Every great story has a turning point. For the Geelong Cats, the 2014 AFL season wasn't about adding another premiership to the trophy cabinet—it was about something far more important. It was about proving that a champion team could rebuild without falling apart. Coming off a heartbreaking elimination final loss in 2013, the Cats entered 2014 with questions swirling. Was the window closing? Had the core group aged out? Could Coach Scott navigate the transition?
The answer was a resounding "not yet." The 2014 season became a masterclass in sustained excellence, a year where Geelong finished third on the ladder with a 17-5 record, won two finals, and came within a kick of the Grand Final. But the numbers only tell part of the story. This was the season where the Cats learned to evolve, where emerging talent began to shoulder the load alongside legends, and where the foundation for future success was quietly laid at Kardinia Park.
Background / Challenge
To understand why 2014 matters, you have to look back at where the Cats had been. The 2012 season review had ended with a preliminary final loss to Hawthorn—a bitter pill after the high of the 2011 premiership. Then came 2013, where Geelong finished second on the ladder but stumbled in the qualifying final against Fremantle, losing by 15 points in a low-scoring grind at Kardinia Park. The elimination final against Port Adelaide was worse: a 16-point loss that sent the Cats packing in week one of the AFL Finals Series.
Suddenly, the narrative had shifted. The Cats had won premierships in 2007, 2009, and 2011, but the 2008 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn still stung. Now, two straight September exits had critics wondering if the dynasty was done. Joel Selwood was still leading from the front, Tom Hawkins was establishing himself as a premier forward, but the supporting cast was aging. Players like Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Ling, and Brad Ottens had retired. The core of the 2007-2011 era was thinning.
The challenge for Coach Scott was twofold. First, he had to keep the Cats competitive in the present—no one at Geelong was interested in a rebuild that meant dropping down the ladder. Second, he had to integrate younger players into a system built around veterans. This wasn't going to be a tear-down; it was going to be a retool on the fly. And it had to happen while playing in one of the most competitive eras of the AFL competition.
There was also the matter of the Kardinia Park Redevelopment. The stadium upgrade was still in its early phases, but the Cattery was becoming a fortress. The Cats needed to maximize that home-ground advantage while also proving they could win away from Geelong's home ground. The 2014 season would test whether the Cats could adapt their game plan, develop new leaders, and keep the premiership window open—all at the same time.
Approach / Strategy
Chris Scott and his coaching staff took a deliberate, measured approach to 2014. The strategy wasn't revolutionary—it was evolutionary. The Cats would maintain their trademark pressure and contested ball-winning, but they would also emphasize ball movement and scoring efficiency. The goal was to become harder to defend while remaining defensively sound.
The first pillar of the strategy was player development. The Cats had been active in the AFL Draft, bringing in talent like Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, and Josh Caddy in previous years. 2014 was the season where these players needed to become consistent contributors. The VFL team, Geelong VFL, became a critical development pathway. Youngsters like Darcy Lang, Jed Bews, and Jake Kolodjashnij were given opportunities to learn the system before being thrust into AFL action.
The second pillar was leadership distribution. Joel Selwood remained the heart and soul of the team, but the Cats needed others to step up. Tom Hawkins was emerging as a vocal leader in the forward line. Harry Taylor was anchoring the defense. And a certain Patrick Dangerfield was still at Adelaide at this point—but the Cats were building a midfield that could compete without relying on a single superstar.
The third pillar was game plan adaptation. The Cats had been known for their manic pressure under previous regimes, but Coach Scott wanted more flexibility. Geelong would play a high-possession brand when necessary but could also transition quickly through the corridor. The forward press was refined, and the defensive structure became more zone-oriented. The Cats wanted to control the game's tempo without becoming predictable.
Finally, the strategy included a focus on home-ground dominance. Kardinia Park was undergoing its stadium upgrade, but the Cattery remained a hostile environment for opponents. The Cats designed their training and preparation around maximizing their advantage at Geelong's home ground. They knew that winning 8-9 home games would put them in contention for a top-four finish.
Implementation Details
The 2014 season unfolded in distinct phases, each revealing something new about this evolving Geelong team.
The Early Statement (Rounds 1-6): The Cats opened with a 5-1 record, including a statement win over Hawthorn in Round 2. That 28-point victory at the MCG sent a message: Geelong wasn't going anywhere. The win was built on pressure—the Cats forced 15 turnovers from Hawthorn's backline and converted them into 10 goals. Tom Hawkins kicked four, and Joel Selwood had 30 disposals. It was vintage Cats.
The Mid-Season Grind (Rounds 7-15): This was where the growth happened. Geelong went 7-2 during this stretch, but the wins weren't always pretty. There was a scrappy 11-point win over West Coast at Kardinia Park, a 23-point victory against Sydney where the Cats trailed at three-quarter time, and a nail-biting four-point win over Port Adelaide. These games tested the team's resilience. The Cats learned to win when they weren't at their best—a hallmark of championship teams.
The Late-Season Surge (Rounds 16-23): Geelong finished the home-and-away season with five wins in their last eight games, securing third place on the ladder. The highlight was a 54-point demolition of Fremantle in Round 19—revenge for the 2013 qualifying final loss. The Cats kicked 18 goals and held the Dockers to just eight, showcasing their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively.
Finals Campaign: The Cats entered the AFL Finals Series with momentum. In the qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG, Geelong led by 20 points at halftime before the Hawks stormed back. The final margin was 15 points to Hawthorn, but the Cats had shown they could match the eventual premiers for three quarters. In the semi-final against North Melbourne, Geelong produced one of their best performances of the season, winning by 36 points at the MCG. Joel Selwood had 35 disposals and two goals, while Tom Hawkins kicked four.
