During the Christmas/New Year break, AFL.com.au looks at each club and how they're tracking for the 2011 pre-season

Introduction
The reigning premier has only had its full squad on the track since the club's veterans returned from their holidays on November 28. But the Cats' youngsters had already done plenty of intense training by then. With the club not convinced about the merits of an overseas camp, the first, second and third-year players instead spent a week at Falls Creek in the Victorian high country, where they completed a number of hikes and challenges and also did plenty of footy-specific training on a local oval. A few of the more experienced players took part in some of the camp at Falls Creek, with captaincy contender Joel Selwood among those who made the trip.

Medical room
After needing surgery to fix the hip injury he suffered against Gold Coast last season, emerging ruckman Nathan Vardy is one of few Geelong players on a restricted program. Vardy is still not running, meaning he unlikely to be available for the early rounds of the home and away season. "We won't rush him," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said in mid-December. "He's a 10 to 12-year player."

Summer superstar
Billie Smedts, who was Geelong's first pick in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, has been a standout on the track so far. Smedts didn't play at all last season after needing surgery to fix a hip problem. But the 19-year-old defender from North Warrnambool has now set his sights on making his AFL debut early next season. "I feel like I'm starting my career with Geelong now," he said. "The first thing is just to get through the pre-season and get my body in the best shape I can, so that when the NAB Cup comes around I can hopefully put my hand up and get a few games."

Draftee watch
Much of the focus has been on mature-age recruit Orren Stephenson. The 29-year-old ruckman from Ballarat, whose oldest child starts secondary school next year, had to quit his job at Telstra in order to begin training with the Cats. Since doing that he's been impressing his new teammates with his fitness and skill.

Putting the feet up
The Cats held their last pre-Christmas training session on December 22. The players will return to the club at different times, depending on their age, and all will be back on the track by January 9.

Membership
"Footy Full On" is once again the slogan for Geelong's membership campaign. Given the club won the flag last year it shouldn't have too much trouble breaking the 40,000-member mark again. Around 24,000 fans have already signed up.

NAB Cup schedule
Round one (Friday, February 24): v St Kilda and Sydney Swans, Etihad Stadium
Round two (Friday, March 2: v Gold Coast, Metricon Stadium
Round three (Saturday, March 10): v Richmond, Simonds Stadium

What they say
"We can't do any more than get ourselves in a position where we can compete again come round one next year. We have to make sure we put the work in and make sure the enthusiasm and the commitment is at least at the level that it was last year." - Geelong coach Chris Scott

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs