Let’s be honest—no one enjoys the sting of a Cats loss. Whether it’s a shocker at the Cattery or a Grand Final heartbreaker, watching Geelong fall short can leave you scratching your head. But here’s the thing: every loss tells a story. And if you’re a true Cats fan, you want to know why it happened, how to fix it, and—most importantly—how to stop it from happening again.
This troubleshooting guide is your go-to resource for diagnosing the most common reasons behind a Geelong defeat. Think of it as a mechanic’s manual for the Cats’ engine. We’ll walk through the symptoms, root causes, and step-by-step solutions so you can spot the warning signs before the final siren.
Ready to turn those frowns into game plans? Let’s dive in.
Problem 1: Slow Starts – The First-Quarter Blues
Symptoms: The Cats come out flat, trailing by two or three goals at quarter-time. The opposition looks hungrier, quicker, and more organised. By the time Geelong wakes up, the damage is done.
Causes:
- Poor midfield setup at centre bounces
- Lack of intensity in defensive pressure
- Opposition exploiting mismatches early
- Coach Scott’s game plan takes time to adjust
- Review the pre-game warm-up routine. Are the Cats mentally switched on? Sometimes a more intense warm-up—simulating game-speed drills—can sharpen focus.
- Target the first five minutes. The opening exchanges are critical. Geelong should prioritise winning the first clearance and locking the ball in their forward half.
- Use the bench early. Fresh legs can inject energy. Rotate midfielders like Dangerfield and Selwood (or his successor) to keep the engine room buzzing.
- Adjust the zone defence. If the opposition is flooding forward, Coach Scott might need to drop an extra defender into the hole early.
Problem 2: Midfield Dominance – Losing the Clearance Battle
Symptoms: The opposition’s midfielders are winning clear after clear, feeding their forwards with silver service. Geelong’s inside-50 count is low, and when they do go forward, it’s from poor positions.
Causes:
- Weak ruck work (hit-outs to advantage are low)
- Defensive midfielders not covering ground
- Opposition tagging Dangerfield or the key ball-winner
- Poor structure at stoppages
- Shake up the ruck combination. If the primary ruckman is getting beaten, try a second ruck option or use a tall forward like Hawkins to provide a contest.
- Deploy a defensive midfielder. Assign a hard-nosed player to shadow the opposition’s best midfielder. Think of a tagger who can disrupt without giving away frees.
- Change stoppage setups. Use a “cluster” formation around the ball to crowd the opposition, then break wide. This can slow down their clearances.
- Get Dangerfield on the move. Instead of having him stand at the stoppage, let him run from the square to create space. His burst speed is wasted if he’s static.
Problem 3: Defensive Breakdowns – Goals Against the Run of Play
Symptoms: Geelong controls the game for long periods, only to concede soft goals from turnovers or fast breaks. The opposition scores against the flow, and the Cats’ momentum is shattered.
Causes:
- Turnovers in the midfield (kicking to contests, not to space)
- Defenders caught out of position on the rebound
- Poor communication in the backline
- Opposition using quick kicks over the zone
- Implement a “no-risk” rule inside defensive 50. Encourage defenders to punch the ball out of bounds rather than trying to mark under pressure.
- Use a spare defender. If the opposition is scoring on the rebound, drop a midfielder back to create a numerical advantage.
- Drill defensive transition. In training, simulate fast breaks from the opposition. The Cats need to sprint back, not jog.
- Improve kick-in strategies. Instead of bombing long, use short kicks to wingmen who can then switch play. This reduces the chance of a turnover in dangerous areas.
Problem 4: Forward Line Struggles – Hawkins Neutralised
Symptoms: Tom Hawkins is double-teamed, his leads are cut off, and the small forwards aren’t crumbing. The Cats’ forward line looks stagnant, with no one able to take a contested mark.
Causes:
- Opposition defenders are zoning off their men to help on Hawkins
- Lack of a second tall forward to take the pressure off
- Poor delivery—kicks are too high or too far in front
- Hawkins being forced to wrestle rather than lead
- Use Hawkins as a decoy. Start him deep, then have him run up the ground to drag his defender away. This creates space for the smalls.
- Introduce a second tall. If the VFL team has a key forward in form, bring him in. Even if he’s raw, his presence can force the opposition to respect him.
- Change the delivery. Instead of bombing it on Hawkins’ head, ask midfielders to kick low and hard to his chest. Better yet, use the corridor to hit leads.
