Season review thread

[iameviljez]

So true.

At least we "looked like it" this PF. As in, watching the game you could see us rise to the occasion and play well.

The other games you mention were poo.

End of the day, if Tyson Stengle - one of the most talented forwards in the game - doesn’t give away a stupid free when Neale marked 20 out dead in front, gives the handball to Dempsey, and doesn’t scrub an open shot across the face of goal, we win.

I don’t blame one player for a whole team result, but senior players shouldn’t be making selfish choices

 

[year of the cat]

End of the day, if Tyson Stengle - one of the most talented forwards in the game - doesn’t give away a stupid free when Neale marked 20 out dead in front, gives the handball to Dempsey, and doesn’t scrub an open shot across the face of goal, we win.

I don’t blame one player for a whole team result, but senior players shouldn’t be making selfish choices

Was a bizarre game from Stengle. He is normally an elite decision maker. Unfortunately he chose a big game to play uncharacteristic footy.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Player of the year for me was Z.Guthrie.

Hear hear!. I posted something similar on the 'I was wrong' thread. Lots of bright lights from this season (Lawson, Shaun, Olie D et al), but ZG has been rock solid all year and was again among our best in the PF.

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

Was a bizarre game from Stengle. He is normally an elite decision maker. Unfortunately he chose a big game to play uncharacteristic footy.

He has an awesome footy brain and always seems to think ahead.

It’s almost like he was trying too hard. I don’t know.
It was definitely incredibly bizarre.

 

[InnocentBystandr]

Was a bizarre game from Stengle. He is normally an elite decision maker. Unfortunately he chose a big game to play uncharacteristic footy.

You are right, the Tyson 'magic' seemed to have deserted him in the PF. I recall Corey Enright had a crap game once*.

* It was a pre-season game against StK

 

[Art Vandelay_]

To bounce back from an injury interrupted 2023 was a welcome surprise for many, not so much that we improved. Most here would have expected some improvement on 12th. But the extent to our rise was pleasing. To be within minutes of a GF is both a testament to those within the 4 walls, and also a tantalising reminder that in 2024 we let a flag slip somewhat. An open season with a W1 finals win ensuring unlike every other competitor that we would be the only club not travelling again is disappointing. But overall we had a good season.

What worked:

The introduction of Tom Stewart into that midfield sweeper position at CBA's and stoppages. Released the shackles of his tag while not inhibiting his ability off halfback.

In some related change. The introduction of Lawson Humphries. Instantly looked the part and his inclusion to halfback made moving Stewart a little easier.

Cameron, Stengle, Miers, Mannagh and Close. The forward line looked back to the 2022 dynamism and we were exciting to watch forward of centre.

Neale and Henry deserve their own category. Both would be considered positives for 2024, with the caveat that I find both frustrating to watch far more than the rest of the forwards. With Neale there's a need to remember to be patient. So many games he's threatened to have a break out game only to double grab at marks. Other games has looked anonymous in the game. The inconsistency of young key forwards and their sometimes difficult development paths. As for O.Henry 37 goals is a good return, albeit with a 4 week goalless stretch in the middle, and an even bigger 7 goals in 10 games stretch. Even though there's 1 super fan boi on here who denounces ANY criticism of Henry with "Henry Truthers" his drifting in and out of games is certainly an area of improvement. Something that becomes very clear if it happens in a game where Neale is also struggling for impact and JC is being well held. Leads to very bad outcomes for the team as a whole.

Dempsey introduction into the team and solidifying his position inside the best team. Fortunate to win the Rising Star due to suspensions but had they won and he made it inside the top 3 it would have still been an achievement from such a late pick and slow burn as a 3rd year player. Will not be happy with his PF performance though you'd imagine.

Getting Dangerfield back from injury and combining him with Stewart and Holmes, among others. Saw Clark sent back to the VFL to develop more, as well as ending the careers at Geelong of Hardie and Parfitt. The trajectory we were on as we went into the bye was one of a side that'd miss finals. Changing the mix in the middle, while not fixing the problems we have there, still improved things sufficiently for a great coach to get the team Top 4.


What didn't work:


Cam Guthrie. Another year simply failing to get to the line. Do we persist with the same rehab programs and timelines for him as prior and simply hope for a different outcome or does this preseason present an opportunity to look at alternative methodology to treating his fitness concerns.

