GEELONG has recorded is 12th consecutive profit in 2011 but it has been revealed that the 2011 season added an extra $1.2 million to the club's spending.

The Herald Sun has highlighted: "The Cats increased spending in their football department to $18.8 million - a seven per cent increase from 2010 ($17.57 million)".

According to the tabloid, the club spent more on coaches (a despite hiring a first-year coach to replace the experienced Mark Thompson) "and support staff, plus a mid-season training camp on the Gold Coast - which cost more than $100,000".

It was clearly money well spent for the Cats, guided by Chris Scott and a new-look football department - were able to win their third flag in five years.

It was a remarkable achievement, despite the club's ageing group of veterans and the loss of its star player Gary Ablett jnr to Gold Coast.

Many critics believed the Cats were a spent force at the start of 2011 but they managed to tweak their game plan and rotate its older players, losing just three games for the season.

Since the season concluded, premiership players Cameron Ling, Cam Mooney, Darren Milburn and Brad Ottens have retired. Ruckman Mark Blake is also no longer at the club.