The Cats have spent much of the season to date in the top eight and have been competitive every week. Why are we still unsure if they are any good or not? How has Bozza graded Geelong’s start to the season.
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What’s gone right
Comprehensive victories over arch rivals the Hawks and the high flying Lions are the highlights in an otherwise workmanlike start to the season for the Cats. They would also be happy with the form shown by a number of youngsters handed opportunities as a result of injuries to senior players.
The other highlight would have to be the win against Gold Coast which afforded the club the opportunity to celebrate Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood. With Ablett bringing up Game 350 and Selwood Game 300, it was a milestone night at the Cattery. With the four premiership points assured, a long Ablett bomb for a goal was an exclamation mark on the celebrations.
What’s gone wrong
A loss to Carlton at home would head the list of negative outcomes for the Cats in 2020, with all due respect to the opposition, this is a game a team with premiership ambitions can’t afford to lose. The trip to WA has also been a costly one, with defeats against Collingwood and West Coast compounded by the forced absences of Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett and a host of senior players.
Standout player
Tom Hawkins
After his recent success at the tribunal, some might suggest this is the second piece of charity afforded the Tommahawk in 2020. Unlike the tribunal’s decision, this is based on cold hard evidence. While many would look to the Coleman standings for the worth of a forward, to do so misses some of Hawkins’ best work.
The big Cat leads the competition for goal assists in 2020 and is one of just two players to be in double figures in this statistic. When his own ability to find the space between the big sticks is added to this number, he has a runaway lead when it comes to goal involvements. In fact, to put this effort in perspective, his goal assist count of 13 is just two shy of the five players ahead of him in the Coleman combined.
At the end of the day, despite the quality of the group running through the midfield, the most important player to Geelong’s premiership hopes is the man standing at full forward.
Run home
| Rd 10 | North Melbourne | The Gabba |
| Rd 11 | St Kilda | The Gabba |
| Rd 12 | Port Adelaide | Metricon Stadium |
| ? | Adelaide | ? |
| ? | Essendon | ? |
| ? | Richmond | ? |
| ? | Sydney | ? |
| ? | Bulldogs | ? |
With games to come against teams 14, 17 & 18 on the ladder and just three against teams currently positioned in the Top Eight, there is plenty for Geelong to like about their run home.
Final Grade
C
Have positioned themselves well for the run home but with the quality of players at their disposal, they aren’t quite meeting expectations.
Can’t get enough footy? Check out more of our Pinch Hitters Mid Season Report Cards here.