One burning question for every Geelong player ahead of the 2023 season
There are hundreds of questions surrounding the start of this footy season and we have gone through one every Cat will hope to answer.
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With another season upon us, there are many questions unanswered about how Geelong will fare.
And every player enters 2023 with their own questions, so we have gone through every player to pick out what they will hope to answer this year.
1. Rhys Stanley
With a fit Jonathon Ceglar set to push for minutes and the Cats keen to get gametime into young Toby Conway can Rhys Stanley hold on to the No.1 ruck spot? He should get first crack.
2. Zach Tuohy
Only 14 games away from Jim Stynes’ record for most appearances by an Irishman, does the fire still burn as strong for Tuohy after he landed an elusive premiership?
3. Brandan Parfitt
Midfield minutes will be tough to come by at Geelong this year and after being a late call up for last year’s grand final as a medical-sub, can Parfitt lock himself into the best 22 this year?
4. Tanner Bruhn
Geelong’s best performed midfielder of its two pre-season matches, Tanner Bruhn showed he can be a long-time centre bounce midfielder. But how much of a crack will he get this year?
Having not missed a beat and hopefully put those pesky hamstring issues behind him, could Cameron – already one of the most damaging players in the game – go to an even higher level?
6. Toby Conway
The expectations are high on Conway but after a foot issue over summer, he will start the year behind. Can he get himself on to an AFL debut?
7. Isaac Smith
Don’t let his age fool you, Isaac “Norm” Smith could play until he is 40 if he wants to. Will best-on-ground honours in last year’s grand final be a final piece in a great career or just part of his second era of success?
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
Often overlooked, even by Cats fans, Kolodjashnij has been one of the first picked every week in recent years. Will he finally get his dues this year?
9. Max Holmes
The tough story of last year’s premiership run, can a new role in the midfield help the youngster remove the “hardluck” tag?
10. Mitch Knevitt
The tall midfielder has consistently impressed coaches through his workrate and adaptability. He will get a chance this year, can he take it?
11. Cooper Whyte
Strong over the ball and possessing a laser-like left foot, Whyte showed why the Cats rate him so highly in his pre-season appearances. If he stays fit, he should get a chance to show his skills.
12. Jack Bowes
Where does Bowes fit in? He showed good signs at half forward during pre-season and can play in any section of the ground. His biggest task will be locking in a role.
13. Jhye Clark
What can we expect from the first-year midfielder? Clark has a habit of finding the ball at will but his appearances may be limited around Geelong’s experience.
15. Jonathon Ceglar
He was rarely sighted in his first year at Geelong and time is suddenly running out for Ceglar to have an influence. Can he get past Rhys Stanley and earn No.1 ruck status?
16. Sam De Koning
After a dream 2022, De Koning will simply be focused on getting better. He will have a target on his back from opposing full-forwards and the youngster is keen to improve his attacking game.
17. Esava Ratugolea
It’s been a career of potential without performance from Ratugolea so far but a move down back looks to have regenerated him. Will he not only play a role for the Cats but stick around at the end of the season?
18. Tyson Stengle
Not even Stengle could have foreseen a 50 goal, premiership season in his first year at the Cats. The simple question for him is: can he back it up?
19. Phoenix Foster
A turbulent pre-season has limited Foster’s minutes and the young big man is unlikely to play senior footy this year. His first season will be all about improving his game.
20. James Willis
Careers can go by quicker than you thing. For big-bodied midfielder Willis, after 2022 was lost to injury, he will be under some heat to show his ability and land another contract.
21. Osca Riccardi
An elite runner with good footskills, Riccardi has the makings of a player. The rookie will be given time to grow into his body, how much can he learn of a senior player like Isaac Smith?
22. Mitch Duncan
After some minor calf injuries and a year severely impacted by injury in 2021, Duncan is again working through a calf complaint on the eve of the season. He is still a vital cog to the Cats but is the veteran slowing down?