Tom Hawkins

26

Tom Hawkins

Age

36

Ht

197cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

2.1

5star

D

12.7

3star

K

8.6

3star

HB

4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.1

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

G

2.2

5star

. Looked solid in 2023 but history will look back on this season as one too many for the big fella. For his last game to be dirty night in winter as the cats get an infrequent belting is a sad end to one of the best careers from a Geelong footballer. Brilliant footballer and wonderful person. A well earned retirement to the farmers life.

The pre-bye midfield set up. Just putrid. Simply awful. A setup that still has be sceptical over the positions and roles of a few of its members. Namely Bowes, Atkins, Bruhn and Clark. Clark especially needs to show improvement in 2025, failure to do so would be when the scepticism starts to become genuine concern on him as a player.

Toby Conway. Well sort of. In some ways we have had more exposure to him as a player and he again continues to show great promise. But again he broke down and we're no closer to knowing if he is the long term solution in the ruck position.

Playing Tuohy all year as a starter - not subbing him on once or off all H&A - only to make him sub in one final and omitted for the last game of our season. An ignominious end to a decorated career only for us to not upgrade on him in the process. Wasn't impressed. He deserved a better ending.

Defending transition. Would love to know how many times this year we conceded a streak of goals to the opposition. Would definitely be a record under Scott. Evident badly in the PF as we continued to give up the corridor only for the risky kick to be taken and executed. A goal against would then ensue.

2025:

Simply not sure what 2025 has in store for us, we have exposed some younger players to the rigours of AFL football, and suspect there could be more in 2025 that either get that or cement themselves within the best 22. Our list cuts already have me thinking VFL depth will be worse than 2024 so should see worsened performances there. Will definitely need some KPF re-enforcements from somewhere sans Hawkins, Foster and Rohan. Do we improve, stagnate or regress. NFI.

 

[iameviljez]

You are right, the Tyson 'magic' seemed to have deserted him in the PF. I recall Corey Enright had a crap game once*.

* It was a pre-season game against StK

Reminds me of the 2004 Prelim vs Brisbane, in that it was the only game in a 10 year span that I recall Scarlett getting his arse handed to him

 

[iameviljez]

A setup that still has be sceptical over the positions and roles of a few of its members. Namely Bowes, Atkins, Bruhn and Clark

The problem is that while Dangerfield was out, that plus Holmes and Stewart was really all we had.

Like, yes, I agree, it's a bunch of B minus through to D graders (relative to AFL centre square standard), but the cupboard's a little bare

 

[CatToTheFuture]

I still don't know what to think. Massively outperformed preseason expectations and in still angry. Am I a bad person?

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I still don't know what to think. Massively outperformed preseason expectations and in still angry. Am I a bad person?

No not after what we saw on GF day.Massive missed opportunity and won't come like that again.

But still there were good things this year especially the development of some of our 1st-4th year guys.

 

[Mattttty]

So much negativity here. You can keep your glass-half-empty perspectives if you want to. But it's a recipe for almost never being happy. For me, Season 2024 was an unmistakable success for the Geelong Cats. And the fact that we could have gone even further just goes to prove that even more. We had no right to do so well.

Our new acquisitions have come on in leaps and bounds (Dempsey, Mannagh, Humphries in particular are truly exceptional prospects). Our young talent is shaping up in the ways we might have hoped (Max Holmes is the best example - but there are plenty of others who could easily take another step up in 2025: Neale, Bruhn, O.Henry,
Conway, Mullin, Knevitt, COS). And, so far, our over-the-hill ageing stars are making way without the bottom falling out (as everyone has predicted for years) thanks to the quality of those who remain.

What's more: performing so well in a year like this continues to make the case to potential recruits from other clubs (like Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

) that we're the place to come to if you want to play (and win) finals. That last point, happily, is a big part of how you build a club that perpetually competes.

 

[Gavin Excell]

After the events of yesterday, I have changed my tune a bit on how I view our Preliminary final loss to the Lions the week before.

Had we gotten through, it looks as though all we would have to do was turn up yesterday, and it would have been another flag for us.

The more I think about it now, the more the loss hurts. It really was a golden opportunity missed by our club.

25 points up in the 3rd quarter against a banged up interstate side away from home and we blew it.

Terrible execution of skills by our players and Scotty was very badly outcoached. We gave them a ridiculous amount of free time and space through the middle, which they took full advantage of. It was almost unbelievable to see how easy we made it for them.

