Let’s be honest—every Geelong Cats fan has that shelf in their mind where they store the great seasons. The 2007 premiership. The 2011 flag. The 2022 triumph. Each one feels like a distinct chapter in a novel we never want to end. But here’s the thing about novels: the best ones keep you guessing about what comes next.
As we look toward the 2025 AFL Season, the question isn’t just “Can they win?” It’s “How does this team stack up against the legends who came before?” We’re not talking about nostalgia for its own sake. We’re talking about measuring the present against the past to see if this group has what it takes to write another unforgettable chapter.
So grab a coffee (or something stronger—I won’t judge), and let’s walk through the Cats’ greatest seasons, compare them to what we expect in 2025, and maybe—just maybe—figure out if history is about to repeat itself.
## The Gold Standard: 2007–2011 Era
If you had to pick one stretch of Geelong dominance, this is it. Between 2007 and 2011, the Cats played in three AFL Grand Finals, winning two AFL Premierships (2007 and 2011) and coming heartbreakingly close in 2008. This wasn’t just a good team—it was a dynasty in the making.
### What Made 2007 Special
The 2007 season was a statement. After years of promise and near-misses, the Cats exploded. They finished the home-and-away season with a 15–7 record, but it was the AFL Finals Series that defined them. A 5-point qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide? No problem. They roared through the rest of the finals, culminating in a 119-point demolition of Port Adelaide in the Grand Final. It remains one of the most dominant premiership performances in AFL history.
Key factors:
- A midfield that could run all day (Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett Jr.)
- A forward line that punished mistakes (Tom Hawkins was just emerging, but the structure was already there)
- A defense that suffocated opponents (Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn)
### The 2011 Sequel
Four years later, the Cats proved 2007 wasn’t a fluke. This time, they won the premiership with a 10-point victory over Collingwood in a Grand Final that felt like a heavyweight title fight. The 2011 team was older, wiser, and arguably more resilient. They didn’t blow teams away—they just outlasted them.
Why 2011 matters for 2025:
- The 2011 team relied on experience and composure under pressure
- Chris Scott was in his first year as coach, bringing a fresh tactical approach
- The core group had been through finals heartbreak (2008) and learned from it
## The Modern Era: 2020–2022 Resurgence
After a few years in the wilderness (relatively speaking—Geelong never truly bottomed out), the Cats rebuilt without ever truly rebuilding. The 2020 season was a COVID-shortened anomaly, but the Cats still made the Grand Final, losing to Richmond. Then came 2022.
### The 2022 Premiership: A Masterclass in Patience
The 2022 AFL Premiership was special for a different reason. This wasn’t a young team on the rise—it was a veteran group that had been told they were too old, too slow, too past their prime. Sound familiar?
The 2022 blueprint:
- Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron formed the most dangerous forward duo in the league
- Patrick Dangerfield shifted into a more midfield-forward hybrid role, extending his impact
- The defense, led by Tom Stewart, was stingy and disciplined
- Chris Scott coached his second flag, cementing his legacy
### What 2022 Teaches Us About 2025
Here’s the parallel: the 2022 Cats were written off before the season started. Pundits said they were too old, that the window had closed. Sound familiar? The 2025 Cats are hearing the same whispers. But 2022 proved that experience, when combined with tactical flexibility, can still win flags.
Key takeaway: Don’t count out a veteran team that knows how to win.
## The 2025 Roster: How It Compares
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty. How does the 2025 Geelong Cats roster stack up against the 2007 and 2022 teams? We’ll break it down position by position.
### Midfield: The Engine Room
2007: Bartel, Selwood, Ablett, Corey, Ling—this was a midfield that could win the ball, use it well, and defend when necessary. It’s arguably the best midfield group in AFL history.
2022: Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie, Selwood (in his final season), and a rotating cast of young guns like Tanner Bruhn and Max Holmes. It wasn’t as deep as 2007, but it was efficient.
2025: Dangerfield is still there, but he’s 34. The midfield now revolves around Holmes, Bruhn, and Jack Bowes. The wildcard is Connor O’Sullivan, a 2023 AFL Draft pick who could be a star. The 2025 midfield doesn’t have the star power of 2007, but it has more youth and energy.
Verdict: Not as good as 2007, but comparable to 2022 if the young guns step up.
### Forward Line: The Scoring Punch
2007: Hawkins was a rookie. The forward line was built around Cameron Mooney, Steve Johnson, and Paul Chapman. It was dangerous but not dominant.
2022: Hawkins and Cameron were the best forward duo in the league. They complemented each other perfectly—Hawkins the brute, Cameron the finesse.
2025: Hawkins is 36 and likely in his final season. Cameron is 31 and still elite, but he can’t do it alone. The Cats have invested in young forwards like Ollie Henry and Shannon Neale, but they’re unproven at the highest level.
