By Peter Ryan
The defending premiers knew they would start slowly but hoped to build into the season with enough wins on the board at the halfway point to put their foot down.
Three losses to start the season and then a spate of injuries to key players, including Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley and Max Holmes robbed the Cats of their best midfield just as they hit some winning form.
Jeremy Cameron has booted 36 goals in the first 11 rounds.Credit: Getty Images/Stephen Kiprillis
Two strings of three losses (rounds 1-3 and 9-11) forced the Cats out of the eight, before they clawed their way back in with Saturday’s stirring win against the Western Bulldogs. Still, with a run of tough matches on the horizon, they have left themselves a steep hill to climb.
The Cats have used the injuries to try alternatives but are also aware that time is running out. The return of key players won’t automatically translate into wins, particularly with their defence less solid and reliable than previous seasons.
Chris Scott is right to be optimistic about the future but it was reassuring to see in round 12 some urgency about fixing what is unfolding this season. It was in danger until then of becoming one of those campaigns where things just don’t click.
Who’s hot?
Gryan Miers’ unique kicking style has always created discussion among footy fans. This year he’s squandered too many opportunities kicking for goal, but used the ball well entering the forward line.Credit: Getty Images
Jeremy Cameron is in the conversation as the best player in the competition. He has done everything in his power to lift his team across the line in its flat patches, albeit with limited success. The mobile, left-footed goalkicker is exciting and inspirational and normally accurate in front of goal. He remains the key to Geelong’s chances of mounting a serious challenge.
A hamstring suffered in round 11 might rule Esava Ratugolea out for a large chunk of games, but it would be unjust not to recognise his first half of the season as a key defender. He has been a mainstay as an intercept marker operating in a new role without great support around him. A rapid improver, he has cemented himself a future in the AFL. After a possible trade to Port Adelaide failed to get across the line at the end of last season, it remains to be seen whether that future will be at Geelong or elsewhere.
After a slow start, Gryan Miers has shown his class as a hard-running high half-forward, and is now closing in on his 100th game. He has kicked inaccurately at goal, with 2.9 to his name. But his kicking skills have been strong further up the ground. The creative forward has managed 20 goal assists and is a key link player when the Cats surge forward from a contest.
Who needs to lift
It’s a mystery what has happened to Brandan Parfitt in the past two seasons, but his career has slid from being a permanent midfielder to a player on the fringe of the team and possibly looking elsewhere at season’s end. He won the last spot available in the premiership team due to Holmes’ injury in 2022, then struggled to break into the team until round nine of 2023 when injuries opened up an opportunity. The 25-year-old hasn’t grabbed it as expected, and was dropped for round 12 after appearing fumbly and down on confidence.
An eye injury to ruckman Rhys Stanley gave Jonathon Ceglar the chance he was seeking, but he has battled to have an impact. It’s not through lack of effort, but the 32-year-old has made some head-scratching decisions with the ball in the back half. He is gallant and gets in the right positions to have an impact but plays as though he is questioning whether he belongs.
Mark Blicavs is an outstanding player, and it took him until round 12 to emerge from flat patch with his ball-handling and decision-making just down a peg. Blicavs’ average marks per game were well down, and although he was kicking goals he was not having the defensive impact he is known for at stoppages. After attempting to plug holes for the team, which stretched him, he got back to basics against the Bulldogs pushing hard forward and becoming a disruptor.
Coach’s box
Chris Scott remains optimistic and he knows the formula he wants to implement, but the players he expected to have at his disposal have not been available regularly enough.
His preparedness to give responsible roles to Ollie Henry, Mitch Knevitt and Tanner Bruhn is a positive which will stand the club in good stead. He also would have exposed Jhye Clark to more football if the first-year player had not suffered a stress fracture. The use of Sam De Koning in the ruck and then forward was an attempt to develop versatility, but it remains to be seen whether that calculated risk will pay off.
Most of the plans the Cats’ coaches devise do work, so it’s worth backing in a coach who remains the game’s best, having 12 seasons of consistent success behind him.
The road ahead
Round 13 Bye
Round 14 v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Round 15 v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium
Round 16 v Sydney Swans at the SCG
Round 17 v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium
Round 18 v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium
Round 19 v Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Round 20 v Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium
Round 21 v Port Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium
Round 22 v Collingwood at the MCG
Round 23 v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium
Round 24 v Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium.
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