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Josh Barnes is an AFL and sport reporter with News Sport and CODE Sports, who has previously worked as the Geelong Advertiser’s Chief Footy Writer and with Leader Newspapers.

@Josh__Barnes

Josh Barnes

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Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 03: List Manager of the Cats, Andrew Mackie speaks with media during The 2022 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

How the Cats rebuilt their list under our noses

No team will be able to boast the level of AFL-ready talent of Geelong if it nails its trade targets. And the Cats are doing so while getting younger. Here’s how they did it.

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats and Tyson Stengle of the Cats celebrate with Cats head coach Chris Scott after winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Hocking reveals secrets behind Chris Scott’s drive

Two key traits are behind Chris Scott’s longevity as Geelong coach and that is proven by his next his move after winning the premiership.

Sport

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Quinton Narkle of the Cats trains during a Geelong Cats AFL training session at GMHBA Stadium on September 12, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Clubs flag interest in discarded Cat stuck in ‘limbo’

Talented delisted midfielder Quinton Narkle is on the hunt for a second club and his manager gives an update on where the ex-Geelong player is at.

PollAFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Tom Stewart of the Cats and Isaac Heeney of the Swans in action during the 2022 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Captain-in-waiting ready ‘with both hands’ for top Cats job

There are no shortage of options to replace Joel Selwood’s massive shoes as Geelong skipper. And one of the frontrunners says he would take the job ‘with both hands’.

Sport

Cam Guthrie and Lauren Bumbers. Geelong Best and Fairest Red Carpet Arrivals at Crown Palladium, Melbourne. Carji Greeves Medal. Picture: Josie Hayden

Guthrie ‘thrilled’ to sit alongside Geelong greats

Only four players this century had won multiple Geelong best-and-fairests while playing as midfielders. And Cam Guthrie has now been added to that list.

AFL

Cam Guthrie and Luke Dahlhaus. Geelong players, wearing Aboriginal and Tores Strait flag t-shirts to mark Naidoc Week, went through light training at GMHBA Stadium on Monday morning. Picture: Alan Barber

Much-loved Cat calls time

Another Geelong veteran well-loved in AFL circles has decided his time is up at the top level, joining Joel Selwood and five delisted players as post-2022 exits.

AFL

MELBOURNE, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022: 2022 AFL Grand Final between the Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans at the MCG. Sam De Koning of the Geelong Cats and Joel Selwood celebrate the win. Picture: Mark Stewart

‘You can’t finish’: Young Cat’s Selwood plea

In the closing stages of the Cats grand final triumph, Joel Selwood found himself on the bench next to a young star who emplored his skipper to keep playing.

Sport

Joel Hugs Chris Scott. Joel Selwood announces retirement at GMHBA stadium along with wife Brit, Coach Chris Scott and Steve Hocking. Picture: Jason Edwards

Not in ‘the best of moods’: Joel’s wild lift home from unsure fan

A hospitality worker had no idea that she had the AFL premiership skipper in her back seat on Saturday night.

PollAFL

MELBOURNE . 24/09/2022. AFL Grand Final. Geelong Cats vs Sydney Swans at the MCG. Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats . Picture by Michael Klein

Key reason why Cats can go back-to-back

One thing caught assistant coach James Kelly’s eye in pre-season and it is a key reason why he believes Geelong can repeat as premiers for the first time in 70 years.

Sport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyson Stengle and Joel Selwood players are presented on stage during their celebrations after winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final, at St Mary's Football Club Oval on September 25, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Sam Tabone/Getty Images)

The bold goal Geelong is focused on after flag

The Cats have a flag in the bag but they are not slowing down, marking down a big box to tick in coming years.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/josh-barnes/page/83