Verdict: The 2025 forward line is a question mark. If Hawkins stays healthy and the young forwards develop, it could be dangerous. But it’s not the 2022 version.
### Defense: The Last Line
2007: Scarlett, Milburn, Harry Taylor—this was a defense that could shut down any forward line.
2022: Stewart, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Henry—a modern defense that relies on intercept marking and rebounding.
2025: Stewart is still elite, but he’s 31. The supporting cast includes Zach Guthrie, Mark Blicavs (now a defender), and Joshua Draper, a developing key defender. The defense is solid but not spectacular.
Verdict: If Stewart stays healthy, the defense is good enough. But it lacks the depth of 2007 or 2022.
## Coaching and Culture: The Chris Scott Factor
You can’t compare these eras without talking about Chris Scott. He’s been the constant through the 2011 and 2022 premierships, and he’ll be on the bench in 2025.
### Scott’s Evolution as a Coach
In 2011, Scott was the new guy—a former player with a tactical mind but no premiership experience as a coach. By 2022, he was a veteran who had adapted his game plan multiple times. The 2022 Cats played a more controlled, possession-based style than the 2011 team.
What to expect in 2025:
- Scott has shown he can adapt to his personnel
- He’s not afraid to play young players (see: Holmes, Bruhn)
- He’s a master of in-game adjustments
## The X-Factors: Players Who Could Define 2025
Every great season has a player who steps up unexpectedly. Here are the candidates for 2025.
### Max Holmes: The Next Superstar
Holmes is 22, has elite speed, and is already a key part of the midfield. If he takes another step in 2025, he could be the Cats’ best player. Think of him as the 2025 version of 2007 Joel Selwood—a young player who becomes the heartbeat of the team.
### Connor O’Sullivan: The Draft Gem
O’Sullivan was taken with pick 11 in the 2023 AFL Draft. He’s a tall midfielder with great foot skills. If he breaks into the team early in 2025, he could provide the spark that the 2022 team got from Tyson Stengle (who, by the way, is still on the list and a proven goal-kicker).
### The VFL Pipeline
Don’t overlook the Geelong VFL team. The Cats have one of the best development systems in the league. Players like Mitch Hardie and Ollie Dempsey have shown promise at the reserves level. If injuries hit, the VFL team is ready to step up.
## Practical Tips: What to Watch for in 2025
If you’re going to follow the 2025 season closely—and let’s be real, you are—here’s what to keep an eye on.
### Early-Season Form
The Cats have a history of starting slowly. In 2022, they were 2–2 after four rounds before going on a tear. Don’t panic if 2025 starts with a few losses. The team is built for the long haul.
### The Kardinia Park Redevelopment
The GMHBA Stadium upgrade is ongoing, but the Cattery remains a fortress. The Cats have one of the best home records in the AFL competition. If they can win 10+ games at home in 2025, they’ll be in the top four.
### Injury Management
The 2025 Cats are older than the average team. Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Hawkins, and Tom Stewart all need careful load management. If they’re healthy for the AFL Finals Series, the Cats are a threat. If not, it could be a long September.
### The Brownlow Medal Watch
Max Holmes is a dark horse for the Brownlow Medal. If he has a breakout season, he could poll well. Keep an eye on his disposal numbers and impact in big games.
## The Verdict: Can 2025 Match the Greats?
Here’s the honest answer: the 2025 Geelong Cats probably won’t be as dominant as the 2007 team. That team was a once-in-a-generation juggernaut. But they don’t need to be. They just need to be good enough.
The 2025 Cats have the coaching, the culture, and the core to contend. The question is whether the young players can step up and whether the veterans have one more run in them.
If I were a betting man: I’d say the Cats finish top four, win a final, and give themselves a shot at the flag. It won’t be easy—the AFL is deeper than ever—but this team has the DNA of champions.
### What You Can Do
Want to be part of the journey? Here’s how to stay engaged:
- Get your tickets early: Check out season ticket options to lock in your seat at the Cattery.
- Follow the season previews: Our season previews will break down every game, every matchup, and every storyline.
- Watch the breakout stars: Keep an eye on our breakout stars to watch list—these are the players who could define 2025.
## Final Thoughts
The best seasons in Geelong Cats history weren’t the ones where everything went perfectly. They were the ones where the team found a way to win when it mattered most. The 2007 Cats overcame a qualifying final loss. The 2011 Cats survived a brutal Grand Final. The 2022 Cats proved the doubters wrong.
The 2025 season is a blank page. The story hasn’t been written yet. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that you should never count out the Cats.
So buckle up. The 2025 AFL Season is coming, and if you’re a Geelong fan, you’re in for a ride. Whether it ends with a flag or a lesson, it’s going to be unforgettable.
And honestly? That’s all we can ask for.
See you at the Cattery.
This article is part of our 2025 season coverage. For more insights, analysis, and fan content, check out our season previews hub.
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