So you want to write a season preview for the Geelong Cats that actually gets people excited? You've come to the right place. Whether you're a die-hard fan running a blog, a content creator looking to build a following, or just someone who loves breaking down what makes the Cats tick, a well-crafted season preview is your ticket to standing out in the crowded AFL conversation.

Think about it: every year, thousands of people search for "Geelong Cats season preview" looking for insights, predictions, and that inside scoop on what's brewing down at Kardinia Park. By the time you finish this guide, you'll have a practical, repeatable system for creating season previews that fans actually want to read—and share.

Let's get into it.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Before you dive into writing, gather these essentials:

Access to the AFL fixture for the upcoming season (the official AFL website is your friend)
Recent match results and stats from the previous season (especially finals performances)
List changes—who's in, who's out, who's been drafted
Injury updates from the pre-season
A notebook or digital doc for jotting down key observations
A cup of coffee (optional but recommended)

Got all that? Great. Now let's build your preview step by step.

Step 1: Set the Scene with the Previous Season

Every good season preview starts with a honest look back. You can't talk about where the Cats are going without acknowledging where they've been.

Start by answering these questions:

How did Geelong finish on the ladder last season?
Did they make the AFL Finals Series? How far did they go?
What were the biggest wins? The most painful losses?
Who were the standout performers?

For example: "After a dominant home-and-away campaign that saw the Cats finish inside the top four, the 2024 season ended in heartbreak at the preliminary final stage. The question now is whether this group has one more serious tilt left in them."

Keep it conversational. You're not writing a corporate report—you're talking to fellow fans who lived through every moment. Acknowledge the highs and lows, and set up the narrative for the season ahead.

Pro tip: Don't dwell too long on the past. One or two paragraphs is enough. The real meat is what's coming next.

Step 2: Analyse the Off-Season Changes

This is where you show you've done your homework. Fans want to know what's changed since the final siren of last season.

Break it down into three sections:

Who's Gone?

List the key departures—retirements, trades, delistings. If a legend like Joel Selwood has already retired, mention the leadership void. If a role player has moved on, explain what they brought and what the Cats lose.

Who's Arrived?

This is where the AFL Draft comes into play. Highlight the new faces coming through the draft or via trades. Are there any mature-age recruits from the Geelong VFL team? Any exciting young guns who could debut early?

Who's Staying?

Sometimes the biggest news is that a star like Patrick Dangerfield or Tom Hawkins is still on the list. Mention contract extensions, new roles, or players returning from injury.

Example: "The biggest story of the off-season? That's easy—the continued presence of Dangerfield, who looks as hungry as ever after a full pre-season. Meanwhile, the Cats used their first pick in the national draft to add some much-needed speed to the midfield."

Step 3: Break Down the Fixture

The AFL fixture is everything. It determines momentum, travel load, and whether the Cats can build a winning streak heading into the AFL Finals Series.

Here's what to look for:

Home games at Kardinia Park: How many? Which opponents? The Cattery is a fortress—games there are almost automatic wins against lower-ranked teams.
Tough road trips: Interstate games against top-four contenders. How many consecutive weeks on the road?
Blockbuster matchups: Games against traditional rivals, Friday night fixtures, or matches with playoff implications.
The bye round: When does it fall? A late bye can be a blessing or a curse.

Pro tip: Look for a "danger zone" in the fixture—a stretch of three or four games where the Cats could drop two or three matches. Every season has one. Identifying it early makes you look like a genius.

Example: "The first six weeks are a dream run—four games at GMHBA Stadium and only one interstate trip. But then comes the dreaded mid-season stretch: Collingwood away, Sydney at the SCG, and Brisbane at the Gabba in consecutive weeks. That's where the season could be defined."

Step 4: Assess the Key Players

This is the heart of your preview. Fans want to know who's going to step up, who's past their prime, and who's ready to explode.

Cover these categories:

The Veterans

Tom Hawkins (Tomahawk): Can he still dominate as a key forward? How's his body holding up?
Patrick Dangerfield: Is he still an elite midfielder, or is he transitioning to a forward role?
Joel Selwood (if still playing, though he's retired): The leadership factor. If he's gone, who fills the void?

The Mid-Career Stars

Players in their prime (25-29 years old). These are the ones who need to carry the load.
Any All-Australian candidates? Brownlow Medal dark horses?

The Young Guns

Who from last year's draft class is ready to debut?
Any Geelong VFL graduates who impressed in the reserves?
Players entering their third or fourth season who are due for a breakout.

Pro tip: Don't just list names. Give a specific prediction for each player. "I expect Hawkins to kick 50+ goals again if he stays healthy" is better than "Hawkins is a good forward."