The preliminary final against Sydney was the season's defining moment. The Cats led by 13 points at three-quarter time, but the Swans kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to win by 23 points. It was a heartbreaking end, but it was also a sign of progress. Geelong had gone from elimination final losers in 2013 to within a quarter of the Grand Final in 2014. The gap was closing.
Throughout the season, the Cats relied on a balanced scoring attack. Tom Hawkins kicked 51 goals for the year, while Steven Motlop contributed 34 and James Podsiadly added 28. The midfield trio of Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson, and Mitch Duncan provided the engine, with Selwood averaging 28 disposals and winning his fourth club best and fairest.
The development of younger players was evident. Mitch Duncan became a consistent ball-winner, averaging 24 disposals. Darcy Lang played 12 games and showed promise. Jed Bews debuted and held his own in defense. The Geelong VFL team finished top-four, providing a strong development environment for the next wave.
Results
The numbers from 2014 tell a story of sustained excellence:
- Ladder Position: 3rd (17-5 record)
- Finals: Won semi-final, lost preliminary final
- Home Record: 9-1 at Kardinia Park
- Away Record: 8-4
- Points For: 2,135 (5th in AFL)
- Points Against: 1,708 (3rd in AFL)
- Percentage: 125.0%
- Tom Hawkins: 51 goals (7th in Coleman Medal)
- Joel Selwood: 4th club best and fairest, 28 disposals per game
- Mitch Duncan: 24 disposals per game, emerging star
- Brownlow Medal: Joel Selwood finished 6th with 19 votes
- Sustained Contention: The Cats proved they could remain a top-four team even as the roster evolved. This wasn't a one-year blip; it was the foundation for continued success.
- Young Player Development: Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, and Darcy Lang all took significant steps forward. The Cats had successfully integrated new talent into a veteran core.
- Game Plan Evolution: The Cats showed they could win multiple ways—grinding out low-scoring games or winning shootouts. This versatility would serve them well in future seasons.
- Home-Ground Fortress: The 9-1 record at Kardinia Park reinforced the Cattery's reputation. The stadium upgrade was paying dividends, and the Cats were maximizing their advantage.
- Mental Toughness: The preliminary final loss to Sydney was devastating, but the Cats had shown resilience all season. They had learned to handle adversity, a skill that would be crucial in future campaigns.
1. Rebuilding Doesn't Mean Tearing Down The Cats proved that a successful team can transition without bottoming out. By developing young players within a winning culture, Geelong avoided the long rebuilds that plague other clubs. This approach is why the Cats have remained competitive for over a decade.
2. Home-Ground Advantage Is a Strategic Asset Kardinia Park isn't just a venue; it's a weapon. The Cats' commitment to dominating at Geelong's home ground has been a cornerstone of their success. The stadium upgrade only amplified this advantage.
3. Leadership Depth Matters Joel Selwood was the captain, but the Cats had multiple leaders across the field. Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor, and Steve Johnson all contributed to the team's culture. When one leader had an off day, others stepped up.
4. The Draft and VFL Development Are Critical The AFL Draft isn't just about finding stars; it's about building depth. The Cats' investment in the Geelong VFL program created a pipeline of talent that could step in when needed. Darcy Lang and Jed Bews are examples of players who developed through the reserves before contributing at AFL level.
5. Adaptation Is Non-Negotiable The AFL competition evolves every season. The Cats' willingness to adjust their game plan—from pressure-heavy to possession-based to transition-focused—kept them ahead of the curve. Stagnation is death in professional sports.
6. Close Losses Can Be Learning Opportunities The preliminary final loss to Sydney was crushing, but it provided valuable experience. The Cats learned what it took to compete with the best in the AFL Finals Series. That experience would pay off in future seasons.
The 2014 season was never going to end with a premiership. The Sydney Swans were too good, and the Hawthorn dynasty was just beginning its run. But for the Geelong Cats, 2014 was a year of growth—a season that proved the club could navigate the treacherous waters of roster transition while remaining a legitimate contender.
Looking back, the 2014 campaign laid the groundwork for everything that followed. The young players who emerged that season—Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop, Darcy Lang—would become key contributors in future finals runs. The game plan adjustments made by Coach Scott would evolve into the system that delivered a premiership in 2022. And the culture of resilience, built through heartbreaking losses and hard-fought wins, would sustain the Cats through the ups and downs of the next decade.
For fans of the Cats, 2014 is a reminder that success isn't always measured in flags. Sometimes, a season's true value lies in the growth it fosters, the lessons it teaches, and the foundation it builds. The 2014 Cats didn't win the premiership, but they proved that the Geelong dynasty was far from finished.
As the Cats look ahead to the 2025 AFL season, the lessons of 2014 remain relevant. The core may change, the game plan may evolve, and the faces in the locker room may be different, but the principles remain the same: develop young talent, maximize home-ground advantage, adapt to the competition, and never accept that the window is closed.
The 2014 season was a year of growth. And for the Geelong Cats, growth has always been the first step toward greatness.
Want to dive deeper into the Cats' championship history? Check out our comprehensive championship history page for a full timeline of Geelong's premierships and near-misses. You can also revisit the 2012 season review to see how the Cats bounced back from that preliminary final loss, or explore the painful lessons of the 2008 Grand Final loss that shaped the club's resilience.
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