AFL 2024: Geelong Advertiser experts predict how season will play out for Geelong

Where will the Cats finish? Who will be Geelong’s surprise packet? And who will finish in the top three in the best and fairest? See our predictions for the 2024 season.

Our experts run the rule over Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong is one of the great unknowns entering the season.

How will they fare and who will star in 2024?

Our experts have made the big calls.

PREDICTED LADDER POSITION

Josh Barnes: 7th

Matthew Forrest: 10th

Dan Batten: 8th

Brayden May: 9th

Ben Cameron: 8th

Just two experts have Geelong in their eight. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

BEST AND FAIREST TOP THREE

Josh Barnes: 1. Tom Stewart, 2. Jeremy Cameron, 3. Jack Henry

Matthew Forrest: 1. Jeremy Cameron, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Max Holmes

Dan Batten: 1. Tom Stewart 2. Jeremy Cameron 3. Gryan Miers

Brayden May: 1. Tom Stewart, 2. Max Holmes, 3. Sam De Koning

Ben Cameron: 1. Tom Stewart. 2. Max Holmes. Tanner Bruhn

LEADING GOALKICKER

Josh Barnes: Jeremy Cameron

Matthew Forrest: Jeremy Cameron

Dan Batten: Jeremy Cameron

Brayden May: Jeremy Cameron

Ben Cameron: Ollie Henry

BEST YOUNG PLAYER AWARD

Josh Barnes: Toby Conway

Matthew Forrest: Jhye Clark

Dan Batten: Jhye Clark

Brayden May: Jhye Clark

Ben Cameron: Jhye Clark

Our experts are expecting big things from Jhye Clark. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

SURPRISE PACKET

Josh Barnes: Toby Conway

Matthew Forrest: Shannon Neale

Dan Batten: Mitch Duncan. Finally fully fit, Duncan can wind back the clock.

Brayden May: Toby Conway

Ben Cameron: Oliver Dempsey

BIG YEAR FOR...

Josh Barnes: Andrew Mackie – Plenty of contracts to lock down

Matthew Forrest: Tyson Stengle

Dan Batten: Max Holmes. Out of contract and a big year will help drive up his price. Will also be crucial to the Cats’ fortunes.

Brayden May: Tyson Stengle

Ben Cameron: Brandan Parfitt

ONE BIG CALL FOR 2024

Josh Barnes: Tom Hawkins defies the doubters and signs yet another contract.

Matthew Forrest: Zach Guthrie becomes a borderline All Australian defender, locking down some of footy’s best goal threats.

Dan Batten: Premiership player Gary Rohan left on the outer with Geelong’s forward line firing.

Brayden May: Several veterans are on the outer as the Cats’ youth take over.

Ben Cameron: Tyson Stengle to recapture All-Australian form.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong Advertiser experts predict how season will play out for Geelong