Geelong 2022 preview: Season predictions for the Cats

Rivals are waiting for the bottom to fall out of a club that has been up for the best part of two decades. But with a few changes, the Cats might not be done with yet.

Jay Clark

5 min read

January 2, 2022 - 4:00PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Are the Cats still legitimate premiership contenders?

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Geelong are an unpredictable beast.

Their very best can put games away in single quarters as they look every bit the team to beat.

Though at their worst they look slow, unsurprising and without a plan off halfback.

Can these Cats deliver the Premiership they have so clearly built their squad for or was their 83-point Preliminary Final defeat at the hands of Melbourne a sign of things to come?

Doubt this club at your own peril, as they have made many look foolish, though father time is undefeated and he is nipping at their heels.

Jay Clark looks at the Cats ahead of 2022.

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Geelong will look to once again bounce back and challenge for the flag. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021?

What happened in 2021

The Cats looked like the team to beat as they led Melbourne by five goals in the third term of the Round 23 clash against the eventual premier. But from then on things weren’t downhill for the oldest team in the league as they got brushed aside by Port Adelaide in the first final and then pumped by Melbourne in the preliminary final. The forward line worked well when their best team but was out there, but a triple hamstring setback to Jeremy Cameron was costly, while Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Tom Stewart also missed big slabs of the season with issues.

COACH: Chris Scott

CAPTAIN: Joel Selwood

Geelong’s forward line still stands as one of the best in the competition. Picture: Michael Klein

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2022?

They’re treading a fine line, the Cats, between being a legitimate premiership contender and falling off a list cliff. All around the world, veteran sports stars such as Tom Brady and Roger Federer are showing age is only a number, but have the Cats gambled on too many 30-year-olds after adding another in Jon Ceglar in the trade period? As list manager Stephen Wells said, a time will come when the Cats will need to get much younger, but that is not now. Suspect they will remain among the top six next year, beating the usual spate of teams at home, with a strong defence and still one of the best forward lines in the competitions. It’s in the middle where Melbourne exposed the Cats with leg speed, power and brilliance in the preliminary final that is the worry. Expect a tweak of game plan so the Cats don’t rely on slow-play so much, too. Rivals are waiting for the bottom to fall out of a club that has been up for the best part of two decades.

BIGGEST IMPROVER IN 2022?

Tyson Stengle will be the big watch next season. The skilful small forward was cast on to the AFL scrap heap after some off-field indiscretions at Adelaide after a brief stint at Richmond. But the goal kicker appears to have turned it around playing a starring role for Woodville West Torrens in the SANFL premiership this year, reviving his AFL aspirations. The Cats have added him for nothing as a delisted free agent and will slot him straight into a forward line to add another genuine goal kicking option. Not sure if Luke Dahlhaus and Shaun Higgins are in the best 22, anymore.

Can the high flying Esava Ratugolea be a difference maker in 2022? Picture: Michael Klein

X-FACTOR

Will the Cats unleash Esava Ratugolea in the ruck? The position has been the biggest headache for Chris Scott over the journey and this year the No. 1 spot seems up for grabs between Rhys Stanley and former Hawk Jon Ceglar. But perhaps there is greater upside in throwing Ratugolea in there if he has the tank to compete for longer periods than previous seasons? He has so far had an impact in small goes and is always a handful for the opposition big man with his sheer size and jumping power. If there is a wildcard move in the engine room, this might be it.

COACH STATUS

One of the most talked about men in the game will sign a two-year extension at Geelong after some robust conversations with new chief executive Steve Hocking. Surely, Carlton had a quiet crack at Scott amid long conversations with Ross Lyon before settling on Michael Voss. The Cats believe Scott is one of the top few coaches in the game, and his record over the past decade backs it up, having turnover over the list while staying in contention for a top spot. But why did assistants Corey Enright and Matthew Scarlett walk away? The spotlight will burn bright again this season, but the Cats are backing in their man, believing he can prove the critics wrong again with a completely new assistant coaching staff. Perhaps some fresh voices will help shed a new light on the game pan which could do with another, or different gears.

Brandan Parfitt’s signature will be of top priority for the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

OUT OF CONTRACT

It is a big year for a bunch of the Cats veterans whose deals expire at season’s end. Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood, Luke Dahlhaus, Shaun Higgins and Zach Tuohy are all out at the end of the year. Hard nut Brandan Parfitt is the priority signing among the younger stars after the midfielder knocked back Greater Western Sydney as part of the Jeremy Cameron deal. Quinton Narkle will also make a big decision on his future at season’s end after signing a one-year deal. Narkle could depart to one of many interstate rivals for more opportunity if he cannot break in this year, like Jordan Clark did to Fremantle.

INS FOR 2022

Jon Ceglar (traded – Hawthorn), Tyson Stengle (delisted free agent), Toby Conway (pick 24), Mitch Knevitt (25), James Willis (32), Flynn Kroeger (48), Cooper Whyte (64), Oliver Dempsey (rookie), Oisin Mullin (category B rookie)

Geelong added veteran ruckman Jon Ceglar to give Chris Scott another solid option, surely keeping Mark Blicavs in defence, or on the wing where the Cats have played him. Stengle has high upside, believing his off-field mistakes are behind him. Geelong is a high character club and Stengle has said he won’t let he Cats down.

If Tyson Stengle can stay on the straight and narrow, Geelong will have added a sizzling piece to their puzzle. Picture: Alison Wynd

OUTS FROM 2021

Oscar Brownless (delisted), Jordan Clark (traded – Fremantle), Charlie Constable (delisted), Darcy Fort (traded – Brisbane), Lachie Henderson (retired), Ben Jarvis (delisted), Josh Jenkins (retired), Nathan Kreuger (traded – Collingwood), Stefan Okunbor (retired), Cameron Taheny (delisted)

Geelong couldn’t find a regular game for Jordan Clark this year so the West Australian line breaker took an offer from Fremantle to head home. Nathan Krueger similar made the move to Collingwood and will vie for a regular senior game in attack after the Cats switched him into defence. Lachlan Henderson retired but has been a handy player in recent seasons in defence. Darcy Fort will hope to get more senior opportunity at Brisbane.