Before You Get Your Tickets: Geelong Cats Ultimate Fan Guide

After riding high on their 2022 premiership victory, the Geelong Cats tickets were moving, and they were ready to defend their title and show the AFL world that they weren’t just a one-hit-wonder. But man, did things take a turn.

Expectations were sky-high, but reality hit hard. With an aging list, folks were wondering if it was time for the Cats to hit rock bottom and rebuild. And boy, did they come close. Landing in 12th place, just one spot away from their lowest-ever finish, was like a slap in the face with a wet footy.

Joel Selwood hung up his boots, and losing a midfield maestro like him was a gut punch. And it showed. The Cats’ midfield had its struggles, feeling their fearless leader’s absence more than they bargained for. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron were like twin wrecking balls out there, smashing through defences and racking up goals like it was nobody’s business. Between the two of them, they bagged over 100 goals! And let’s not forget Ollie Henry, putting up a respectable 41 goals of his own.

So, did the Cats overachieve or underachieve? Well, let’s call a spade a spade: going from hoisting the premiership cup to missing out on finals footy is a tough pill to swallow. So it’s safe to say they definitely fell short of expectations. Let’s recap and take a look at the 2024 season so far.

You can also make sure that you see all of the action by securing your Geelong Cats AFL 2024 tickets through our dedicated Geelong ticket page here.

Those who had Geelong Cats tickets in 2023 saw a mighty forward line

Cameron, Hawkins, and Henry were like a three-headed footy monster, terrorising defences left, right, and centre. Between them, they racked up more goals than a hungry seagull at a beach picnic. Seriously, Cameron knocking in 53, Hawkins with 49, and Henry chipping in 41? That’s goal-scoring magic right there!

Despite this firepower up front, the Cats still missed out on finals footy. The midfield was like a leaky boat in a storm. With Selwood hanging up his boots and Guthrie sidelined with a pesky toe injury, the Cats were left scrambling for ball winners. When your defender, Tom Stewart, is leading the pack in disposals, you know there’s trouble brewing in the midfield.

Props to Miers, though! Despite the midfield mayhem, he stepped up big time, dishing out goal assists like he was running a charity for goal-hungry teammates. Forty-one goal assists? That’s some next-level playmaking right there!

Now, let’s talk about the heart and soul of the Cats’ defence: Tom Stewart. This guy was a one-man wrecking crew, shutting down opponents left, right, and centre. No wonder he’s the lone Cat repping in the All-Australian squad. Dependable, relentless, and downright tenacious, Stewart was like a brick wall in the backline, stopping attacks in their tracks and launching counter-attacks like it was nobody’s business.

The clash between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats in Darwin 

It was a showdown that had footy fans everywhere glued to their screens as the Suns unleashed a storm and steamrolled their way to a jaw-dropping victory.

The Suns were on fire, raining down goals like it was nobody’s business. Bailey Humphrey was on an absolute tear, slamming home five goals and leaving Geelong’s defence scrambling to catch their breath. And let’s not forget about Ben King and Jack Lukosius, who were chipping in with four goals each, adding insult to injury for the Cats.

This wasn’t just any old win for the Suns. Oh no, this was a historic beatdown of epic proportions. Their final score of 26.8 (164) was not only their highest ever in club history but also the highest ever at the Darwin venue. Talk about making a statement!

And poor old Geelong? Well, let’s just say they had a night to forget. With injuries sidelining key players like Dangerfield, Hawkins, Cameron, and De Koning, the Cats were already on the back foot. But even their strongest lineup might have struggled against the Suns’ relentless onslaught.

The loss wasn’t just a bump in the road for the Cats; it was a wake-up call. Their game plan was in disarray, their midfield outmatched, and their defence left exposed time and time again. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had started the season undefeated just weeks prior.

As the final siren sounded, the Suns emerged victorious, claiming their sixth win of the season in a staggering 64-point thrashing. And for the Cats? Back to the drawing board, with a long road ahead to claw their way back up the ladder.

Geelong’s recent form slump during the 2024 AFL season

Footy fans everywhere are scratching their heads and wondering what’s gone wrong with the mighty Cats. After kicking off the season with a flawless 7-0 record, they’ve hit a rough patch, dropping their last three matches like a hot potato. From losses against Melbourne to Port Adelaide and, most recently, a humbling defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Suns, it’s been a tough pill to swallow for the Geelong faithful.

Fresh off a brutal 64-point drubbing by the Suns, the Cats find themselves at a crossroads. But here’s the thing: they’re not hitting the panic button just yet. Despite the recent setbacks, they’re refusing to gloss over the issues plaguing their game.

