Geelong Cats list analysis: Every player rated for their 2020 season, plus contract status updates
There’s a long list of Geelong players still without a contract for next year. We rate every Cat’s 2020 season and explore what their futures look like.
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Geelong fell short in this year’s grand final against Richmond, but has already been tipped to be one of the most active clubs during the 2020 AFL trade period.
With champions Gary Ablett Jnr and Harry Taylor retiring, the Cats have freed up salary cap space and list spots to try and land the likes of GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron and North Melbourne veteran Shaun Higgins to propel another premiership tilt.
Here’s how Geelong’s playing list looks currently heading into next season.
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1. Rhys Stanley
Age 29 Games 144 Out of contract
The former Saint has frustrated both St Kilda and Geelong fans alike with his tantalising potential over the years without ever fully unleashing it. This year Stanley showed his value, working well in tandem with Mark Blicavs in the ruck while also doing damage when drifting forward. Believed to be closing in on a one-year contract extension to stay at the Cats in 2021.
2. Zach Tuohy
Age 30 Games 205 Out of contract
In 2020, Tuohy became just the third Irishman to play 200 AFL games behind the late, great Jim Stynes and former South Melbourne and Footscray rover Stuart Magee. Tuohy has continued to provide his trademark drive this season while also pushing forward at times. New two-year deal is coming.
3. Brandan Parfitt
Age 22 Games 72 Out of contract
The emerging midfielder is also out of contract, but expect him to shortly ink a new two-year deal to stay at the Cattery. His defensive pressure up forward has been a feature this season. Will require off-season surgery after suffering a broken thumb in the grand final.
4. Gary Ablett Jr
Age 36 Games 357 Retired
The end of the road for the Little Master, who missed the fairytale story of retiring with what would have been his third premiership and his first since returning to Geelong from the Gold Coast. Retires as one of the all-time greats.
5. Nakia Cockatoo
Age 24 Games 34 Out of contract
After another injury ravaged season, the speedster is set to leave the Cats and head north to join Brisbane. Hasn’t played a senior game since 2018 amid ongoing hamstring issues, but is still only 24 and the Lions’ renowned medical team have successfully turned around the careers of Lincoln McCarthy (Geelong) and Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), and extended Luke Hodge’s career by 41 games after he retired in 2017.
6. Jordan Clark
Age 20 Games 21 Signed until 2022
Where will the Cats speedster be in 2021? He is contracted for two more years but he managed just three games in 2020 after making 18 appearances in his debut season. The West Australian has attracted interest from West Coast and Fremantle, but he is expected to stay at the Cats.
7. Harry Taylor
Age 36 Games 280 Retired
The veteran defender was coy when discussing his future before the grand final. Now we know why, with the dual premiership player retiring last week. Taylor finishes equal ninth on the club’s all-time games record alongside former teammate and friend Andrew Mackie.
8. Jake Kolodjashnij
Age 25 Games 110 Signed to 2021
Had the unenviable task of playing on Dustin Martin in the grand final. Didn’t disgrace himself, but his opponent is arguably the greatest finals player of all time and took home his third Norm Smith Medal. Had some big jobs during the finals, taking on Jordan De Goey and Charlie Cameron before getting Dusty.
9. Jack Steven
Age 30 Games 192 Signed to 2021
A four-time best and fairest winner at St Kilda, Steven played nine games in his first season at the Cats. Was solid, but with Mitch Duncan, Sam Menegola and Cam Guthrie all reaching new heights in 2020, he found himself dropped for the qualifying final and couldn’t get back in.
10. Ben Jarvis
Age 20 Games 1 Out of contract
The South Australian forward – who was taken at pick No. 48 in the 2018 draft – made his debut in 2020. Jarvis came in as a last minute, late inclusion in the Cats’ Round 17 clash with Richmond at Metricon Stadium. That was his only game in 2020 and he’s out of contract.
11. Josh Jenkins
Age 31 Games 148 Signed to 2021
Jenkins kicked 40, 46, 62, 45 and 46 goals for Adelaide from 2014-2018, but played just 11 games in 2019 and could manage just one senior game in Cats colours this year. Has a year remaining on his contract.
12. Cooper Stephens
Age 19 Games 0 Signed to 2021
The 188cm inside midfielder was taken with pick 16 in last year’s draft. In a strong side with a gun midfield, the youngster was unable to break into the senior team in 2020. Will be looking to make his debut in 2021.
