Sitting at 1-1 to start the 2022 season, Geelong has all the tools to ensure it can make another finals campaign and push for a premiership.
Here is why Geelong can make it a second premiership under coach Chris Scott.
AFL Premiership Prediction
Geelong
Geelong might be getting on a bit from a list profile point of view, but experience at AFL level cannot be undersold.
After being brought back down to earth with a five-goal loss against Sydney, the talk about whether or not the Cats had enough fire in the belly to win a grand final had begun.
But playing against the Swans at the SCG with Buddy Franklin’s 1000th goal up for grabs was never going to be an easy task, especially with a sore Jeremy Cameron and being without Gary Rohan and Sam Menegola.
Once the Cats have all those guns back firing, they are about as dangerous a team as anyone in the competition.
Joel Selwood seems to be moving as freely as he ever as.
He has averaged 26 disposals through the first two games and has shown some of his vintage form.
The midfeld is still stacked and jacked.
Patrick Dangerfield will not have to deal with that annoying syndesmosis injury he suffered last year.
The Cats have been the best centre clearance team in the league through the first two rounds and that has to count for a lot.
There is still a well-oiled machine operating under the bonnet of that Geelong midfield.
Geelong might have also unearthed a potential match-winner in Brad Close who snagged four goals and 18 disposals in the loss against Sydney.
His ability to be clean at ground level and scoop up ground ball gets is about as good as anyone in the competition.
The addition of Tyson Stengle could also prove a masterstroke after he showed his capabilities in big four-goal performance during Round 1.
Veteran Mitch Duncan is also working his way back to full fitness following a calf niggle, so his influence cannot be understated either.
Geelong did make the grand final in 2020 and made a preliminary final last year despite being smashed by eventual the premiers in the Demons.
There is still a lot to like about the Cats in 2022.
You can almost pencil in every game they play at Kardinia Park as a win, which will go a long way to embedding them deep inside the top eight.
This could be Scott’s last hoorah.
