The 1970s were a strange, often frustrating, but ultimately foundational decade for the Geelong Cats. If you’re a Cats fan who grew up hearing about the glory of the 1960s or the dynasties of the 2000s, the 1970s might feel like a lost chapter. And you wouldn’t be entirely wrong. It was a decade where the Cats didn’t win an AFL Premiership, didn’t make an AFL Grand Final, and saw some of their greatest legends hang up their boots. Yet, if you look closer, the 1970s were absolutely critical. This was the decade when the club learned to rebuild, when the foundations for future success were laid, and when the identity of the modern Geelong Cats began to take shape.
In this pillar guide, we’re going to take a deep dive into the 1970s era for the Cats. We’ll explore the highs, the lows, the key players, the off-field dramas, and why this seemingly barren period is actually one of the most important in the club’s long and storied history. By the end, you’ll understand why every flag the Cats have won since owes a debt to the grit and determination of the 1970s sides.
The End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to the 1960s Legends
To understand the 1970s, you have to understand what came before. The 1960s were a golden period for Geelong. The club won the AFL Premiership in 1963, and they were consistently a finals contender. But by the turn of the decade, the core of that great side was aging out.
The Final Bow of the Greats
The early 1970s saw the retirement of several club icons. Players like Polly Farmer, the ruck genius who revolutionised the game, had already left for the VFL equivalent of a free agency move in the late 1960s. But the early 70s saw the end of the line for legends like Bill Goggin and John "Sam" Newman. Newman, a brilliant ruckman and later a famous media personality, played his last game in 1971.
These weren't just departures; they were the end of a dynasty. The Cats were losing not just talent, but leadership and experience. The club had to find a new way forward, and that meant embracing the reality of a full-scale rebuild.
The Challenge of Replacing Immortals
Replacing players of that calibre is never easy. The Cats tried to patch the holes with experienced recruits and by promoting from within the Geelong VFL team. But the transition was bumpy. The team that had been a powerhouse in the 1960s suddenly found itself in the middle of the ladder, struggling for consistency. The early 1970s were a period of adjustment, and the fans felt it. The roar at Kardinia Park became a little quieter.
The Mid-70s: A Glimmer of Hope
Just when it looked like the Cats might slip into irrelevance, a new generation of talent emerged. The mid-1970s brought a renewed sense of optimism to the Cattery.
The Rise of a New Core
A group of young, exciting players began to make their mark. Names like Bruce Nankervis, Kevin Higgins, and John "Jocka" O'Donoghue became the new faces of the club. Nankervis, in particular, was a revelation. A dashing wingman with silky skills, he provided the spark that the Cats had been missing. He would go on to win the club's best and fairest award multiple times and become a fan favourite.
The Cats also unearthed a key forward in Larry Donohue. Donohue was a marking machine, a player who could take a pack-splitting grab and kick a crucial goal. He gave the forward line a focal point that had been missing for years.
Almost There: The 1974 and 1975 Seasons
For a brief moment, it looked like the Cats might be ready to challenge again. In 1974, they finished fourth on the ladder and made the AFL Finals Series. It was a huge achievement for a team that had been written off. They faced Richmond in the qualifying final and, in a thrilling contest, went down by just 10 points. It was a moral victory, a sign that the Cats were back.
The following year, 1975, was even more promising. The Cats finished third and were genuine premiership contenders. They beat North Melbourne in the first final, setting up a clash with Hawthorn. The winner would go straight to the AFL Grand Final. The Cats led for most of the day, but Hawthorn, led by the legendary Peter Hudson, stormed home to win by 17 points. It was a heartbreaking loss. The Cats were so close, yet so far. That defeat seemed to break the spirit of the side. They never quite recaptured that form for the rest of the decade.
The End of the Decade: A Return to the Bottom
The late 1970s were a tough watch for Geelong supporters. The optimism of the mid-70s faded, and the club slipped back into the bottom half of the ladder.
Off-Field Turmoil
The struggles on the field were mirrored by instability off it. The club went through a series of coaches, including Rodney Olsson and Don Wilkie. There was a lack of continuity, and the game plan was constantly changing. The Cats couldn't find a settled side, and the results reflected that.
The financial situation was also precarious. The Kardinia Park Redevelopment was still a distant dream. The ground was basic, and the club's revenue was limited. It was a hand-to-mouth existence, and the Cats were struggling to compete with the wealthy inner-city clubs.
The Emergence of a Future Legend
Every cloud has a silver lining. In the gloom of the late 1970s, a young ruckman by the name of John "Jock" McHale (no, wait, that's not right) – let’s be clear: a young Mark "Bomber" Thompson was just starting to make his way in the VFL reserves. Okay, that’s a bit later. But the point is, the Cats were beginning to draft and develop the players who would form the core of their 1980s side.
More importantly, the late 1970s saw the arrival of a player who would become a true icon: Gary Ablett Sr. He was recruited from the VFA side Hawthorn (the VFA, not the AFL team) and made his debut in 1979. While he was raw and inconsistent in those early years, the talent was undeniable. The "God" of Kardinia Park had arrived, and his presence gave the fans something to believe in.
