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After missing out on a finals berth for the first time in eight years, the Cats turned their eyes firmly towards their recruiting department and boy oh boy did they have a massive trade period.
Overall it was a poor season for the Cats who struggled to find any sense of consistency, dropping to all-time lows, which included a horrendous 24-point loss at home to the hands of the depleted Demons in club legend Corey Enright’s 300th game.
As has been the case for the past three seasons, questions have already been raised over whether the success down at Kardinia Park will taper away for good, but with a deep squad and some boom recruits don’t be surprised if the Cats are once again vying for a top-four spot in 2016.
The Cats have welcomed one of the game’s modern greats Patrick Dangerfield from Adelaide, as he looks to reunite with his family. He will suit up alongside Joel Selwood and the younger likes of Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy and Cameron Guthrie in what is forming to be an extremely handy midfield brigade.
Geelong have also embraced the signatures of fellow 25-year-olds Lachie Henderson, Zac Smith and the skipper’s brother Scott Selwood. It’ll be interesting to see if the latter two will be required players for Round 1 or have been recruited simply as depth players.
After waving goodbye to veterans James Kelly, Steve Johnson, Matthew Stokes and Jared Rivers, Geelong have now compiled a well-balanced list full of youth, experience and players reaching the prime of their careers.
Talented second-year players Nakia Cockatoo, Corey Gregson and Darcy Lang should continue to have plenty of opportunity at senior level next year as the speedy trio look to continue to develop into gun AFL footballers.
It was truly heartwarming to see the return of the talented Daniel Menzel after 207 weeks out of the side and four ACL injuries. The 24-year-old managed to make an immediate impact on return, booting four goals and accumulating 20 disposals to be his side’s best player in a disappointing loss.
Menzel will be looking forward to 2016 as he hopes a solid pre-season can lead to a full year of football next year, so he can repay the faith to those at the Cats who stuck beside him.
As a result of their heavy trade period, the Cats were quiet in the National Draft, but this won’t worry Chris Scott and the recruitment staff, who were fully aware that this year’s draft pool is considered to be the shallowest in a long time.
The Cats’ first pick was way down the draft order at pick 59, where they selected Tasmanian Ryan Gardiner. The likes of Sam Menegola, Wylie Buzza, and Matthew Hayball wrapped up the Cats’ easy draft night and although all of these selections arrived late, if anyone can select a diamond in the rough it’s gun-recruiting manager Stephen Wells and his team of talent identifiers.
Best 22
FF: Cory Gregson, Tom Hawkins, Mitch Clark
HF: Daniel Menzel, Lachie Henderson, Steven Motlop
C: Mitch Duncan, Patrick Dangerfield, Mark Blicavs
HB: Cameron Guthrie, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
FB: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Jackson Thurlow
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Joel Selwood, Josh Caddy
I/C: Jimmy Bartel, Jake Kolodjashnij, Scott Selwood, Jordan Murdoch
EMG: Nakia Cockatoo, Zac Smith, George Horlin-Smith
The gun: Mark Blicavs
Obvious selections here would have been Dangerfield, Selwood or Steven Motlop, yet after a breakout 2015 season Mark Blicavs truly does deserve this mantle.
The former Australian steeplechaser was recruited to the Cats as a category B rookie in 2012 and in just three seasons and 66 games of footy he has emerged as a player who could certainly earn All-Australian honours to add to his remarkable Best and Fairest victory this season.
Blicavs took his game to an unexpected level with a move into the midfield. Despite playing in the ruck for the majority of the year, averaging a minimal 16 hit-outs a game, there were moments when the 198-centimetre pure athlete played as a genuine ruck rover. Using his big frame to bust through packs he averaged 18 disposals and four clearances a game.
Blicavs’ contested work is extraordinary, but his best asset is his ability to lose his opponents on the outside with his elite pace. He remains a huge barometer for the Cats in 2016.
Developing star: Cory Gregson
In just his first year of AFL football, Gregson was picked to make his debut in Round 1 against the reigning premiers Hawthorn. Despite making a few appearances as the substitute, Gregson’s silky smooth skills and genuine pace allowed him to become a member of Geelong’s best 22, playing 20 games in his debut year.
He was awarded an NAB Rising Star nomination for his Round 6 performance against the Magpies where he amassed 18 disposals and three goals. His background in gymnastics has allowed him to build a strong upper body suited to the demands of AFL football.
Needs to lift: Billie Smedts
After being Geelong’s first pick (15th overall) in 2010, Smedts has truly been part of a rollercoaster ride in his five years at Geelong. Injuries and poor form have seen him on the outer at various stages throughout his time at the Cattery.
This time last year Smedts was built up as being an exciting prospect for Geelong as Brad Scott looked to transform him into a small negating defender, playing shutdown roles much similar to Nick Smith of Sydney.
Despite starring in Round 1 against the Hawks, Smedts played just three more games for the season after being suspended, injured and dropped at different stages throughout the year.
There is no doubting Smedts’ talent, which is why the club recently tied him up until the end of 2017. But 37 games in four years is certainly not what both parties would have expected at this stage, and 2016 is truly a make or break year for Smedts.
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