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Geelong’s top 10 players of the decade

Counting down the Cats’ best players from the decade.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Geelong's last 10 years have been one of the most dominant eras in modern football.

They've finished in the top two on six occasions, won a premiership and played off in five preliminary finals.

Here are Geelong's top 10 players of the decade:

Andrew Mackie

One of the Cats' best that constantly flew under the radar, the three-time premiership defender flourished under Mark Thompson, but it was his time spent with Chris Scott that proved his calibre in one of the competition's best ever defences.

Between 2010 and 2017, Mackie's record stood at an impressive 125 wins, 47 losses and 2 draws whilst picking up an All-Australian (2013) and his third flag (2011).

Mr. Reliable's All-Australian season was one of his most dominant at the club, ranking first overall for kicks, third in marks and sixth in disposals whilst polling third in the Best and Fairest behind fellow AA selected teammates in Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor.

Mackie reached 280 games in the navy blue and white hoops, ranking as the ninth most capped Geelong player ever and reached 100 goals for his entire career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 23: Andrew Mackie of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 05 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on April 23, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Mark Blicavs

Blicavs arrived at Kardinia Park shortly after their glorious premiership era in 2013 as a rookie listed non-registered selection, and soon burst into the clubs AFL lineup as an athletic, tall utility.

Two seasons later, Blicavs took out Geelong's best and fairest ahead of Steven Motlop and Selwood. Statistically, Blicavs wasn't amongst the Cats' best, but he was one of their most consistent. The former steeplechaser played 21 games, mostly as a solo ruck, and featured within the clubs top five players a total of 11 times.

Since his development into a key-defender, Blicavs has become one of the league's best lock-down defenders, holding a majority of the competitions best forwards to low goal counts.

Since this move, Blicavs has picked up his second Carji Greeves medal, becoming just one of three Cats players to pick up multiple Best and Fairests since 2010 with Selwood (3) and Patrick Dangerfield (2).

in 2019, the Geelong big man picked up his first All-Australian squad selection with a stellar season in defense, as the Cats comfortably rank as the no.1 defense in the competition.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Mark Blicavs of the Cats and Patrick Kerr of the Blues compete for the ball during the 2018 AFL round 10 match between the Geelong Cats and the Carlton Blues at GMHBA Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

James Kelly

One of the clubs best two-way midfielders since their illustrious era that kicked off in 2007, James 'Pops' Kelly was a fan favourite.

Kelly constantly featured within Geelong's leading disposal collectors between 2010 and 2014, ranking in the clubs top six a total of four times within the bracket, including first overall during their 2011 premiership season, the same year he took out an All-Australian selection.

Kelly averaged 22.8 touches a game in his final six seasons at Kardinia Park whilst leading the club in tackles for four of those.

Across his 273-game career with Geelong, Kelly collected three premierships and the one AA selection before being selected as a top-up player for Essendon in 2016, where he averaged a quiet 25.3 touches in his first season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: James Kelly of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round eight AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 13, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Jimmy Bartel

While Bartel had already accumulated a Brownlow medal, two premierships and his only two All-Australian selections prior to 2010, he still had some of his best football ahead of him.

Bartel, like always, would star come September in both 2010 and 2011, averaging 32 touches across three finals games in the former while picking up a Norm Smith Medal to conclude the latter.

Whilst battling injuries, Bartel still managed to reach his eighth straight 400+ disposal season and soon refound fitness as a defender the following season to collect 558 possessions in a side that would finish second on the ladder. Bartel would become the club's finals game record holder that year.

Bartel moved back into Geelong's attack and finished as the clubs second highest goal kicker for 2014. Injuries crept back into his career during 2015, ruling him out for three months with a knee injury, but he would return in round 15 against North Melbourne and collect a career-high 41 possessions.

Bartel retired at the end of the 2016 season, finishing his career with 202 goals from 305 games.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Jimmy Bartel of the Cats looks dejected after a loss during the 2016 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 23, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Harry Taylor

Two All-Australian selections and another three squad selections across five straight seasons to begin the decade has the 'Mr. Consistent' of this Geelong era just outside of the top five.

Taylor surprised many with his comfortable transition to takeover from Hall of Famer Matthew Scarlett at the top of Geelong's defence. Between 2010 and 2016, Taylor lead his side for marks in five of those seasons.

A personal highlight for the super-consistent Taylor was his 27 touches and 19 mark performance against Fremantle in round 20, 2014. The Cats were victorious by just two points and soon secured a third place finish on the ladder.

Taylor ends the 2019 home and away season with 258 games with Geelong, a career that flourished under pressure on some of the games best forwards. Taylor soon become a handy swingman for the Cats moving forward in the twilight of his career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Harry Taylor of the Cats runs with the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on August 22, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Steve Johnson

Even though Johnson accumulated a Norm Smith Medal, two premierships and two All-Australian selections before the turn of 2010, some of 'Stevie Wonder's' best football was still yet to come.

Highlighted by his 2013 season, where he averaged 28.7 disposals, 5 Inside 50's and 4.8 clearances game, Johnson refound some of his flashy form that produced the title as one of the games most exciting ever.

The same year, Johnson polled a total of 25 Brownlow votes, just three votes behind winner and former teammate Gary Ablett.

Johnson was able to add another All-Australian selection in 2010, where he ended the season as the Cats best goal kicker. Stevie J also collected another All-Australian squad nomination the following year, where the Cats would go on to win the flag with Johnson kicking four goals.

