GEELONG will maintain its policy of resting its younger players in a bid to keep them fresh for the latter half of the season, says assistant coach Brenton Sanderson.

Sanderson indicated Mark Thompson’s liking for resting his up-and-comers – to see they remain fresh and fit – would ensure better performances from them and the team as a result.

Last week, first-year defender Harry Taylor and fellow youngster Tom Hawkins both had a spell from football at all levels, despite Geelong’s VFL fixture.

Sanderson said the pair could even make a straight return to senior football this weekend.

"It’s not unusual for us, with Bomber (Thompson) in his time at the club," he said.

"He does like to give the players a complete break as the season goes on and we have a lot of measures in place where we can monitor players’ strength and power and I guess their general wellness.

"Both of those boys, [it] was getting towards the end of a pretty good stretch for them.

"You know they haven’t missed too many games or training sessions so it was just time for them to have a spell and I’m sure they’ll both play well this week and both play well fresh."

Boasting a 10-1 record at the half-way point of the season, it is a luxurious position for the Cats.

Taylor is likely to be called upon in coming weeks with Geelong's key injuries to All-Australian defenders Matthew Scarlett and Matthew Egan.

Sanderson agreed Taylor’s importance had risen with Egan to miss the remainder of 2008.

Geelong’s backline coach added that while there was a temptation to keep the young West Australian wrapped in cotton wool, the Cats would play him when needed.

"We’ve still got to look at the player’s long-term interest and he has had some big jobs already this year," Sanderson said.

"He’s played on some good players and this week won’t be any different … obviously we’ll still play him if we need to play him.

"But if there are times when there’s an opportunity for him to have a spell, if his indicators are down and his body needs a spell, we won’t take any risks with our youth.

"There are times when you need to ease players through what can be a pretty long and gruelling season for a first or second-year player."