<p>Welcome to The Huddle’s AFL Finals previews!</p> <p>After a long season and one of the tightest races ever to secure a place in the September action, we are down to the final eight teams that will battle it out for this year's AFL Premiership.</p> <p>As the September action heats up, we’re previewing every team that’s earned a spot in the finals — and of course, that includes the ever-consistent Geelong Cats.</p> <p>Just like clockwork, Chris Scott has led the Cats to another top-four finish. Under his watch, Geelong has missed finals just twice, cementing his legacy as one of the best coaches of the modern era. With a stacked list combining modern-day stars, emerging talents, and a few surprise packets, the Cats are once again right in the thick of the flag race.</p> <p>Can they win it all again? Let’s break down their journey, their key players, and their chances in the 2025 AFL Finals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong Cats Road to the AFL Finals</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats kicked things off with a statement win over pre-season darlings Fremantle, and suddenly, everyone remembered — yep, Geelong’s still really bloody good.</p> <p>An immediate slip up over the following fortnight to the Saints and then away to Brisbane made punters think twice momentarily, before three wins in a row, including an Easter Monday classic against the Hawks, was the reminder that these Cats don’t have nine lives, rather 9,000 lives.&nbsp;</p> <p>A loss to Carlton followed (which weirdly feels like a recurring theme in recent years), before they split results in two cracking contests against Collingwood and the Giants.</p> <p>They continued winning games with little fuss and relative ease in the back half of the season, not without a few minor slips and some good teams having good days against them to put them into a strong position before a nice favourable draw helped them finish the home and away season full on running — on a six game winning streak.</p> <p>The one sideshow to the Cats’ season in the later months became Jeremy Cameron’s quest for 100 goals as his goal tally kept on creeping up.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong Cats Players to Watch</h2> <h3>Jeremy Cameron</h3> <p>At 32, Jezza’s still right in the conversation as the best player in the comp. A forward who moves like a midfielder, he’s just as dangerous around the ground as he is inside 50.</p> <p>The emergence of Shannon Neale as a genuine key forward option has only made Cameron more dangerous, with defenders having to split their attention.&nbsp;</p> <p>Expect him to demand the spotlight throughout September.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Bailey Smith</h3> <p>The Cats went big in the off-season to get Smith — and it’s paid off.</p> <p>He’s been nothing short of outstanding this year and is right up there in the Brownlow conversation. He ranks elite or above average across most key stats, and alongside fellow “speedster Max Holmes, gives Geelong real zip through the middle.</p> <p>The “Dash Brothers” could break games wide open in the finals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jack Martin</h3> <p>What a weapon to inject into your side mid-season.</p> <p>After persistent injury woes at Carlton, Martin joined Geelong in the off-season. The club’s taken a cautious approach with him — and it’s worked a treat.</p> <p>He’s played roles off half-back and up forward, including a wild five-minute, four-goal burst as the sub against Port Adelaide. He looms as the Cats’ X-factor in September.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Why can Geelong win the AFL Premiership?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Because they’re just so damn good!&nbsp;</p> <p>They have been for a long time, and it doesn’t look like their time at the top will end anytime soon.&nbsp;</p> <p>They have the best overall profile in the competition and have had that mantle over the final third of the season despite not being in top spot.</p> <p>Their attack is ranked number one in the competition, and their defence is ranked fourth best in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>With stars everywhere and bargain-basement role players playing well above their expected output, they’re going to be insanely hard to beat.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What will hold Geelong back from the 2025 AFL Premiership?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Is Geelong’s soft draw and run into the finals series going to come back to bite them?&nbsp;</p> <p>Since Round 17, Geelong has only played one team (GWS Giants) that has finished in the top eight. And, given the nature of the competition this year, they haven’t really been tested by a finals-quality opponent in nearly two months.&nbsp;</p> <p>Could it leave them wanting and found out when they face hardened opponents?</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Premiers</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How many AFL Premierships does Geelong have?</h2> <p>10</p> <p>One of the most successful teams in the modern era, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/afl/news/most-afl-premierships">the Cats have won 10 flags in their history</a>, with four coming since 2007. Their latest triumph in 2022 was one of the more dominant Grand Final performances in recent history.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong Cats Premiership Odds:</h2>