Leading goalkicker: Steve Johnson – 53 goals
Leading possession winner: Joel Corey – 730 disposals
Season in a nutshell: The Cats simply fell at the final hurdle. Geelong looked destined to be crowned one of the greatest teams of all time had it beaten Hawthorn in the grand final. But losing the game that mattered most will forever haunt Mark Thompson and his men. Geelong was magnificent throughout the home and away season (especially after its round nine hiccup against Collingwood), losing just one match and, like its premiership year of 2007, playing some scintillating footy. The attacking, free-flowing Cats racked up massive scores and winning margins. But it all came unstuck on the big stage when the competition's highest-scoring side couldn't get its forward line working.
Defining moment: Geelong had won 15 matches in a row heading into its round nine showdown with Collingwood at the MCG. While a downer could have been expected, no-one expected the size of the fall to be so drastic. The Magpies were superb as they belted the Cats by 14 goals, but that loss, combined with the return of Brad Ottens the following week, might have been just what Geelong needed to re-focus as it then went on a tear on its way to September.
What went right:
- Harry Taylor was simply outstanding for a first-year player, performing a number of big jobs in defence. As the coach said, "He'll be a great player for Geelong for a long, long time".
- Several third and fourth-year Cats further developed their games. Mark Blake played every game, Travis Varcoe showed he's coming to grips with AFL footy, Brent Prismall really stepped up before injuring his knee, while Tom Lonergan's remarkable comeback continued.
- Off-field things are also booming for Geelong. The club had about 37,000 members this year and will also post its ninth consecutive profit (about $1.4 million) under the financial care of chief executive Brian Cook. Earlier in the year Cook resisted a lucrative offer to head north and guide the GC17 franchise and he, along with the club's key coaching and playing personnel, have all committed until at least 2010.
What went wrong:
- The grand final. One doesn't have to be a genius to know the last Saturday in September didn't pan out as the Cats hoped it would. After being the dominant team for the previous two years, they just didn't execute things when it mattered – with the forward half the main problem. Was it pressure? A touch of nerves? The Cats can only rue the one that got away.
- There are always injuries and hard-luck stories. While Geelong again had a pretty good run in the medical room, a couple of players had tough seasons. Matthew Egan was forced to watch the entire year from the sidelines as he continues to battle his foot injury. If the Cats' All-Australian centre half-back can return to the field next year he'll be a handy 'recruit'.
- Prismall made gigantic strides in 2008 before succumbing to his terrible knee injury when playing in his first final. Geelong has offered the talented midfielder a new contract and will hope he sticks around.
The coach: While other coaches are often credited for a side's good performance, Mark Thompson's achievement in guiding this team to becoming an AFL power has been almost downplayed at times. But the main man gets a big tick again for steering his team to 23 wins from 25 matches. The record speaks for itself, while he also conducted himself with class. While some perceived his team or even his actions as cocky, he was quick to hose down any such talk and insisted the Cats played the game and treated the opposition with respect.
Most Valuable Player: Gary Ablett might win most of the awards and is probably the Cats' best player, but he might not be their most valuable. That title is a tough one. Matthew Scarlett had another outstanding season and while he didn't always get the job on the opposition's No.1 forward, when it came to the crunch his coach did call on him. No team can go very far without one gun defender and Scarlett was again the premier backman in the competition. He nullified Lance Franklin in the grand final a week after slaughtering Scott Welsh in the preliminary final.
Coach's award for one-percenters: Joel Selwood was terrific in his debut season, but he took his game to another level in his second year. There are few harder players in the competition, both at the ball and at the opposition player with the footy. He is ferocious at the contest, but always fair –highlighted by his strong polling in both the Brownlow and the AFLPA's MVP award. Whether it be laying a shepherd, tackling or diving for a smother, Selwood is the ultimate team man.
Needs a big pre-season: Injury prevented Tom Hawkins from showing his best, but after two years at AFL level he should be getting ready to explode. The Cats' lack of potency in attack on grand final day showed how much they need a big, strong presence in the goal square. Hawkins is just that and in a few matches this year he did show what he might be capable of. With Nathan Ablett deciding to walk away permanently, there is an obvious spot for the huge youngster to fill.
Next big thing: Little is known of Simon Hogan in AFL circles, but he was named an emergency on several occasions for a Geelong side that won 21 of its 22 regular-season matches. He wasn't 100 per cent throughout his first year at the club but in 2008 – at VFL level – he showed he possesses plenty of class. He has now been in the system for a couple of years and he looks likely to get his chance next season. Hogan isn't big but he is a good mover and has good skills. One to watch.
Trading places: Despite losing the big one the Cats still boast arguably the strongest list in the competition. Therefore they are unlikely to be major players during trade week. Basically the club's entire senior list is signed up for next season, but some that missed a grand final berth might be tempted to look for opportunity elsewhere. Is David Wojcinski as content as he has said or could he seek a trade? Shannon Byrnes, with Travis Varcoe seemingly having overtaken him in the coach's preferred 22, could be another to look elsewhere, while David Johnson and Kane Tenace might have played their last matches in the blue and white hoops.
Overall grade: A
More end of season reports
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
