Geelong cult figure and mature-age rookie sensation James Podsiadly admits he is finally feeling the pinch but isn't too concerned about the recent drop in his goal output

Podsiadly kicked five goals in each of his first five games at Skilled Stadium but has had leaner pickings the last two weeks, kicking a total of just 1.3.

The Cats' second leading goalkicker with 37, three behind Steve Johnson, Podsiadly stressed the Cats weren't relying on any single player to kick goals.

"In recent weeks the goal stats aren't there for the last month or so as they have been," Podsiadly said in a teleconference on Tuesday.

"But I still think the way Geelong play, we just play to a structure and if it's not me kicking goals it's Mat Stokes, Shannon Byrnes, Travis Varcoe or Steve Johnson or Gaz (Gary Ablett).

"The best thing about our forward line is we've got multiple targets and a lot of guys who can kick goals."

Most rookies start to hit the wall midway through their first season but it has taken 28-year-old Podsiadly a little longer.

"Being a bit more mature, I've flagged a bit later. I suppose I'm starting to feel a little bit now," Podsiadly said.

"But that's where the exercise science degree I have is helping out a little bit with recoveries."

Podsiadly shared the teleconference with former Cat and current Sydney ruckman Shame Mumford, another player who has enjoyed a rise to prominence this year.

"Twelve months ago I was taking Shane through weight sessions as a fitness coach at Geelong, so it's a massive change to be sitting here and looking at him on the big screen," Podsiadly said.

"I'm pretty proud of Shane, the way he's gone about his footy this year."

Mumford was equally generous in his assessment of Podsiadly's remarkable rise.

"To come out and do what he's done, to get knocked back so many times and then come out and throw it back in their faces, I think he's done really well," Mumford said.

Mumford, who was vying with Brad Ottens and Mark Blake for playing time at the Cats, accepted a lucrative offer to join Sydney and said there was no bitterness attached to his departure from Geelong.

"I enjoyed my time down there at the Cats, I made a move for what was going to be best for me," Mumford said.

Sydney are coming off a 73-point flogging by Melbourne which dropped them down to eighth spot.

According to Mumford, the six-day turnaround has prevented coach Paul Roos from subjecting his charges to too much pain on the training track.

"Having a shorter week, I don't think he can really test us out too much, it's more about getting ourselves right," Mumford said.

"It's a great challenge for us. Geelong are obviously one of the best sides in the competition."

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