Mick McGuane’s mid-season report cards: Geelong’s season analysed, how Cats can free up Tom Stewart

Tom Stewart has long been one of Geelong’s biggest weapons. Now, opposition teams are determined to stop him. MICK MCGUANE analyses where the Cats are at and how they can help Stewart overcome his tag problem.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – MAY 25: Jake Kolodjashnij of the Cats celebrates a goal with Gryan Miers of the Cats during the 2024 round 11 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Greater Western Sydney Giants at GMHBA Stadium, on May 25, 2024, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Seven rounds into the season, Geelong was the team everyone was chasing.

Now, with one of its biggest weapons Tom Stewart facing weekly attention, the Cats are right back in the pack.

But a friendly draw in the second half of the season will present Chris Scott’s side with a golden opportunity to secure a finals spot and mount a top-four push.

Scroll down to see Mick McGuane’s mid-season report card on the Cats.

MICK MCGUANE’S RATING: B-

The story of Geelong’s season has to be broken up into two parts.

There was the hot 7-0 start to the year, which left the Cats as one of the early premiership favourites.

Since then they have gone cold, losing five of six matches entering the mid-season bye.

So can Chris Scott’s side get its mojo back?

The expected returns from injury of Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie after the bye should certainly help that intention.

Dangerfield — who has missed the past six matches with a hamstring — has to have a clear injury run from here to September if his side is to put itself forward as a contender.

Even at age 34, the captain remains an important contest and clearance player, while providing great leadership to support Geelong’s younger midfielder like Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes, Tom Atkins and Max Holmes.

Guthrie’s influence also can’t be understated and he too needs some luck with injury, having featured in just four of the Cats’ past 30 matches.

Max Holmes has emerged as one of Geelong’s most-important players. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The midfield woes without Dangerfield and Guthrie have been evident this season, with the Cats ranking 15th for contested possession differential and 17th for clearance differential.

However, their absence has created more onball opportunities for Holmes, who has elevated himself as an A-Grader of the competition with his flexibility to play different roles and his explosiveness and sound decision making going forward.

The other positive has been that Geelong still has a capacity to score heavily, making them a dangerous opponent regardless of who they play or where.

Chris Scott’s side ranks third for points for this season at an average of 93 points per game.

There are no shortage of avenues to goal, with seven players already having double-figure goal tallies.

They are headlined by Tyson Stengle (27 goals) who has got back to his best, while Jeremy Cameron (24 goals) can hit the scoreboard regardless of whether he is playing further up the ground or not.

Gryan Miers has kicked 11 goals along with having 22 score assists, while veteran Tom Hawkins still commands a quality opposition defender.

Geelong just needs to tidy up at the other end of the ground, with its long-heralded team defence ranking 13th for points against and 11th for scores per inside-50 against.

Port Adelaide is one of the teams which put work into Tom Stewart to quell his influence. Picture: Michael Klein

OPERATION FREE TOM

Opposition sides have gone after defender Tom Stewart in recent weeks, trying to take away his intercept abilities by playing defensive forwards on him.

It has been good coaching, with Stewart’s output down and Geelong’s defence consequently being opened up at times.

Now the challenge is back on Stewart and his coach.

Scott has two options — back in Stewart to get the job done regardless of the close attention he is receiving or look to free him up at times by playing him on a wing where he starts higher up the ground, but still can fold back, or even onball for small periods.

Expect Carlton’s Alex Cincotta to be the next player who tries to take down Stewart after the bye.

BIG BLOCK

The next five games are crucial for the Cats and their season.

I can’t wait for the Friday night clash with Carlton, where Geelong’s midfield and defence will again be tested.

From there, games against Essendon, Hawthorn, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs won’t be easy.

The Cats have to lift — and quickly — if they are to regain control of their season and gather some much needed momentum heading towards September.

Originally published as Mick McGuane’s mid-season report cards: Geelong’s season analysed, how Cats can free up Tom Stewart