Geelong
Coach – Chris Scott
2016 –
Points For – 3rd
Points Against – 2nd
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Patrick Dangerfield
- Joel Selwood
- Corey Enright
- Cameron Guthrie
- Harry Taylor
2016 Rising Star Noms
None
Ins – Zach Tuohy, Aaron Black, Brandon Parfitt, Tom Stewart, Esava Ratugolea, Quinton Narkle, Timm House, Ryan Abbott, Jack Henry, Zach Guthrie, Jamine Jones, Sam Simpson
Outs – Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel, Mitch Clark, Zac Bates, Cameron Delaney, Padraig Lucey, Tom Read, Jock Cornell, Michael Luxford, Shane Kersten, Billie Smedts, Josh Caddy, Nathan Vardy
My Prediction
Geelong are throwing everything at their next premiership. They finished second last year but I am not sure were ever a genuine threat. It will be interesting to see what another year of playing together does for all their recruits from last year.
The backline is solid. Lonergan, Taylor and Henderson are a solid back 3 KP players. They have brought Tuohy in you would think to replace Enright off half back. They certainly lose a little class if that is the case. Thurlow will come back in after doing a knee last year ad they often run Guthrie off HB giving them plenty of run and attack from the last line.
The midfield is clearly the strength of the team. Selwood and Dangerfield found better chemistry as the year went on and certainly give the team an edge at stoppages.You would expect little Selwood to get a better run this year. What they really need though is more run. They need Cockatoo and Motlop to get their act together. If those players have good years then anything could happen.
They are good for rucks, Smith was a good get last year and then they have Blicavs/Stanley to give him a chop out. They dont really have a dominant ruck but they are very good around the ground. I would expect Smith to improve this year.
The forward line is a slight worry for them. Hawkins has had his struggles with his body, they need Stanley to step up and hopefully Menzel can stay on the field. I think they will miss Caddy as well as the depth Kersten provides. They look shallow down there now. Henderson clearly looks more comfortable down back but may be needed up forward.
When you look at the movement you would have to say the list is possibly weaker than last year. They have great top line talent but they lack depth. I think this year could be a struggle for them. They have enough talent to make top 4, (3rd or 4th for mine) but I dont think they are a legitimate title contender.