Geelong 2009 premiers

Today's headlines

• Three ins for Cats
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Enemy camp: Saints make three changes
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Ford 85th anniversary guernsey winner announced
  Thu, Sep 02, 10

Today's videos

• Match committee Qual Final
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Friday conversation: Paul Chapman (part 2)
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Friday conversation: Paul Chapman (part 1)
  Thu, Sep 02, 10

There has been plenty of speculation over the preseason about just how long Geelong’s run can go on. Was the thrilling premiership win over St Kilda the end of a brilliant three year run, or is there more to come?

Many have compared the Cats to Brisbane’s teams of 2001-2004, but a better comparison would be to look at the Lions from 1995-2004.

Brisbane had a 10 year run where they made the finals nine times. From those nine top eight finishes they won three flags, lost another grand final, twice went out in the preliminary final and lost at the semi final round in 2000. So in seven of those 10 years they made it to at least the second week of the finals.

In 2004, the final year of the Lions excellent decade, Geelong shocked the football world by making it through to the preliminary final, ironically facing Brisbane for a berth in the grand final.

History shows the Lions prevailed by nine points in a thrilling contest, but that season set the scene for the Cats success that followed.

In the six seasons beginning with the 2004 campaign, Geelong has made the final five times, winning two flags from three grand finals and going out once in the preliminary final and once in the semi finals. So in five of those six years the Cats have made at least the second week of the finals.

What does all that mean? Well, the Cats seem to be built upon similar lines to Brisbane, meaning that there is no reason to think the success will end in 2010. In fact, if Brisbane is any guide, Geelong will be in position to challenge for the premiership for at least the next four or five years with the majority of players from this group.

The likes of Joel Corey, Corey Enright, Paul Chapman, Josh Hunt and Max Rooke are 28 or younger, while the Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson, James Kelly group are just 25. Then look at the younger players that have already tasted premiership success, such as Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor, Travis Varcoe, and the even younger players behind them that have shown good signs such as Tom Gillies, Steve Motlop, Mitch Duncan, Taylor Hunt and Allen Christensen, and there is no reason for any fear about the future.

So while other clubs may be a trendy pick to take the Cats mantle, the real question is, why not Geelong again? And so far nobody has presented a good reason that the Cats can not again be challenging on the last Saturday in September.