How far will Geelong go in Season 2026?

[PowerfulPies2023]

For 2 and a half quarters they were level with Brisbane in last year's Grand Final. They still have a star studded team and serious fire-power. No ones talking about the Cats so far they seem to be flying under the radar. Didn't play finals in 1990 after runners up the year before. In 1993 the year after they lost to West Coast they finished 7th, but the best team to miss finals in my era with the form that they were in. They could have won it of they played in September. Made the grand final in 1994 losing again to West Coast and runners up to Carlton the year after. Finished 7th in 1996. Winners in 2009, prelims in 2021. The Cats have shown they can have a good season after losing the year before. What do you expect of Geelong in 2026? GMHBA is a strong home ground for them and they play the G well and travel is equally as good.

Predictions and thoughts on the Cats this season?

 

[Clark G]

The failure to recruit a quality ruck is a concern.

 

[Mr Meow]

The aim should still be to get 16 H&A wins, finish top 4 and win at least 1 final to be there prelim week. I don't think that's unrealistic assuming an average injury list, although a tougher fixture may see us slip 5th-10th.

 

[The 747]

The failure to recruit a quality ruck is a concern.

We haven't really had once since 2011 though. Agree it is an obvious weakness.

For us, the usual we should be contending for finals (I think 10 games at home this year) and then it just depends how results go. IMO we overachieve with a weak midfield year on year.

 

[Fadge]

One of 10 teams that can win the whole thing.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Response after a grand final loss is always tricky to assess

 

[Pistol Night]

****n top 4 as usual. campaigners are the anti Essendon. I dont reckon Brad and Chris are actually related

 

[JackFlash]

Pretty much the same as 2025, the new rules that will be implemented this year will negate the big bodied slower type of ruckmen who will now have to be more athletic than ever. Geelong were weaker in the ruck area in 2025, but i'm not so sure it will be as big a problem this season. (The Centre bounce is replaced and run-up restrictions will limit traditional ruck duels). Geelong might benefit from this if anything? (We'll have to wait and see?) It appears Stengle will miss most of the year, he might comeback, but in what shape? Pre season training is vital to a footballers success throughout the season. They have picked up Worple who is more than useful and depending how he is mentally, young Tanner Bruhn (23) can be seen as a new recruit? There is always someone who comes through the ranks and makes his mark? I expect Geelong to make top 4?

 

[Pistol Night]

Pretty much the same as 2025, the new rules that will be implemented this year will negate the big bodied slower type of ruckmen who will now have to be more athletic than ever. Geelong were weaker in the ruck area in 2025, but i'm not so sure it will be as big a problem this season. (The Centrer bounce is replaced and run-up restrictions will limit traditional ruck duels. Geelong might benefit from this if anything? (We'll have to wait and see?) It appears Stengle will miss most of the year, he might comeback, but in what shape? Pre season training is vital to a footballers success throughout the season. They have picked up Worple who is more than useful and depending how he is mentally, young Tanner Bruhn (23) can be seen as a new recruit? There is always someone who comes through the ranks and makes his mark? I expect Geelong to make top 4?

I wrote you off in 2012, 2017, 2021 and 2024. Meanwhile Carlton and Essendon are scratching their heads how to do it once

 

[Grrr]

The addition of Worpel has fixed up to some extent the weakness of their inside midfield that Brisbane showed up in the GF. It was pretty much Aitkins vs Dunkley, McCluggage, Ashcrofts, Neale and some. Why wasn't Danger injected in the last half?

Worpel is no star, but he is a big body that does the dirty work that some of the better but more outside mids don't do (very well). It's the Geelong way, analyse the weakness and quickly do something about it. Bastards.

 

[Pistol Night]

The addition of Worpel has fixed up to some extent the weakness of their inside midfield that Brisbane showed up in the GF. It was pretty much Aitkins vs Dunkley, McCluggage, Ashcrofts, Neale and some. Why wasn't Danger injected in the last half?

Worpel is no star, but he is a big body that does the dirty work that some of the better but more outside mids don't do (very well). It's the Geelong way, analyse the weakness and quickly do something about it. Bastards.

Danger looked like he'd spent his tickets the weeks before which was understandable. Marshall from the Saints would have been massive to their midfield. Instead they'll probably turn Gryan Miers into an AA ruck

 

[NetworkNerd]

I have them a tier below the 2 QLD teams so 3-6 place finish.

Bruhn is a handy return and Worpel can be good if he gets the ball off to the other mids before he gets pinged for holding the ball (happened alot in 2025)

I heard Harley Barker (Geelong pick 24) is a good prospect

 

[Jirik13]

We haven't really had once since 2011 though. Agree it is an obvious weakness.

