Geelong supporters cheer for their team at Kardinia Park. AAP Image/Julian Smith
If you think Geelong is set for a slide down the ladder this year – after two premierships and a Grand Final loss in the past three seasons – then observe the following: tough-as-teak midfielder, Joel Selwood, is not yet 22 years of age, yet he could soon be the best player in the competition.
And sooner rather than later.
Last year’s Brownlow Medallist, Gary Ablett Jr, however, remains the compeition’s pre-eminent player and shows no sign of slowing down after a 37-possession display against Essendon in Round 1.
Jimmy Bartel is just 26, and is a Brownlow Medallist (like Ablett), All-Australian and premiership player (twice). Not many have that on their CV.
Joel Corey and captain Cameron Ling continue to contribute heavily to their team’s cause on a consistent basis.
And that’s just the midfield.
Then consider the defence.
Matthew Scarlett may be almost 31 years of age, but he is still the best full-back in the league.
Corey Enright is not far behind as far as talent goes, while Darren Milburn, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor help make the Cats’ backline one of the best in the competition.
Yes, Taylor.
He may be just 23, but remember his job on Nick Riewoldt in last year’s Grand Final? The star Saint was rendered ineffective for the first time in 2009 on football’s biggest day.
And Geelong had Taylor to thank. You don’t win the ultimate prize without a super defence.
In the forward half, Paul Chapman, Steve Johnson and Cameron Mooney still provide headaches for any opposition defence.
Yes, predictions that 2010 will be the start of Geelong’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
The Cats, I believe, are simply a victim of tall-poppy syndrome. Many would base their assertion on the fact the Cats have been on top of the AFL tree for the better part of three seasons (bar a Grand Final loss to Hawthorn).
But my belief that the Cats remain as good as ever is not based on a scratchy opening-round win over Essendon. It is based on fact.
How can a team be expected to drop down the ladder when so many of their stars remain in their prime? That said, age is just a number, and players, especially the champions, often defy it.
Scarlett and Milburn, for example, are both on the wrong side of 30. But I’d like them in my team. Even today. There is plenty of competition for the Cats this year (there always is). The Western Bulldogs, St.Kilda, Collingwood and Adelaide are all capable. But none of that group has proven they are superior to the reigning premier.
That is their task in season 2010, and it will be one tough challenge.
St.Kilda held flag favouritism before the season began, ahead of the Cats. Geelong won’t care about that, though.
Countless experts have them to not make the Grand Final.
But it is not just footy supporters predicting a fall from grace. One AFL captain – at the annual captains’ gathering before the season started – predicted the Cats will finish outside the top-eight.
Surely, that captain was telling porky pies to stir-up some opinion? A dynasty cannot last forever, but it also won’t end prematurely.
Yes, it’s only early in the season, and there is only one way the Cats can go this year – down. But, until it’s proven otherwise, they remain the AFL’s No.1 team ahead of this Monday’s clash with their nemesis, Hawthorn.
Ben Somerford
Roar Guru
There's no doubt they've a talented list, Luke. But for me, it comes down to attitude. Everyone uses the word 'hunger' and that'll be hard to re-capture after achieving retribution and winning 2 flags in 3 seasons. Especially when a leader like Tom Harley (who has the perfect attitude to footy) leaves. You look at the Round 1 game vs Essendon and Geelong were beaten for 3 quarters, then the Cats turned it up another notch and stormed home in the last term. I'm not sure they'll get away with that against better teams this season (no disrespect to the Bombers) and perhaps that lack of four-quarter intensity comes down to attitude. For me, I like the Saints this season. They've made all the right noises in pre-season and are a genuinely good team.
Nicole
Guest
It's not a question regarding the talent of Geelong's best team whether they're still a capable side or not because they are, it's a question of their mediocre depth and the lack of pressure that provides on the players that are already in the team. The eleven players that Geelong used last year that were outside their premiership winning 22 are either no longer at the club (Mumford, Tenace, D. Johnson), or average players (Lonergan, West, Gamble), or inexperienced players that haven't exactly the set the world on fire as yet (Djerrkura, Gillies, Hogan, Laidler). The other player is Matthew Stokes, but nobody knows for sure if and when he will be available just yet, so that does not represent a lot of depth compared to at least a couple of other premiership contenders. St.Kilda's depth isn't much better which falls away after their first 12 players in their best team because they rely so heavily on their best six players, particularly Riewoldt. Collingwood and Western Bulldogs not only have a very even spread of talent across their best team, but their depth is better too. Particularly Collingwood. If Geelong are still hungry for success and can keep their best team on the ground often, then of course they're still premiership contenders. If their intensity is just slightly off though, or if they sustain injuries, then that will hurt them as showed last year when they were well beaten more than once (against Brisbane by 43 points and Carlton by 35 points) when they were unable to field their best team. Time will tell.