Geelong hoped Gary Ablett’s addition could net AFL flag but now they’re at the cross roads

THE Cats have obvious talent, but stringing together their best on a regular basis eluded them in 2018. The expectation was higher than an eighth-place finish, so where to now for Chris Scott’s team?

AN elimination finals exit means 2018 was ultimately a fail.

After making successive preliminary finals, the Cats hoped the addition of Gary Ablett could take them an extra step. But not even a solid season from the little champ, plus the addition of first-year star Tim Kelly was enough for Chris Scott’s team.

Geelong struggled for consistent four-quarter efforts, with narrow losses to Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond all relegating the perennial finalist to the lower rungs of the eight from where they could never seriously challenge.

DYLAN SHIEL: VIC CLUBS MAKE THEIR MOVE

OUCH: THE EAGLES TRADE THAT BURNT THE SUNS

Injury and constant shuffling of the forward half proved a downfall, while the ruck was an Achilles heel throughout the season.

TRADE TABLE

Free agent Luke Dahlhaus is almost certainly coming, while Swan Gary Rohan also looks set to join. It’s hoped the pair will not only add speed and potency in attack, but also extra defensive pressure to the Cats’ oft-injured small forwards group.

Who’s going? Big watch on Tim Kelly, who could decide he wants out for a WA homecoming. Lincoln McCarthy will leave for Brisbane, while the likes of George Horlin-Smith, Jackson Thurlow and Jordan Murdoch could all be prised out if other clubs ask.

Luke Dahlhaus will join the Cats. Pic: Michael Klein

Will a change in scenery bring out Gary Rohan’s best? Pic: Michael Klein

DRAFT STRATEGY

Bumper draft, they say? It’s time the Cats let recruiting guru Stephen Wells loose after being players active during recent trade and free agency periods. Expect the Cats to simply go best (player) available, although key-position players might be at a premium as Geelong looks at life after Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

— The two wins over Melbourne at the death — the Round 1 victory coming via a Max Gawn late miss while Zach Tuohy’s after-the-siren matchwinner in Round 18 had Kardinia Park rocking.

— Fresh blood. Tim Kelly is already a star (the Cats just need to keep him), Esava Ratugolea is exciting while Rising Star nominee Jack Henry is versatile, brave and has just turned 20.

— The Big Three. Despite the Cats not going as far as they hoped, fans got value for money and genuine joy watching Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood ply their trade together.

The Cats have plenty of contenders for their B&F. Pic: Getty Images

WHO WINS B&F?

Can throw a blanket over a few. Dangerfield will fly home, Selwood and Kelly were ultra-consistent while defenders Tom Stewart and Mark Blicavs will also be prominent. And then there’s Hawkins.

NEXT YEAR’S GOAL

Top four. That’s always the Cats’ goal and there’s no reason why, after some off-season tweaks, they shouldn’t again be eyeing the business end of the year.

ROBBO SAYS

“Frustrating season and then bounced in the first final, which prompted CEO Brian Cook to announce a detailed review of the football department. Strong response for a team which made September but, still, the expectation was higher than an eighth finish. A team at the cross roads despite the talent.”

The Cats are waiting to see if Tim Kelly sticks around. Pic: Michael Klein

WHEN CAN THEY MAKE THE GF?

If everything goes right, 2019. Like most contenders they had injury issues at different stages in 2018. Despite the inevitable doom and gloom that followed the finals loss, there’s still enough talent on the list to seriously challenge next season. The win over Collingwood and close runs against Richmond is proof that the Cats’ best remains right up there.

WHO FROM CURRENT TEAM MAKES NEXT PREMIERSHIP TEAM?

B: Bews, Henderson, C Guthrie

HB: Stewart, Blicavs, Henry

C: Kelly, S Selwood, Duncan

HF: Menegola, Ratugolea, *Dahlhaus

F: Ablett, Hawkins, Cockatoo

Foll: Abbott, Dangerfield, J Selwood

Inter: Menzel, *Rohan, Kolodjashnij, Parfitt

* Cats expected to secure Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan during exchange period.