When Chris Scott took the reins at Geelong following the club’s exit from the 2010 finals series at the hands of Collingwood, he was under no illusion of the task that lay ahead.
The Cats were coming off a tumultuous season off the field, where speculation about the Ablett’s future at Geelong was rife.
Geelong’s previous coach Mark Thompson and Ablett seemed to have a falling out. Post-game press conferences always came back to these issues, with an increasingly agitated Thompson refusing to speculate.
On the field, Geelong finished second but losses in the finals to St Kilda and then a hiding to eventual premiers Collingwood raised questions about their on-field future.
These were questions that only magnified when Ablett and then Thompson both left Kardinia Park. Was it possible to lose Gary Ablett and continue to contend? With an ageing list was the era over? Were the Cats bound to be a victim of the AFL equalisation policy?
Enter Chris Scott. With many writing Geelong off, Scott had a two key messages in his first press conference which lay the foundations for his time at the helm.
“The challenge clearly is to contend every year if possible but also bring through the next group of talent.” Scott was willing to make the tough calls on senior players when their time was up and develop the next wave of Geelong players. To that end, 22 debutants have been blooded under Scott’s leadership.
“The manner in which we work together is going to be the determining factor in our success in the next couple of years.” The communication breakdown between Ablett and Thompson was not to be repeated. Off field issues affect your ability to be competitive on it, and Scott wasn’t going to let that happen.
The rest is history. After being humiliated by Collingwood in 2010, Geelong got the better of the Pies in every one of their three clashes in 2011 – the third seeing Chris Scott win a Premiership in his first year as Coach and the Cats their third Premiership in five years.
Since that Premiership in 2011, Geelong have lost many heroes. They have lost a dozen or so quality players. Losing a dozen players of that calibre in three years would likely bring a club to its knees. Not Geelong.
2012 saw the Cats finish sixth and lose their first Final to Fremantle at the MCG. Once again the end of an era was flagged. But in 2013 Geelong miraculously regenerated, finishing second after the home-and-away season and falling within a kick of making yet another grand final. The circling critics were replaced by widespread admiration – Geelong had yet again defied them and continued to challenge.
Geelong faithful were somewhat sceptical leading into 2014. After a remarkable seven year stretch, this felt like the year where the wheels might fall off. And in part, they have. Geelong sides of 2007, 2009 and 2011 didn’t fade out. They didn’t lose by big margins. They had an aura about them, where you just knew they could control the outcome with a devastating 10 minute burst.
All of which have been failed at various times throughout the year. Yet despite all that, the Cats sit fourth with six games to play. They are yet to lose in Victoria. They keep finding a way to win the close games. They are within touching distance of yet another double chance in September. Geelong fans – dare to dream.
Bosk
Roar Rookie
Geelong are doing extraordinarily well considering the age profile of their list, but in finals it will likely count against them. Too many players either close to the very end or start of their careers. Their continuing success is a testament to the strength of the club's culture, and dare I say forms an excellent argument against teams bottoming out for draft picks.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Geelong are a very good team since 2007 where they have 3 flags, 4 grand finals.
Aaron
Guest
although, even as a freo fan everybody's a poor man's Kepler when it comes to being clumsy and generally causing your own injuries. that's why he wears purple! #culthero
EddyJ
Guest
You can never tell when an era is over, but Geelong are like a house of cards in 2014, just waiting to be blown away. Aside from the Hawthorn win, they haven't beaten anyone of note (scraped through against Richmond and Western Bulldogs), and while it looks like they are a chance to stay in the top four, it's unlikely they'll go far in the finals – unless they happen to meet Port Adelaide in the Qualifying Final, and the game is played in Melbourne.
Don Freo
Guest
Oh dear Mastermind! Daniel Parker, Scott Chisolm, Phil Gilbert and Tony Delaney no longer play for Freo. The trend just might be different now. Something happened late last year with a 2013 team you might have conveniently forgotten.
Don Freo
Guest
They can win in Sydney.
Don Freo
Guest
Blicavs reminds me of a poor man's Kepler Bradley. Just in case you're wondering, that is the ultimate compliment. Kepler wears purple!
Mark
Guest
At the moment I'd have you losing all of North, Freo and Hawks games. It's good to be confident but "guaranteed victories" is just silly.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Hahaha thats a great comment Dalgety, pure magic :-0 haha
duncan
Guest
The biggest advantage Geelong has in my opinion is playing at Skilled stadium. My gym instructer tells me short distances at high intensity is much more effective then longer training sessions. Since the AFL started moving the Melbourne teams away from suburban grounds in the early nineties Geelong haven't finished lower then tenth which is a real credit to the whole set up there
Cat
Roar Guru
Arguing against the COLA isn't bashing Sydney, I have never said they cheated or anything like that, they have done the best they can for the club within the rules they were given but, that doesn't mean the rules are fair or right.
MomentbyMoment
Guest
Gene I have to say - I much prefer seeing you fight for your team rather than denigrating other teams. Passion works best when it is channelled in a positive way. And for the record - Geelong is the toughest (scariest) and most talented team of the last decade. They wont give up without a fight.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Yeah, but we all know what guts are full of... ;)
Avatar
Roar Guru
I took into account the Dockers' otherwise poor record in Geelong (only two wins at the venue since entering the AFL in 1995) and the fact that the Cats have beaten the Hawks in 12 of their last 13 meetings (last year's prelim being the blot). My gut says that the Cats will go through the rest of this season undefeated. They shouldn't have a problem beating the Blues or Lions, as you said.
AR
Guest
"At least four of those five after the GWS game are guaranteed victories" Guaranteed victories? North have always matched up incredibly well on Geelong, Freo are trending upwards and beat the Cats at Simonds last time they played, the Hawks (well, maybe that's right, Geelong always beats the Hawks in close regular games). So that's Carlton and Brisbane which I'd describe as "guarantees".
Avatar
Roar Guru
Geelong's run home is the best that they could ask for. This weekend they've got GWS in Sydney, which should guarantee a percentage booster which has been desperately needed after that 110-point loss to Sydney at the SCG earlier this season. Then they've got North at Etihad, Freo at Simonds, Carlton at Etihad, Hawthorn at the 'G and finally the Brisbane Lions at Simonds. At least four of those five after the GWS game are guaranteed victories, though question marks will hover over their matches against Freo and Hawthorn. As you said, the Cats are undefeated in Victoria this season and they just find any way they can to win. I have them finishing with a record of 18-4 at season's end, possibly enough to secure an all-important top-two finish. But finish third or fourth and they could either travel to Sydney for a third time or to Perth for a second to face Fremantle. Despite the gradual retirements of many of its' premiership heroes, I still think the Cats are in strong enough contention for a fourth flag in under a decade. Anything could happen.
Cat
Roar Guru
Yes, certainly very handy to have a player who can contribute pretty much anywhere on the ground, Still think he has quite a ways to go in defense but I love his heart and effort, gives and does everything asked of him the best he can. Good set of hands and good kick, very happy to see him continue to develop.
Lewis Stewart
Roar Rookie
Blicavs is getting better with experience also. Hardly been dropped since his debut and looks like he could play anywhere. Amazing athlete!
Lewis Stewart
Roar Rookie
Carn Cats, pinch the flag! Hopefully a good run with injuries will ensure a good finals campaign.
Graeme Wapling
Guest
Geelong have in fact been contenders since 2004, with one blip in 2006