The five Cats who need to step it up for Geelong on the run home

Some key components from Geelong’s premiership run just haven’t been the same this year. Here’s who needs to step it up to help the Cats claw into the top eight.

Jed Bews, Max Holmes and Jeremy Cameron can lift in form.

Not for the first time this year, Geelong’s premiership defence needs a restart and a handful of players need to step up to aid the charge back up the ladder.

After the Cats played near-perfect football through the back-end of last year and boasted a team os players all pulling their weight, some premiership players have slightly dropped away in 2023.

Here are five Cats who can step up to help secure a finals spot.

JED BEWS

There is only a slight dip in the numbers for the nuggety defender this year compared to last but he is lacking the drive that had steadily grown in his game.

Jed Bews needs to get on the move again. Picture: Michael Klein

In recent years, Bews was willing to put the ball under the arm and break lines, beginning attacks but in 2023 he is averaging just 136 metres gained per game.

Bews has never been a high possession player but his kicking efficiency has dropped from 73.1 per cent last year to just 58.1 in 2023, rater as below average among all AFL defenders.

SAM DE KONING

Even after his best game of the year, against Melbourne in round 15, De Koning said he was disappointed with his season.

He struggled when the ball hit the deck against Sydney, fumbling several handball opportunities at crucial times.

Sam De Koning fires a handball. Picture: Michael Klein.

The Cats need to work through their defensive set up to find the best mix of De Koning, Esava Ratugolea and Jack Henry.

When De Koning is intercepting and locking down an opponent, the Geelong backline looks much more formidable.

JEREMY CAMERON

The superstar deserves a bit of time to ease his way back in after the brutal knockout against Melbourne.

But his bright start to the year tailed off before the Demons game.

Jeremy Cameron had a flat patch before his injury. Picture: Michael Klein.

Since round 8, Cameron hasn’t kicked more than two goals in a game, has had just three goal assists in that time and his usually laser-like kicking has dropped away to an efficiency of 49.1 per cent.

It’s sounds obvious but when Cameron is firing Geelong is clearly a much better side and will need him to fire on the run home.

MAX HOLMES

The youngster returned in fine form against Port Adelaide in round 14 and had 24 disposals to be one of Geelong’s better players.

But he collected just 17 touches against Melbourne and had just eight against Sydney, a career-low in a game in which he wasn’t subbed in or out.

Max Holmes was quiet against Sydney. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Holmes’ run and dash with ball in hand make a big difference to Geelong midfield and they need more of it over the next two weeks.

TYSON STENGLE

After earning an All-Australian blazer last year, Stengle just simply hasn’t hit the scoreboard in nearly the same way in 2023.

In 2022, Stengle had 3.8 shots at goal per game – which was rated elite for forwards – and this season he is averaging just 2.2, rated average.

The scores have dried up for Tyson Stengle. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He isn’t getting as involved in the play either, his score involvements has dropped from 6.8 to 4.5 per game.

Stengle didn’t just do it in the home-and-away season either, he bagged seven goals combined in the preliminary and grand finals.

A broken arm interrupted his campaign but it’s time for Stengle to get dangerous again.

Originally published as The five Cats who need to step it up for Geelong on the run home