13. Lachie Fogarty
Age 21 Games 23 Signed to 2021
Fogarty has a contract at the Cats for 2021, but there’s a little bit of trade talk surrounding him. He managed just six games in 2020. Could he be tempted by more opportunity at a rival club? Time will tell if he looks around.
14. Joel Selwood
Age 32 Games 310 Signed to 2021
The Geelong warrior is a three-time premiership player, but fell short of adding ‘premiership skipper’ to his illustrious CV. He’ll get another chance in 2021. Still at the top of his game, but will it be his final season?
15. Nathan Kreuger
Age 21 Games 0 Signed to 2021
A frustrating season for the young forward, who was unable to make his debut. His year concluded at the end of August, leaving the Cats hub to undergo knee surgery after reporting soreness following a scratch match.
16. Sam De Koning
Age 19 Games 0 Signed to 2021
The tall defender was taken with Geelong’s second pick in last year’s national draft. Still a young, developing player whose time will come. Unable to break into the senior side this year.
17. Esava Ratugolea
Age 22 Games 40 Signed to 2021
The key forward played 12 games this year, was dropped for the qualifying final and didn’t feature in Geelong’s finals campaign. Has suddenly found himself out of favour and there’s been speculation he could be part of a Jeremy Cameron trade if the Giants decide to match the Cats’ offer and force a trade.
18. Charlie Constable
Age 21 Games 9 Signed to 2021
Constable has been told by the club to explore his options during the trade period. Has played only nine games since being drafted in 2017, including just the two games this year. The expected addition of Shaun Higgins was a final nail in the coffin for Constable at the Cats. Expect more than one suitor for the ball magnet.
19. Quinton Narkle
Age 22 Games 17 Out of contract
Narkle’s future at the Cats still hangs in the balance. He remains out of contract and the Cats are said to be waiting on the AFL’s decision on list sizes before deciding whether to offer a new deal. He’s played 17 games since being taken with pick No. 60 in the 2016 draft.
20. Oscar Brownless
Age 20 Games 0 Out of contract
Another Cat that remains without a contract for 2021. The son of former club great Billy was delisted at the end of 2019 but retained as a rookie this year. In a strong team, he failed to play a senior game this year.
21. Jacob Kennerley
Age 20 Games 0 Delisted
Kennerley was this week informed he would not be retained for 2021. The 20-year-old did not play a senior game in his two years at the Cats.
22. Mitch Duncan
Age 29 Games 223 Signed to 2024
Duncan had a brilliant finals season, starring in three of Geelong’s four finals, including the grand final. At 29 and with another four seasons on his current deal, the damaging ball user will undoubtedly be a Cat for life.
23. Gary Rohan
Age 29 Games 144 Signed to 2021
Rohan’s three goals in the preliminary final was his most in 20 finals. He was well held by Dylan Grimes in the grand final and failed to have much of an impact. A year remaining on his deal.
24. Jed Bews
Age 26 Games 103 Signed to 2021
Joins his father as a Geelong player who has played in at least one grand final defeat. Bews still has time on his side to win one, though. It took the defender more than two years to break into the strong Cats side for a senior game, and only in his ninth season on the list has he made it to 100 matches. Finished in the top 10 in the best and fairest.
25. Lachie Henderson
Age 30 Games 185 Out of contract
With the result of the grand final aside, Henderson was one of the good news stories of the year. From being delisted at the end of last year, to being redrafted and then playing in the premiership decider. He kept Jack Riewoldt quiet for most of the game, but remains without a new deal for 2021.
26. Tom Hawkins
Age 32 Games 277 Out of contract
The big Tomahawk remains without a deal for 2021, but expect him to soon announce a new two-year deal. Will enjoy the freedom of playing alongside Jeremy Cameron, assuming the Cats get the deal done. Should finish his career a 300-gamer barring a disaster.
27. Sam Menegola
Age 28 Games 86 Signed to 2021
A career-best year for the former Hawk and Docker. The star winger enjoyed a brilliant season and it was a travesty he was snubbed for All-Australian selection. It would have been great reward for one of the AFL’s great stories of persistence and hard work.
28. Darcy Fort
Age 27 Games 8 Out of contract
The big ruckman played five of the first seven games this season but did not feature again. He remains unsigned for next season, but did enough to ensure he should receive a new deal.
29. Cameron Guthrie
Age 28 Games 182 Signed to 2021
Led the Cats in stoppages and disposals in what was an All-Australian year for Guthrie. He also claimed his first Carji Greeves Medal as the Cats’ best and fairest in 2020 for good measure. One of the AFL’s most improved players this year.