- Get Hawkins on the move. Have him lead up to the wing, then dish off to a running midfielder. He’s not just a target—he’s a link player.
Problem 5: Poor Discipline – Costly Free Kicks and 50-Metre Penalties
Symptoms: The Cats give away a string of unnecessary free kicks, often in front of goal. A 50-metre penalty costs them a goal, and the momentum shifts.
Causes:
- Players arguing with umpires
- Late hits or tackles after the whistle
- Not manning the mark properly
- Frustration boiling over under pressure
- Implement a “no talk” rule. After a free kick is paid, players must walk away immediately. No arguing, no gestures.
- Drill the mark. In training, practice standing the mark correctly—no lateral movement, no encroachment.
- Use a captain’s challenge wisely. If the umpire has made a clear error, Selwood (or the current captain) can ask for a review. But don’t waste it on 50-50 calls.
- Channel frustration into aggression. Instead of lashing out, encourage players to use that energy in the next contest. A hard tackle is better than a stupid free.
Problem 6: Inconsistent Effort – The “Flat” Performance
Symptoms: One quarter the Cats look unbeatable; the next, they’re going through the motions. Effort levels drop, tackles are missed, and the opposition gets easy goals.
Causes:
- Mental fatigue from a long season
- Overconfidence after a big win
- Lack of leadership on the field
- Opposition’s tactical adjustments catching Geelong off guard
- Rotate the leadership group. If the captain is having an off day, let another player—like Dangerfield or a younger leader—step up and fire the team up.
- Use the bench to inject energy. If a player looks flat, sub him off immediately. Fresh legs bring fresh intensity.
- Change the game plan mid-quarter. If the opposition has figured out the zone, switch to man-on-man. Sometimes a simple change can jolt the team.
- Set mini-goals. Instead of focusing on the final score, aim to win the next five minutes. This keeps players engaged and prevents lapses.
Problem 7: Opposition Tactics – Being Out-Coached
Symptoms: The opposing coach has clearly done his homework. The Cats’ game plan is neutralised, and every move Geelong makes is countered. Coach Scott looks frustrated on the boundary.
Causes:
- Opposition using a spare behind the ball
- Tagging the Cats’ key playmakers
- Exploiting Geelong’s slower defenders on the counter
- Using a flood to clog the forward line
- Scout the opposition’s recent games. If they’ve used a spare defender, prepare a counter—like sending an extra midfielder forward.
- Use a “wildcard” player. Bring in a young, unpredictable player from the VFL team who the opposition hasn’t scouted. His unpredictability can break their structure.
- Change the tempo. If the opposition is flooding, slow the game down. Use short kicks and handballs to draw them out, then hit the open space.
- Trust the process. Sometimes the opposition is just better on the day. But if the plan is sound, stick with it. Over-adjusting can create confusion.
Prevention Tips
- Start strong, finish stronger. Focus on the first and last quarters. If the Cats can dominate these, they’ll win more often than not.
- Build depth. Use the AFL Draft and Geelong VFL to develop a deep bench. Injuries and form slumps are inevitable, but a strong reserves system can plug gaps.
- Invest in leadership. Every player should feel empowered to speak up. The captain shouldn’t be the only one driving standards.
- Study the opposition. Before every game, watch three of their recent matches. Identify patterns, weaknesses, and tendencies.
- Stay calm under pressure. The AFL Finals Series is a different beast. The Cats need to treat every game like a Grand Final, but without the panic.
When to Seek Professional Help
If the Cats are losing consistently—say, three or more games in a row—it might be time to call in the experts. Here’s what to look for:
- Recurring patterns: The same problems keep showing up (e.g., slow starts, midfield dominance).
- Player discontent: Whispers of disharmony in the locker room.
- Injury crisis: Multiple key players out for extended periods.
- Tactical stagnation: The game plan hasn’t evolved in weeks.
- Coach Scott and the coaching panel: They’ll review game footage, adjust strategies, and make tough selection calls.
- The fitness and medical team: If injuries are the root cause, they need to manage workloads and rehab.
- The list management team: If the squad lacks depth, they’ll look at the AFL Draft or trade period.
So next time the Cats fall short, don’t despair. Use this guide, spot the problem, and trust that Geelong will do what they’ve always done: bounce back.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our Season Preview 2025 for a full breakdown of the Cats’ prospects, or explore Rivalries Explained to understand why some matchups are tougher than others. And if you’re new here, start with our Getting Started guide.
Reader Comments (0)