For us, the usual we should be contending for finals (I think 10 games at home this year) and then it just depends how results go. IMO we overachieve with a weak midfield year on year.

What's the story on Conway this pre-season? Is he healthy? He sure showed talent when he played.

It would not surprise me if Cats make top 4. Certainly playing finals. Rejuvenating list on the run. Pretty amazing job.

 

[Sttew]

One of 10 teams that can win the whole thing.

Brisbane; Gold Coast; Hawks; GWS; Adelaide; Freo; Geelong... who else?

 

[Fadge]

Brisbane; Gold Coast; Hawks; GWS; Adelaide; Freo; Geelong... who else?

Top 10 from 2025.

 

[g_TRAIN]

Well and truly in the mix again as per usual.

 

[Pistol Night]

Response after a grand final loss is always tricky to assess

Dont do a Sydney

 

[Mr Meow]

Dont do a Sydney

No big Cox in Geelong.

 

[Pistol Night]

No big Cox in Geelong.

Well that may have been a factor in the GF. Who knows

 

[nineteen eighty]

Brisbane; Gold Coast; Hawks; GWS; Adelaide; Freo; Geelong... who else?

I can't have Adelaide (midfield firepower and mentally fragile) and Hawks (midfield given didn't strengthen it over the trade period and now have their #1 out for a few months).

The Swans on the other hand are a huge chance to finish top 4 given their list and star power. Just need a decent year (as all teams do) re: injury.

As for the Cats, I can spend an hour dissecting your list, picking out weaknesses and where it will all fall apart. I'll rate you down (as I do most preseasons) and....I'll get it wrong. I've given up trying to rate the Cats. Year in, year out for numerous factors (and it really is numerous...not just one or 2), the Cats have a good season.

I don't see them winning the flag but I couldn't write them off in playing in a Prelim.

On the ruck front, personally (and I'm an old ruck) I find Stanley to be soft. However, the new centre rule may have him as the greatest beneficiary of it. He is a jumper and it should suit him. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I know Bruhn comes back this year. Any talk on who else will boost your midfield group?

Stengle will be a loss. Can't remember how many he kicked last year but is important for structure and would have been good for at least around 30'ish in addition to others he creates with his running and pressure.

 

[Sttew]

I can't have Adelaide (midfield firepower and mentally fragile) and Hawks (midfield given didn't strengthen it over the trade period and now have their #1 out for a few months).

The Swans on the other hand are a huge chance to finish top 4 given their list and star power. Just need a decent year (as all teams do) re: injury.

As for the Cats, I can spend an hour dissecting your list, picking out weaknesses and where it will all fall apart. I'll rate you down (as I do most preseasons) and....I'll get it wrong. I've given up trying to rate the Cats. Year in, year out for numerous factors (and it really is numerous...not just one or 2), the Cats have a good season.

I don't see them winning the flag but I couldn't write them off in playing in a Prelim.

On the ruck front, personally (and I'm an old ruck) I find Stanley to be soft. However, the new centre rule may have him as the greatest beneficiary of it. He is a jumper and it should suit him. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

I know Bruhn comes back this year. Any talk on who else will boost your midfield group?

Stengle will be a loss. Can't remember how many he kicked last year but is important for structure and would have been good for at least around 30'ish in addition to others he creates with his running and pressure.

ex Hawk, James Worpel

I forgot the Swans and agree.

I wasn't implying all teams I named could win, just addressing Fadge who said Cats one of ten who could.

Saints are a possibility buy unlikely this year

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

I still don't get all the hype on the Saints. They showed nothing last year.

 

[nineteen eighty]

ex Hawk, James Worpel

I forgot the Swans and agree.

I wasn't implying all teams I named could win, just addressing Fadge who said Cats one of ten who could.

Saints are a possibility buy unlikely this year

Fadge is just hoping that we all mention the Pies in that group.

I can't see the Saints myself but they are probably the #1 watch team this year. Will be fascinating to see how the season plays out for them given what they did in the off season.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Fadge is just hoping that we all mention the Pies in that group.

I can't see the Saints myself but they are probably the #1 watch team this year. Will be fascinating to see how the season plays out for them given what they did in the off season.

What did they actually do? The guys they got aren't even that good.

 

[Fadge]

Fadge is just hoping that we all mention the Pies in that group.

I couldn't care less who rates the Pies, and who doesn't.

Like Geelong and Sydney, we just keep turning up most years and doing what we do.