You wouldn’t know it by the unseasonably cold and blowy weather, but it’s that time of the year again when all players, young and old, are back on deck for the pre-season grind.
While most of us are glued to the telly watching Test Cricket, there’s plenty of movement down at the Cattery, but here’s a couple of things to watch out for in the lead up to the 2020 AFL season.
1. Open Windows and Premiership Clocks
While there’s a bit of rattle in the media about the Cats’ age profile (eight of nine of the club’s best players last year according to Champion Data are 28 or older, apparently), the other way to look at it is that club is primed for a proper tilt this year.
Even noted Patrick Dangerfield nemesis Kane Cornes agrees.
Of course, there is no Tim Kelly anymore, but the club is confident some of the younger players like Lachie Fogarty and Charlie Constable have the horsepower to fill the void.
Then there is new number nine, Jack Steven. The former Saint bursts out of a stoppage, Kelly style, as good as anyone.
The rush to fill the Kelly role will be one of the most intriguing storylines this pre-season and will be a key factor if the Cats can finally break through that premiership window. Or the clock strikes midnight… or whatever.
2. Generation Next
While the internet has been going nuts for baby Yoda memes of late, Cats fans should be just as interested in the baby Cats coming through the system, because there’s plenty to like.
It’s been a theme of the off-season already with both Dangerfield and young big man Esava Ratugolea already talking about how crucial the next wave is to Geelong’s success next year and beyond.
Steven Wells has been striking the balance for years – bring on the young kids while still challenging for the flag – and it’s fair to say he’s been pretty good at it. This year is no different.
So, who’s ready to make the leap? Keep an eye on Gryan Miers, Quinton Narkle, Jordan Clark, Jack Henry, Mark O’Connor, the aforementioned Lachie Fogerty and Charlie Constable, and of course, big Sav himself.
That’s before we mention the draftees. One thing to especially close is the interaction between Cam Taheny and forwards coach Corey Enright after geelongcats.com.au reported the youngster stood on Enright’s head when playing for the Eastern Ranges as a 16-year-old.
At Corey Enright Oval no less. Could be awkward.
Nevertheless, it’s an exciting time to be a Cats fan.
3. Midfield Matters
We all love the high marks and big hits, but we all know football, as it is with Brownlow votes, is about the midfield.
So, while we can talk about who replaces the former number 11 all we like, the club will be more focused in getting its best players ready to roll come next March, especially skipper Joel Selwood.
The 295-gamer has been a consistent presence around the club over the break, but won’t be back in full training until January after undergoing a minor hamstring surgery in November.
Fresh of a new contract Mitch Duncan is another one who’s had a slow start to preseason after a couple of minor tidy ups, but if he’s looking at all sluggish it’s because he and wife Demi just welcomed their second baby, Oliver Pierce Duncan, on December 1.
So while George Dangerfield is stealing all of the headlines, father-son watch starts now for baby Duncan.
4. Game Style
The more sophisticated track watchers among us won’t trouble themselves with things as frivolous as the Taheny/Enright dynamic. Nope, they’ll be watching for more serious things like game style.
What changes will Chris Scott and his coaches make to the way Geelong players next year, if any?
This is a team that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season and lead eventual premiers Richmond by 19 points at half-time of the 2019 preliminary final.
In short, they’re pretty damn good already.
But Assistant coach Matthew Knights gave a little bit of insight to the Geelong Addy this week when he said that he didn’t expect major adjustments, but there will be some tinkering:
“We are obviously very sound in a lot of areas of our game style so it is important that we continue to thrive and be good at what we are good at, but the extension of your game plan is probably always linked to defence and attack and being more proficient in those areas for longer, “ he said.
There are less than 100 days until Round One.
