2019 Geelong Football Club season
{{Short description|Football club season}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox AFL club season
| club = Geelong Football Club
| season = 2019
| image = Geelong AFL team in May 2019.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt = Team huddle on surface of playing arena
| caption = Team huddle in round 9, 2019
| president = Colin Carter
| coach = Chris Scott
(9th season)
| captain = Joel Selwood
(8th season)
| home ground = GMHBA Stadium
| preseason comp =
| preseason result =
| regularseason comp = AFL season
| regularseason result = 16 wins, 6 losses (1st)
| finals series = Finals series
| finals result = Preliminary final
| club b&f = Best and Fairest
| best and fairest = Patrick Dangerfield
| leading goalscorer = Tom Hawkins (56)
| highest attendance =
| lowest attendance =
| average attendance = 33,405
| club membership = 65,063
| prevseason = 2018
| nextseason = 2020
}}
The 2019 season was the Geelong Football Club's 120th in the Australian Football League (AFL). It was the ninth season under senior coach Chris Scott, with Joel Selwood appointed as club captain for an eight successive year. Geelong (known as the Cats) participated in the 2019 JLT Community Series as part of their pre-season schedule, and the club's regular season began on 22 March against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Cats finished the home-and-away season with a 16–6 win–loss record and placed first on the league's ladder, earning Geelong their first minor premiership since the 2008 season. Progressing to the third week of the 2019 finals series, Geelong was subsequently defeated in a preliminary final against Richmond by 19 points, eliminating them before the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
Patrick Dangerfield was named Geelong's best and fairest player, polling 268 votes for the Carji Greeves Medal ahead of second-placed Tim Kelly on 259.5 votes. It was Dangerfield's third Carji Greeves Medal, having previously won the award the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Tom Hawkins was the club's leading goalkicker for the eighth successive season, scoring 56 goals. Dangerfield, Kelly and Hawkins were all selected in the 2019 All-Australian team, alongside Geelong teammate Tom Stewart. Kelly also received the AFL Coaches Association's Best Young Player award. The Cats also fielded a reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), where they were defeated in an elimination final by Port Melbourne.
Background
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
| align = right
| image1 = Joel Selwood 2018.1.jpg
| alt1 = Male athlete in guernsey and shorts
| image2 = Chris Scott 2018.1.jpg
| alt2 = Male football coach jogging on playing surface
| footer = Joel Selwood (captain) and Chris Scott (coach)
}}
Chris Scott continued as the club's senior coach for a ninth season, after signing a contract in August 2018 extending his tenure until the end of the 2022 season.{{cite news |last1=Coleman-Heard |first1=Rory |title=Geelong Cats sign Chris Scott until end of 2022 season |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/geelong-cats/geelong-cats-sign-chris-scott-until-end-of-2022-season-ng-b88934310z |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=The West Australian |publisher=Seven West Media |date=20 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821113953/https://thewest.com.au/sport/geelong-cats/geelong-cats-sign-chris-scott-until-end-of-2022-season-ng-b88934310z |archive-date=21 August 2018 |location=Perth |url-status=live}} The Cats had four assistant coaches this season, each responsible for specific positions within games: James Rahilly (forward line), Matthew Knights and Nigel Lappin (midfield), Matthew Scarlett (back line).{{cite web |author1= |title=Coaches |url=http://www.geelongcats.com.au/football/coaches |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322100625/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/football/coaches |archive-date=22 March 2019}} Corey Enright was also a member of the coaching panel, fulfilling the role of development coach for Geelong's young players.
Joel Selwood was appointed the club's captain for an eighth successive season, with Patrick Dangerfield and Harry Taylor sharing the role of vice-captain.{{cite web |last1=Oates |first1=Stacey |title=Player Leadership Group Announced |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-08/player-leadership-group-announced |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=geelongcats.com.au |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503102535/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-08/player-leadership-group-announced |archive-date=3 May 2019 |date=8 March 2019 |url-status=live}} They were supported by a leadership group made up by teammates Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan and Zach Tuohy, who all remained in the group from the prior season, along with new addition Tom Stewart.
