Geelong enjoyed yet another outstanding campaign in 2013, finishing the home and away season second on the ladder after winning 18 of their 22 matches. The Cats were rewarded with a home final against Fremantle at Simonds Stadium, yet their tilt at the premiership was nudged off the rails when they were beaten by the Dockers. They still made the preliminary final but went down to Hawthorn in a classic. Their experienced players led the way through the year, and four of them – Joel Selwood, Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor – were selected in the All Australian team.
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What worked
The club continued to impressively work towards its two main goals: to regenerate its line-up and to remain in premiership contention. It is amazing to think that Chris Scott has blooded nine youngsters in the past two seasons, and has lost a host of experienced players, yet his team still went within five points of qualifying for its fifth Grand Final in seven years.
What failed
With the benefit of hindsight, it seems clear that Tom Hawkins, who struggled to cope with a bulging disc in his back, should have been taken out of the team for a few weeks in the middle of the season. Hawkins could hardly move in some matches, and he slowly lost confidence as the year progressed. The Cats insisted that he needed to keep working hard to help his back get better, but he could have done that work on the training track. The other thing that failed was the decision to recruit ruckman Hamish McIntosh from North Melbourne. McIntosh was unable to get his body right and did not play a game at any level this season.
Surprise packet
Steven Motlop took his game to a new level. Motlop played 24 games and booted 44 goals, which was only five fewer than Hawkins. Some of his goals were truly dazzling, and he hauled in a number of spectacular marks as well. Geelong can be most relieved that he has committed to the club for another two seasons.
Disappointment
After playing in the 2011 premiership, Trent West became the Cats' No. 1 ruckman last season and did a great job. But his confidence evaporated this year. Perhaps it was the club's decision to recruit McIntosh that rattled him or maybe it was the resurgence of Dawson Simpson, who pushed West out of the team in the middle of the year and would have stayed there if not for a knee injury. It all means that 2014 will be huge for West if he wants to prolong his career.
Corey Enright put in another sensational year for the Cats to earn All Australian selection. Picture: AFL Media
MVP: Joel Selwood
Best rookie/first year player: Mark Blicavs
Best win: round 22 - Geelong 13.14 (92) def Sydney Swans 7.6 (48)
Low point
A few mid-season hiccups gave coach Scott and his men plenty to think about. They were stung badly by a spectacular collapse against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in round 13, when they gave up a 52-point lead and were beaten by an Ashley McGrath goal on the final siren. A month later, Geelong faltered in similar fashion by giving up a five-goal lead in a disappointing loss to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
What needs to improve
The Cats need their best ruckmen, McIntosh and Simpson, to get fit and stay fit. Neither is at fault for what happened this year, as they both simply suffered a terribly unlucky run with injuries. But Geelong looked a much better team when Simpson was shoveling the ball down his midfielders' throats. If McIntosh can regain some of his verve from three or four years ago, the Cats might be even better again.
Who's done
Ryan Bathie (rookie) is expected to be delisted, while Joel Corey and Josh Hunt are likely to retire. Paul Chapman is another veteran likely to depart the club.
What they need
With James Podsiadly nearing the end of his career, Geelong needs another tall forward to help Hawkins. Shane Kersten has been earmarked as a potential sidekick for Hawkins, and he will certainly play some senior footy next year. But at 190cm, he is more of a medium forward option. Still, it won't be a disaster if the Cats cannot find another key forward in the draft or trade periods, as if Simpson and McIntosh can carry the rucking load in 2014 then Vardy will become Hawkins' foil.
Luke Darcy says
"Tom Hawkins' fitness was pretty costly in the end. He persevered but he'd wake up some days where he just couldn't bend over. There's some concerns when you have a disc issue in your back that's that bad, there's no guarantee that that's going to come good any time soon."