I hope what happened really hurts everyone at the club and that they bottle it and use it to come back angry and hungry to take home the chocolates in 2025.

GO CATS 2025!

To some extent I agree with this
But then in the cool light of day and after having sat myself through the torture of the replay, the reality is Lions dominated the second half. We were just barely hanging on and yes almost got away with it, but they were simply too good.

It happens

On the review topic - a very good year, lots of change with the emergence of some good young players and the elevation of one (Holmes) to A grader which we desperately needed.

Next year depends on a number of factors but key for a flag tilt are:

* Dangerfield and Holmes staying fit and healthy

* getting more out of Jye Clark and Bruhn. They have to come along faster than what we've seen

* a big pre season from Shannon Neale and rewarding the faith of selectors with a break out year

* Conway taking the reins from Stanley some point of the season

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I reckon we get a 'B' . 'A minus' would be losing a Grand Final and a 'C' would be losing before the prelim stage..

 

[TEDDY24INC]

To some extent I agree with this
But then in the cool light of day and after having sat myself through the torture of the replay, the reality is Lions dominated the second half. We were just barely hanging on and yes almost got away with it, but they were simply too good.

It happens

On the review topic - a very good year, lots of change with the emergence of some good young players and the elevation of one (Holmes) to A grader which we desperately needed.

Next year depends on a number of factors but key for a flag tilt are:

* Dangerfield and Holmes staying fit and healthy

* getting more out of Jye Clark and Bruhn. They have to come along faster than what we've seen

* a big pre season from Shannon Neale and rewarding the faith of selectors with a break out year

* Conway taking the reins from Stanley some point of the season

Third quarter they dominated, however we still left some golden scoring opportunities on the table that quarter. Last quarter the opposite, we dominated but couldn’t score enough, they actually took their minimal chances when presented

 

[Gunf]

I think most on this board if you told them we would make it to a prelim and only just lose to the eventual premier before the season started they would have said i will 100% take that especially if we told them Hawkins wouldn't have any influence on the season apart from maybe 4-5 games.

So in that respect ill give us an -A

Add into the above we got major development into.

Dempsey who won the rising star and will 100% be elite.
Holmes took a step forward and is now elite or borderline elite.
Humphries came out of nowhere to be a shining star and will be great for years to come.
Neale stepped up without Hawkins and allowed us to play better football as a team and shows signs he will be a very good player for years.
Bruhn took a step forward and hopefully takes another next year to become a very solid mid.

 

[CoolCat75]

Firstly, I do not like the the OP, saying we dropped the cup and picked up our handbags. Seriously man! We lost a thriller to the eventual premiers, who won 14 of their last 16 games.

This year has exceeded expectations. If you told me at the start of the year we would be transitioning out of the team Hawkins, Rohan, Duncan and Tuohy, get virtually no games from Guthrie and not have a fit SDK by the end of the year - I would have though this was gonna be a tough rebuilding year. Instead, we finish 3rd and nearly make the Grand Final.

From last team, you could replace Blitz, Stanley & Bews with SDK, Conway and BSmith and suddenly you only have Danger, Cameron, Stewart as over 30s. Yes - they are 3 of our most valuable players. But once again, our amazing club has rebuilt while staying in contention. Have a think, since we won the 2022 flag we have introduced OHenry, Dempsey, Bruin, Bowes, Mannagh, Humphries, Neale, Holmes, Mullin. And have Clark and COS developing.

Does this guarantee anything in 2025 - no. But have a look at how Hawthorn or Richmond went in trying to rebuild on the run and tell me who you’d rather be.

 

[D BRIDGE]

I think most on this board if you told them we would make it to a prelim and only just lose to the eventual premier before the season started they would have said i will 100% take that especially if we told them Hawkins wouldn't have any influence on the season apart from maybe 4-5 games.

So in that respect ill give us an -A

Add into the above we got major development into.

Dempsey who won the rising star and will 100% be elite.
Holmes took a step forward and is now elite or borderline elite.
Humphries came out of nowhere to be a shining star and will be great for years to come.
Neale stepped up without Hawkins and allowed us to play better football as a team and shows signs he will be a very good player for years.
Bruhn took a step forward and hopefully takes another next year to become a very solid mid.

Well, let's test that theory now.

Who here would accept having a 0% chance at winning the flag next year to lose in a prelim to the eventual premier?

It took me all of 0.1 seconds answer NO to that.

Sure if we were a North, WC or Richmond... but we aren't at that level.

