Mitch Duncan, Andrew Mackie and Darren Milburn of the Cats celebrate their win after the AFL Round 12 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG, Melbourne.
This week Allen Christenson became the third Geelong player to receive a Rising Star nomination in 2011 along with Daniel Menzel and Mitch Duncan. For a club sitting pretty in second on the AFL ladder, that’s not bad considering they were supposed to be in decline.
There were many in the AFL world who believed Geelong would fall off the premiership pace in 2011 following the departures of coach Mark Thompson and star onballer Gary Ablett Jnr.
It was believed, the side who had been at the top for the past three to four years – winning premierships in 2007 and 2009 – could no longer sustain their high standards with their ageing stars expected to begin to struggle.
However, while Collingwood remain the firm flag favourites, the Cats are odds-on to join the Pies in the Grand Final.
It’s a fantastic reminder for us all, that footy isn’t just about premiership windows.
Geelong has been able to re-generate their list with hungry youngsters ready to seize an opportunity opened up by Ablett Jnr’s departure.
And these youngsters haven’t come through as a result of pure luck or good draft picks. Rather this is a club where the culture and standards demand quality results.
After receiving his nomination earlier this week, Christensen said: “I don’t really care. I play for Geelong, what more could you want?”
What an attitude! But it just goes to show the attitude instilled in Geelong players. It’s all part of this playing group’s culture.
I’m a huge believer that can be traced back to 2006 when Geelong’s playing group got together for an infamous meeting after an awful start to the season and basically made a pact their underachieving ways couldn’t go on. It was time for this group to reach their potential.
The results weren’t immediate as they missed the finals in 2006, however after a big pre-season in 2007 they swept aside all comers and probably should’ve done so in 2008 had it not been for some inaccurate goalkicking in the Grand Final.
Of course, they did grab their second flag in 2009, before Collingwood stepped it up a gear and usurped them in 2010 in emphatic fashion.
Despite the departures of Thompson and Ablett Jnr prior to the 2011 season, though, much of that playing group from the infamous meeting in 2006 remain on Geelong’s list.
Players like Cameron Ling, Jimmy Bartel and Matthew Scarlett who have maintained those standards set years ago and instilled that culture into the club.
It’s these kind of figures who are crucial to a club who wants to re-generate in the way that the youngsters learn off them, meet their standards and ultimately earn their respect.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
That's true, however Costa did hire him. I have a lot of admiration for Costa. IMO he will go down as one of the great AFL presidents; one who who put in amazing people, allowed them to do their work and not interfere (especially in the football matters). If there is one thing that truly annoys me, it's football presidents who interfere and particularly in the football matters. Too many presidents, Jeff Kennett for instance, want to seek the public eye and can not stop making public comments. Except it's not their job; they have a coach and a football manager to run the football department, and a CEO to run the financial side of things. Costa doesn't do any of this. I would appreciate that if I was a Geelong supporter.
brendan
Guest
Your reply proved my point.
Nick Bencorelli
Guest
cats are a good club. should be strong for a long time
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, true - good call.
Hansie
Guest
Agreed re Costa, but the role of CEO Brian Cook should also be acknowledged. They were a strong double act.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Collingwood have benefitted more from being shite for several years prior and collecting high draft picks.
Football Fan
Guest
The team meeting came in early 2007 after they got smacked by the Roos - but still a point well made.
brendan
Guest
People focus on Geelongs father son picks and admittedley Scarlett and Ablett have been fantastic but the rest have not been top players.Hawkins is still not a certainty to be in there best twenty two .Blake is fifth in line to be a ruckmen and cant play anywhere else .Adam Donohue didn't even play a game.Nathan Ablett played 32 games and only a few of them did he get in the best players..Given Ablett is gone and that Scarlett is over 30 i would suggest it is you who is biased Craig B rather than us cartters.Do you accuse Collingwood of benefitting from the father son rule as well(Cloke and the Shaws) .Both Geelong and Collingwood have developed players via the rookie list with many being Premiership players.
Pickles
Guest
"After receiving his nomination earlier this week, Christensen said: “I don’t really care. I play for Geelong, what more could you want?”" I reckon you'll find Christensen made that comment after he didn't get the round 17 nomination, but before he got the round 18 nomination. It was in reference to a question about whether he'd like to get nominated, and he said he didn't care. But still, what a great attitude, and these young fellas we've got are looking great for the future of the club.
CraigB
Roar Guru
Sorry - but culture only goes so far. They lost 1 player last year and their world was going to impode?? please. "And these youngsters haven’t come through as a result of pure luck or good draft picks. Rather this is a club where the culture and standards demand quality results" - look at the father son picks they have and you'll see why. They have been able to take round 1 picks in round 3 and thus get additional quality earlier on. maybe take the blue and white glasses off.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Frank Costa was at the very heart of Geelong's onfield and off field revival, and he would have set up the structures to outlive him, and I have no doubt that the strong club culture can be traced back directly to his involvement - he's a remarkable man.
brendan
Guest
It is the culture but dont underestimate the recruiting genius that Steven Wells is.From 1997 till 2007 he recruited at least one premiership player to the club and the highest draft selection in that time no 7.