Ford Australia was the major sponsor of the club for the 2019 season, continuing a long-running deal that started in 1925.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-football-club-and-ford-continue-longrunning-sponsorship-deal-20151210-glkbvv.html|title=Geelong Football Club and Ford continue long-running sponsorship deal|date=10 December 2015|website=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603093140/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-football-club-and-ford-continue-longrunning-sponsorship-deal-20151210-glkbvv.html|archive-date=3 June 2018|url-status=live|access-date=3 May 2019}} GMHBA was the naming rights sponsor for Geelong's home ground Kardinia Park, continuing a ten-year deal signed in October 2017 for the venue to be known as GMHBA Stadium.{{cite web |author1= |title=Cats announce historic GMHBA Stadium deal |url=http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2017-10-30/cats-announce-historic-gmhba-stadium-deal |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=19 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206103044/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2017-10-30/cats-announce-historic-gmhba-stadium-deal |archive-date=6 February 2018 |date=30 October 2017 |url-status=live}} The Cats were scheduled to play nine of their eleven home games at GMHBA Stadium for the season's home-and-away fixture; the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) hosted the club's remaining two home games against Essendon and Hawthorn.{{cite web |last1=Guthrie |first1=Ben |title=2019 Fixture verdict |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/257741/2019-fixture-verdict |website=geelongcats.com.au/ |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=14 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321010217/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/257741/2019-fixture-verdict |archive-date=21 March 2020 |date=1 November 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1= |title=Geelong 2019 AFL fixture and analysis from Herald Sun experts |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/geelong-2019-afl-fixture-and-analysis-from-herald-sun-experts/news-story/4c2329dad5d1085888b3100f39fbdbce |access-date=14 April 2020 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102174046/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/geelong-2019-afl-fixture-and-analysis-from-herald-sun-experts/news-story/4c2329dad5d1085888b3100f39fbdbce |archive-date=2 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Geelong signed up 65,063 members and had an average home ground attendance of 33,405 spectators across the season.{{cite web |author1= |title=Thanks a million: AFL club memberships hit all-time record |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-06/thanks-a-million-afl-club-memberships-hit-alltime-record |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806041519/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-06/thanks-a-million-afl-club-memberships-hit-alltime-record |archive-date=6 August 2019 |date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Geelong Attendances |url=https://afltables.com/afl/crowds/geelong.html |website=AFL Tables |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929034154/https://www.afltables.com/afl/crowds/geelong.html |archive-date=29 September 2019 |url-status=live}}
Playing list
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
| align = right
| image1 = Luke Dahlhaus 2017.4.jpg
| alt1 = Male athlete running whilst holding football
| image2 = Gary Rohan 2017.2.jpg
| alt2 = Male athlete running on playing surface of Australian rules football ground
| footer = Luke Dahlhaus (via free agency) and Gary Rohan (via trade) joined Geelong in the off–season.{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |title=Dahlhaus heads to Cats after patching up things with Bob Murphy |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dahlhaus-heads-to-cats-after-patching-up-things-with-bob-murphy-20181005-p5082j.html |access-date=28 April 2019 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025083727/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dahlhaus-heads-to-cats-after-patching-up-things-with-bob-murphy-20181005-p5082j.html |archive-date=25 October 2018 |location=Melbourne |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Cats complete trade for Swans speedster |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-10/cats-complete-trade-for-swans-speedster |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409010308/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-10/cats-complete-trade-for-swans-speedster |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=10 October 2018 |url-status=live}}
}}
= Changes =