We can't be happy going into a season knowing we can't win the flag... well that's just me.

I want flags... you can showcase honourable seasons in the trophy cabinet.

 

[year of the cat]

Firstly, I do not like the the OP, saying we dropped the cup and picked up our handbags. Seriously man! We lost a thriller to the eventual premiers, who won 14 of their last 16 games.

This year has exceeded expectations. If you told me at the start of the year we would be transitioning out of the team Hawkins, Rohan, Duncan and Tuohy, get virtually no games from Guthrie and not have a fit SDK by the end of the year - I would have though this was gonna be a tough rebuilding year. Instead, we finish 3rd and nearly make the Grand Final.

From last team, you could replace Blitz, Stanley & Bews with SDK, Conway and BSmith and suddenly you only have Danger, Cameron, Stewart as over 30s. Yes - they are 3 of our most valuable players. But once again, our amazing club has rebuilt while staying in contention. Have a think, since we won the 2022 flag we have introduced OHenry, Dempsey, Bruin, Bowes, Mannagh, Humphries, Neale, Holmes, Mullin. And have Clark and COS developing.

Does this guarantee anything in 2025 - no. But have a look at how Hawthorn or Richmond went in trying to rebuild on the run and tell me who you’d rather be.

When you peel it back we are probably a Holmes hamstring away from winning the GF this year.

 

[CHAWKTS]

I still don't know what to think. Massively outperformed preseason expectations and in still angry. Am I a bad person?

I need more context to answer the question!!

But on the first part I think that is normal…indeed I understand a few of the players are feeling exactly the same based on how the GF went. Hypothetical but they have no doubt they would have beaten Swans and (without disrespecting Brisbane) feel like they lost the game against bris rather than bris won it.

It is such a big effort to get to a prelim that stuffing the opportunity should make people angry despite it being a good effort for the year.

Only consolation is to imagine what a swan supporter feels like. I am angry and proud they would be angry and embarrassed

 

[FootyLad0]

A- season.

None of the "experts" had us finishing top 4 or even close to making a Prelim.
Majority didn't even have us making the 8, most had us in the 11-14 range.

We absolutely outperformed expectations, we had 8 or 9 guys play their first Finals series.

Seeing a lot of positives and not a lot of negatives.
Anyone who says we would have smashed Sydney in the Grand Final is underrating how good this Lions side is.

They finished "5th" but were nothing like a 5th placed side.
Still have about 5 guys to come back into the best 23 and about to pickup L.Ashcroft and Marshall.

For us, where we go from here is maintaining our spot in Finals with a tougher draw and a bigger stepup from young guys like Clark, Conway, Bruhn, Dempsey, Bowes, Mannagh, Humphries to be consistent performers.

That means guys like Stewy, Gryan, Stengle, Holmes, Zuthrie, SDK and Baz Smith taking the reigns of leadership and winning games off of their own boots. Stewy already does it and Gryan and Holmes have flirted with it, we just need them to be the A level standard bearers every week.

This allows Danger, Blics, Stanley, Duncan of the veteran crew to take a step back and not carry as much of the load.

 

[Phipppppa]

I was happy with our season with the critics saying we wouldn’t make finals then straight sets.

Somehow a “rebuild” year while making a prelim. What a club.

We will be back, if we persist with these younger players and add a bit more talent through the midfield, we are going to be hard to beat.

Go catters love ya’s

 

[iameviljez]

I want flags... you can showcase honourable seasons in the trophy cabinet.

There is an element of needing to accept that this is now an even 18-team competition, being upset with anything less than a flag every year will mean being upset 17 years in every 18.

 

[iameviljez]

Firstly, I do not like the the OP, saying we dropped the cup and picked up our handbags. Seriously man! We lost a thriller to the eventual premiers, who won 14 of their last 16 games.

Honestly, I think a lot of these comments about throwing away an opportunity under-estimates just how difficult Brisbane are to beat.

 

[D BRIDGE]

There is an element of needing to accept that this is now an even 18-team competition, being upset with anything less than a flag every year will mean being upset 17 years in every 18.

Correct.

I'm never happy/content unless we are premiers.

I want flags.

I wish I was happy losing... but I'm not.

 

[iameviljez]

Correct.

I'm never happy/content unless we are premiers.

I want flags.

I wish I was happy losing... but I'm not.

Be prepared for a lot of disappointment in your AFL-supporting life...