Geelong Cats AFL 2024 Predictions, Projections and Player Movement

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Sat 17 Feb 2024 21:15

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Ryan Tucker 17 Feb 2024

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Geelong Cats predicted to finish 7th in the AFL 2024 season.
Key players like Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins strengthen the team's attack.
Mid-field a worry with sub-par performance in 2023

Tom Hawkins of the Cats (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFL 2024 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: Geelong Cats

AFL 2024 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement: Geelong Cats
Where they finish: 7th in the AFL in 2024
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
Geelong Cats Offseason Player Movement
Geelong Cats Predicted Round 1 Squad

Where they finish: 7th in the AFL in 2024

There is no arguing Geelong underperformed in 2023. For mine there is more of a chance they rebound and snag those close wins in 2024 rather than missing them. The club has a great winning culture and many of their stars will see this year as their final run at another flag.

What’s to like

The Geelong attack is top class. With Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins up front they have one of the most devastating forward lines in the league. Despite missing out on finals in 2023 the Cats were still 5th in the league for points scored kicking an astounding 2088 points on the season.

Geelong were also equal 2nd in the AFL for Marks inside 50, another credit to Cameron and Hawkins who excel in that department drawing defenders and allowing their small forwards to create on the edges. Six Cats players all kicked 18 or more goals last year.

What’s NOT to like

Geelong have for the longest time been the team everyone expects to fall off the edge. They did to some degree fall in 2023 finishing outside finals for the first time in eight years. Their squad is aging and despite going hard in the draft still need time to ensure their young guns are up to task, especially in the middle.

The Cats were 12th in the AFL in Hitouts and 14th in Clearances in 2023 showing that there are big deficiencies around the ball. Without much change in the list it is expected that this trend more or less continues in 2024 but my guess is they will be better equipped to handle the result of those deficiencies now.

Geelong Cats Offseason Player Movement

Mitchell Edwards (No.32 draft pick), Joe Furphy (Category B rookie), Lawson Humphries (No.63 draft pick), Emerson Jeka (Rookie Draft), Shaun Mannagh (No.36 draft pick), Connor O'Sullivan (No.11 draft pick), George Stevens (No.58 draft pick), Oliver Wiltshire (No.61 draft pick)

OUT

Jonathon Ceglar (retired), Flynn Kroeger (delisted), Sam Menegola (delisted), Esava Ratugolea (trade, Port Adelaide), Osca Riccardi (delisted), Sam Simpson (delisted), Isaac Smith (retired), Cooper Whyte (delisted)

Geelong Cats Predicted Round 1 Squad

Full Back	Jake Koladjashnij	Sam De Koning	Jed Bews
Half Back	Jack Henry	Tom Stewart	Zach Guthrie
Centre	Max Holmes	Tanner Bruhn	Mark Blicavs
Half Forward	Gryan Miers	Jeremy Cameron	Brad Close
Full Forward	Tyson Stengle	Tom Hawkins	Oliver Henry
Followers	Rhys Stanley	Patrick Dangerfield	Cam Guthrie
Interchange	Mitch Duncan	Tom Atkins	Gary Rohan
	Brandan Parfitt	Zac Tuohy (sub)