So you’ve decided to dive into AFL fantasy footy, and you’ve got your eyes on the Cats. Smart move. Whether you’re a seasoned fan who’s been watching from the stands at Kardinia Park since the 2007 flag or a newcomer trying to figure out why everyone gets so worked up about the Brownlow, this checklist will get you up and running.

I’m going to walk you through exactly what you need to do to build a competitive fantasy team centered around Geelong players—without the overwhelm. By the time you finish this guide, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to dominate your league. Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Achieve

By following this checklist, you will:

Understand the core mechanics of AFL fantasy footy
Identify which Cats players offer the best value
Avoid the most common rookie mistakes
Build a balanced squad that can compete from Round 1 through the AFL Finals Series
Know exactly where to find the latest updates on player form, injuries, and the Kardinia Park Redevelopment that might affect scheduling

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before you start, make sure you’ve got these basics covered:

A registered account on your chosen fantasy platform (AFL Fantasy, SuperCoach, or Dream Team)
Basic knowledge of AFL rules (if you’re reading this, you’re probably set)
Access to team news – bookmark the official AFL website, the Geelong Cats Insider hub, and follow the Cats on social media
A willingness to check teams each Thursday – this is non-negotiable
Patience – you will make mistakes. Everyone does. Even Coach Scott doesn’t nail every selection.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Understand the Scoring System

Before you pick a single player, you need to know how fantasy points work. In most formats, players earn points for:

Disposals (kicks and handballs)
Marks
Tackles
Goals and behinds
Hitouts (for rucks)
Spoils and intercepts (defenders)

They lose points for:

Clangers (turnovers that directly result in a scoring opportunity for the opposition)
Free kicks against

Here’s the key insight: Not all disposals are equal. A handball to a teammate under pressure is worth less than a 50-meter kick that sets up a scoring chain. The best fantasy scorers are usually midfielders who accumulate high disposal numbers, like Patrick Dangerfield or Joel Selwood in his prime.

For Geelong fans, this means you want players who:

Get 25+ disposals consistently
Tackle hard (hello, Dangerfield)
Kick goals from the midfield (like Tom Hawkins does from the forward line)

Step 2: Know Your Geelong Cats Players

This is where the real work begins. You need to separate the fantasy gold from the trap players. Let me break down the key Cats you should have on your radar:

The Elite (Must-Consider)

Patrick Dangerfield – Even as he ages, Dangerfield remains a fantasy beast. He scores heavily through contested possessions, clearances, and goals. If he’s fit, he’s a top-tier pick.
Tom Hawkins – The Tomahawk is a unique fantasy asset because he combines marking power with goal-kicking accuracy. He’s not a high-possession player, but his goal-scoring ceiling makes him valuable.
Joel Selwood – Even though he’s now a former captain, Selwood’s legacy lives on. If you’re playing a keeper league or dynasty format, his retirement means you need to look at younger Cats. But for single-season formats, remember his scoring patterns.

The Value Picks (Mid-Priced Gems)

Young guns – The Cats have an excellent track record in the AFL Draft. Keep an eye on recent draftees who might break into the 22. Check our Young Guns Watch hub for the latest on who’s training the house down.
The VFL team – Don’t overlook the Geelong VFL side. Players who dominate there often get promoted when injuries hit. This is where you find bargain basement picks.

The Avoid (At Their Current Price)

Injury-prone stars – If a player has missed significant time in the past two seasons, be cautious. The Cats’ medical staff is excellent, but you don’t want to waste trades on players who can’t stay on the park.

Step 3: Build Your Starting Squad

Now it’s time to actually pick your team. Here’s the framework I use:

Backs (5-6 players) Look for defenders who get intercept marks and rebound 50s. The Cats’ backline is known for its system, but individual fantasy scorers can be inconsistent. Target players who also push up the ground.

Mids (6-8 players) This is where you spend your salary cap. Midfielders score the most points. You want at least two elite midfielders (like Dangerfield) and then fill the rest with solid performers.

Rucks (2 players) Rucks are tricky. You need one premium ruck who gets hitouts and then follows up with disposals. The Cats’ ruck situation changes year to year, so check the latest lineup.

Forwards (5-6 players) This is the toughest position group. Forwards who kick multiple goals are gold, but they’re also inconsistent. Tom Hawkins is a safe bet, but you need to find other forwards who can chip in with 70+ fantasy points.

Step 4: Study the Bye Rounds and Fixtures

The 2025 AFL Season has bye rounds where multiple teams don’t play. This is where fantasy seasons are won and lost.

Check the fixture – When do the Cats have byes? You don’t want too many players from one team who all miss the same round.
Home vs away – The Cats have a strong record at GMHBA Stadium. Players often score better at the Cattery. Factor this into your captaincy choices.
Finals scheduling – If you’re in a league that runs through the AFL Finals Series, you need to consider which Cats are likely to play deep into September. Grand Final experience matters.