In Johnson's last five seasons before moving to the Giants, the star showman averaged 23.9 disposals a game and kicked a total of 139 goals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 01: Steve Johnson of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2011 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Tom Hawkins

Having just added his second All-Australia selection in 2019, seven years after his inaugural selection, Tom Hawkins has proven to be one of the leagues best performing key-forwards this decade.

The turning point early in Hawkins' career was his outstanding performance across the 2011 finals series. Hawkins' qualifying final against Hawthorn was seen to be a breakout game for the spearhead. He would then better that performance in the Grand Final against Collingwood, collecting 19 disposals, nine marks and three goals in the 'premiership' quarter to help his side win the flag.

Hawkins has won Geelong's goal kicking the last eight seasons, accumulating a total of 443 goals across that span. His first season as Geelong's leading man was ignited by a goal after the siren against Hawthorn in Round 19, 2012. Hawkins finished the year with 62 goals, placing equal second in the Coleman medal and took out the Cats' best and fairest.

After a season troubled with a back injury, Hawkins returned to fine form in 2014, finishing the season with a career best 68 goals and a second place in the club best and fairest and an All-Australian nomination.

Ever since, the cats big man hasn't kicked below 46 goals in a season and doesn't look to be slowing down heading into 2020.

A Coleman medal is all that separates Hawkins and some of the best forwards from this century, with "The Tomahawk' continuing to impress as he closes in on his final few years in the league.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Tom Hawkins of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 18 match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at GMHBA Stadium on July 21, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media)

Corey Enright

One of only three to be selected in the All-Australia side in their final year, Corey Enright was still at his best even at his final siren. His 2016 selection was his sixth, adding to his three premierships and two best and fairests.

Enright claimed all three accolades in 2011, having averaged 22.3 touches,  6.3 marks and 3.5 rebound 50's per game, stamping his authority as one of the best back-pockets in the leagues history.

That season Enright added his fourth consecutive AA selection and third in a row as the sides back-pocket.

Geelong coach Chris Scott introduced Enright as "the most underrated player in the competition" when he welcomed him to the stage to award the Cats star his second Carji Greeves Medal.

Enright joins elect company with Leigh Matthews, Kevin Bartlett, Jason Dunstall, Simon Black, Michael Voss and Josh Gibson as the only players to win multiple best and fairests in premiership seasons.

'Boris' placed within the Cats' top five for kicks in six seasons between 2010 and 2016, leading the tally twice, and was a regular feature as his sides best defensive threat and ball user across the backline.

The boy from Kimba finished his career as the clubs leading games holder with 332 matches in the navy blue and white hoops and destined for Hall of Fame status.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Corey Enright of the Cats is tackled by Brent Harvey of the Kangaroos during the 2015 AFL round 15 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Australia on July 11, 2015. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Patrick Dangerfield

Dangerfield's highly anticipated arrival to Kardinia Park has been seen to be the catalyst from the Cats spiraling down the ladder following their 10th placed finish in 2015.

Geelong propelled to second place in Dangerfield's first season at the club, with the star onballer making an instant impact with 43 touches on debut against the Hawks, breaking Greg Williams' record for disposals on debut at a new club.

Dangerfield capped off his inaugural season with Geelong by taking out the Brownlow Medal with a then-record 35 votes, along with the Carji Greeves Medal and an All-Australian selection.

The explosive ball winner has since collected three All-Australian selections (one as vice- captain in 2018) and a second best and fairest, with a potential third to come from another strong season in 2019.

While 'Danger' is yet to see premiership glory, he has been able to lend a hand in the Cats reaching two straight preliminary finals following their first miss of the top eight in 2015.

The revered midfielder has lead his sides contested disposal count in all four seasons since becoming a Cat, competing against the likes of Joel Selwood, Tim Kelly and Mitch Duncan.

Dangerfield has also lead centre clearances and disposals for the Cats in three of those seasons, whilst kicking 118 goals across the span.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks tackles Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Joel Selwood

An immaculate clubman from day one at Geelong. Selwood was an unexpected difference for the Cats' newfound premiership window in 2007.

Taking out the Rising Star in 2007 to go with his premiership medal was the perfect start to his career at the Cattery, and it didn't take too long for the hard-hitting midfielder to become a fan favourite.

Selwood collected his first All-Australian selection in just his third season, and has since been selected another five times, with three as captain.

The Cats' captain courageous is the only current Geelong player to have three best and fairests and is one away from tying Garry Hocking and Dick Grigg as the clubs leading Carji Greeves collectors.

Selwood has held a leadership position at the club since the 2009 season, having been elected into the leadership group at just 20-years of age before taking over as captain prior to the 2012 season.

To add to Selwood's growing trophy cabinet, the tough onballer has won four AFLPA Robert Rose awards, given to the leagues most courageous player, a fair representation of his career so far.

Selwood has polled the most Brownlow votes by any player not to win the league's most decorated individual prize, with 195 votes. Selwood currently sits 7th all-time on the Brownlow medal votes tally, with plenty of football left to rise up the leaderboard.

Selwood's achievements in midfield class his ability as an elite onballer, despite fighting for the ball alongside some of this century's best accumulators in Ablett, Bartel, Johnson and Dangerfield.

Known to wear his heart on his sleeve, Selwood's courage and leadership will never be questioned by those that have seen him run out for Cats. The Geelong skipper will be sure to go down as a hall of famer, pending legendary status.

 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Joel Selwood of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 01 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 22, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
Published by
Mitch Keating