GEELONG has identified that its ageing backline is in need of rejuvenation, part-time development coach Matthew Scarlett says.

For years the Cats had claims to being one of the best backlines in the AFL, with the combination of Scarlett, Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright and Andrew Mackie providing the perfect balance between attack and defence.

With Scarlett now sitting in the coaches' box and Enright, 33, Mackie, 30, and Lonergan, 30, approaching the twilight of their illustrious careers, the Cats are looking to the future.

The two players in line to see game time in 2015, according to Scarlett, are Jed Bews and Jake Kolodjashnij, as Geelong continues to attempt to replace its premiership stars.

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Bews (21), the son of club legend Andrew, played seven games in 2014 and has already been pegged as the Cats' next small defender based on some impressive performances in the role. 

Kolodjashnij (19), brother of Gold Coast's Kade, is yet to play a senior game but showed real promise in the VFL last season.

"It's definitely an area where we need to groom some young players," Scarlett told SEN radio on Tuesday morning.

"Hopefully young Bews can develop. We've got Kolodjashnij who's a good up and coming key defender.

"(Mark) Blicavs can play down back as well, so there's good competition there." 

Scarlett says he is enjoying being back at his "home" after two years spent in a similar role under Brendan McCartney at the Western Bulldogs.

Even though he is employed in a part-time role, Scarlett is at Simonds Stadium everyday and his main brief is to work with the young key position players in the club's academy.

"I'm absolutely loving it," Scarlett said.

"I certainly did miss the place after two years away so I'm pretty happy at the moment.

"I'm definitely really happy that I went up the highway with Macca and a few of the other old Geelong boys and got a look at what other clubs do (at the Bulldogs).

"But it's made coming back to the Geelong Football Club even better."

Scarlett expressed his surprise at McCartney's dismissal, following a tumultuous few weeks in October at the Whitten Oval. 

"I couldn't believe it to be honest," Scarlett said.

"I don't want to talk too much about the Bulldogs, I'm obviously not there anymore, but I couldn't really believe it when it happened."