Premiers Geelong Cats slump to unthinkable 47-year first

The AFL world is dumbfounded after the reigning premiers’ horror start to the season continued — and fans think they know why.

Did anyone have this on the Bingo card? Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

What a difference an off-season makes.

The Geelong Cats romped to premiership glory in 2022 against the Sydney Swans in an 81-point thrashing that equalled the fifth biggest grand final win in history.

Not only that but the oldest team to play a match in premiership history had ridden a 15-match winning streak to the trophy.

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But in sport, you’re only as good as your last game and the Cats have now dropped to 0-3 to start the new season.

The latest loss, a 10.13 (73) to 7.12 (54) defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast was the first time the Suns have beaten the Cats since Round 7, 2017.

It leaves the Cats the first club since 1975 VFL premiers North Melbourne started the 1976 season 0-3.

Remarkably however, the Kangaroos finished third on the table and made the grand final but lost to Hawthorn.

Dangerfield has not tasted victory as captain. Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The AFL world has been left scratching its head as to what exactly is going wrong with the Cats as they seem a shadow of the team that dominated the 2022 season.

With losses to Collingwood, Carlton and now the Gold Coast, the Cats remain the AFL’s biggest enigma in 2023, although plenty of people seem to believe the loss of Joel Selwood to retirement may have something to do with it.

I think everyone has underestimated the gulf that Joel Selwood has left behind. Only went under 15 touches three times last year and was huge in clearances and/or tackles when it mattered.

The midfield just isn’t functioning without him. #AFLSunsCats

— Kyle Pollard (@KylePollard) April 2, 2023

Geelong.. WTF? #AFLSunsCats

— Higgo (@Higgo74) April 2, 2023

The last time Geelong lost its first three games of the year was 2004.

If I didn’t know they’d won the flag last year, I’d say this team is the furthest away the Cats have been from a premiership since we’ll before that season. #AFLSunsCats

— Kyle Pollard (@KylePollard) April 2, 2023

The worst I’ve seen a Geelong team play since Bomber coached. Too many players well down. Can we ask a certain retired champ back in mid-season draft? #aflSunsCats#afl

— Paul Tatnell (@PaulTatnell) April 2, 2023

A lot of questions about the @GeelongCats. Really struggling to trap the ball in defence, and looking a touch off the pace. @GoldCoastSUNS playing with plenty of dare. Deserve to lead at HT@abcsport#AFLSunsCats

— Tom Wildie (@tomwildie) April 2, 2023

It was a massive win for the Suns as well to kick off their season after two losses.

And it took something special with a long range 73m bomb by Suns forward Jack Lukosius sealing the result.

Lukosius had a breakout performance and proved the matchwinner with five goals.

It was Gold Coast’s first win of the season in club favourite David Swallow’s 200th game.

After a scrappy contest in which both teams kicked inaccurately, a good tackle by Joel Jeffrey allowed Noah Anderson to pounce and put the Suns up by seven points just before three quarter-time.

The margin became 11 points midway through the final term when Charlie Ballard kicked truly from 50m out.

What a win for the Suns. Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Cats hit back through the subbed on Gary Rohan, before the 73m bomb from Lukosius with seven minutes left put the home side up by 13 points, a lead which wouldn’t be chased down.

Further goals to Alex Sexton and Lukosius’ fifth sealed Suns coach Stuart Dew’s first win over Geelong.

Adding salt to the wound, Cat Sam De Koning suffered a horror head clash with Nick Holman and was subbed out and was sporting a nasty shiner afterwards after the pair came together, but both were deemed to have been going for the ball.

With Nick Smart, NCA Newswire