At the end of the 2018 season, Geelong delisted Aaron Black, Ryan Gardner, Cory Gregson, Daniel Menzel and Jordan Murdoch and Timm House from their primary list; the club also removed Stewart Crameri and Matthew Hayball from their rookie list.{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Crameri axed as Cats confirm six cuts |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-11/crameri-axed-as-cats-confirm-six-cuts |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409014203/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-11/crameri-axed-as-cats-confirm-six-cuts |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=11 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1= |title=Geelong leave fans in shock with decision to delist star forward |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-leave-fans-in-shock-with-decision-to-delist-star-forward/news-story/3d5f21bc3b1547c42d810941d340a194 |access-date=28 April 2019 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=25 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106233315/https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-leave-fans-in-shock-with-decision-to-delist-star-forward/news-story/3d5f21bc3b1547c42d810941d340a194 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Menzel and Murdoch were later recruited by Sydney and Gold Coast respectively as delisted free agents.{{cite web |last1=Black |first1=Sarah |title=Swans throw ex-Cat a lifeline as delisted free agent |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-14/swans-sign-cats-sharpshooter-as-a-delisted-free-agent |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316124306/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-14/swans-sign-cats-sharpshooter-as-a-delisted-free-agent |archive-date=16 March 2019 |date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Deal done: Suns take a shine to dumped Cats speedster |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-07/deal-done-suns-take-a-shine-to-delisted-cats-speedster |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409014207/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-07/deal-done-suns-take-a-shine-to-delisted-cats-speedster |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Conversely, rookies Jack Henry and Mark O'Connor were both upgraded to the Cats' senior list for 2019.{{cite web |author1= |title=Henry and O'Connor get elevated |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-10-30/henry-and-oconnor-get-elevated |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Geelong Football Club |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319084553/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-10-30/henry-and-oconnor-get-elevated |archive-date=19 March 2019 |date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live}}
Geelong were involved in six trades during the annual trade period, the first of which involved the Cats exchanging Lincoln McCarthy (along with picks 55 and 59 in the upcoming national draft) to Brisbane for picks 43 and 62.{{cite web |last1=Navaratnam |first1=Dinny |title=Lincoln a Lion: Fringe Cat joins Brisbane |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-08/lincoln-a-lion-fringe-cat-joins-brisbane |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409010234/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-08/lincoln-a-lion-fringe-cat-joins-brisbane |archive-date=9 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Geelong used these picks to secure Nathan Kreuger from Carlton{{refn|group=nb|Kreuger was pre-listed by Carlton after they were granted early access to recruit state–league players prior to the national draft.{{cite web |last1=Barrett |first1=Damian |title=Blues, Suns to get access to top state league players |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-24/afl-gives-blues-suns-special-access-to-state-league-players |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321054628/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-24/afl-gives-blues-suns-special-access-to-state-league-players |archive-date=21 March 2019 |date=24 September 2018 |url-status=live}}}} and Gary Rohan from Sydney respectively.{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Cats get SANFL tall Kreuger via Blues |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-08/cats-get-sanfl-tall-kreuger-via-blues |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409010228/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-08/cats-get-sanfl-tall-kreuger-via-blues |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=8 October 2018 |url-status=live}} The club then traded George Horlin-Smith to Gold Coast for pick 59, and Jackson Thurlow to Sydney for pick 70;{{cite web |last1=Navaratnam |first1=Dinny |title=Suns bolster midfield with fringe Cat |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-16/suns-secure-trade-for-cat-george-horlinsmith |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409010245/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-16/suns-secure-trade-for-cat-george-horlinsmith |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=16 October 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |author1= |title=Sydney Swans trade in fringe Cat Thurlow |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-swans-trade-in-fringe-cat-thurlow |website=SBS News |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020140638/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sydney-swans-trade-in-fringe-cat-thurlow |archive-date=20 October 2018 |date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live}} pick 59 was later on-traded (along with pick 60) to Collingwood in return for pick 51.{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Peter |title=Collingwood swaps picks with Cats to secure NGA and father-son talent |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-swaps-picks-with-cats-to-secure-nga-and-father-son-talent-20181026-p50c70.html |access-date=28 April 2019 |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122191543/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-swaps-picks-with-cats-to-secure-nga-and-father-son-talent-20181026-p50c70.html |archive-date=22 January 2019 |url-status=live}} Additionally, Luke Dahlhaus joined the club as an unrestricted free agent.
