WHEN the Cats came up short against the Demons in first round of the 2018 finals series, Chief Executive Brian Cook promised a ‘deep analysis’ into what went wrong.

Cook and the Cats quietly conducted a list overhaul in the trade period, moving on 11 players as three Cats were transferred to new clubs and another eight players were delisted.

Geelong has committed a new-look list in 2019, making difficult calls to part ways with Daniel Menzel and Jordan Murdoch who combined to play 70 games across the last two seasons.

The list now stands at 37 heading into the draft, with list and recruiting manager Stephen Wells saying the Cats will call out seven names across the National and Rookie drafts.

Cats Media has taken a look at where our forward line, middle third and defence currently stands before the drafts. 

Key Defenders (Mark Blicavs, Lachie Henderson, Jake Kolodahnij, Harry Taylor, Jack Henry)

Mark Blicavs thrived when entrusted with the responsibility of a key defensive post, with a stellar season catapaulting the 27-year-old into elite company as he won his second Carji Greeves medal.

Blicavs conceded just three goals in 388 minutes opposed to Jack Riewoldt, Ben Brown, Tom Lynch, Jesse Hogan and Taylor Walker, shoring up the Cats defence as Henderson and Taylor struggled with injury concerns.

Jake Kolodahnij finished eighth on Carji night, while Jack Henry broke out to secure a top five Rising Star finish.

Henry ended the year playing in the forward 50 while Kolodashnij pushed up onto a wing as Chris Scott and the coaching staff worked to fit all five players into the side’s best 22.

Stephen Wells raised the possibility of young key position recruit Nathan Kreuger also spending time in defence in future.

General Defenders (Tom Stewart, Zach Tuohy, Jed Bews, Mark O’Connor, Zach Guthrie)

Tom Stewart continued his rapid ascension to be named among the game’s elite with his first All Australian nomination. At 25 years of age the Cats have one spot in the back six nailed down for years to come.

Tuohy and Bews are certain starters in the side, with the Irishman even showing potential up forward at times last year.

Mark O’Connor performed strongly to work his way into the side late in the year, while Zach Guthrie couldn’t match his games tally from his first season at the Cats.