After two more heavy finals losses is it time Geelong considers just how close it is to a premiership?

NATHAN Buckley left Brisbane, a side that later created a dynasty, for Collingwood and failed to win a premiership. Has Patrick Dangerfield cost himself? There are major question marks around the Cats.

Patrick Dangerfield has been huge for Geelong but still is yet to play in a Grand Final. Picture: Getty

GEELONG has enjoyed “Dangerwood” at the peak of its powers for two years.

But for two years in a row now Geelong fans have also endured two preliminary final horror shows.

Very similar horror shows, too, as frustrated Cats fans reminded the club after a quarter-time tweet on Geelong’s official twitter account stated the team had “more to give” after falling behind by five goals. The reference, of course, being to last year’s first-quarter capitulation against Sydney in a MCG prelim.

Quarter-time. Not the start we were after. But our boys have got plenty more to give.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/L8NiztyUXU

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) September 22, 2017

Geelong has a lot to be proud of. It’s won 34 games and drew another in the past two seasons, level with Adelaide with the most wins in that period.

But the Cats have been badly exposed in three finals losses to Sydney (37 points), Richmond (51) and the Crows (59) in the past 12 months.

Patrick Dangerfield has been huge for Geelong but still is yet to play in a Grand Final. Picture: Getty

The manner and magnitude of those defeats could have far-reaching repercussions.

So now the burning question for Cats fans is this: how close is their club to its 10th flag?

Just as they did against the Swans at the same stage last year, Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield led from the front on Friday night to be Geelong’s best two players.

But Dangerfield, so desperate to come home two years ago, will be forced to watch on as his former teammates line-up in the big dance on Saturday and potentially be crowned premiers.

MARK ROBINSON: NERVES OR PRESSURE? WHY DO THE CATS FAIL?

REPORT: DEJA VU AS CATS FAIL IN A PRELIM AGAIN

PLAYER RATINGS: DANGER, SELWOOD GOOD BUT IT FALLS AWAY AFTER THAT

ANALYSIS: WAS DANGER WASTED AT FULL FORWARD?

TRADES: THERE’S NO GOING BACK FOR JAKE STRINGER

In Dangerfield and Selwood, Geelong has two of the game’s best midfielders, so does this team still have the makings of a premiership contender in 2018?

If so, are Gary Ablett and Jake Stringer the cream and cherry on top that can take the club back to the promised land?

If not, does the club need to take its medicine and, dare we say it, rebuild?

It is going to be an intriguing off-season at Simonds Stadium.

Just how close is Geelong to a flag? Picture: Getty

Gone already are legendary retiring defenders Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan.

Their departures will free some salary cap space for a crack at both Ablett and Stringer and out-of-contract forward Daniel Menzel also shapes as a potential list casualty.

Speaking about Menzel in commentary on 3AW on Friday night, Tony Shaw said: “I reckon there’s a lot of clubs who’d be lining up for him. He probably doesn’t work hard enough, but that can be knocked out of him pretty quick.”

At the launch of Trade Radio this week, the futures of Ablett — who is rumoured to be all but certain to ditch Gold Coast and seek a return to the Cattery — and Stringer — banished by the Western Bulldogs — were the hottest of topics.

And while Geelong wasn’t specifically addressed by their managers, reading between the lines it was clear all parties were waiting for the Cats to wrap up their finals commitments before getting to work.

Should the Cats really be recruiting a 33-year-old? Even if it is Gary Ablett?

Jake Stringer has been heavily linked with a move to Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein

That time is now.

Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering said he would talk to his client this week about “what the plan is” for 2018.

“As it sits right now he is a contracted player,” Pickering said.

“Financially it wouldn’t be an issue at all, but the first part is actually making sure that that’s what he wants to do.

“Obviously we asked for the trade last year, but things can change in a year which is why we need to catch up next week.”

Stringer’s manager Paul Connors said it was likely his client would nominate a preferred destination and suggested at least one of the potential clubs was still involved in finals action — ie Geelong.

“Jake will be playing in Victoria next year, that’s one certainty I can give you,” Connors said.

“There are a few clubs without us having to tell you exactly who you are.”

Chris Scott’s team has been smashed in consecutive preliminary finals. Picture: Michael Klein

While on one hand Geelong already has one enigmatic forward on its books, Steven Motlop — who is also no certainty to remain — if there is even a sniff that next year could be a premiership year, then jagging “The Package” would be good business, assuming he came at the right price.

But if things appear headed the other way, and a deeper regeneration of its list is in the offing, then surely the Ablett deal isn’t as certain to happen as many are making out?

The romantics would love the club legend to see out his playing days back where he started.

But if a move for Ablett isn’t the means to the ultimate end for all parties, then what is the point?

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS FOR GEELONG

1. Has Patrick Dangerfield’s love of surfing cost him a flag?

The signs are ominous. In following his unshakeable desire to get back to the refreshing surf breaks and swirling rips of Moggs Creek, Danger has left behind an Adelaide side on the brink of a premiership. The sledge from former Crows teammate Josh Jenkins could yet prove prophetic: “There’d be nothing better than beating him and reminding him that perhaps he should have stuck around with us and he could be a Brownlow Medallist and a premiership player.”

Nathan Buckley left Brisbane for Collingwood to win premierships but he ended his career with none after two Grand Final losses to the club he left.

2. Is Dangerfield in danger of becoming the next Nathan Buckley?

Buckley said he never regretted leaving Brisbane after one year to join his beloved Collingwood. But surely he must look back and wonder “what if?”. He captained two losing Grand Final sides, while the Bears-turned-Lions won three in a row. Like Buckley, Dangerfield is a club champion and Brownlow Medallist at his new club, but while Buckley left a club that was building into a dynasty, Dangerfield has joined a side coming out the other side.

3. What to do with Tom Hawkins?

The Tomahawk didn’t fire a shot against Adelaide, and was only so-so in the win against Sydney the week before. It’s not the returns you’d expect from a power forward. But rather than looking to offload Hawkins, the Cats would be better bringing in talented support. How badly are the Cats prepared to deal for Ablett and/or Stringer?

Tom Hawkins struggled during this year’s finals series. Picture: Getty

4. Are Jake Stringer and Gary Ablett the answer to Geelong’s woes?

There’s no doubt both players would add a much needed class edge. But Geelong might have bigger problems afoot. With both Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie hanging up the boots, they will have a canyon sized hole in defence. Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson are capable big bodies, but lack pace — and didn’t Adelaide expose this fact on Friday night.

5. Is Simonds Stadium Geelong’s own worst enemy?

Unbeatable at home, exposed for deft touch and skill away, it is a question worth asking. But Geelong gains such an advantage on its skinny, sausage-shaped home ground that it helps qualify for finals. But they need an adaptable game plan on the away trips. It’s not impossible. They did win three flags in five years between 2007-11.