Six players were drafted by the Cats in the 2018 national draft: Jordan Clark (pick 15), Ben Jarvis (48), Jacob Kennerley (50), Darcy Fort (65), Jake Tarca (68) and Oscar Brownless (74)—a father–son selection.{{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |last2=Beveridge |first2=Riley |title=Who smashed it? Your club's 2018 draft verdict |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-23/who-smashed-it-your-clubs-2018-draft-verdict |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324025231/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-23/who-smashed-it-your-clubs-2018-draft-verdict |archive-date=24 March 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Cats continue family tradition with Billy's kid on board |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-23/cats-continue-family-tradition-with-billys-kid-on-board |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409013039/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-11-23/cats-continue-family-tradition-with-billys-kid-on-board |archive-date=9 April 2019 |date=23 November 2018 |url-status=live}} Geelong also selected Tom Atkins (pick 11) in the rookie draft; Atkins had been playing with the club's Victorian Football League (VFL) team since 2014.{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Twos company for a young Cat on the rise |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-05/twos-company-for-young-cat-on-the-rise |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205041048/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-05/twos-company-for-young-cat-on-the-rise |archive-date=5 December 2018 |date=5 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Gaelic footballer Stefan Okunbor was recruited to the club from Ireland as a Category B rookie, and was joined by Blake Schlensog, a graduate from Geelong's "Next Generation Academy".{{cite web |last1=Oates |first1=Stacey |title=Okunbor makes Kerry to Kardinia switch |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-10-30/okunbor-makes-kerry-to-kardinia-switch |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428102747/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-10-30/okunbor-makes-kerry-to-kardinia-switch |archive-date=28 April 2019 |date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=McPherson |first1=David |title=Schlensog joins as category B rookie |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-11-23/schlensog-joins-as-category-b-rookie |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116001230/http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2018-11-23/schlensog-joins-as-category-b-rookie |archive-date=16 January 2019 |date=23 November 2018 |url-status=live}}
{{col-start}}
{{col-break}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Deletions from playing list |
| scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Reason ! scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row"|{{sortname|George|Horlin-Smith}}
| Traded to {{AFL GC}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Lincoln|McCarthy}}
| Traded to {{AFL BL}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jackson|Thurlow}}
| Traded to {{AFL Syd}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Aaron|Black|dab=footballer, born 1990}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Stewart|Crameri}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Ryan|Gardner|dab=footballer}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Cory|Gregson}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Matthew|Hayball|nolink=1}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Timm|House|nolink=1}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Daniel|Menzel}}
| Delisted |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jordan|Murdoch}}
| Delisted |
{{col-break}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Additions to playing list |
| scope="col" | Player
! scope="col" | Acquired ! scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Luke|Dahlhaus}}
| Unrestricted free agent (from {{AFL WB}}) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Nathan|Kreuger}}
| Traded from {{AFL Car}} (pre-draft selection) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Gary|Rohan}}
| Traded from {{AFL Syd}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jack|Henry|dab=footballer, born 1998}}
| Rookie elevation |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Mark|O'Connor|dab=sportsman}}
| Rookie elevation |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jordan|Clark|dab=Australian footballer}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 15, 2018 national draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Ben|Jarvis|dab=footballer}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 48, 2018 national draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jacob|Kennerley}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 50, 2018 national draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Darcy|Fort}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 65, 2018 national draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jake|Tarca}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 68, 2018 national draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Oscar|Brownless}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 74, 2018 national draft (father–son) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Tom|Atkins|dab=footballer}}
| {{abbr|No.|Number}} 11, 2019 rookie draft |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Stefan|Okunbor}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Blake|Schlensog}} |
{{col-end}}
= Statistics =
