It’s been nine years since the Geelong Cats last won the AFL premiership in 2011.
There was a period of time when they won three premierships in the space of five years, when Geelong was a model of consistency. Since 2007, they have missed the finals only once.
Fast-forward to 2020 and Geelong are bound for a top-four finals appearance yet again, but looking at the years ahead, there must be changes aplenty for the club.
The Cats have been blessed with great players who have come and gone. When you look at the current composition of the team you see quality veterans in Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins and Gary Ablett Jr.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
To add to that experienced core Geelong have brought in Patrick Dangerfield, Zach Tuohy, Jack Stevens, Josh Jenkins and Lachie Henderson over the years. The similarity is that all those players are 30 and above.
The club have a lot of interesting prospects and there are three groups you could create to break down the team. You have players who are 30 years old or older, players who are between the ages of 26 and 29 and players who are under the age of 26.
While we mentioned the ageing roster of Geelong, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Cats. Geelong also have their share of youngsters under 26 years of age who are still developing. They’ll be ready to take over from the veterans down the track.
Brandan Parfitt has become one of the top tacklers of the game, putting his body on the line around the ball while also creating clearances. Gryan Miers has also continued to make strides in his second season and will be a pivotal player for years to come.
When you throw in the likes of Tom Atkins, Jack Henry, Mark O’Connor, Jake Kolodjashnij and Esava Ratugolea, these are all rotational players who have been able to contribute to the team.
With an abundance of ageing stars, it’s left little playing time for a number of players. The depth of Geelong’s list means players such as Lachie Fogarty, Jordan Clark and Charlie Constable have missed out barring some sporadic appearances.
Meanwhile, it’s the players in their prime, between 26 and 29 years old, who become the glue guys for the veterans and the youngsters. Geelong have a high disposal rate, which you can credit their midfield for, including Cameron Guthrie, Sam Menegola and Mitch Duncan.
Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Stewart also provide a dynamic edge to the Cats in the medium forward and defence positions, which shows how much versatility they have.
The ageing core of Hawkins, Ablett Jr, Dangerfield, Taylor and Tuohy are still doing wonders for the club. However, if they fail to win the flag in 2020, changes might not be far from the horizon.
Geelong have three first-round draft picks heading into the off-season and, as mentioned earlier, will be able to have a plethora of young and prime-age talent to work with. How they manage their assets will shape their future.
It will be interesting to see whether they make one final push by trading for established talent or acquiring free agents in the short term. Otherwise, being able to rebuild their core while remaining competitive will be a plan that they’ll have to figure out.
It’s intriguing times ahead for the Geelong Cats.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Probably Dangerfield first, and after his retirement Duncan can take over. I don't know if Duncan has the qualities required to captain the cats, I love him as a player and a person, but he is not one to "rise to the occasion" when the whips are cracking, and has never been the one to carry us on his shoulders when needed on the field. Danger, like Selwood, has those qualities as well as the undying respect of his peers, so I can't see them going past him after Selwood hangs the boots up. He will likely play on for 2 years after Selwoods gone, which is enough to be made permanent captain.
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Did you see how he played on Thursday before the finger injury? He was by far our best player in the first half, and looked a lot like the Selwood of old. Yes the end can come quickly and Joel had begun to slow down, but I have no doubt this was due to accumulative burn out, rather than a sparkling career winding down.. he will be better rested and better managed from here on out, meaning he will play a lot less, but be a lot better off for it, something which if properly maintained could extend Joel's career for at least another 2 years. Fingers crossed!
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
I heard Mark Ruccuitto say on the radio the other day “....when the end comes, it can come quick....”, I think he was referring to Justin Westhoff. Selwood is a champion no doubt but I’m not as confident as you on his longevity.
Dean
Guest
Hard to argue they should be playing more kids when they're winning games. I think the whole Jack Steven thing was probably one ageing midfielder too much, which might cost them a player like Constable. But the point of footy is winning the premiership. While the window is open, they've got to put the best team on the park. In 2 years' time, those guys will have heaps of opportunities if they're still there.
montza
Guest
I wonder if the next captain will be Dangerfield or Mitch Duncan - Selwood might end up playing one year less than Danger, Mitch has 5 years+
Jake Ramzy
I hope Chris Scott can prove he is the mastermind I believe he is. It's time to win the games that matter Mr Scott, i don't think Geelong fans will accept nothing less than a premiership this season. We got Hawkins, Selwood, Taylor and Ablett and they're the best players in the comp. It's time. GO CATS
Dave
Roar Rookie
We are getting 3 1st round picks this year thanks to the Kelly deal and our own, hopefully they turn out to be good
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Good point, but in saying so keep in mind how difficult it's been to get games into youngsters this year without the VFL. I think if it were a regular season we would have seen at least another 2-3 debutantes, but given the nature of the comp this year, as well as the 17 rounds, there was simply too high a risk to start messing with the starters/structure too much and risk dropping a game. In saying that Fogerty, Simpson, Narkle and Close all had multiple games, particularly throughout the "festival of footy", and even Clark/Jarvis got some game time as well (admittedly not much). Next year we'll see Kreuger start to emerge, and at least another 2-3 others be given games. With the cats strong draft hand this year, expect another 2-3 quality youngsters to come in, and with that, hopefully ensure a bright future for the ageing cats, who have already shown they can rebuild on the fly i.e. 2011-2020 :)
Dangersphere 10
Roar Rookie
Of course he will! Selwood still has a lot left to give. Poor guy just needed to get a bit of proper rest into his banged up body, which took a huge amount of punishment over the last decade given how he likes to play (no regard for himself), as well as from having to carry the entire midfield in the pre-dangerfield days.. but he is back, fresh and primed for finals, expect a big October from him, and another year or two more after 2020.. as for future captains, Danger will take over from Sel for a year or two, but after that it's a little unclear. Possibly Tom Stewart? In another 5-8 years it could be Henry, or Simpson, or even one of the new boys. Guess we'll see.
Footy Guy
Guest
Geelong have been great, only minor criticism not enough youth, they have one of the eldest lists in the comp Brad Close and Ben Jarvis only Now that doesn't seem that bad But consider this Cooper Stephens- 1st round pick Nathan Kreuger- been waiting for 2 years, ridiculous, they paid a lot for him to get him Jacob Kennerly- been waiting for 2 years Francis Evans Jake Tarca- been waiting for 2 years Blake Schlensog Cameron Taheny - who was regared as the steal of the draft Sam De Koning- 1st round pick 8 players, I'm not saying all 8 should have got a game but surely stephens, taheny, kreuger, Kennerly should have debuted by now.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Who is their next captain? Will Selwood play on next year?