Key Players of the 1970s Cats
Let’s take a moment to honour the men who wore the hoops in the 1970s. These players didn’t win a flag, but they kept the club alive.
- Bruce Nankervis: The silky wingman. He was the Cats' best player for much of the decade, winning three Carji Greeves Medals (1974, 1976, 1977). He was a brilliant runner and a precise kick.
- Larry Donohue: The spearhead. He kicked 301 goals for Geelong, including a remarkable 96 in the 1975 season. He was one of the best contested marks of his era.
- John "Jocka" O'Donoghue: A tough, hard-running defender. He was the heart and soul of the backline, always willing to put his body on the line.
- Kevin Higgins: A clever rover and ball-winner. He provided the drive from the midfield and was a key part of the 1974-75 resurgence.
- Ian "Bluey" Hampshire: A versatile player who could play in the ruck or up forward. He was a reliable contributor over many years.
- David Clarke: A talented half-forward who later became a successful coach. He was a key figure in the early 1970s.
What the 1970s Taught the Geelong Cats
The 1970s were a brutal lesson in the cyclical nature of sport. The Cats learned that success is never permanent, and that a club must constantly evolve to survive. Here are the key takeaways from that decade:
The Importance of the Draft
The AFL Draft didn't exist in its current form in the 1970s. The Cats had to rely on zone selections and recruiting from the VFA and country leagues. But the lesson was clear: you have to find and develop young talent. The Cats' failure to adequately replace their 1960s stars was a major reason for their decline. This lesson would be deeply ingrained in the club's DNA, leading to the modern recruitment strategies that have made Geelong a powerhouse.
The Need for Stability
The coaching carousel of the late 1970s was a disaster. The Cats learned that a club needs a stable, long-term plan, and a coach who is given the time to implement it. This lesson would be applied decades later with the appointment of Chris Scott, who has provided the kind of steady leadership that was sorely lacking in the 1970s.
The Value of the Cattery
Kardinia Park was a basic, often uncomfortable venue in the 1970s. But it was home. The Cats learned that their home ground is a massive advantage. The Kardinia Park Redevelopment that began in the 2000s and continues today is a direct response to the struggles of the 1970s. The club realised that to compete, they needed a world-class facility that would attract players and generate revenue.
Resilience and Patience
Perhaps the most important lesson is resilience. The 1970s could have broken the Geelong Cats. Other clubs have folded or merged under less pressure. But the Cats endured. The supporters kept turning up, the players kept trying, and the club kept fighting. That resilience is part of the club's DNA. It’s why the Cats have been able to bounce back from every setback, from the 1970s to the 1990s to the near-misses of the 2010s.
Practical Tips for Understanding the 1970s Era
If you’re a modern Cats fan who wants to understand this era better, here are a few practical tips:
- Watch the 1975 Preliminary Final. If you can find a replay or highlights, watch the 1975 preliminary final against Hawthorn. It’s a classic game that perfectly captures the hope and heartbreak of the era. You’ll see how close the Cats came to glory.
- Read "The Geelong Cats: A Complete History" by John Devaney. This is the definitive history of the club. The chapters on the 1970s are essential reading.
- Talk to an older fan. If you know a Cats supporter who was around in the 1970s, ask them about it. They’ll have stories about the players, the games, and the atmosphere at Kardinia Park. Personal anecdotes bring history to life.
- Visit Kardinia Park. Walk around the ground. Look at the old photos in the club museum. Imagine what it was like to stand on the terraces in the 1970s, watching the Cats fight and scrap without the modern comforts of the GMHBA Stadium redevelopment.
- Appreciate the context. When you watch the Cats play in the 2025 AFL Season, remember that they are standing on the shoulders of the players from the 1970s. Those players didn't win a premiership, but they kept the club alive so that future generations could.
Conclusion: A Decade That Defined the Future
The 1970s were not a decade of glory for the Geelong Cats. There were no premierships, no Brownlow Medals for the club (though several players polled well), and no AFL Grand Final appearances. It was a decade of transition, of rebuilding, and of learning hard lessons.
But it was also a decade of character. The Cats didn't give up. They didn't fold. They kept fighting. The players of the 1970s laid the groundwork for everything that came after. They taught the club how to rebuild, how to value stability, and how to never take success for granted.
So, the next time you watch the Cats run out at the Cattery, take a moment to remember the men of the 1970s. They might not have the silverware, but they have something just as important: the respect of every Geelong fan who knows that the journey to greatness is never a straight line.
Want to explore more of the Cats' incredible journey? Check out our full championship history for a complete overview of every era. You can also dive into the glory days with our piece on the 2007 premiership , or get a broader view with the premiership history overview .
The 1970s are a reminder that even in the darkest times, the light of the Geelong Cats never goes out. It just takes a little longer to find its way back.
Reader Comments (5)