Geelong utilised 34 players from their playing list this season;{{cite web |title=2019 Stats – Player Lists – Geelong |url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/2019.html#9 |publisher=AFL Tables |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414234752/https://afltables.com/afl/stats/2019.html |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live}} of these players, five played in their first AFL game: Tom Atkins, Jordan Clark, Charlie Constable, Darcy Fort and Gryan Miers.{{cite web |title=Geelong – All Time Player List |url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/geelong.html |publisher=AFL Tables |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414234527/https://afltables.com/afl/stats/alltime/geelong.html |archive-date=14 April 2020 |url-status=live}} Additionally, Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan played their first games for the Cats, having previously played for Western Bulldogs and Sydney respectively. There was four players who played in all 25 of the club's games. Tom Hawkins was the club's leading goalkicker for the eighth successive season, scoring 56 goals.{{cite web |title=Geelong Goalkicking Records |url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/geelong/leadinggk.html |website=AFL Tables |access-date=18 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213022225/https://afltables.com/afl/teams/geelong/leadinggk.html |archive-date=13 February 2018 |url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" |
| scope="col"|Player
! scope="col"|{{abbr|No.|Guernsey number}} ! scope="col" width:3em|Games ! scope="col" width:3em|Goals ! scope="col" width:3em|Behinds ! scope="col" width:3em|Kicks ! scope="col" width:3em|Handballs ! scope="col" width:3em|Disposals ! scope="col" width:3em|Marks ! scope="col" width:3em|Tackles ! scope="col" class="unsortable"|Milestone(s) |
|---|
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Ryan|Abbott}}
| 45 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 3 || 4 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Gary|Ablett|Gary Ablett Jr.}}
| 4 || 24 || 34 || 18 || 293 || 189 || 482 || 89 || 108 || |
| scope="row" style="background:#cfecec;"|{{sortname|Tom|Atkins|dab=footballer}}^
| 30 || 23 || 5 || 4 || 122 || 162 || 284 || 36 || 110 || AFL debut (round 1){{cite web |last1=Collings |first1=Tom |title=Six new faces |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-21/six-new-faces |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401203315/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-21/six-new-faces |archive-date=1 April 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jed|Bews}}
| 24 || 12 || 3 || 3 || 94 || 35 || 129 || 33 || 30 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Mark|Blicavs}}
| 46 || 25 || 0 || 3 || 182 || 154 || 336 || 124 || 90 || 150th game (round 18){{cite web |last1=Collings |first1=Tom |title=Blicavs to bring up 150 games |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-07-18/blicavs-to-bring-up-150-games |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726135431/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-07-18/blicavs-to-bring-up-150-games |archive-date=26 July 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Oscar|Brownless}}
| 20 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Wylie|Buzza}}
| 12 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jordan|Clark|dab=Australian footballer}}
| 6 || 18 || 11 || 8 || 171 || 78 || 249 || 76 || 48 || AFL debut (round 1) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Nakia|Cockatoo}}
| 5 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Charlie|Constable}}
| 18 || 7 || 5 || 2 || 63 || 87 || 150 || 31 || 26 || AFL debut (round 1) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jordan|Cunico}}
| 31 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Luke|Dahlhaus}}
| 40 || 24 || 14 || 16 || 171 || 262 || 433 || 71 || 115 || Geelong debut (round 1) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Patrick|Dangerfield}}
| 35 || 24 || 27 || 18 || 352 || 298 || 650 || 119 || 104 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Mitch|Duncan}}
| 22 || 23 || 20 || 6 || 340 || 241 || 581 || 172 || 68 || 200th game (round 21){{cite web |last1=Twomey |first1=Callum |title=Clinical Cats hold Kangaroos to lowest score in club history |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-10/match-report-geelong-v-north-melbourne |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810173023/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-10/match-report-geelong-v-north-melbourne |archive-date=10 August 2019 |date=10 August 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Lachie|Fogarty}}
| 13 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 10 || 9 || 19 || 3 || 10 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Darcy|Fort}}
| 28 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 16 || 7 || 23 || 6 || 5 || AFL debut (round 9){{cite news |last1=Salvado |first1=John |title=Fort makes impressive AFL debut for Cats |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6131762/fort-makes-impressive-afl-debut-for-cats/?cs=14238 |access-date=18 May 2019 |work=The Canberra Times |agency=Australian Associated Press |publisher=Australian Community Media |date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518115754/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6131762/fort-makes-impressive-afl-debut-for-cats/?cs=14238 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Cameron|Guthrie}}
| 29 || 20 || 10 || 4 || 191 || 177 || 368 || 70 || 98 || 150th game (round 14){{cite web |last1=Collings |first1=Tom |title=Team: Cats make one change |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-06-20/team-cats-make-one-change |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=23 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623092600/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-06-20/team-cats-make-one-change |archive-date=23 June 2019 |date=20 June 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row" style="background:#cfecec;"|{{sortname|Zach|Guthrie}}^
| 39 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 11 || 2 || 13 || 5 || 1 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Tom|Hawkins|Tom Hawkins (footballer, born 1988)}}
