Friday, in a bid to lock down a Round 1 berth.

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Coach Chris Scott has hinted he would prefer to pick only one of McIntosh and Dawson Simpson in the seniors.

McIntosh, 29, said it was up to himself and Simpson to contribute as forwards to convince Scott the pair could work in the same side.

"It's something I did with Goldy (Todd Goldstein) when I was at North. I played more forward there," McIntosh said.

"With Nathan (Vardy) going out, Scotty is still probably searching for the structure he is going to go with. It's up to Daws and I to make it work and I thought tonight was a really positive step for us."

Scott was impressed with the former Kangaroo, saying "how good was that" in regards to the 203cm big man, after the 13-point win over the Dees.

The 29-year-old McIntosh wants to finish his career "in the right way" after considering retirement.

"It (finishing football) crossed my mind a few times," McIntosh said. "There was a few times I didn't think my body would get back up to playing (AFL) footy.

"When you are rocking up to training every day sore and thinking there is another operation around the corner, you get pretty flat.

"But it's all worthwhile to experience playing again. It was only 50 minutes but I was like a kid in a lolly jar.

"I don't know how long I've got left but I want to make sure I can play every game I can."

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