FLAG HOPES: This year is the year for Geelong Cats, do they have what it takes to change their finals fortune from the recent times and turn it into the ultimate glory.
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AFTER many intense battles in countless finals appearances across the last decade, the Geelong Cats have been so close on so many occasions, but can 2022 be the season where everything finally clicks for this great club?
The Geelong Cats have been within an arm’s reach of the premiership cup nearly every season since their fabulous winning season in 2011.
Other than their 2015 season, where they finished 10th, Geelong has continued to make the finals consistently under coach, Chris Scott.
Scott’s winning percentage over his time coaching at Geelong during the regular season is recorded at a staggering 72 percent demonstrating how well Geelong has been able to perform and be at the pointy end of each season.
However, Scott has a 40 percent winning record in finals, which is a big reason as to why Geelong over the past decade has not been able to quite make it to the final stage of winning the premiership cup.
Will this finals series for Geelong repeat itself, or will things finally change?
For any chance of going all the way, Geelong’s finals record must change, and the time is now!
Many people before the 2022 season predicted Geelong to make finals, but only by just scraping in and not being a threat.
The change in coaches with Matthew Knights leaving the club, as well as club great Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright leaving the coaching panel brought uncertainty for Geelong’s upcoming season - it was presumed it would take time for the team to play and adapt to the new coaches and system.
The replacements included club great, James Kelly joining as an assistant coach with Eddie Betts working as a part-time development coach.
Development coach, Shaun Grigg had been elevated from this season, while former Cat, Matthew Egan had also taken a coaching role at the club.
These major coaching replacements were all high risk for immediate success, but these changes at Geelong have proved to pay, with Geelong being very successful and arguably the premiership favourites for 2022.
However, it’s not only been the change in coaches and staff, but also the quality and step-up in players.
It's hard to look past Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins being arguably the most dominant and dangerous forward duo in the competition.
Both forwards have been tearing up the league scoring and have combined for 101 goals over 19 rounds of football.
Not only have the talls been dominating, but the small forwards such as Brad Close and new recruit sensation, Tyson Stengle have been producing the creativity, pace and forward pressure inside the attacking 50.
This is one of the main reasons why Geelong is currently the highest scoring team in the league.
DANGEROUS DUO: Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins (pictured) have kicked 101 goals between them this season and sit second and third respectively in the race for the 2022 Coleman Medal.
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The maturity and class from the Geelong midfield this year has again shown why they continue to perform and produce quality football every year.
“Too old, too slow” has been the go-to catchphrase for Geelong, but every year it continues to prove this statement wrong.
Once again, the mature-age players in Joel Selwood, Cameron Guthrie, Isaac Smith and Mitch Duncan have all lead by example, leading the cats to success and pathing the way for the up and coming players through the ranks such as Tom Atkins, Max Holmes, Brandon Parfitt, Quinton Narkle and Cooper Stephens to name a few.
Hard not to mention about the Geelong defence and how phenomenal it has been this year with many players having breakout seasons and ultimate highs.
Geelong over the past few years is well-known and regarded to have produced some of the game’s best defensive players.
With the retirement of Lachie Henderson at the end of the 2021 season, a big hole in the defence had to be filled.
This is where Geelong put the faith and trust into young Sam De Koning and threw him into the team as a key 204cm defender, and what a rookie season he is having.
With a well earnt NAB Rising Star Nomination in Round 11, De Koning has played major roles on big key forwards and has managed to shut them down on many occasions, such as his brilliant performance on Bulldogs’ superstar forward, Aaron Naughton where he kept him to just one goal.
This performance was a week after his career-best performance against the Crows where he received his Rising Star nomination.
In addition, despite his weeks on the sidelines due to suspension, Tom Stewart has been clinical in the games he has played, as well as Mark Blicavs arguably having his best season yet being one of the most versatile players in the entire league with his athleticism, game awareness and IQ.
REVELATION: Sam De Koning has been massive for the Cats down back this season, the rookie has taken plenty of big scalps this season, keeping Aaron Naughton to one goal (pictured) on this occasion and intercepting everything.
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With less than a month before finals, Geelong is in prime position to finish the regular season as minor premiers with very winnable games at GMHBA to cap off the season.
With the talent and depth in the squad, Geelong can go all the way in September with players like Jonathon Ceglar, Brandon Parfitt and Sam Simpson coming back from injury.
When Geelong plays its best footy, it is unstoppable.
This can be said for majority of the big teams, but with the strength of players in all areas on the ground, it’s hard to look past Geelong as a genuine favourite for the 2022 premiership.
If not this year, then when? That’s the big question.
It’s time for the Cats to learn from their past losing finals experiences and adapt to a brand of winning football just like what they have been producing weekly throughout the regular season.
The mentality of all the players and mindset is key for Geelong in the finals.
A sense of belief and fight may be the missing piece to the awaiting premiership.
Nothing is stopping Geelong from winning this year, it’s now up to the coaches and players, both experienced and new to set up and take on the challenge with a winning mindset.
Interesting article. Will also be interesting to see if they can get there.