The 2023 AFL season presented the Geelong Cats with a singular, formidable challenge: defending the premiership. Fresh off a commanding 2022 Grand Final victory that culminated in a record-breaking 81-point triumph, the Cats entered the season as the hunted. This case study examines how Geelong navigated the unique pressures of title defence, the strategic adjustments made in response to personnel changes, and the ultimate outcome of a campaign that tested the club's resilience. While the season did not culminate in a second consecutive flag, the 2023 campaign provided invaluable lessons that continue to shape the club's trajectory toward the 2025 AFL season.
Background / Challenge
When the Geelong Cats secured the 2022 AFL Premiership, they did so with a squad that blended experienced veterans with emerging talent. The 81-point victory over Sydney in the Grand Final was a statement of dominance—a team at its peak. However, the landscape of the Australian Football League shifts rapidly, and the Cats entered 2023 facing a set of challenges that would test their championship mettle.
The Post-Premiership Hangover
Historically, defending a flag in the AFL competition is one of the hardest tasks in Australian sport. The physical and emotional toll of a premiership season, combined with a shorter off-season, often leads to slower starts. For Geelong, this was compounded by the retirement of Joel Selwood, the former captain whose leadership and on-field presence had been the heartbeat of the club for over a decade. Selwood's departure left a leadership vacuum that could not simply be filled by a single player.
Injury and Availability Concerns
Patrick Dangerfield, still one of the competition's most dynamic midfielders, entered the season managing ongoing soft-tissue issues. Tom Hawkins, the veteran key forward, was also navigating the natural decline that comes with age. The Cats' depth, while strong, would be tested early as they sought to integrate new faces while maintaining the high standards of a premiership-winning system.
The Weight of Expectation
Geelong's 2022 triumph was not an anomaly—it was the culmination of years of sustained excellence. But with success comes expectation. Every opponent would bring their best against the reigning premiers, and the Cats would face a target on their backs in every game, particularly at Kardinia Park, where they had built a fortress-like record.
The Strategic Question
Coach Chris Scott faced a delicate balancing act. How do you keep a veteran-laden squad motivated and physically prepared for another gruelling season? How do you manage the delicate transition from a premiership-winning core to the next generation without sacrificing competitiveness? These were the questions that loomed over the 2023 campaign.
Approach / Strategy
Chris Scott and his coaching staff adopted a multi-pronged strategy to address the challenges of title defence. Rather than attempting to replicate the 2022 blueprint exactly, they made calculated adjustments designed to maximise the squad's strengths while mitigating vulnerabilities.
1. Managed Workload and Load Management
Recognising that the veterans—Hawkins, Dangerfield, and others—could not sustain the same physical output across a full home-and-away season, Scott implemented a rigorous load management program. Key players were rested strategically, particularly during the early rounds and in games against lower-ranked opponents. This approach aimed to have the senior core peaking for the latter part of the season and the finals series.
2. Accelerated Youth Integration
The Cats used the AFL Draft to inject young talent, but the 2023 season required more immediate contributions from their developing players. Scott placed greater emphasis on giving game time to younger players in the senior side, even when it meant rotating out experienced heads. The Geelong VFL program also served as a crucial development pathway, with several players graduating to the AFL side during the season.
3. Tactical Evolution
Geelong's 2022 premiership was built on a high-possession, controlled style of play that emphasised ball retention and precise kicking. In 2023, Scott introduced subtle tactical tweaks to counter teams that had studied the Cats' system. This included:
- Increased forward pressure: With Hawkins drawing multiple defenders, the Cats focused on locking the ball inside forward 50 through pressure from small forwards.
- Defensive restructuring: The backline, anchored by a mix of experienced heads and emerging talents, was asked to play a more aggressive intercepting role.
- Midfield rotation: Rather than relying on a set midfield group, Scott rotated multiple players through the centre square to maintain high energy and unpredictability.
4. Leadership by Committee
With Selwood's retirement, the Cats did not appoint a direct replacement as captain. Instead, they leaned on a leadership group that included Dangerfield, Hawkins, and several other senior players. This distributed leadership model aimed to share the burden of on-field decision-making and off-field mentorship.
5. Kardinia Park Fortress
Geelong placed immense emphasis on protecting their home ground. The Kardinia Park Redevelopment had already transformed GMHBA Stadium into a modern facility, but the Cats knew that maintaining a dominant home record was essential to securing a top-four finish. The stadium upgrade provided not just improved amenities but also a psychological edge—opponents knew they faced a formidable challenge in the Cattery.
Implementation Details
The 2023 season unfolded in distinct phases, each revealing the effectiveness of the Cats' strategic approach.
Pre-Season and Early Rounds
Geelong opened the season with a solid but unspectacular win over Collingwood at the MCG, a match that showcased the team's resilience. However, the early rounds were marked by inconsistency. The Cats dropped games they would have expected to win, including a loss to a rebuilding Hawthorn side that raised questions about their hunger.
Player availability was a constant challenge. Dangerfield missed several games with a hamstring issue, and Hawkins was managed through minor niggles. The Cats' depth was tested, and the VFL team became a critical pipeline. Players like Tanner Bruhn and Jhye Clark were given opportunities to stake their claims.
