Geelong Cats 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>The Geelong Cats conquered all before them last season on the way to winning their 10th flag.</p> <p>The Cats rubber-stamped their season long dominance by dismantling the Sydney Swans by 81 points in last year’s decider.</p> <p>Now they get the chance to do it all again and enter the 2023 season as the team to beat.</p> <p>With the weight of premiership favouritism firmly on their shoulders and a target placed squarely on their back, can Geelong dig deep to go back-to-back? Or is it someone else’s turn atop the AFL mountain?</p> <p>For all the latest and greatest Geelong Cats’ tips and predictions read our season preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Jack Bowes (Gold Coast Suns)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Tanner Bruhn (Greater Western Sydney)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jhye Clark (No.8 draft pick),</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Ted Clohesy (Category B rookie)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Phoenix Foster (No.52 draft pick)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Ollie Henry (Collingwood)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Oisin Mullin (Category B rookie)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Oscar Murdoch (Rookie Draft)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Osca Riccardi (Rookie Draft, father-son)</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While the main core of Geelong’s premiership winning team is set to stay the same, there have been a few notable off-season additions to bolster the depth of their squad.</p> <p>Geelong have landed three former first-round draft picks in Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry.</p> <p>None of them were regular starters at their respective clubs last season, but could work their way into Chris Scott’s best 22 in the future.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the son of former Geelong stalwart Peter Riccardi - Osca Riccardi – has been signed by the club under the father-son trade scheme.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Luke Dahlhaus (Retired)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Francis Evans (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Shaun Higgins (Retired)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Quinton Narkle (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Joel Selwood (Retired)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Cooper Stephens (Hawthorn)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Nick Stevens (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Paul Tsapataolis (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Zane Williams (Delisted)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There is one loss that stands out amongst all the rest and not just at Geelong, but in the entire AFL.</p> <p>Legendary Cats’ skipper Joel Selwood decided to hang up the boots shortly after his team’s Grand Final triumph last season.</p> <p>The four-time premiership winning midfielder played 355 games for his beloved Cats, captaining them for over a decade in the process.</p> <p>He is Geelong’s all time record appearance holder and a six-time All-Australian (he captained the All-Australian side on three occasions). His experience and influence are effectively impossible to replace, with Geelong yet to announce his successor.</p> <p>Joining Selwood in retirement are Luke Dahlhaus and Shaun Higgins.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Patrick Dangerfield</em></strong></p> <p>The hot favourite to replace the outgoing Joel Selwood as Geelong’s captain, star midfielder/forward Patrick Dangerfield is widely considered to be one of the best players of the last decade.</p> <p>Dangerfield was instrumental in Geelong’s premiership triumph last season and will surely play a huge part if the Cats are to go back-to-back.</p> <p>A seven-time All-Australian, a Brownlow winner and now, finally, a premiership winner, the 32-year-old has effectively completed AFL.</p> <p>Regardless whether he is made captain or not, Dangerfield’s leadership and experience will be invaluable for Geelong in the face of Selwood’s departure.</p> <p>He has maintained better than a goal-game average over his 300+ game career as he continues to age like a fine wine.</p> <p>Throughout his career Patrick Dangerfield has always been a player to watch, but now so more than ever.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Cats’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: 1st</em></p> <p>It was only two seasons ago that Hawthorn won back-to-back premierships, with Geelong now firmly in the box seat to emulate that feat.</p> <p>With the exception of Selwood, every other player from last year’s grand final side remains.</p> <p>Consistency is always key in establishing a dynasty and that is something this side has in spades.</p> <p>The new additions to the squad will provide good competition for the already established starters to ensure they remain hungry and do not let “champions complacency” creep in.</p> <p>All in all, it’s hard to see anyone knocking this Geelong team off their perch, so don’t be surprised to see them lifting yet another premiership trophy come the end of the season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Cats’ Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Jed Bews, Sam De Koning, Zach Guthrie</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Tom Stewart, Jack Henry, Zach Tuohy</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Max Holmes, Tom Atkins, Isaac Smith</p> <p><strong>HF:</strong> Brad Close, Jeremy Cameron, Mitch Duncan</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Tyson Stengle, Tom Hawkins, Gary Rohan</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Mark Blicavs, Jake Kolodjashnij, Brandan Parfitt, Gryan Miers</p>