Geelong finished the season on top of the AFL ladder in season 2019, but didn’t make the grand final as they lost in the preliminary final instead.
Selecting their top ten players that they could least afford to lose in 2020 was a difficult but interesting experience.
10. Harry Taylor
Taylor is an important part of the Geelong Cats’ defence. Taylor is a tall mobile defender that has plenty of experience and has the ability to play on the opposition’s key forward.
9. Luke Dahlhaus
Dahlhaus finished sixth in the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest. Dahlhaus was an important part of the Cats team in 2019. He needs to kick more goals to provide more value.
8. Joel Selwood
Selwood is past his best, but still capable of making a contribution as he displayed in 2019 where he averaged 21.3 disposals in 23 games. He is the sole captain of the footy club in season 2020, which shows how highly thought of he is there.
7. Zach Tuohy
Tuohy is a player that has the capability to create run out of defence for the Geelong Cats. He usually plays on a halfback flank as he did in Round 1 of the 2020 season where he was named in the Cats’ best players on the AFL website. He is also a part of the Cats’ leadership group.
6. Gary Ablett Jr
Ablett kicked 34 goals for the Geelong Cats in 2019, which was the second-most of any Cats player. Ablett finished seventh in the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest and was named in the 2019 AFL All-Australian squad of 40.
5. Mark Blicavs
Blicavs is a utility that has the capability to play multiple roles. Blicavs finished fifth in the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest and was named in the 2019 AFL All-Australian squad of 40. Blicavs is a vice-captain at the Cats, which shows how highly thought of he is within their inner sanctum.
4. Tom Hawkins
Hawkins averaged 2.33 goals per game in 2019. Hawkins was named at full-forward in the AFL All-Australian team, which is a key indicator of why he is so pivotal to the Geelong Cats team. He finished fourth in the 2019 Cats’ best and fairest.
3. Mitch Duncan
Duncan displayed what a quality player he is in Round 1 of the 2020 season where he kicked three goals. Duncan had the third most disposals of any player in the team and finished eighth in the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest. He is also a part of the Cats’ leadership group.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
2. Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield won the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest, playing a pivotal role for the Cats. He averaged 27.08 disposals per game and 1.12 goals per game. Dangerfield was named on the half-forward flank in the 2019 AFL All-Australian team. He is a vice-captain for the Cats.
1. Tom Stewart
Stewart is a pivotal player for the Geelong Cats; he is a mobile defender who has the capability to play on mid-sized forwards. Stewart also has the capability to provide run out of defence averaging an impressive 23.2 disposals per game in 2019.
He finished second in the 2019 Geelong Cats’ best and fairest. He was named in the back pocket of the 2019 AFL All-Australian team and is a part of the Cats’ leadership group.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Danger wouldn't like the order. But you can't argue with the players. The Cats need to be weaned off Taylor quickly. Hopefully replaced on the list by Henry.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks for giving your top 10; very well done.
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
My list : 10. Dahlhaus 9. Ablett 8. Clarke 7.Henry 6.Duncan 5.Stewart 4.Blicavs 3.Ratugolea 2.Hawkins 1.Dangerfield Although Ablett is almost oldest player, no one can do what he does which is hardest skill in footy under pressure. Ratugolea could be next Ruck/ forward for next decade. Either to replace Stanley and or Hawkins. Henry will be next Harry Taylor for another decade. Clarke is class personified. He reminds me of Joel Selwood as the next ‘cool hand Luke’ in the team. Myers is unlucky 11.Myers is unique and my “captains pick” but is a great small pressure forward that can kick multiple goals, constantly improving and very young.
Chris_S
Roar Rookie
Bomber Thompson is the one you really missed. Like Chris Scott says “Richmond are not as good as the great Hawthorn or Geelong sides were” but fortunately for the Tigers Scott is nowhere near as good as Bomber
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Couldn’t agree with you more. Ablett the great player he has been, will fade faster with age. Geelong could cover him if he was gone given the list they have. Be interesting to see how some of their older players return after the extended break. Could be the best thing for some of them, or could end some of them.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I thought the Cats has them too. Duncan and Hawkins in the Cats win.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
This must be the oldest list so far?
Boo
Guest
AJ73 about to say the same thing.Add Clarke run not being there on top of Duncan makes you wonder how did we jump them in the first half.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Duncan being out due to injury against Richmond in the preliminary final hurt Geelong more than Hawkins. Needed the hard two-way running midfielder more.