Mid-Season Consolidation
By the midpoint of the season, Geelong had settled into a rhythm. The load management strategy began to pay dividends as the veterans returned to full fitness. The Cats went on a five-game winning streak that included impressive victories over premiership contenders Brisbane and Melbourne.
The forward line, led by Hawkins and supported by a rejuvenated Jeremy Cameron, became a formidable unit. Cameron's ability to lead up the ground and create opportunities for others added a new dimension to the Cats' attack. The midfield, with Dangerfield finding form and Cam Guthrie providing steady contributions, began to click.
The Late-Season Surge
As the season entered its final stretch, Geelong looked like a team peaking at the right time. They secured crucial wins against fellow top-eight sides, including a memorable victory over Port Adelaide at Kardinia Park that demonstrated their finals credentials.
However, the Cats were not without their vulnerabilities. Defensive lapses in transition cost them games against sides that could move the ball quickly. The midfield depth, while improved, was still not at the level of the 2022 unit, particularly when Dangerfield was rested or injured.
Finals Campaign
Geelong qualified for the AFL Finals Series with a top-four finish, securing a double chance. The qualifying final against Brisbane at the MCG was a tense affair. The Cats led for much of the game but were overrun in the final quarter, losing by 12 points. The defeat sent them into a semi-final against Melbourne.
The semi-final was a classic. Geelong fought back from a significant deficit to take the lead in the final quarter, but Melbourne's composure in the dying minutes proved decisive. The Cats lost by 7 points, ending their premiership defence in heartbreaking fashion.
Results
The 2023 season ultimately did not deliver a second consecutive flag, but the campaign was far from a failure. The specific results paint a picture of a team that competed at an elite level while navigating significant challenges.
Key Statistical Outcomes
- Final ladder position: 4th (16 wins, 7 losses)
- Finals finish: Semi-final exit (eliminated by Melbourne)
- Home record: 9 wins, 2 losses at Kardinia Park
- Away record: 7 wins, 5 losses
- Percentage: 118.4 (third in the AFL competition)
Individual Achievements
- Tom Hawkins: Kicked 48 goals for the season, leading the Cats' goal-kicking for the eighth consecutive year.
- Patrick Dangerfield: Averaged 24 disposals per game despite managing multiple injuries, earning All-Australian selection.
- Jeremy Cameron: Booted 44 goals and provided 22 goal assists, a career-best return in the latter category.
- Brownlow Medal: Geelong's leading vote-getter was Cam Guthrie, who polled 18 votes, while Dangerfield and Hawkins also featured prominently.
Development Milestones
- AFL Draft impact: First-round pick Jhye Clark played 12 games, showing promise as a future midfield mainstay.
- VFL program success: The Geelong VFL team finished fourth on the ladder, with several players pushing for senior selection.
- Youth integration: Six players made their AFL debuts for the Cats in 2023, the highest number since 2019.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to the 2022 premiership season, the Cats' win-loss record was slightly weaker (16-7 vs 18-4), but their percentage was still among the best in the league. The drop-off was most noticeable in close games—Geelong lost three matches by 10 points or fewer, whereas in 2022 they had won the majority of tight contests.
The 2023 season provided several critical lessons for the Geelong Cats as they look toward the 2025 AFL season and beyond.
1. The Challenge of Sustained Excellence
Defending a premiership is not simply about repeating a successful formula. The Cats learned that external factors—opponent familiarity, player availability, and the emotional toll of a long campaign—require constant adaptation. The 2023 season reinforced that even the best teams must evolve.
2. The Value of Depth
Geelong's ability to remain competitive despite significant injury disruptions was a testament to their list depth. The VFL program proved its worth as a development engine, and the Cats' recruiting strategy, which has prioritised both youth and mature talent, was validated.
3. Leadership Transition Takes Time
The departure of Joel Selwood created a gap that could not be filled in a single season. While Dangerfield and Hawkins stepped up, the distributed leadership model required time to gel. The Cats have identified this as a key area for continued development.
4. Home Ground Advantage Remains Critical
Kardinia Park remains one of the most difficult venues for opposition teams. The stadium upgrade has enhanced the fan experience and the team's performance. Protecting this fortress will be essential for future success.
5. The Window Is Still Open
Despite the semi-final exit, the Cats' core group remains highly competitive. With strategic list management and continued youth development, Geelong is well-positioned to contend for future premierships. The 2023 season was not a step back—it was a recalibration.
The 2023 AFL season was a campaign of transition, resilience, and learning for the Geelong Cats. While the ultimate goal of back-to-back premierships eluded them, the year provided a foundation for sustained success. Coach Chris Scott and his team navigated the post-premiership landscape with a clear-eyed strategy that prioritised long-term health over short-term gain.
The Cats demonstrated that they remain a force in the Australian Football League. Their ability to integrate youth while maintaining elite performance speaks to the strength of the club's culture and systems. The lessons of 2023—particularly around load management, leadership distribution, and tactical evolution—will inform their approach as they build toward the 2025 AFL season.
For Geelong supporters, the 2023 season was a reminder that premiership windows are not defined by a single year. The Cats have consistently been among the AFL competition's elite, and the foundations laid in 2023 position them for future glory. The championship history of the Geelong Cats is far from complete—the next chapter is being written.
For more insights into Geelong's championship history, explore our coverage of the 2007 Premiership and the 2018 Season Highlights. Visit our Championship History hub for a complete retrospective of the Cats' greatest moments.
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