I certainly don't think more pace would hurt. Those saying Geelong didn't have any pace are forgetting guys like Varcoe, Stokes, Christensen and Wojcinski. I don't know how they compare to other players for pace but guys like Ablett, Chapman, Kelly and Mackie didn't exactly look slow in their prime either. The fact that they are all gun players certainly help.
The Hawks identified a lack of pace and got Isaac Smith and Brad Hill in recent drafts (who both played in last years flag and played their part) to add to Cyril Rioli. The Swans grabbed Jetta and Rohan.
I agree that they need to be footballers first because if their brains can't keep up with their legs, they are usually useless. Problem is, those type of players are either very high draft picks ie Deledio, O'Meara,Rioli, Jetta etc or they take years to develop. That was the most disappointing thing about White. It seemed his brain finally caught up to his legs last year and then he buggered off for more money and a longer contract without ever playing a final for the Tigers. I get why he did it but at the same time he probably should have stayed another year and bedded down the gains he made. He's placed a lot of pressure on himself this year by going to another club for more money/longer contract when he only produced one good season out of eight with the Tigers.
Short story long, I hope another player or two emerges this year who can break the lines or we go looking for one in the draft/trade period at the end of the year.