Playing on unfamiliar turf up at the TIO Stadium in Darwin didn’t do them any favours either. With the heat and humidity bearing down, the Cats struggled to find their footing against a Suns team that seemed right at home.

Coach Chris Scott didn’t mince words post-game, acknowledging that his side’s form had taken a nosedive in recent weeks. The stats don’t lie, and the Cats have been falling short in key areas on the field. Plus, missing key players like Hawkins, Duncan, Stanley, Cameron, and Dangerfield didn’t help matters either.

But amidst the frustration and disappointment, Scott remains optimistic. He believes this slump can be turned around, even with tough matchups against the Giants, Swans, and Blues looming on the horizon. It’s all about finding that balance between facing reality head-on and not letting it consume them.

The AFL trade rumour mill is buzzing with news about Geelong’s star forward, Tyson Stengle

The 25-year-old dynamo has caught the eye of not one but two Victorian clubs eager to snag him in the upcoming off-season.

Despite only being in his third season with Geelong, Stengle has quickly become one of the hottest commodities in the league. Thanks to his previous stint at Richmond and then Adelaide before landing at Kardinia Park, he’s eligible as an unrestricted free agent this year.

Stengle’s journey with the Cats has been a whirlwind. From winning All-Australian honours in his debut season to experiencing a slight dip in form last year, he’s proven himself as a versatile and valuable asset to any team. And this season, he’s back with a vengeance, showcasing his skills with 18 goals and 10 goal assists in just nine games.

But with great talent comes great attention, and Stengle has certainly caught the eye of Essendon and St Kilda. Both clubs are reportedly eager to lure him away from Geelong, seeing him as a key piece to bolster their forward lines.

According to reports, Essendon is keen on bringing Stengle on board for the upcoming season. With the Bombers looking to strengthen their attacking options, Stengle’s speed and scoring prowess could be just what they need to take their game to the next level.

Meanwhile, St Kilda has also thrown their hat into the ring, expressing interest in securing Stengle’s services. The Saints see him as a valuable addition to their lineup, offering a mix of skill and experience that could help propel them up the ladder.

Despite the speculation swirling around his future, Stengle remains focused on the task at hand: playing footy. He’s left contract negotiations in the capable hands of his management, preferring to let his performances on the field do the talking.

With 69 AFL games under his belt and plenty more to come, Stengle’s journey in the league is far from over. Whether he stays with Geelong or embarks on a new adventure with Essendon, St Kilda, or another club, one thing’s for sure: wherever he goes, he’ll bring his trademark flair and firepower with him. Watch this space, footy fans – the Tyson Stengle saga is far from over.

Geelong coach Chris Scott didn’t hold back on umpiring interpretations

After his team’s narrow loss to Port Adelaide, Scott gave a six-minute response that delved deep into the nuances of the game and offered his perspective on a couple of contentious rulings that cropped up during the match.

The Cats had fought tooth and nail against the Power at Kardinia Park, falling agonisingly short by just six points in a hard-fought contest. But it wasn’t just the final score that had tongues wagging; it was the handling of certain umpiring decisions that left many scratching their heads.

One of the key points of contention was the interpretation of the ‘holding the ball’ rule and the time allowed for players in possession of the ball when tackled. Scott highlighted a specific incident involving Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij, where he opted not to ‘dump’ his opponent in a tackle, only for the Blues forward to kick a goal while still being held.

Scott defended the umpires, acknowledging the difficulty of their task in officiating such a fast-paced and physically demanding sport. However, he also suggested that there may be room for improvement in terms of the timing of certain calls, particularly in situations where players are given excessive time to dispose of the ball after being tackled.

But it wasn’t just the holding the ball rule that came under scrutiny. Scott also weighed in on a contentious advantage decision made during the game, where the Cats were denied a goal-scoring opportunity despite the umpire initially playing advantage.

In Scott’s view, there may be merit in reevaluating the timing of advantage calls and providing more clarity around when play should be brought back. He argued that greater transparency and consistency in umpiring decisions would benefit both coaches and fans alike, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on match officials.

Ultimately, Scott’s extensive response underscored the complexities and challenges inherent in umpiring a sport like Australian Rules Football. While he stopped short of directly criticising the officials, his comments highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and improvement in how umpiring decisions are made and communicated. Whether his suggestions lead to any changes remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: the conversation around umpiring in the AFL is far from over.

Where do you get your Geelong Cats tickets for the 2024 AFL season?

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