23. Gary Rohan
A finals hero, Rohan kicked the most important goal of Geelong’s season in the qualifying final. But with Ollie Henry contending for his spot in the side, will the veteran maintain his spot in the goalsquare?
24. Jed Bews
Criminally underrated outside of Geelong, Bews has forged a solid career. Contracted until the end of next year, can he continue to carry on and close in on his father Andrew’s 207 appearances in the hoops?
25. Flynn Kroeger
Similarly to James Willis, Kroeger couldn’t shake of injuries last year. Can he string together a run in the VFL to start his second season on the list?
26. Tom Hawkins
What a spectacular career. Cats fans best not take Hawkins for granted. After foot surgery over the off-season is this the year he finally shows some signs of slowing down?
27. Sam Menegola
Not so long ago Menegola was an All-Australian squad member and a vital part of Geelong’s side. Knee soreness has hit him again this pre-season, could the 31-year-old be playing somewhere else in 2024?
28. Ollie Dempsey
After making his debut last year, the rookie put his head down and pushed to the front of the pack for pre-season. He started both of Geelong’s practice matches so he is certainly in the frame to play plenty of senior footy this year.
29. Cam Guthrie
Another Carji Greeves Medal in his back pocket, can Guthrie force his way back into the All-Australian side?
30. Tom Atkins
Geelong’s midfield transformed when Atkins was thrown in the mix mid-2022. There will be plenty pushing for more gametime in there this year so can Atkins carry on his brilliance?
31. Oscar Murdoch
The local rookie will get a chance to learn his craft off half-back this year. His task will be to soak up as much knowledge as he can.
32. Gryan Miers
His goal tally might not be as high as some hoped by Miers has become an outstanding high half-forward. If he can nudge his numbers up to a goal-a-game it’s not impossible for him to make the All-Australian squad.
33. Shannon Neale
It can be tough waiting in the queue behind Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron. Neale has shown he can lead a forwardline in the VFL, can he grab his opportunity at the top level?
34. Oisin Mullin
Mullin has come across with an AFL-ready body and his kicking skills appear solid. At 23, he will be hungry to push for a senior berth in his first year.
35. Patrick Dangerfield
The new skipper showed he can still shine brighter than anyone else at his best last finals series. How often can he recapture the magic as he goes past age 33?
36. Ollie Henry
It was easy to see in Geelong’s pre-season demolition of Hawthorn: Henry playing off Jeremy Cameron as an uber-athletic duo for years to come. Still only 20, Henry is sure to have ups and downs this year but will he add another dimension to Geelong’s tacked forwardline?
37. Sam Simpson
After being a quality member of Geelong’s grand final side in 2020, Simpson has had two injury-interrupted campaigns. Can he get back to his best and add to his 19 AFL games?
38. Jack Henry
The Cats will need Jack Henry this year and in the future. After three foot issues in 12 months, can he shake off the concerns and carry on his growing career?
39. Zach Guthrie
You can cut the talk about him being a fringe player – Guthrie is now a key part of Geelong’s backline. How much intercepting marking can he bring to the table as he continues to grow?
40. Ted Clohesy
A learning year for the former Cats academy member. A good size and a good learner can Clohesy suck in all the knowledge of his elder teammates?
42. Mark O’Connor
A stable best-22 member of Geelong's side for the past four years, is O’Connor in danger of being squeezed out? The 100-game mark beckons for the Irishman.
44. Tom Stewart
Teams have been trying to slow down the dashing defender for five years now and it’s not working. Will Stewart close the gap on Corey Enright’s six selections by claiming his fifth All-Australian honour?
45. Brad Close
If we’re being honest, Close deserves more All-Australian chatter as few play the key role of high half-forward better. New settled at the Cats, how much can he continue to grow?
46. Mark Blicavs
An unrestricted free agent, we may get a decent indication of how long the All-Australian plans to play on for when he sits down to sign his next contract.
Chris Scott - coach
The master coach has pledged that he will look at his position leading the Cats every year before deciding whether to go on. He is contracted in 2024 but how strong is the hunger to keep leading Geelong?
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