Inside the relaxed environment that gives Geelong an edge over the competition

Every player within a football club is different and at Geelong they can all have a different method to play well. Take a look at the the league-leading flexibility that’s paving the way to glory.

Brought to Geelong with an eye on being the club’s No.1 ruckman, Jonathon Ceglar could have been crushed as he went under the knife three times within his first six months in the hoops.

Jonathon Ceglar has enjoyed being at Geelong. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

The former Hawk wasn’t traded to Kardinia Park to make up the numbers, at the age of 31, he knew his time to play was now.

But instead of being beat down mentally by a broken foot and knee surgeries, the big man was relaxed as he plotted his course back to fitness.

Managing to stay upbeat and get his work done, while finding plenty of time for his passion outside footy of tending to horses out at Yackandandah, Ceglar got an immediate taste for the relaxed and trusting environment Geelong tries to provide for its players.

At Geelong, you have to tick certain boxes but beyond that, your path is up to you.

It’s a flexibility Ceglar has loved.

Cats players have a chat. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“It was probably as easy mentally as it has ever been at this club because they are so flexible with what we can do and I have a life outside of the footy club which they endorse,” he said.

“We mapped out the non-negotiables and what was really important for my week and then I filled in the rest around that. Each Monday I actually come in for my rehab and I had some real freshness because I might have had Saturday and Sunday off.

“There was no pressure to be in here (at the club) all the time, you just had to get it done. I think that is a philosophy of this footy club with its players, that’s why probably Joel (Selwood) has played 350 (games) and why (Tom Hawkins) has played so many.

“It is no coincidence that these all-time greats of the footy club are still going because it’s the way they run it down here.”

The flexible program has champs firing at the right time. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Defender Jed Bews played his first game in the hoops in 2014, a full seven years after Selwood and Hawkins.

Bews said his veteran star teammates had been fresh and all smiles in recent years, not beat down by 15 years of expectation to be putting in the hours.

Geelong gives more structure to its younger players – those in their first three years at the club and part of the Cameron Ling Academy for youthful Cats – and then beyond that, players are treated like adults.

Geelong is an “awesome” place for Jed Bews to work. Picture: Geelong Media

It’s no wonder so many veterans are happy to wander down the highway to find a second lease on their football lives.

For Bews that gives him time when he is able to get behind the coffee machine at Pakington St cafe Blank Space, where the Cat fills in every now and then as a barista.

“We don’t have to be in there for the whole nine-hour day or whatever it is, we just come in, do our meetings, get the work done and get out,” he said.

“It allows for real work-life balance and I think that’s what attracts players to come here, to be treated like an adult and have that trust.

Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins thrive in the Cats set-up. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The other thing is, we have to hold up our end of the bargain and get the job done to perform well, which we have managed to do.

“It’s a two-way thing. We have to do our bit and make sure we don’t exploit it and make the most of it.

“The last couple of years I have noticed Hawk and Sel just haven’t been able to wipe the smile off their face. The program we run down here is very flexible and I think it works, it has worked for us so far.”

The Cats point fingers at training. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The smiles on the veteran pair also has them playing top-shelf football, with both influential throughout the finals series so far.

The Cats have also managed Patrick Dangerfield to perfection, allowing the superstar to tear the Lions apart in Friday’s preliminary final.

In the first two days after most games, players are free to wander in to GMHBA Stadium for their rehab when it suits them, allowing precious family time or just a chance to forget about footy for a few hours.

Bews said the flexibility makes the footy club “an awesome place to work”.

“If you think doing six extra touch sessions a week will help you become a better player, you can do that. Or if you think doing extra recovery is good for you, you can do that,” he said.

“It is a very trusting environment.”

One of those players who is desperate for extra work is footy-head Gryan Miers.

Gryan Miers loves to get in to the club. Picture by Michael Klein

While some other players chose to switch off during the pre-finals or post-qualifying final byes, the goalsneak was keen to get in the club and do something just about every day.

His experience allowed him to stay switched on, and no doubt helped him play possibly the best match of his career so far in the Brisbane beat down.

“Now I have been in the system for five years, I have learned the routine about what works for me over those two week breaks,” he said.

“We have had a lot of players managed this year so they have had a lot of preparation. For me it is about going into the club every day to so something because otherwise my body will go into rest mode.

“I will make sure my touch is really sharp and ready to go.”

Chris Scott oversees training. Picture by Michael Klein

The choice to hand over the football program to the players comes from the top down.

Coach Chris Scott envisaged an environment of trust as he settled in to leading the club.

It’s an easier task when the Cats have so many veterans on their list – 14 Geelong players are in their 30s.

Even as grand final week gets into full swing, Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd said the ball was still in the player’s court.

“We’re a big one on making sure that the players tailor their own programs to their own needs,” football boss Simon Lloyd said.

“You will find that most will be doing what they have done for most of the year.

“Because everyone lives in close proximity to GMHBA (Stadium), you will often find that players will come in and do their own recovery and things like that. That is the type of program we run.”

Originally published as Inside the relaxed environment that gives Geelong an edge over the competition