Geelong was the talk of the town with an off-season recruiting spree less than a month after winning the premiership.
But in a credit to a team that will be ridiculously hard to break into, there’s every chance that not one of the big name ins will line up for Geelong in Round 1.
See our thoughts below for how Chris Scott will play with his best 22 throughout the home and away season.
Defenders
Expect little change from a Geelong defence that was among the best in the competition last year, especially considering the fast ball movement Scott’s side went with in 2022.
Club hierarchy would hope Sam De Koning is the Cats’ full-back for the next decade at least, while the same can be said for Jack Henry in an intercepting/lockdown role. Both have proved they’ve got plenty to give with a lot of time left in their AFL careers.
Tom Stewart picks himself as one of the league’s elites, while veteran Zach Tuohy still has a best 22 role despite being 33 years of age. Mitch Duncan has featured more out of the back half in recent years, while Zach Guthrie’s development is beginning to bear fruit.
Mark O’Connor presents as the perfect substitute option given his versatility, while Jack Bowes will expect to play a number of games off half-back and in the midfield during 2023.
Jake Kolodjashnij is the unlucky man to miss out. With three tall defenders, Zach Guthrie’s aerial prowess plus either Mark Blicavs or Rhys Stanley playing behind the ball, Kolodjashnij could find himself squeezed out of Geelong’s best side.
Midfielders
Joel Selwood’s retirement creates a void that numerous players can step up to fill in 2023. Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie and Tom Atkins will play as many games as they want in the upcoming season, as will Mark Blicavs.
Either Blicavs or Rhys Stanley typically plays behind the ball while the other rucks, a combination that proved pivotal in Geelong’s premiership push.
Selwood’s absence could create an opening for Brandan Parfitt, who has been crying out for more midfield time, while Bowes and O’Connor can also run through.
Sam Menegola is among the next men into the side, while former Giant Tanner Bruhn and top draftee Jhye Clark will hope to play senior football through the midfield in 2023. 2021 draftee Mitch Knevitt also fits into this band.
In terms of the wings, Max Holmes showed footy fans exactly what he can do on the big stage against Brisbane in the Preliminary Final, ironically the same game where he’d ping a hamstring and missed the Grand Final.
Isaac Smith is locked into the other wing, while Duncan, Tuohy and Ollie Henry – who has featured higher up the ground in pre-season – can all fill those roles as required.
Forwards
Jeremy Cameron is arguably the competition’s most valuable player, while Tom Hawkins is a goal kicking and goal assist machine. That duo will lead the premiership attack once again, one of the highest-powered in the competition.
Brad Close proved his worth and is set for a massive contract improvement in 2023, playing a connecting role between the midfield and forward line.
As for the X-factors, Tyson Stengle averaged over two goals a game in his first season at the Cattery, while Gary Rohan booted multiple goals on six of 12 occasions in 2023.
The interesting selection is that of Ollie Henry. The former Magpie has reportedly been training the house down since coming down the highway, and at 189cm and possessing massive leap, he can play the role of the third tall if needed.
Gryan Miers will again be on the fringe of the best 22 but deserves to start in the team after 19 games last year.
Geelong will no doubt want to get games into Esava Ratugolea to convince him to stay past 2023, but it’s unclear where he’ll line up in the club’s best 22. The utility has been trialled all over the ground in recent seasons.
Questions
If Scott did indeed assure Bowes (as his manager says) he would play in Geelong’s best 22, where does he see the ex-Sun lining up?
How does Geelong get games into Ratugolea if the club remains relatively healthy?
How do the Cats manage Dangerfield’s forward/midfield mix given he’ll turn 33 during the season and what does it mean for the likes of Bowes, Bruhn and Clark?