In his 14th season with Geelong, Mitch Duncan continues to produce a high standard of football as he helps to lead the Cats back towards September action.

After missing the opening three weeks of the season through injury, the 32-year-old has played 11-games this year with Geelong only losing two matches when Duncan is in the side.

Averaging 22-disposals per game this season, Duncan has played a variety of roles for the Cats roaming from half-back to half-forward, with his efficient ball-use still a significant weapon for Geelong.

Coming off another solid 21-disposal performance against Essendon, Duncan said the team was able to capitalise on their strong start to record an important win.

“To the boys’ credit, we came out and played some really good footy from the start,” Duncan told K rock Football.

“It makes the opposition change the way they want to play a little bit; they get a bit desperate and try to rip the footy back through the middle.

To be able to finish a four-quarter performance was pleasing.”

Duncan made his debut for the Cats in 2010, playing a role in their 2011-premiership before forging an incredible career across his 269-games in the blue and white hoops.

Playing the majority of his career through the midfield, the star Cat has added versatility to his game in recent years with Geelong utilising his effective ball-use right across the ground.

Geelong has benefited from the emergence of some strong young talent in the engine room this year, with Duncan noting how important those players were last Saturday against Essendon.

“I think Max Holmes was really important tonight,” Duncan said.

“Tanner Bruhn is going really well and Tom Atkins is still a great young player as well.

"We have some great depth there; they play with a hard and ruthless edge and keep us on our toes.”

Duncan continued to prove his importance in the Cats side during their premiership run in 2022, averaging over 23-disposals and eight-marks per game while also pushing forward to add crucial goals in two of the Cats three finals.

The 32-year-old has been a crucial factor for Geelong in 2023, as the Cats gather momentum in the back half of the season amidst a challenging stretch of games.

Duncan said the side has ramped up their pressure around the ground, helping to spark a more attacking brand of football.

“We are probably defending a bit better, restricting team’s scoring particularly once they get inside-50 which has been a big focus of late,” Duncan told K rock.

“I also thought our midfield pressure has really picked up, helping to make things easier up forward too.”

Duncan is set to play his 270th game against Brisbane this weekend, a team he has enjoyed incredible success against over his 14-seasons with Geelong.

In 16 clashes with the Lions, Duncan and the Cats have won 14-times with 10 of these wins coming at the Gabba.