Geelong are the AFL's model of consistency, with their ability to stay up the top-end of the ladder for over a decade now.
The Cats have made the preliminary final an impressive 11 times in the past 15 seasons, including last season, however, their latest attempt ended badly when suffering an 83-point thrashing at the hands of eventual premiers Melbourne.
Chris Scott's side boasts the most experienced team in the competition, and their premiership window continues to remain open despite their recent poor finals record - a mere 6-13 under Chris Scott since the 2011 flag.
Tom Stewart continues to impress as one of the best defenders in the competition, whilst the cattery also boasts a strong engine room with the likes of Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Cameron Guthrie and Mitch Duncan.
Down forward is where the Cats are at their most dangerous with the twin towers in Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron still in great form and will look to continue their heavy scoring and assisting outputs in 2022.
The lack of youth throughout the side is a particular concern, with the exception of recent draftees in ruckman Toby Conway and hard-running midfielder Mitch Knevitt, but the star talent is hard to ignore in this side, and it should find the Cats up the top-end of the ladder once again in 2022.
Off-Season Moves
Ins: Jonathon Ceglar [Hawthorn], Tyson Stengle [Woodville-West Torrens], Toby Conway [pick 24], Mitch Knevitt [pick 25], James Willis [pick 32], Flynn Kroeger [pick 48], Cooper Whyte [pick 64], Oliver Dempsey [Rookie Draft pick 15]
Outs: Jordan Clark [Fremantle], Charlie Constable [Gold Coast], Darcy Fort [Brisbane], Lachie Henderson [retired], Oscar Brownless [delisted], Josh Jenkins [retired], Ben Jarvis [delisted], Nathan Kreuger [Collingwood], Stefan Okunbor [delisted], Cameron Taheny [delisted]
Weaknesses
Finals record:ย Recent finals performances are a glaring problem for the Cats, and have heaped pressure on Chris Scott for what is perceived to be a coaching style that doesn't hold up in cutthroat finals.
Scott's 6-13 record since winning the 2011 flag in his first season coaching the Cats is alarming, and he'll want to improve on that record in 2022.
The Cat's style of chipping the ball around and maintaining possession works well in the regular season, especially against the weaker teams, but come finals time, that style doesn't seem to hold up when the pressure and intensity is ramped up.
A change in playing style may be the way to go for Scott and his team, to embrace the high-pressure, frenetic energy that wins finals that has been adapted by recent premiers in Richmond and Melbourne.
Lack of youth:ย Another massive problem for the Cats lies with the age demographic of their list.
Although their experience and talent are still very good, the next crop of young players coming through doesn't seem to be there.
Draftees and local talents in Conway and Knevitt could be exciting players in Geelong's future plans, but after the departures of young talents in Jordan Clark and Charlie Constable, it is clear that the Cats are going for now instead of the future.
It is understandable that Geelong wants to capitalise on the talented playing list that they currently possess, but they are only a few injuries and retirements away from a vastly different looking Geelong side in the future.