Step 5: Monitor Injuries and Team Selection

This is the most important step, and it’s the one most beginners ignore.

Check teams every Thursday night – The AFL releases final teams 24 hours before the first game of the round. If a Cat is a late withdrawal, you need to know immediately.
Follow Geelong’s injury list – The club updates this weekly. A “test” usually means they’ll play. “Unavailable” means you need to trade.
Watch training reports – In the preseason, track who’s training with the main group. Coach Scott often gives hints in press conferences about who’s pushing for selection.

Step 6: Make Your Trades Wisely

You get a limited number of trades per season. Don’t waste them on panic moves.

When to trade:

A player is ruled out for 3+ weeks
A rookie gets a consistent spot in the 22
You spot a bargain in the VFL team who’s about to be promoted

When NOT to trade:

After one bad game (everyone has bad games)
Because you’re bored (seriously, don’t)
To chase last week’s points (the game doesn’t work that way)

Step 7: Set Your Captain and Vice-Captain

This is the simplest way to boost your score. Your captain gets double points. Your vice-captain gets double points if your captain doesn’t play.

Best captaincy options for Geelong:

Patrick Dangerfield – His ceiling is higher than almost anyone in the competition. If he’s playing at GMHBA Stadium, lock him in.
Tom Hawkins – When the Tomahawk is on, he can kick 5+ goals. That’s a massive fantasy score.
The young gun – If a Cat is in red-hot form, don’t be afraid to ride the wave.

Step 8: Engage with the Community

Fantasy footy is more fun when you’re not doing it alone.

Join a league – Play with friends or join a public league. The banter makes the losses sting less.
Follow fantasy experts – There are dozens of accounts on X (formerly Twitter) that post weekly rankings and trade advice.
Use the Geelong Cats Insider hubs – We update our player profiles and young guns watch regularly. Bookmark them.

Pro Tips / Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

Use the “value” formula – Divide a player’s price by their average score. Anything under $5,000 per point is a bargain. Over $7,000 is overpriced.
Target Cats who play at GMHBA Stadium often – The Cattery is a fortress. Players who thrive there tend to score higher at home. Factor this into your captaincy picks.
Watch the preseason games – The AFL community series (practice matches) is your best chance to see which Cats are in form and which are being rested. Coach Scott often plays a near-full-strength side in the last practice match.
Don’t forget the Brownlow – While the Brownlow Medal doesn’t directly affect fantasy scores, players who poll well in the league MVP award are usually consistent fantasy scorers. Use the Brownlow odds as a cheat sheet for who’s performing.

Common Mistakes

Picking too many Cats – I love the Cats as much as you do, but having 6+ players from one team is risky. If Geelong has a bad week or a bye, your whole squad suffers. Aim for 3-4 Cats max.
Ignoring the VFL team – The Geelong VFL side is a goldmine for cheap players. Rookies who dominate at VFL level often get promoted and score well because they’re hungry. Don’t sleep on them.
Chasing last week’s scores – Just because a Cat kicked 5 goals in Round 3 doesn’t mean he’ll do it in Round 4. Look at averages, not single-game explosions.
Forgetting about the Kardinia Park Redevelopment – The stadium upgrade might affect scheduling. If games are moved to the MCG or Marvel Stadium, the Cats’ home-ground advantage changes. Check the fixture carefully.
Over-trading – You get a set number of trades. Use them like you’re playing chess, not checkers. One bad trade can derail your season.

Checklist Summary

Here’s your quick-reference checklist. Print it, save it, or tattoo it on your arm (okay, maybe not that last one).

Understand the fantasy scoring system (disposals, marks, tackles, goals)
Research Geelong Cats players: elites (Dangerfield, Hawkins), value picks (young guns, VFL team), and avoid (injury risks)
Build a balanced squad: 5-6 backs, 6-8 mids, 2 rucks, 5-6 forwards
Check the 2025 AFL Season fixture for bye rounds and home games at GMHBA Stadium
Monitor injury lists and team selection every Thursday night
Make trades only when necessary (injuries, rookie promotions, bargains)
Set captain and vice-captain each round (Dangerfield and Hawkins are safe bets)
Engage with the fantasy community for tips and banter
Bookmark Geelong Cats Insider hubs: Getting Started, Young Guns Watch, Player Profiles, Essential Gear
Avoid common mistakes: don’t over-pick Cats, don’t chase points, don’t over-trade

You’ve got this. Now go build that championship-winning squad, and remember—when the Cats are flying at the Cattery, your fantasy team will be flying too. See you at the Grand Final.

Want more? Check out our Essential Gear hub to see what the pros use, or dive into Player Profiles for deep dives on every Cat on the list.

Geelong Cats Fantasy Footy Basics: Your Essential Checklist