Step 5: Evaluate the Coach and Game Plan

Chris Scott is one of the most experienced coaches in the AFL competition. Your preview needs to address his approach.

Ask yourself:

What's the Cats' trademark style? (Contested ball? Fast transition? Defensive pressure?)
Has the game plan evolved from last season?
Are there any new assistant coaches or changes to the coaching panel?
How does Scott handle the pressure of expectations?

Example: "Coach Scott has always been pragmatic—he adapts his game plan to the personnel available. This season, expect a shift towards more run-and-carry out of the backline, especially with the addition of some pace through the draft."

Step 6: Predict the Ladder Finish

This is the part everyone scrolls to first. Be bold, but be realistic.

Consider:

Where did the Cats finish last year?
How many games did they win?
What's the strength of their list compared to other top-four contenders?
Any obvious weaknesses that could cost them games?

Pro tip: Give a range, not just a single prediction. "I see the Cats finishing somewhere between 4th and 7th" is more credible than "They'll finish 3rd" because it acknowledges uncertainty.

Example: "Realistically, Geelong is in that second tier of AFL contenders—not quite as stacked as Collingwood or Brisbane, but more dangerous than the teams below them. I'm predicting a 14-9 record and a top-six finish, which sets up another finals appearance."

Step 7: Add the Intangibles

This is what separates a good preview from a great one. Think about the stories that don't show up in stats sheets.

The Kardinia Park Redevelopment: How does the stadium upgrade affect home ground advantage? Are there new facilities that could help player recovery or fan experience?
Club culture and leadership: Who's the next captain after Selwood? How's the locker room vibe?
Injury history: Is this a team that's been unlucky with injuries, or do they have a clean bill of health?
External expectations: What are the media saying? Are the Cats being written off or hyped up?

Example: "The ongoing GMHBA Stadium redevelopment means the playing surface has been relaid, which could actually benefit the Cats' running game. And with the new high-performance centre set to open mid-season, there's a real buzz around the club."

Step 8: Write a Compelling Conclusion

End your preview with a strong takeaway. Give readers something to think about—and a reason to come back for your next article.

Example: "Make no mistake: this Geelong side is far from done. With a favourable early fixture, a healthy list, and a coach who knows how to win, the Cats are poised to make another deep run. Whether that run ends with a Grand Final appearance or another heartbreaking exit will depend on how they navigate that brutal mid-season stretch. Buckle up, Cats fans—it's going to be a wild ride."

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

Do This:

Use specific examples. "Hawkins kicked 52 goals last season" is better than "Hawkins kicked a lot of goals."
Keep it conversational. Write like you're talking to a mate at the pub.
Update your preview right before the season starts. Things change—injuries happen, trades go through, form fluctuates.
Link to other articles on your site, like your key ins-and-outs analysis or fixture breakdown.

Avoid This:

Don't be too negative. Fans want honest analysis, not a doom-and-gloom essay.
Don't overuse jargon. Not everyone knows what "contested possession rate" means. Explain it or keep it simple.
Don't ignore the Geelong VFL team. The reserves are a pipeline for future stars—mention them.
Don't make predictions without reasoning. "They'll finish 5th" needs a "because..."
Don't forget the Brownlow Medal. Even a brief mention of potential contenders adds credibility.

Your Season Preview Checklist

Use this checklist before you hit publish:

Reviewed the previous season's results and finals performance
Listed key departures (retirements, trades, delistings)
Listed key arrivals (AFL Draft picks, trades, free agents)
Analysed the fixture for home games at Kardinia Park, tough road trips, and danger zones
Assessed veterans (Tom Hawkins, Patrick Dangerfield, etc.)
Highlighted mid-career stars and potential Brownlow contenders
Identified young guns and Geelong VFL graduates to watch
Evaluated Chris Scott's coaching and game plan changes
Made a specific ladder prediction with reasoning
Included intangibles like the Kardinia Park redevelopment and club culture
Wrote a compelling conclusion that ties everything together
Linked to related articles (season preview hub, fixture analysis, young guns watch, etc.)
Proofread for typos and conversational tone
Updated any last-minute changes before publishing

Now you're ready to write a season preview that will have Cats fans bookmarking your site and coming back for more. Remember: the best previews aren't just about facts and figures—they're about telling a story. The story of a team chasing premiership glory, of veterans defying age, of young guns rising, and of a club that calls Kardinia Park home.

Go write something great. And go Cats.

Geelong Cats Season Previews: Your Complete Guide to Crafting the Perfect Preview