Footy's back this weekend! And there is plenty for Cats fans to be excited about as the NAB Challenge gets underway. Here are 10 reasons to follow the action throughout March.
1. GEELONG'S FIRST GAME IN TOWNSVILLE
The Cats have played games all over the nation during previous pre-season competitions, but they have never played a match at Townsville's Tony Ireland Stadium before. That will change when they open their NAB Challenge campaign by taking on Gold Coast at the venue on Sunday, March 1. The good folk in Townsville know all about putting on NAB Challenge matches. The Brisbane Lions took on Gold Coast there last year, with a crowd of more than 6,000 turning up to see Justin Leppitsch's men prevail by 47 points. The Cats previously made a trip to North Queensland back in 2006 when they defeated the Kangaroos by 26 points in Cairns.
2. A CENTURY OF MATCHES
Geelong has played in 99 night series/pre-season matches, so the clash with the Suns in Townsville will see the club notch its 100th game in such competitions. The Cats' all time record is 53 wins and 46 losses, with the club winning a night series premiership 1961 and pre-season flags in 2006 and 2009. Retired defender Darren Milburn holds the club record for most night series/pre-season games. He clocked up 35 games, including the '06 and '09 NAB Cup Grand Finals. Of the current players, Corey Enright leads the way with 33 games, followed by James Kelly (30), Jimmy Bartel (27), Tom Lonergan (21) and Andrew Mackie (21).
MAGIC MOMENT - THE 2006 NAB CUP
3. THE 2014 DRAFTEES
The Cats' first three selections in last year's national draft, midfielders Nakia Cockatoo, Cory Gregson and Dean Gore, are all likely to get some game-time during the NAB Challenge. Cockatoo, who is the club's first top-10 draft pick since Joel Selwood, has impressed everyone at Simonds Stadium with his skills and talent, while South Australians Gregson and Gore have responded well to the heavy demands of an AFL pre-season. Gore is particularly advanced, having arrived at the club boasting an 86kg frame that is ready-made for senior footy.
4. PLAYERS IN NEW POSITIONS
A number of players are set for new roles this season. After spending his first two seasons playing in the ruck or as a tall midfielder, Mark Blicavs has spent the summer training with the backline under the tutelage of Harry Taylor. Blicavs is likely to start the season in a defensive role alongside Taylor and Tom Lonergan. Triple premiership players Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly are also preparing for slightly different roles this season. Bartel spent much of 2014 in the forward line, while Kelly played quite deep in defence, both are likely to spend more time in the midfield this year, complementing the likes of Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy and Cameron Guthrie.
5. THE NEW FORWARD LINE SET-UP
Tom Hawkins carried a huge load in Geelong's attacking set-up last season. The big 'Tomahawk' did a brilliant job, booting 68 goals, taking the most contested marks (56) and marks inside-50 (97) in the AFL, and finishing second in the club best and fairest. But the Cats addressed the need to give Hawkins more support by snaring Mitch Clark from Melbourne and Rhys Stanley from St Kilda in the off-season. Can all three line up in the same forward line? And can all three have an impact in 2015? The NAB Challenge will give us a clue.
6. A FITTER, STRONGER AND MORE MATURE BILLIE SMEDTS
After missing the first half of last season due to the fractured leg he suffered in the Cats' final practice match against North Melbourne, Billie Smedts endured a disappointing season. But he's desperate to turn things around this year. Smedts has been one of the stand-out performers on the track and has even been working with the assistant coaches on his days off. The 22-year-old, who has played only 33 AFL games since being taken by the Cats with pick 15 pick in the 2010 national draft, has been training to fill a role as a small defender.
7. THE CATS' NEW COACHING SET-UP
A couple of key changes were made to Geelong's coaching structure over the summer, with Matthew Knights and Nigel Lappin taking over as midfield coaches. As a result, Paul Hood has filled Knights' shoes as VFL coach, while the previous midfield coach, Shane O'Bree, has taken up a position with the club's academy. Among the things that Knights and Lappin have been working on is making the Cats better around the stoppages, evidence of which we should see during the pre-season games.
CATS ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL CHANGES
8. NEW OPPOSITION COACHES
Rodney Eade must be pinching himself after landing the gig in charge of Gold Coast. But there is now plenty of pressure on Eade to take the club into the finals for the first time. He was always renowned as an innovator when in charge of the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs, so it will be interesting to how many new ideas are evident when the Suns and Geelong meet in Townsville. The Cats' second NAB Challenge opponent, Adelaide, is also under the guidance of a new boss, with Phil Walsh replacing Brenton Sanderson after last season. Walsh has apparently brought an old-school no-nonsense approach to the Crows, and he has been relentlessly driving the players on the track as he attempts to lift the team back into the top eight. The Cats should certainly expect a super-fit Adelaide side to turn up at Simonds Stadium on Thursday, March 12.
9. ANOTHER CLOSE GAME AGAINST CARLTON?
The Cats round out their NAB Challenge campaign by taking on the Blues on Saturday, March 22 at Etihad Stadium. Both home and away games featuring these clubs last year were thrillers. Geelong won the first, in round 12, by five points after Joel Selwood kicked the winning goal. The Cat then won the return bout, in round 21, by six points. On both occasions the Blues were left to rue crucial late decisions that went against them.
10. FREE ENTRY FOR MEMBERS
Cats members can scan into each of the club's NAB Challenge matches for free, so jump on board and become a Mighty Member before the first bounce. Geelong's membership tally recently passed 35,000, with 54 of them based in Townsville.
