Can the middle tier of players take the next step to support the guns?

Skipper Joel Selwood identified it as the Cats' biggest window for growth when speaking on the eve of the season. Can the likes of Cam Guthrie, Brandan Parfitt, Jack Henry, Quinton Narkle and Sam Menegola stand up and become genuine guns? Selwood joins Hawkins in turning 32 this year, while Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor have one season left. If the next wave behind them can become consistent performers in big games, the Cats will be able to contend again. And for seasons to come.

Do they have the depth to deal with the condensed season?

The microscope will come out when the list depth requires 30-32 players to be used on occasions to deal with the upcoming period of condensed games. Experts have long questioned Geelong's least important six players in finals compared to their opponents. They need to find players to fill roles similar in the mould of Jason Castagna, Liam Baker, Shai Bolton and Nathan Broad that Richmond had in last year's premiership.

Will the ruck mystery last the entire season once again?

Still only two days out from their season-opener against Greater Western Sydney, the Cats are yet to settle on their ideal ruck set-up for 2020. It feels like September last year all over again when full-back Mark Blicavs replaced Rhys Stanley for the qualifying final. While Blicavs will start back – for now – the Cats are agonising over Stanley or Darcy Fort to tackle Sam Jacobs. They'd love to get more ruck minutes into 21-year-old Esava Ratugolea but it would only sacrifice his much-needed firepower in attack.