3. Defining Period

Geelong's defining period comes quite simply immediately after the bye. The Cats have an awful record post the bye and they are given no free ride in 2021 as they return from their week off against the Power at the Adelaide Oval.

They then follow that up with a clash against the Bulldogs, a team many believe will be a top four contender before they are on the road again to meet Brisbane at their Gabba fortress.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats and Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs in action during the 2019 AFL round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The two road games loom as crucial, just one win in those travels (assuming they beat the Dogs as well) and the Cats can launch into the final part of the season.