Geelong showed no signs of its inexperience when it surged into the top four after coming from behind to beat Box Hill in round six.

All indicators were pointing towards another tilt at the title for the Cats, who in round four overwhelmed ladder-leader Williamstown at Skilled Stadium.

First-year forward Scott Simpson was up in the top bracket of league goal kickers after an eight-goal bag and the Cats were one of the highest scoring teams in the league.

Then it all started to disintegrate.

What went wrong?

A horrendous run between rounds seven and 16 where the side only won two matches, including several inauspicious losses by a side clearly lacking experience.

The heavy cleanout last year did not help the Cats, who lost eight premiership players and the core of their formidible spine.

In their place came raw, inexperienced kids who were thrust into the deep end and forced to shoulder far more responsibility than their experience warranted.

As the Cats dominated the 2006 and 2007 VFL seasons, their backline boasted Henry Playfair, Sam Hunt, Matthew Spencer and Tim Callan.

This season, it was filled with exuberant draftees Adam Donohue, Brodie Moles, Jeremy Laidler, Chris Kangars and Dan McKenna.

With the lack of experience came the inevitable lapses in concentration, and consequently, many of the Cats’ results were marred by second-half fade-outs.

But ultimately, Geelong had the talent at its disposal to make the finals, but squandered a number of opportunities throughout the season to make a strong tilt at the finals.

Defining moment/turning point

A second half capitulation against North Ballarat at Austar Arena in round eight, leaving the Cats precariously placed inside the top eight.

Geelong looked in ominous touch as it surged to a three-goal lead early in the match, but conceded 12 goals to six after half time to eventually lose by 31 points.

While it was not apparent at the time, the second-half fadeout was indicative of the way many of the Cats’ games unfolded for the season.

Geelong struggled all season to play consistent four-quarter football, frustrating the club given the side had the talent capable of playing finals football.

Simon Hogan ascended into one of the VFL Cats’ most important players this season after finally overcoming the injuries that hampered his debut season last year.

Hogan was trusted to play in a variety of roles, but made his biggest impression as a hardworking midfielder who rotated forward.

Jason Davenport played all 20 matches and was named in the Cats’ best 11 times, an indication of his consistency.

A hard-running midfielder, Davenport tied with Tom Hawkins as the side’s leading goal kicker, with 31 goals.

Kane Tenace was always amongst the Cats’ leading possession winners and stepped up his leadership role as one of the most experienced players in the team.

Trent West and Shane Mumford grew in stature throughout the season, showing the Cats’ ruck stocks are glowing with depth.

Tom Hawkins attacked the VFL with a burning attitude every week, and against the Northern Bullants in round 11, cut a swathe through their defence with seven goals.

He kicked 31 goals for the season from eight matches.

Highlight

Geelong, all but out of the finals race, overran in-form Sandringham to claim a pulsating 11-point comeback victory at Trevor Barker Oval in round 18.

In arguably their most impressive performance of the season, the Cats came back from four goals down early in the third quarter to kick seven unanswered goals to stun the Zebras.

Simon Hogan dominated with 41 possessions, while Travis Varcoe mesmerised the crowd with his sublime ball movements and evasive skills.

Lowlight

Tudor declared there was no excuses after the Cats were clinically dismantled in a 132-point loss to ladder-leader North Ballarat at Skilled Stadium in round 15.

Geelong was never in the contest in a match that saw it offer little resistance through the midfield and unable to curtail the Roosters’ multiple goal scoring options.

The Cats had the bye the following week, giving them an extra weekend to survey the wreckage of the capitulation.

They faced Collingwood in a dour scrap in round 16, but after working their way back into the match in the final quarter, fell one point short of an important victory.

VFL-listed Drew Barnes was one of only a couple of shining lights to emerge from the match, kicking four of the side’s paltry seven goals.

David Johnson was the pick of the AFL-listed players.

Ladder position: 10th

Won: seven

Lost: 13

For: 1837

Against: 2152

Percentage: 85.36%

Leading goal kicker: Jason Davenport and Tom Hawkins tied – 31.

Most times in best: Jason Davenport - 11. Simon Hogan and James Byrne – seven.