Geelong Cats Season Review

Expected Finish:1st -4th
Actual Finish:1st (Premiers)

Home and Away Season 18 Wins, 4 Losses

Geelong have capped off its season in the best way possible, winning the 2009 Grand Final and again becoming the premiers. After last seasons disappointment in the Grand Final anything less than a premiership would have been seen as a failure by this great team.

The writing was on the wall for some of 2009 with injury to star players taking its toll between round 14 and 22. However the Cats were able to come together at the business end of the season and get the job done. This premiership takes them to 2 out of 3 and puts them amongst some of the best teams in history and especially in recent times.

Backline

The Geelong backline has been the key to its success in recent years and 2009 was no exception for the Cats. The early loss of Josh Hunt put some pressure on the backs while Matthew Egan again was unable to recover from his 2007 injury. Despite this the Cat defenders were ranked fourth in the league only letting in 1815 pints for the home and away season. Scarlett as always was instrumental down back and capped off his season with All Australian honours. The emergence of Harry Taylor as a key defender really helped the Cats, just watch the Grand Final for proof.

The small defenders in James Kelly and Corey Enright were both standouts in 2009; the move of Kelly to the back half has seen him once again establish himself as a class player. David Wojcinski was able to play in another premiership and showed why he is so important from half back with his ability to break the lines with his pace. While Harley may call it quits, Milburn will go around again, Hunt will return and Andrew Mackie continues to improve with every season.

Midfield

The best midfield in the competition again proved its worth with another stellar season. Gary Ablett was again the main man through the middle and topped off his year by winning the Brownlow medal and almost every other award out there. Jimmy Bartel was workman like throughout the season and showed just how important he is by having the equal most tackles by a player in the Grand Final with 16. Joel Selwood continues to shine and show his potential as an elite player. Joel Corey, often the forgotten man in the middle had a solid year without every really being talked about.

Cameron Ling showed that he still has it as the best stopper in the game continually out playing opponents. Throw Chapman into the mix and you see why the midfield for the Cats in so dangerous. Simon Hogan finally was able to put together some games in 2009 and showed that he has what it takes to continue as an AFL player.

Forwards

The often talked about Geelong forward line was ranked 2nd in the league for points scored with 2312. The Cats had 12 players kick over 10 goals for the season which shows that they spread the ball around and often do score a lot through the midfield. Cameron Mooney still showed signs of the kicking yips but still managed 46 goals for the year ( 42 behinds mind you). The illusive Steve Johnson missed a bit of Football in 2009 but pitched in with 40 goals and was integral to early season form.

Tom Hawkins finally looks to be getting into the groove of senior football and toward the end of 2009 showed some promising signs. 34 goals in 2009 for the Tomahawk, Cats fans would be hoping for at least 50 in 2010. The other main contributors in 2009 were Chappy (37), Byrnes (32), Stokes (29), Rooke (24) and Varcoe (22). All contributed in 2009 with Rooke proving his move forward pays dividends in the big games. The Forward line was also helped by the likes of Ablett, and Bartel who both spent time up forward in 2009, 27 and 12 goals respectively.

Rucks

While Blake and Mumford did most of the work in 2009 it was the return of Brad Ottens which really proved pivotal in the Cats success for 2009. Blake had 482 hit outs in 2009 but still lacked presence around the grounds, however this did improve in the finals. Mumford finished the year with 256 hit outs and showed his potential as the next big ruckman for the Cats because of his second efforts and willingness to contest. Ottens only had 89 hit outs for 2009 but this was from a total of 6 games for the year compared to the 18 from Blake. In these 6 games he also managed 21 marks; Blake only had 46 for the year. Ottens proved to be the most important ruck for the Cats yet he only played in 6 matches.

What is needed?

The Cats really need to keep this list together as best it can going into 2010 if it is to have another tilt at the Premiership. I would like to see another defender at the Cats, while the need for another big forward will soon become an issue as Mooney has now ticked over 30.

Looking Forward

Looking to season 2010 the Cats would be confident that they can taste finals again and have another real chance at taking out the biggest prize in the game. The players are still at a good age, with only 4 players currently over the age of 30. With a good pre season the Cats should again be a force as long as injury doesn’t play a role.

As was seen however in 2009 the management of players was important to the season of the Cats and I would imagine it would be important for 2010. A top four finish is a must but striving to emulate 2007 and 2008 may not be as important as just doing what is needed to see the team into September.

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