Geelong*
Coach – Chris Scott
2023 –
Points For – 5th
Points Against – 6th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
1 – Tom Stewart
2 – Tom Atkins
3 – Gryan Miers
4 – Zach Guthrie
5 – Jeremy Cameron
2023 Rising Star Noms
Nil
Ins – Mitchell Edwards, Joe Furphy, Lawson Humphries, Emerson Jeka, Shaun Mannagh, Connor O’Sullivan, George Stevens, Oliver Wiltshire
Outs – Jonathon Ceglar, Flynn Kroeger, Sam Menegola, Esava Ratugolea, Osca Riccardi, Sam Simpson, Isaac Smith, Cooper Whyte
My Prediction
After their premiership, everyone thought it was the start of a dynasty. They traded well and brought in young talent and hit the draft. Then the wheels fell off. Their senior players lost some of their intensity and quicker than you could say premiership hangover, they dropped out of the eight and missed the finals.
Their backline reads really nice on paper. De Koning and Stewart are a handy couple of pillars to set your defence around. They will miss Esava from a depth perspective although he has a much bigger reputation than he has even had in production. Zac Guthrie had a career best year last year down back and Bews was handy. It really will come down to injuries and if their depth gets tested.
The midfield looks shallow and weak. Holmes is another one who needs a season to match his reputation, Cam Guthrie was average last year, Dangerfield looks to be flirting with being cooked, (currently medium to well done but a little longer and he will be done). Mitch Duncan needs to step up this year as well. It isn’t the midfield it once was and they need young talent to step up.
The forward line is great, Hawkins never ages and they missed Cameron who struggled with his body last season. Stengle wasn’t the same standard as their premiership year but the talent is still there. Miers became more of a facilitator last year and performed well in that role, Close brings some toughness and Ollie Henry gave a little bit.
Rhys Stanley is one of the worst first choice rucks in the AFL. He won a premiership though which makes you wonder just how important a quality ruck is. The coach has proven his worth, he will be frustrated that he couldn’t turn it around last year and it will be interesting to see what they bring this year.
I don’t want to write Geelong off. I think they may have another surge in them, they look weak in the middle but both ends of the field look strong. I don’t think they are a contender this year but I think they can challenge for finals. I expect them to finish in the 6-9 range.
