The 2018 AFL season marked a pivotal moment in Geelong's modern history—a campaign that proved the Cats were far from finished as a premiership force. After falling short in the 2017 finals series, many pundits had written off Geelong as a team past its prime. But the Cats had other plans. Under Coach Chris Scott, the 2018 season saw Geelong finish in the top four, secure a home final at the newly upgraded Kardinia Park, and push deep into September before ultimately falling just short of the Grand Final. This case study examines how Geelong rebuilt its credentials as genuine contenders, the strategic shifts that defined the season, and the lasting impact on the club's championship trajectory.
Background / Challenge
Coming into the 2018 season, the Cats faced a crossroads. The 2017 campaign had ended in disappointment—a straight-sets exit from the AFL Finals Series after finishing second on the ladder. Questions swirled about whether the window was closing on Geelong's core group. Joel Selwood, now in his thirties, was still leading from the front, but the team's midfield depth had been exposed. Patrick Dangerfield, despite winning the 2016 Brownlow Medal, couldn't do it alone. And Tom Hawkins, the reliable target up forward, needed more support.
The challenges were clear:
Aging core: While still elite, the Cats' senior players were entering the twilight of their primes. The 2018 season would test whether they could sustain a premiership push.
Inconsistent youth: Geelong's younger players had shown flashes but lacked the consistency to carry the team through a grueling season.
Home ground uncertainty: The Kardinia Park Redevelopment was in full swing, with construction affecting the playing surface and spectator experience. The Cats needed to maintain their fortress mentality at GMHBA Stadium while adapting to the changes.
Competition depth: The AFL was stacked. Richmond had just won the flag in dominant fashion. West Coast was building a powerhouse. Melbourne was emerging. And the usual suspects—Sydney, Hawthorn, Adelaide—all had legitimate claims.
The challenge wasn't just about winning games. It was about proving that Geelong's championship window wasn't just still open—it was widening.
Approach / Strategy
Coach Scott and his coaching staff took a multi-pronged approach to the 2018 season, focusing on three key pillars: defensive structure, midfield balance, and forward-line evolution.
Defensive Structure: The Backbone of Contention
Geelong's defense had been elite for years, but 2018 required a recalibration. The Cats leaned heavily on their intercept marking and zone defense, designed to force turnovers and launch rapid counterattacks. The backline, marshaled by veterans like Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson, became the launchpad for Geelong's offense. The strategy was simple: suffocate opponents, win the ball back, and move it forward with precision.
Midfield Balance: Sharing the Load
The midfield had been Dangerfield-and-Selwood-heavy in previous seasons. In 2018, the Cats prioritized spreading the responsibility. Young guns like Tim Kelly—a mature-age recruit from the AFL Draft—were given significant roles. Kelly's emergence as a ball-winning midfielder allowed Dangerfield to spend more time forward, creating mismatches. Meanwhile, Selwood's leadership and contested work remained the heartbeat of the team.
The coaching staff also emphasized two-way running. Geelong's midfielders were expected to defend as hard as they attacked, a shift that paid dividends in tight contests.
Forward-Line Evolution: Hawkins Gets Help
Tom Hawkins had long been Geelong's primary target, but the 2018 season saw a deliberate effort to diversify the forward line. The Cats brought in Gary Rohan from Sydney, adding speed and pressure. They also gave more opportunities to young key forwards like Esava Ratugolea. The strategy was to make Geelong's forward line less predictable—Hawkins would still command attention, but now there were other threats to worry about.
The Kardinia Park Factor
With the stadium upgrade underway, Geelong made a conscious effort to turn GMHBA Stadium into an even more intimidating venue. The Cats won nine of their ten home games in 2018, with the only loss coming by a single point. The crowd, the surface, and the familiarity all played a role. The strategy was clear: make teams hate traveling to Geelong.
Implementation Details
The 2018 season unfolded in distinct phases, each requiring tactical adjustments and personnel changes.
Pre-Season: Building the Foundation
Geelong's pre-season was marked by intense focus on fitness and defensive structures. The Cats played two JLT Community Series matches, experimenting with different combinations. The early signs were promising: Dangerfield looked sharp, Hawkins was in career-best shape, and the young midfielders were stepping up.
Early Season: Finding Form
The Cats started the season with a thrilling win over Melbourne at the MCG, a statement victory that set the tone. By Round 8, Geelong sat at 6-2, firmly entrenched in the top four. The midfield was humming, with Dangerfield, Selwood, and Kelly forming a potent trio. Hawkins was dominating, kicking multiple goals in most games.
One of the key implementation details was the use of the "Dangerfield forward" tactic. By rotating Dangerfield into the forward line, the Cats created mismatches that opponents struggled to counter. This wasn't just a gimmick—it became a core part of the game plan.
