As the first month of fixtures drew to a close last Sunday evening, a belief morphed into empirical truth - 2021 is already rivalling last year in terms of unpredictability.

If you don't believe me, just take a look at the current ladder.

With the second month of the marathon season set to commence tonight, another set of questions remain ahead of both the men in the hot seat and their disciples in studded boots.

Whether flying high or having to continually dig deep for no reward, here are the latest set of quandaries facing each of the AFL's 18 teams.

Back
Next

Geelong

What is different to this stage last year?

Despite holding a 2-2 record, there is absolutely no need for alarm bells to be sounded at Kardinia Park.

After the first month of the 2020 season, the Cats held an identical record with an almost full list of players at their disposal. During the first four weeks of last year, Geelong also dropped games to teams that finished outside the eight in Greater Western Sydney and Carlton.

Without two of their most dangerous players in Patrick Dangerfield for three weeks and Jeremy Cameron for the entire month, the hoops have had to field a 22-man squad each week that is well below optimum strength.

With Dangerfield coming back from suspension this weekend, Chris Scott can expect his sides contested ball numbers, total score and goal assists to rise sharply. With new recruit Cameron expected to return in the near future, the Corio club will have one of the league's most deadly finishers at their disposal.

Against the Demons last Sunday, Geelong recorded 50 inside 50s, yet finished the game with just 15 scoring shots and 60 points โ€“ both of these will almost certainly rise when the aforementioned pair of stars return.

With a month ahead that consists of contests against North Melbourne, West Coast, Sydney and Richmond, the Cats face a mixed bag of opponents, but if they can replicate their record of 3-1 from Rounds 5 to 8 last season, calls for calm will not be required.

Back
Next