The Cats were in the big dance just two years ago. So how close is their lineup to the one that went down to Richmond?
The Geelong Cats’ tenth premiership is so close they can almost touch it.
Though for many fans, this weekend’s Grand Final clash brings a case of deja vu.
Season 2020 saw the Cats on the cusp, but a 21-point loss against Richmond put their hopes of securing the elusive flag on hold.
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Two years on from the heartbreak, the men in the blue and white hoops have made some adjustments to premiership contention. But there is still plenty of sameness about the operation.
Last weekend, Geelong romped to a 71-point win over the Brisbane Lions in the Preliminary Final. It was reminiscent of how the 2020 campaign looked, also defeating Brisbane comfortably to qualify for the decider; a 40-point win.
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A majority of the Cats are still fuelled by the disappointment of two seasons ago. It adds to the elements working in their favour. Let’s assess how close it all looks.
The big names
The upcoming showdown against the Swans will feature 14 players who featured in 2020’s Grand Final. One of them of course is Joel Selwood, who will notch up his 40th AFL final this Saturday. The Cats captain has been a mainstay in Geelong’s Grand Finals; five previous in 15 seasons. But there are other household names returning two years on; including Tom Hawkins, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Stewart.
The lineup: ins
There are eight new players that weren’t involved in Geelong’s 22 two years ago.
Jeremy Cameron is the player with the biggest profile, traded in after the GF loss in a transaction involving three Cats first-rounders; typifying how ‘all-in’ and ‘win now’ the club’s list strategy has been recently – and rightly so, given its veteran nucleus.
Feel-good story Tyson Stengle is another new contributor, with the 23-year-old also set to play a crucial forward role. Adelaide parted ways with him just last year.
Triple-premiership hero Isaac Smith will add much-needed experience, joining Geelong last year.
In comes improved 27-year-old Tom Atkins, who was an emergency in 2020.
Embed from Getty ImagesYoung gun Max Holmes appears to have overcome a hamstring ailment sustained last weekend; the 20-year-old set to play in his first Grand Final.
While Brad Close, Sam De Koning and Zach Guthrie are the other new inclusions.
The lineup: outs
Defender Mark O’Connor was named on Thursday as an emergency, Geelong’s only change from last weekend. The 25-year-old, who played in the Grand Final back in 2020, has a nervous game-day wait ahead of him.
Ongoing concussion concerns have kept 2020 Grand Final player Sam Simpson sidelined and seen him not play a game this season.
Sam Menegola and Brandan Parfitt both featured in 2020’s team, but haven’t broken into the side this time around.
The 2020 retirees
Famously, Gary Ablett Jr’s final AFL game was that 2020 loss to the Tigers in Brisbane. Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson also bowed out after that season’s conclusion.
The coaching staff
Coach Chris Scott has been another figure of consistency, looking to add a second premiership to his resume. But the surrounding parts to his supportive staff features new faces.
Scott’s assistants are former Cat James Kelly, alongside recently-retired Blue and Crow Eddie Betts. Development coach Shaun Grigg is also a part of the team, along with Matthew Egan, Nigel Lappin, Brad Ottens and Josh Jenkins.
In 2020, the names under Chris Scott included Simon Lloyd, James Rahilly, Matthew Knights, Matthew Scarlett and Corey Enright.
The only ones involved in both charges, aside from Scott of course, are Lappin, Ottens and Grigg.