What does the 2021 AFL season hold for the Geelong Cats?

Chris Scott has the highest winning percentage of any active AFL coach but, as with every other year, the big story is what happens in September.

Jay Clark

4 min read

January 4, 2021 - 7:31PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Could Chris Scott give Joel Selwood a new role in 2021?

Geelong

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After another brilliant season with an agonising end, Geelong has re-tooled for another crack at premiership glory.

What does this season hold for the Cats?

Jay Clark on their 2021 outlook.

INS: Jeremy Cameron (GWS Giants), Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne), Isaac Smith (Hawthorn), Paul Tsapatolis (Category B rookie), Max Holmes (pick 20), Shannon Neale (pick 33), Nick Stevens (pick 47)

OUTS: Gary Ablett (ret), Harry Taylor (ret), Jack Steven (ret), Nakia Cockatoo (Bris), Lachie Fogarty (Car), Jake Tarca (del), James Parsons (del), Jacob Kennerley (del)

It was a case of so near, yet so far for Chris Scott and the Cats in 2020. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

COACH STATUS

Chris Scott is signed until the end of 2022 after inking a four-year extension in 2018. Clearly, expectations will be high next season and anything less than a top-four berth (given a decent run with injury) at the end of the home-and-away campaign will be a big disappointment with three top-line recruits. But as always, the big story here is what happens in September and clearly what Scott craves most is a second flag. The Cats just missed out on the cup this year when Dustin Martin turned on another blinder on the big stage to power Richmond to back to back titles. Scott has coached 236 AFL games for 162 wins at a 69 per cent strike rate – the best of all the current senior coaches. And it is hard to fault the development of Cam Guthrie, Sam Menegola, Brandan Parfitt under Scott and his assistants this year. Might be a good time to start talking about extensions this time next year.

Former Roo Shaun Higgins gives the Cats a new look in the middle. Picture: Alison Wynd

GAME PLAN

Will be fascinating to watch how the Cats try and make the most of their new-look supercharged forward line. Typically, the Cats like to patiently control the ball in the back half, but Jeremy Cameron’s arrival may tempt the club to go more quickly at times to try and hit him up one-out. Isaac Smith and Shaun Higgins certainly add class and run. And perhaps Patrick Dangerfield stays more in the midfield with the extra firepower in attack. They lost premiership hero Harry Taylor to retirement, but defensively you know you can count on the Cats, especially at Kardinia Park. Matthew Scarlett runs a tight ship in the back half and it will be interesting to see if youngster Jordan Clark can force his way back in under him.

Jeremy Cameron was the Cats’ big trade acquisition. Picture: Alan Barber

TRADE TABLE REPORT

Not sure Geelong and GWS Giants will be swapping Christmas cards after an at-times strained negotiation over Jeremy Cameron. The Giants played a superb hand netting three high picks, while Geelong was thrilled to receive a pair of second-rounders back in the deal. To that extent, neither club blinked. What the whole deal showed is that clubs should match free agency bids in future to force greater returns, exactly like the Giants did. But Geelong was arguably the biggest winner of the exchange period netting a superstar forward and two of the most respected veteran midfield prime movers in the game. Hopefully, Higgins and Smith’s knees are OK in 2021.

The Cats added serious pace in Max Holmes. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

THEIR 2020 DRAFT HAUL

Geelong traded its future first round pick to Richmond to buy back into the first round and secure athletic mid Max Holmes. They paid a high price but he has elite speed — a skill the Cats will want to exploit. He’s still raw, but Geelong will look to develop him into an inside midfielder with stoppage explosion. They added a ruckman for the future in South Fremantle youngster Shannon Neale as well as defender Nick Stevens.

Could Joel Selwood reinvent himself off half back? Picture: Michael Klein

PLAYERS THEY CAN REINVENT

This is left field, but can Joel Selwood finish his career in defence? Yes, he is one of the greatest centre square warriors of the modern era. But think Matty Boyd. The onballer went back and became an All-Australian in his twilight at the Western Bulldogs. It might not be Selwood’s preference, but perhaps it is a way to prolong his career and allow some of the Cats’ youngsters step up in the engine room in 2021. Young hard nut Cooper Stephens is one to watch and Brandan Parfitt can go to another level which is why the Giants were so keen to get their hands on him. Charlie Constable is another craving opportunity. It is incredible how durable Selwood has been over his 14-year career, playing at least 20 games in every season (except this year when there were only 17 games).

Can Jordan Clark become a star of the game in 2021? Picture: AAP

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

In 2020 it was definitely Sam Menegola and Cam Guthrie who flourished. Guthrie won the best and fairest and was All-Australian while Menegola wasn’t far behind him and fully deserved his beefed-up two-year contract extension. Young playmaker Jordan Clark and developing big man Esava Ratugolea are the next two who can make a big impression in 2021. Clark endured a disappointing second season, playing only three games and knocked back interest from Fremantle in the exchange period. He is one who can add a dynamic edge to the back line and certainly turned heads in the scratch matches up in the hub this year. Clark is an immense talent and finished fourth in Rising Star voting in his first season, but will have to tighten up his defensive game. Ratugolea also wasn’t able to settle this year but can contend for the No.1 ruck spot and take a big grab forward. Jeremy Cameron’s arrival may make things trickier but the Cats like what Ratugolea can do in the ruck.