AFL 2023: Geelong players who declined and improved in disappointing 2023 season

Which players declined and improved in Geelong’s underwhelming premiership defence? These numbers uncover the key Cats that dropped off.

Which Cats have improved and slumped in 2023?

There is no doubt injury played a part in the Geelong missing finals just months after winning a premiership, but diminishing returns from some their ageing stars also played a part in Geelong’s fall from grace.

Champion Data analysis has uncovered the Cats players who improved and slumped in 2023 compared to last year, based on their average AFL Player Ratings.

AFL Player Ratings measure how each player wins the ball, where on the ground they win it and their overall effectiveness with the footy.

For example, players that win the ball in a contest, in dangerous areas on the ground and use the ball well rate highly.

See how each Cat fared in comparison to their 2022 season.

NOTE: Only includes players who have played at least 11 matches in both seasons.

CATS WHO HAVE DECLINED

Veteran Zach Tuohy broke the VFL/AFL record for most games played by an Irishman in 2023, but the defender suffered the biggest drop-off of any Cat according to Champion Data, with a 28 per cent differential compared to last year. Tuohy’s consistency and longevity throughout his time at the Cats has been remarkable, but it is clear Tuohy, who turns 34 in December, is not the player he once was. Whether he nets a one-year extension remains to be seen.

Zach Tuohy had the most significant drop-off from 2022 according to Champion Data. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Tyson Stengle was the fairytale story of Geelong’s premiership season, booting 53 goals after receiving a lifeline as a delisted free agent the previous year, but his output diminished significantly this season. While his 25 per cent decline from 2023 does include his round 5 performance where he was subbed out early on against the Eagles, his reduced impact was still stark. The lively forward kicked three goals or more in 12 matches in 2022, compared to just twice this year.

Jeremy Cameron was flying at the start of the year before his double injury blow from his accidental collision from Gary Rohan, which left him playing through serious shoulder pain in the back-half of the season.

Outgoing Cat Isaac Smith managed to record an equal career-best disposal tally in his final game but he had the equal-third worst drop-off according to Champion Data, suggesting the 34-year-old bowed out at the right time.

Key defender Sam De Koning was unable to replicate his superb breakout season of 2022, but he had a lack of continuity in 2022. The 22-year-old was cruelled by injury early in the season and was thrown into the ruck and up forward at times to cover for other sidelined Cats.

Vice-captain Tom Stewart still managed to be named in the All-Australian squad despite a 10 per cent decline in AFL Player Ratings Points compared to last year – highlighting just how strong his 2022 campaign was.

All of these players battled injury at some stage this season, but four of them – besides Jake Kolodjashnij – are aged 32 or above.

Ruckman Rhys Stanley is still capable of nullying the influence of his opposite number but his own output has diminished by nine per cent in the last 12 months according to Champion Data. Project ruckman Toby Conway’s promising final round performance, where he won 24 hit-outs in tandem with Stanley up against Tim English, could foreshadow what is to come in 2023.

Mark Blicavs showed he is still an integral part of the Cats side as a versatile midfielder and back-up ruckman, while Tom Hawkins will benefit from a full pre-season after being hampered at the bookends of the season.

Skipper Patrick Dangerfield’s best is as good as any Cat – as his stellar performance against Collingwood proved – but his 13 disposals and 27 ranking points the previous week in their season-ending loss to St Kilda also highlighted his inconsistency.

Patrick Dangerfield had an up and down year. Picture: Getty Images

CATS WHO HAVE IMPROVED

As coach Chris Scott has said in recent weeks, the improvement of several young Cats — who have stood up in the absence of key players — has been the silver lining of their underwhelming premiership defence.

And two of the biggest improvers in 2023 were homegrown Geelong talents targeted from rival clubs in Ollie Henry and Tanner Bruhn.

Henry had by far the most significant increase in AFL Player Ratings Points year on year, improving by a whoping 105 per cent on his 2022 output after kicking 41 goals – ranked 15th in the competition.

Ollie Henry was a shining light this season. Picture: Getty Images

Of the players in their 2022 premiership side, Gryan Miers (32 per cent increase) and Mark O’Connor (31 per cent) saw the biggest jump in 2023.

The creative Miers broke Brisbane champion Jason Akermanis’ goal assist record in a breakout season as a distributing half-forward, while Mark O’Connor had a greater attacking influence than in 2022.

Tom Atkins got better as the year went on as a full-time midfielder, proving to be a reliable contributor with his defensive pressure while taking his ball-winning to another level at the back-end of the season.

Veteran forward Gary Rohan is perhaps the biggest surprise of this bunch with a 15 per cent improvement despite an injury-affected game against Collingwood. He kicked 16 goals in his first nine games of the season, including a standout three-goal performance in the Cats’ win over Melbourne.

Jack Henry celebrates a goal. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong will be crossing its fingers and toes that Jack Henry’s serious foot injury doesn’t impact him in 2024, as the Cats looked a far better side this year when Henry was out there.

The versatile 25-year-old gave the Cats added flexibility when he returned in round 10 and he had impressive displays at both ends in 2023.

Max Holmes had some high-end performances which proved he can add a different dimension to the Cats midfield with his blistering speed, while Zach Guthrie showed he is much more than a role player.

Small forward Brad Close and playmaker Mitch Duncan, who both encountered injury issues, performed at about the same level as they did during Geelong’s premiership year.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Geelong players who declined and improved in disappointing 2023 season