The 10 players key to Geelong’s hopes in 2024

From an out of contract star to the unsung heroes, these are Geelong’s most important players ahead of the new season. We rank them from one to 10.

Max Holmes is one of the Cats most important players. Photo by Michael Klein.

There are plenty of question marks around Geelong heading into the 2024 season.

Can Chris Scott’s side bounce back from the disappointment of missing finals last year on the back of its premiership defence?

Or will they struggle to make inroads on the top eight in a competition which is as even as it ever has been?

But there’s no doubt there’s still plenty of exciting talents on the Cats’ list.

We rank the top-10 most important players ahead of the new season.

1. Max Holmes

Signing the 21-year-old to a long-term contract should be the Cats’ number one list management priority this season. Set to play a new role off halfback, it wouldn’t be a shock if he ended up playing some big midfield minutes. With interest from up the highway, Holmes’ value of his new potential contract could soar.

2. Tom Stewart

Almost an unbackable favourite to be the next captain, Stewart is the Cats’ best players. Despite some touted midfield minutes in pre-season, he’s just too important to the set up behind the footy. And when he usually racks up the footy and can break the game open out of defence, the Cats are a much better side.

Tom Stewart. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

3. Jeremy Cameron

Geelong fans will be hoping Cameron rediscovers some of the form of early 2023 where some pundits suggested he could kick 100 goals before injuries took their toll. Shannon Neale’s emergence means he will probably play a role further up the ground – in pre-season we often saw him collect plenty of disposals in the back half – with his field kicking an underrated trait. If he’s fit and firing, a push up the ladder isn’t unlikely.

4. Tom Hawkins

Continues to age like a fine wine so it’s hard to predict just how good Hawkins could be this season. Like his great mate Cameron, the 36-year-old should benefit from Neale’s presence inside forward 50. If he can add 40 to 50 goals, the Cats are in a much better position. No doubt talk of retirement will be a key theme in his season.

5. Sam De Koning

His form during the premiership year of 2022 was brilliant but he might not have progressed as much as many thought he would last year. But the 23-year-old’s importance to this side can’t be undersold. He allows Stewart to play his intercept game and there’s no issue with him taking on the opposition’s best forwards. We probably forget he’s only 43 games into his AFL career — De Koning still has the potential to be a future All-Australian.

Sam De Koning will hold up a key post in defence. Pic: Michael Klein

6. Patrick Dangerfield 

When coach Chris Scott needs a matchwinner, Danger is still likely to be the man who puts himself forward. With no Cam Guthrie, for at least the next several weeks, the skipper becomes even more important in the middle of the ground. Talk surrounding a possible move forward never seems to go away but his ball winning ability is too valuable.

7. Tom Atkins

Valued as highly as any player inside the four walls of GMHBA Stadium. His experience and hard-nosed approach in the middle of the ground is desperately needed with depth lacking compared to previous seasons. Atkins has also proven he can play a defensive midfield role if an opposition star is starting to get on top.

8. Zach Guthrie

The 25-year-old enters a contract year as one of the Cats’ most underrated players. Capable of playing on smalls and talls, he is Geelong’s response to the Charlie Cameron’s, Tom Papley’s, Dylan Moore’s, Lachie Schultz, Dustin Martin’s, Toby Greene’s of the world. Guthrie made a place in the back six his own in the last two years.

9. Gryan Miers

When you think of someone who simply plays their role there’s arguably no better example in the competition than Miers. Delivers the ball inside forward 50 as well as any kick in the competition and his ability to read the game is second to none. Became the goal assist king last season but if he can hit the scoreboard more himself, outsiders will probably regard him a little higher.

10. Jack Henry

The oldest of the Henry brothers was sorely missed last season as he battled foot issues. Capable of playing at either end, a fit Henry can help Geelong rise up the ladder.

Originally published as The 10 players key to Geelong’s hopes in 2024