Don't write off Geelong just yet

Friday night proved to all Geelong supporters that their side of 2009 still has the ability to produce quality football, despite their defeat to the Bulldogs.

The third term was a reproduction of the 2007 level of performance that saw the Cats rise to the summit of the AFL. It showed the team can still mount a run deep into September this year.

The tackling pressure and intensity was strong and much like that of the 2007 Cats. However, this was only a brief reprise as the intensity during the opening half and once again in the final term was at a lower than acceptable level to win a tight match against a high-quality Western Bulldogs outfit.

There are some that are writing Geelong off, not only for 2009 but are suggesting that the so called ‘premiership window’ may have closed for the side that had promised so much, even drawing comparisons to the great sides of Melbourne in the 1950’s and more recently the Brisbane Lions side of 2002 to 2005.

The Cats, however, are now being compared to the Essendon side of 1999 to 2001 which had promised to dominate the competition for years and disappointingly only came away with one premiership.

The Cats need to pour their attention into making some slight changes over the preseason to regain that touch that saw them an invincible force throughout 2007 and much of 2008. The inclusions of injured premiership players Brad Ottens and Josh Hunt, who have missed a majority of the 2009 season, will help bolster the side, but a fresh look may be what is needed.

The Cats still have the nucleus of a premiership side and given a full strength side, still have a large role to play in 2009, however shaky they may look at the present stage.

Tom Harley is coming to the end of his career and with Saints star Matt Maguire not breaking into the successful St Kilda side in 2009, Geelong could be a good fit for the out-of-favour back man.

Geelong would have to offer the Saints something decent in return with draft picks the obvious trade, but a player plus picks may be needed as Geelong will enter the draft at a late stage.

However, Geelong may be unwilling to part with important picks before Gold Coast and West Sydney enter the draft in coming years.

Russell Robertson has already announced his intention to nominate for the preseason and national draft and could fit into the Geelong system up forward nicely for the short term future.

Robertson, 31 next year, is a proven goal kicker – 422 from 226 games – and could offer another proven target up forward. There is no doubt he would enjoy the quality of supply from the Geelong midfield.

The forward line at Geelong has once again come into difficulty over the season with Cameron Mooney lacking confidence and Tom Hawkins struggling to find his feet at the senior level, although showing some decent signs.

This, along with consistent injury issues concerning Steve Johnson and Paul Chapman, coupled with the poor recent form of Matthew Stokes, has again seen the downfall in Geelong’s premiership chances.

Robertson, along with injured promising youngster Mitchell Brown, currently sidelined with a broken leg, could help deliver what most know this club is capable of, another flag.