30. Tom Atkins
Age 25 Games 35 Signed to 2021
Atkins played 12 games for the year, but the hard nut was dropped after his side’s qualifying final defeat to Port Adelaide and could not force his way back into the side. Still has a year to go on his current deal.
31. Francis Evans
Age 19 Games 0 Signed to 2021
Evans was arguably the bolter of the 2019 national draft. Plucked from left-field at pick 41, the forward had played just two games for Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, however the Cats had spotted him earlier in the Victorian Amateur Football Association. Yet to make his debut.
32. Gryan Miers
Age 21 Games 46 Signed to 2021
Played every game for the Cats this season in what was his second year in the top flight. Had some nice moments in the grand final, including a third quarter goal on the run at full tilt, but he tended to dip in and out of the game.
33. Jake Tarca
Age 20 Games 0 Out of contract
Has finished his second year at Geelong and remains without a senior game to his name. The forward is out of contract and waiting on a new deal.
34. James Parsons
Age 23 Games 35 Delisted
The midfielder received the bad news he would not be offered a new deal for 2021 and beyond. He played 35 games for the Cats after debuting in 2017.
35. Patrick Dangerfield
Age 30 Games 269 Signed to 2024
The superstar was named All-Australian skipper this year, but all he cared about was that elusive premiership medal. His wait will have to continue, but he’ll have at least another four seasons to get there. The decision to not move him into the midfield during the grand final may haunt the Cats for a long time.
36. Blake Schlensog
Age 20 Games 0 Delisted
The Category B rookie failed to play a senior game in this two years at the Cats. Has been told he won’t be at the club next year.
37. Sam Simpson
Age 22 Games 15 Out of contract
Had a career-high five clearances in the preliminary final, but his first grand final ended horribly. He was stretchered off after being accidentally sandwiched out of a marking contest and then hitting his head hard. Still without a new deal for 2021 but one is expected soon.
38. Jack Henry
Age 22 Games 66 Signed to 2021
Rated above average in the AFL for intercept marking and one-on-one wins in 2020. Had 14 disposals in the grand final and did some nice things, but found the going tough against Richmond’s bevy of small forwards.
39. Zach Guthrie
Age 22 Games 20 Out of contract
Managed only three games in 2020 but was a grand final emergency. No contract yet but should earn an extension.
40. Luke Dahlhaus
Age 28 Games 194 Signed to 2022
Solid season for the former Bulldog, who managed 16 games but was unable to win his second premiership medal after snaring one with the Bulldogs in 2016. Failed to hit the scoreboard in the grand final, but his pressure work was first class.
41. Cameron Taheny
Age 19 Games 0 Signed to 2021
The left-footed medium forward was taken at pick No. 50 in last year’s national draft. The South Australian did not play a senior game in 2020. Will be looking to make his mark next season.
42. Mark O’Connor
Age 23 Games 51 Signed to 2022
The Irishman was an underrated figure for the Cats in 2020. The lockdown defender, who still has two years remaining on his contract, made some good moments in the grand final. But the hot pace of the contest probably didn’t suit his style.
43. Stefan Okunbor
Age 22 Games 0 Out of contract
Okunbor, who was recruited to the Cats from Ireland as a Category B rookie, suffered a ruptured achilles tendon at the start of the year. Yet to play a game and without a deal for 2021, but tipped to be retained.
44. Tom Stewart
Age 27 Games 86 Signed to 2021
Had Geelong been able to pull it off in the grand final, it is likely Stewart would have had the Norm Smith Medal dangling around his neck instead of Dusty. Graded elite for disposals and metres gained in 2020.
45. Brad Close
Age 22 Games 8 Out of contract
Played eight games in 2020, was an emergency in the grand final side and should have done enough to earn a new deal for 2021.
46. Mark Blicavs
Age 29 Games 179 Signed to 2023
Enjoyed a strong year playing mostly on the wing and in the ruck. In the grand final, the utility toiled hard and supported Rhys Stanley in the ruck but didn’t have much of an influence. Finished third in the best and fairest.
MORE GEELONG CATS:
BUCKENARA: CATS’ UNTOUCHABLE PLAYER IN CAMERON TRADE
CATS, STEVEN IN SHOCK TALKS TO SEVER TIES
COST CRUNCH: WHY CATS COULD GO COLD ON CAMERON DEAL
MUCH-LOVED CAT TAYLOR MAKES CALL ON FUTURE
Originally published as Geelong Cats list analysis: Every player rated for their 2020 season, plus contract status updates
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