The ever-presents in the top echelon of the AFL ladder, Geelong have once again quietened doubters this season to flex their muscles as one of the sides to beat in 2022.
Despite a shaky start to the season, the Cats have won their last eight on the bounce and have claimed the top spot heading into the final five rounds of the season.
Regardless of their much-talked-about list age, Chris Scott's side has implemented faster ball movement in 2022 and looks set for another top-four finish.
The Cats look set to be players once again this off-season, with plenty of stars being linked to GMHBA Stadium in recent weeks as they chase ready-made talent to extend their premiership window.
While not featuring on this list, the Cats have also been linked to stars such as Angus Brayshaw, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper as potential recruits.
However, in no particular order, here are five players that Geelong could chase at the season's end.
TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE
A name that has been recently linked to the Cats is Hawthorn midfield bull James Worpel.
Since winning the Hawks' best and fairest in 2019 in what was just his second season, Worpel has struggled to recapture that form that made him one of the most promising youngsters in the league.
A former Geelong Falcon, Worpel could look for a change of scenery and make his way down the highway to the Cattery where he could find midfield minutes with many Cats players entering the final chapters of their careers.
Worpel has played 79 games for the Hawks, including 11 this season and appears on the outer at Waverley Park.
He's ready-made, still young at 23, and might not cost much to lure him back to Geelong in what could be a shrewd pick-up for the Cats.
At his best, he's a contested bull who wins the footy and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
With inside midfielders like Selwood and Dangerfield nearing the end of their careers, an opportunity to learn from them and become a mainstay in the Geelong midfield could appeal to Worpel next season.
A bit of a cheeky option here, but could we see the link-up between the De Koning brothers at the Cattery?
Even with Rhys Stanley's encouraging form in the past couple of months and the depth of Jon Ceglar and Toby Conway waiting in the wings, Geelong would be pretty keen to snap up a ready-made, young ruckman for the future.
While the chances of the brothers coming together would be more of a chance of happening in the Blues' favour, the winning culture and chance to become a part of the Cats' ruck department could entice Tom to look into a switch.
It would be remarkably hard to get the Blues to budge on such a move, especially this off-season, but the Cats could test the waters.
Since number one ruck Marc Pittonet went down with a knee injury for Carlton, De Koning has handled the increased rucking responsibility exceptionally well this season.
He's quick, agile and a great mark of the football and is the prototype ruckman that AFL sides look out for in today's footballing world.
At just 23, De Koning has at least a decade more of his career to go and will no doubt become one of the most damaging ruckmen in the comp, whether that is with his ruck work or his ability to play as an extra midfielder.
As mentioned, he'd cost a lot and would be an unlikely mover anytime soon but the Cats might continue their search for a ruckman so they'd be silly not to ask the question.
Another ex-Falcon that has been linked to a move away from his current club is young Giants midfielder, Tanner Bruhn.
A new deal has reportedly been put in front of the 20-year-old to remain in Sydney's west, but Bruhn is yet to put pen to paper and is considering a return to his native Victoria this off-season.
Being out of contract and a local Geelong boy, the Cats are looking at Bruhn as an option to bring into their midfield and forward line.
Like Worpel, a return home could appeal to Bruhn and the chance to learn from some of the Geelong greats could put Bruhn in good stead if he made the switch to the blue and white hoops.
The midfielder has featured 14 times for the Giants this year, adding to his 13 in his debut year last season and the Giants are keen to hang on to the former No.12 pick.
With many locals playing down at the Cattery already, Bruhn could link up with former Falcon teammates in Geelong as the Cats look to build for both the now and future this off-season.
Being off-contract, he shouldn't cost the Cats much to lure him considering the Giants do not have much power over Bruhn.
This will be a move to keep an eye on as the final stage of the season plays out.
A controversial figure of the league, Jordan De Goey's time at the Magpies seems likely to come to an end this year after a string of off-field incidents.
The 26-year-old is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the league at his peak, which will entice some sides to sniff around De Goey's availability this off-season.
A restricted free agent, De Goey is reportedly the target for both the Saints and the Cats this year, and Geelong could lure the forward-turned-midfielder to GMHBA Stadium.
Collingwood has the ability to match any deal offered to De Goey in the free agency period but given they took a new deal off the table a few weeks ago, it would appear unlikely they would do so.
The Cats have a great culture and their ability to turn around players' troubled careers is an area that could appeal to De Goey should he look to reinvent himself.
Most recently, Tyson Stengle has become one of the most dangerous small forwards in the competition in 2022 after signing at Geelong as a delisted free agent prior to this season.
While at Adelaide, Stengle had off-field issues that resulted in his departure and his career looked at a cross-roads before a spectacular season in the SANFL caught the attention of Geelong.
Geelong is also keen to win and there's no doubt De Goey's talents could continue their premiership push in coming seasons.
With Dangerfield's output dropping off in recent seasons, De Goey's goalkicking ability from the midfield is an area the Cats lack. A boost to their scoring power could be enough for the Cats to offer De Goey a deal this year.
Geelong was also keen on De Goey heading into the 2014 National Draft, so they obviously like what he possesses.
While the Saints and Cats will continue to monitor De Goey before making any serious moves for him, a move could be a win-win for both parties.
Another ruckman the Cats could target this off-season is Fremantle's, Lloyd Meek.
There are no official links to Meek in the media, but the 24-year-old could appeal to those at the Cattery as a young and ready-made ruckman.
Stuck behind star ruckman Sean Darcy at the Dockers, Meek has played just five games this year but has shown his ability as a sole ruckman and could seek further opportunity elsewhere.
A Ballarat local, Geelong could appeal as an ideal landing spot for Meek who could take the number one ruck mantle almost instantly.
Given his lack of game time, Meek and Fremantle are unlikely to seek much for his services should a club come knocking and given Geelong's history with ruck issues, he could fit in perfectly.