Geelong's season started badly when it lost big man Nathan Vardy to a serious knee injury. But it recovered to win 17 of 22 home and away games and finish in third place on the ladder. However, the finals were a disaster, with the Cats crashing out in straight sets.
The coach
Chris Scott had another year in which he continually preached his club's twin aims of competing for the premiership and bringing through youngsters. Although the finals losses were a blow, he is achieving those aims. Scott signed a new contract late in the season that ties him to Geelong until the end of the club's 2017 campaign.
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What worked
Josh Caddy in the midfield: After spending his first year at the club playing mostly as a half-forward, Caddy was moved into the middle of the ground and he relished the opportunity. A bull around the clearances, his performance in both of the Cats' finals was outstanding.
Mark Blicavs kept improving: The former steeplechaser spent most of the season playing as a back-up ruckman, but he also spent some time in the backline and even lined up on the wing in the qualifying final against Hawthorn. He is one of the club's recent success stories.
What failed
The attempt to fix the poor second halves: The Cats regularly faded out of games, and the issue dogged them through the entire season.
The ruck set-up: Having a ruck brigade featuring three injury-prone big men was always going to be a gamble. Nathan Vardy did his knee in the pre-season, then Hamish McIntosh (knee) and Dawson Simpson (back) both failed to see out the season.
MVP: Joel Selwood
The ultra-courageous midfielder didn't have his most consistent season, but his value to the Cats cannot be questioned. His two finals performances, against Hawthorn and North Melbourne, were extraordinary.
Surprise packet: Jared Rivers
The tall defender had only an OK first season at the Cattery in 2013 but he was one of the club's most consistent performers this season. He was able to shut his opponents down and be an attacking weapon as well.
Best rookie/first-year player: Jed Bews
A mid-sized defender, Bews made his debut against Fremantle in Perth in round nine. In a very tough initiation, he played on Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne and was considered to have broken even with him. Having played seven AFL games in all this season, Bews is likely to become a regular feature of the team next year.
Disappointment: Steven Motlop
After missing the early rounds due to a knee problem, Motlop produced a great run of form during the middle part of the season, with his magical last-quarter performance against Essendon in round 15 the stand-out effort. But his displays in Geelong's two finals were terrible and his reputation has taken a hit as a result.
Steven Motlop endured a poor finals series and will be keen to rebound next year. Picture: AFL Media
The Cats led at the first three changes, before the Hawks threatened to steal a remarkable comeback win when they kicked the first two goals of the final quarter. But Tom Hawkins then booted three goals of his own and led his team to a 15.16 (106) to 12.15 (87) win. It improved Geelong's record to 5-0 and had many pundits talking about them as a premiership chance.
Low point
The finals. The Cats finished the home and away season in the top four and had high hopes of competing for the flag. But they lost to Hawthorn by six goals and North Melbourne by six points and exited the premiership race in straight sets.
What needs to improve?
Given the injury problems that continue to afflict Simpson and McIntosh, the Cats desperately need to bolster their ruck stocks. They also need Vardy to stay fit next season, as Tom Hawkins needs some support in the forward line.
Who's done?
The Cats are yet to reveal any delistings, and they unlikely to have any retirements given Corey Enright has signed on for another year. Players on shaky ground include midfielder Jordan Schroder, who has played just five senior games in four seasons at the club. Mitch Brown was apparently offered up for trade last year but there were no takers. Expect the tall forward to be shopped around again.
What they need
The Cats are chasing Melbourne's James Frawley, so they obviously believe a rebounding defender is something they need. A ruckman, a forward and a ready-made midfielder wouldn't go astray either.