| 26 || 24 || 56 || 32 || 203 || 106 || 309 || 126 || 37 || 250th game (round 19){{cite web |last1=Curley |first1=Adam |title=Five-star Hawkins delivers Cats breathing space at the top |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-28/match-report-sydney-v-geelong |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=3 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728140744/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-28/match-report-sydney-v-geelong |archive-date=28 July 2019 |date=28 July 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Lachie|Henderson}}
| 25 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 53 || 22 || 75 || 29 || 8 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jack|Henry|Jack Henry (footballer, born 1998)}}
| 38 || 23 || 0 || 4 || 175 || 66 || 241 || 97 || 34 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Ben|Jarvis|dab=footballer}}
| 10 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row" style="background:#cfecec;"|{{sortname|Jamaine|Jones}}^
| 41 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Tim|Kelly|Tim Kelly (footballer)}}
| 11 || 25 || 24 || 18 || 381 || 254 || 635 || 89 || 106 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jacob|Kennerley}}
| 21 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jake|Kolodjashnij}}
| 8 || 23 || 0 || 1 || 167 || 86 || 253 || 109 || 33 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Nathan|Kreuger}}
| 15 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Sam|Menegola}}
| 27 || 12 || 3 || 6 || 127 || 101 || 228 || 58 || 38 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Gryan|Miers}}
| 32 || 25 || 28 || 19 || 229 || 156 || 385 || 98 || 48 || AFL debut (round 1) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Quinton|Narkle}}
| 19 || 6 || 5 || 4 || 59 || 44 || 103 || 14 || 18 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Mark|O'Connor|Mark O'Connor (sportsman)}}
| 42 || 23 || 1 || 0 || 195 || 127 || 322 || 104 || 61 || |
| scope="row" style="background:#ff9;"|{{sortname|Stefan|Okunbor}}#
| 43 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Brandan|Parfitt}}
| 3 || 20 || 4 || 4 || 190 || 174 || 364 || 39 || 105 || 50th game (round 22){{cite web |author1= |title=Parfitt brings up half century |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-08-16/parfitt-brings-up-half-century |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914051319/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-08-16/parfitt-brings-up-half-century |archive-date=14 September 2019 |date=16 August 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|James|Parsons|James Parsons (footballer)}}
| 34 || 4 || 3 || 2 || 45 || 17 || 62 || 16 || 9 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Esava|Ratugolea}}
| 17 || 20 || 15 || 15 || 103 || 72 || 175 || 53 || 46 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Gary|Rohan}}
| 23 || 19 || 25 || 11 || 125 || 37 || 162 || 37 || 34 || Geelong debut (round 1) |
| scope="row" style="background:#ff9;"|{{sortname|Blake|Schlensog}}#
| 36 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Joel|Selwood}}
| 14 || 23 || 6 || 6 || 275 || 214 || 489 || 79 || 94 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Scott|Selwood}}
| 16 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 21 || 17 || 38 || 8 || 12 || |
| scope="row" style="background:#cfecec;"|{{sortname|Sam|Simpson|Sam Simpson (footballer)}}^
| 37 || 0 ||{{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Zac|Smith}}
| 9 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 16 || 21 || 37 || 7 || 8 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Rhys|Stanley}}
| 1 || 18 || 7 || 7 || 138 || 112 || 250 || 53 || 46 || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Tom|Stewart|Tom Stewart (Australian footballer)}}
| 44 || 25 || 0 || 2 || 473 || 107 || 580 || 185 || 42 || 50th game (round 7){{cite web |author1= |title=Tom Stewart tells mid-season draft aspirants to "hang tough"" |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/04/30/tom-stewart-tells-mid-season-draft-aspirants-to-hang-tough/ |website=sen.com.au |publisher=SEN |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018081909/https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/04/30/tom-stewart-tells-mid-season-draft-aspirants-to-hang-tough/ |archive-date=18 October 2019 |date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Jake|Tarca}}
| 33 || 0 || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || {{n/a}} || |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Harry|Taylor|Harry Taylor (Australian rules footballer)}}
| 7 || 24 || 3 || 2 || 186 || 145 || 331 || 114 || 40 || 250th game (round 14) |
| scope="row"|{{sortname|Zach|Tuohy}}
| 2|| 18 || 3 || 10 || 252 || 98 || 350 || 78 || 17 || |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%; width:40%"
|+Key |style="background:#cfecec; border:1px solid #aaa; width:3em;"|^ |Denotes player who was on the club's standard rookie list, and therefore eligible for senior selection. |
| style="background:#ff9; border:1px solid #aaa; width:3em;"|#
|Denotes Category B rookie where player needed to be elevated to club's senior list during this season to be eligible for senior selection.{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Irish Cat bolts into round one contention |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-19/irish-cat-bolts-into-round-one-contention |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=29 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924092911/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-19/irish-cat-bolts-into-round-one-contention |archive-date=24 September 2018 |date=19 March 2018 |url-status=live}} |
Season summary
File:Gryan Miers 2019.2.jpg played his debut game in round one, and won Geelong's Best Young Player award for the season.|alt=Male athlete with dreadlocks playing in an Australian rules football game]]