Mid-Season: Navigating the Slump
Every season has its challenges, and 2018 was no different. The Cats hit a rough patch in the middle of the year, losing three of four games. The losses exposed weaknesses: the forward line became too reliant on Hawkins, and the midfield's defensive work slipped. Coach Scott responded by tightening the defensive structures and giving more game time to younger players.
The response was immediate. Geelong won seven of their next eight games, climbing back into contention. The turnaround was fueled by improved pressure around the ball and a renewed commitment to the team-first ethos.
Late Season: Securing the Double Chance
The final month of the home-and-away season was all about positioning. Geelong needed to secure a top-four finish to earn a double chance in the AFL Finals Series. The Cats delivered, winning four of their last five games. The only loss came against Richmond, a game that exposed some lingering issues but also showed Geelong could compete with the best.
Finals: The Push for Glory
The Cats entered the AFL Finals Series with confidence. A home qualifying final against Melbourne at the MCG was a chance to make a statement. Geelong dominated early, leading by 27 points at halftime. But Melbourne fought back, and the Cats lost by 29 points. The loss sent Geelong into a semi-final against Sydney at the SCG—a daunting task.
The semi-final was a classic. Geelong trailed for most of the game but refused to quit. A late surge, led by Dangerfield and Hawkins, saw the Cats snatch victory by 12 points. The win set up a preliminary final against West Coast in Perth—a match that would define the season.
The preliminary final was heartbreak. Geelong led early, but West Coast's experience and home crowd proved too much. The Cats lost by 66 points, ending their season one game short of the Grand Final.
Results
The 2018 season produced tangible results that validated the Cats' approach:
- Final ladder position: 2nd (15-7 record)
- Finals finish: Preliminary final loss
- Top-four finish: Yes (secured double chance)
- Home record: 9-1 at Kardinia Park
- Key player performances:
- Patrick Dangerfield: 24 disposals, 1.2 goals per game (All-Australian)
- Joel Selwood: 25 disposals, 5 tackles per game (All-Australian)
- Tom Hawkins: 68 goals (All-Australian, Coleman Medal runner-up)
- Tim Kelly: 22 disposals, 4 clearances per game (Rising Star nominee)
- Team statistics:
- Points for: 2,204 (3rd in AFL)
- Points against: 1,781 (4th in AFL)
- Percentage: 123.8
- Finals performance:
- Qualifying final: Lost to Melbourne by 29 points
- Semi-final: Defeated Sydney by 12 points
- Preliminary final: Lost to West Coast by 66 points
The 2018 season provided valuable lessons for the Geelong Cats organization, lessons that would shape the club's approach in subsequent years.
1. The Core Was Still Elite
The performances of Selwood, Dangerfield, and Hawkins proved that Geelong's senior players were still among the best in the AFL. The challenge was not about replacing them but about building around them. The 2018 season showed that the Cats could still contend with a strong core, provided they had the right supporting cast.
2. Young Players Can Accelerate the Timeline
Tim Kelly's emergence was a game-changer. The mature-age recruit from the AFL Draft showed that the Cats didn't need to wait years for young players to develop. If they could find ready-made contributors, the premiership window could stay open longer.
3. Defensive Structure Wins Finals
Geelong's defensive system was effective during the home-and-away season but was exposed in the finals. The Cats struggled to contain elite forward lines when the pressure ramped up. This realization led to a focus on defensive recruitment and development in subsequent years.
4. The Kardinia Park Factor Matters
The Cats' dominance at home was a massive advantage. The Kardinia Park Redevelopment, while disruptive at times, ultimately made GMHBA Stadium a fortress. Geelong's ability to win at home gave them a significant edge in the race for top-four finishes.
5. The Gap to the Top Was Real
The preliminary final loss to West Coast was a reality check. Geelong was close but not close enough. The Cats needed to find another gear—whether through recruitment, development, or tactical innovation. The 2018 season highlighted the areas that needed improvement.
The 2018 season was a testament to the Geelong Cats' resilience and ambition. Despite being written off by many, the Cats proved they were still contenders in the AFL competition. The season was defined by strategic shifts—a balanced midfield, an evolving forward line, and a fortress mentality at Kardinia Park.
But it was also a season of what-ifs. What if the Cats had held on against Melbourne in the qualifying final? What if they had matched West Coast in the preliminary final? The answers are unknowable, but the questions underscore how close Geelong was to another Grand Final appearance.
The 2018 season laid the groundwork for future success. It showed that the Cats could adapt, that their young players could contribute, and that their core was still elite. It also highlighted the areas that needed attention—defensive depth, forward-line diversity, and midfield balance.
For Geelong fans, the 2018 season was a reminder that the Cats were never truly out of the race. The club's championship history is built on seasons like this—campaigns that fall short but provide the foundation for future glory.
As we look back on the 2018 season, it's clear that the Cats were contenders again. And for a club with Geelong's proud tradition, that's never a bad place to be.
For more on Geelong's championship history, check out our full championship history page. Relive the glory of the 1952 premiership team and the heartbreak of the 1989 Grand Final.
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