Our predictions for the rest of Geelong’s 2022 campaign
Who is Geelong’s best young player? The ageless veteran who still gets it done? And who deserves the best-and-fairest? Addy chief footy writer Josh Barnes hands out his mid-season Cats awards.
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Having taken a breath over the mid-season bye, the Cats are ready to get back into action and begin the run towards September.
But here at the Addy, we decided there was still time to look back over the first-half of the year and hand out our customary awards.
BEST YOUNG PLAYER (under the age of 23 at round 1)
Sam De Koning
Next best: Max Holmes, Cooper Stephens
If Tyson Stengle was born six months later this would have been neck-and-neck but Sam De Koning well and truly deserves the title.
The beanpole defender has been a game-changer in the backline, particularly with Jack Henry injured of late.
Deservedly near the top of the tree for the rising star award.
THE AGELESS VETERAN (best player aged 32 or above at round 1)
Tom Hawkins
Next best: Zach Tuohy, Isaac Smith
Will Tom Hawkins ever slow down?
Again this year the evergreen full-forward has done it all.
Hawkins is fourth in the league for goals (33), equal-second for goal assists (14) and second for score involvements (95).
Others who have delivered past the age of 32 include the reliable Zach Tuohy, Isaac Smith continues one of the most consistent careers in recent history and Joel Selwood has still been essential to the midfield.
MOST IMPROVED
Tyson Stengle
Next best: Zach Guthrie, Tom Atkins
One of the toughest awards to judge, we’re giving the nod to Tyson Stengle.
In stints at Richmond and Adelaide, Stengle was always talented but even if he had potential, few would have picked him to be one of the best small forwards in the league.
He is on track to boot 40 goals this year and is possibly Geelong’s safest kick inside-50.
We pegged Zach Guthrie as a big improver this year and he has delivered on that, while Tom Atkins has taken a step again.
BEST ROLE PLAYER
Mark Blicavs
Next best: Brad Close, Tom Atkins
The stars always get the plaudits but it’s the role players that keep good sides afloat.
The Cats have plenty, including perhaps the league’s ultimate role player in Mark Blicavs.
There is no more adaptable player than the athletic big, who has happily plugged gaps in defence, the ruck and wing so far this year and will do whatever is asked of him.
Proving pressure and class up forward, Brad Close is on track to be a 10-year pressure forward, while Atkins has done a fine job in defence and the midfield.
THE BEST-AND-FAIREST
Tom Stewart
Next best: Jeremy Cameron, Mark Blicavs
The jury is out as to who Geelong’s actual best player is.
Jeremy Cameron can win a game off his own boot in 15 minutes, Hawkins is possibly still the league’s best forward and Patrick Dangerfield’s best is still right up there.
But internally most at Geelong would pinpoint Tom Stewart as the Cats’ best and he has delivered on that week after week this year.
Not only is he Geelong’s best player he is also the most important and appears on track for a second Carji Greeves Medal on the trot.
SEVEN PREDICTIONS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF GEELONG’S SEASON
Anything could happen in Geelong’s second half of the year.
Could they fall in a hole and out of the top eight?
Or could they win everything in the back end and cruise to the flag?
After being pretty good with our pre-season predictions, we are again planting a flag on what will happen at Geelong with seven predictions for the rest of the year.
UNTOUCHABLE CATS TO TAKE CHARGE
Suddenly Geelong’s draw looks wide open in the second half of the season.
Games against West Coast (twice) and North Melbourne should be boosters, while the Cats would arguably be favourite in every other game to come except Melbourne in round 17.
Even that game is at GMHBA Stadium and while clashes against Richmond (MCG), Carlton (MCG), Western Bulldogs and St Kilda (both in Geelong) are a worry, we are backing Geelong to go through to finals undefeated and claim the minor premiership.
JEZZA LEADS CATS IN CHAS
He is clear ahead of all other Cats in the coaches’s votes at the moment and Jeremy Cameron will have at least two, and likely three, best-on-ground games so far.
With Geelong’s midfield up-and-down this year, back in Cameron to poll the most votes of any Cat in the Brownlow Medal but we think he will fall just short on winning the Coleman Medal.
Tom Hawkins’ 10-year reign as leading goalkicker is in serious trouble, too.
WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
STEW WILL GO HUGE AGAIN
Headed for another All-Australian blazer, Tom Stewart has had 40 disposals twice so far this year – against Fremantle and Adelaide.
We are backing him in to do it not once, but twice again this year in a defensive season for the ages.
PEN WILL BE PUT TO PAPER
A bunch of important Cats are out of contract as the league turns its eyes towards the silly season, including younger cohort Brandan Parfitt, Max Holmes, Mark O’Connor and Zach Guthrie.
The likes of Zach Tuohy, Isaac Smith, Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood are also finishing contracts this year but we are backing the Cats in to get the job done and lock down all players they are keen to keep.
YOUNG RUCK TO LAUNCH
Even Chris Scott has pushed this one, so we aren’t going out on a limb here, but expect Toby Conway to earn a debut this year.
He has been solid in his VFL appearances so far and the Cats are keen to get him some experience at the top level.
Bonus prediction: mid-season draftee Zane Williams will also grab a debut this year.
GRIGG COULD TAKE THE GIG
Geelong has been pretty much Covid-free in the first half of the season – only Jake Kolodjashnij has missed a time because of the virus – but infections are not slowing down.
If Scott is to miss a clash through the disease, we are picking Shaun Grigg has the man to take the reins and be the boss for a day.
PRELIM PAIN REARS ITS HEAD
We don’t want to say it, but our money is on another preliminary final defeat.
The Cats have the weapons to beat anybody come the finals and could run through September, yet they appear just a step behind the premiership contenders right now.
HOW OUR PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS ARE TRACKING:
- Tom Hawkins’ streak leading the Geelong goalkicking will end
Currently on track with Jeremy Cameron ahead by five goals – LIKELY - The home fortress falls and Geelong loses multiple games at GMHBA Stadium
A loss to Fremantle in round 7 and an upcoming game against Melbourne means this one is very much on – LIKELY - Zach Guthrie would be the club’s most improved player
The rapidly growing defender is certainly in the conversation, alongside Tom Atkins – LIKELY - Geelong will miss the top-four
This is up in the air, but with a favourable run home, the Cats should get the double chance from here – UNLIKELY
- Patrick Dangerfield to poll more than 20 votes in the Brownlow Medal
The superstar would have three votes from round 1, but that might be it at this stage – UNLIKELY - Joel Selwood will retire at the end of this season
No decision yet, but the drums are beating the skipper will go again in 2023 – UNLIKELY - Three Cats will earn All-Australian honours
We tipped Dangerfield, Cameron and Stewart for the honours but if you swap Dangerfield for Hawkins, this one looks good – LIKELY - Geelong will not use its Covid list
Only Jake Kolodjashnij has missed any time due to Covid since the season started, so at this stage the contingency list won’t be needed – LIKELY - Geelong will use the mid-season draft to pick a young player
Lock this one in, Zane Williams was drafted at the age of 20 – TICK - Daisy Pearce will join Geelong as a coach
This one hasn’t happened yet but it’s set in stone once Pearce retires – TICK
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Originally published as Our predictions for the rest of Geelong’s 2022 campaign
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