The fixture for the 2019 season was confirmed by the AFL in November 2018, with clubs playing 22 matches during the regular season and receiving a mid-season bye.{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Fixture release: Pies the prime-time kings, Blues banished |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/139265/fixture-release-pies-the-primetime-kings-blues-banished |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415025217/https://www.afl.com.au/news/139265/fixture-release-pies-the-primetime-kings-blues-banished |archive-date=15 April 2020 |date=1 November 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author1= |title=Geelong 2019 AFL fixture and analysis from Herald Sun experts |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/geelong-2019-afl-fixture-and-analysis-from-herald-sun-experts/news-story/4c2329dad5d1085888b3100f39fbdbce |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=2 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102174046/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/geelong-2019-afl-fixture-and-analysis-from-herald-sun-experts/news-story/4c2329dad5d1085888b3100f39fbdbce |archive-date=2 November 2018 |location=Melbourne |url-status=live}} Geelong participated in the 2019 JLT Community Series as part of their pre-season schedule, playing in two games against West Coast and Essendon.{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Three new venues as AFL reveals 2019 JLT fixture |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/60074/afl-reveals-2019-jlt-fixture |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415022815/https://www.afl.com.au/news/60074/afl-reveals-2019-jlt-fixture |archive-date=15 April 2020 |date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live}}
Geelong began the regular season on 22 March against Collingwood at the MCG; despite featuring six new players in their team lineup, the Cats narrowly won the game by seven points.{{cite web |last1=Beveridge |first1=Riley |title=Hungry Cats pounce on Magpies to steal a thriller |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/132687/hungry-cats-pounce-on-magpies-to-steal-a-thriller |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422085845/https://www.afl.com.au/news/132687/hungry-cats-pounce-on-magpies-to-steal-a-thriller |archive-date=22 April 2020 |date=22 March 2019 |url-status=live}} This successful start to the season continued the following week, with Geelong winning against Melbourne by 80 points; both Collingwood and Melbourne reached the preliminary finals in the previous season.{{cite web |last1=Guthrie |first1=Ben |title=Dee-molished: Clean, clinical Cats destroy Demons |url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/1718#match-report |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422080654/https://www.afl.com.au/matches/1718 |archive-date=22 April 2020 |date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live}} After an away win against Adelaide in round 3, the Cats recorded their first loss for the season against Greater Western Sydney the next week.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/afl-geelong-cats-defeat-adelaide-crows-by-24-points/10966962|title=Geelong Cats beat Adelaide Crows by 24 points to stay unbeaten in AFL|date=4 April 2019|work=ABC News|access-date=23 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408072132/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/afl-geelong-cats-defeat-adelaide-crows-by-24-points/10966962|archive-date=8 April 2019|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|agency=Australian Associated Press}}{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Peter|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-mid-season-report-card-20190613-p51xca.html|title=Geelong mid-season report card|date=14 June 2019|work=The Age|access-date=15 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415032619/https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-mid-season-report-card-20190613-p51xca.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true|archive-date=15 April 2020|publisher=Nine Entertainment Co.|location=Melbourne}} Playing against arch-rival Hawthorn on Easter Monday, Geelong overcame match-day injuries to midfielder Brandan Parfitt and ruckman Esava Ratugolea to post a 23-point win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/132516/match-report-hawthorn-v-geelong|title=Top Cats hold off Hawks' late charge in blockbuster|last=Cleary|first=Mitch|date=22 April 2019|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423112322/https://www.afl.com.au/news/132516/match-report-hawthorn-v-geelong|archive-date=23 April 2020|access-date=23 April 2020}} This was the first of eight consecutive wins for the Cats, including a 58-point victory over reigning premier West Coast in round 6.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/118394/cats-destroy-reigning-premiers-go-one-game-clear-on-top|title=Cats destroy reigning premiers, go one game clear on top|last1=Guthrie|first1=Ben|date=28 April 2019|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422084404/https://www.afl.com.au/news/118394/cats-destroy-reigning-premiers-go-one-game-clear-on-top|archive-date=22 April 2020|access-date=22 April 2020}} Geelong's score of 21.7 (133) against Western Bulldogs in round 9 was their highest of the season, with the Cats recording eleven individual goalkickers in their win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/116564/match-report-geelong-v-western-bulldogs|title=Cats grab strong win against determined Dogs|last=Black|first=Sarah|date=18 May 2019|website=AFL.com.au|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424081233/https://www.afl.com.au/news/116564/match-report-geelong-v-western-bulldogs|archive-date=24 April 2020|access-date=24 April 2020}} Travelling to the MCG again in round 12, the Cats defeated Richmond by 67 points; the Tigers had won 26 of their 28 previous games at the venue.{{cite web |last1=Navaratnam |first1=Dinny |title=Ruthless Cats show undermanned Tigers no mercy |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/129196/match-report-tigers-v-cats |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422084236/https://www.afl.com.au/news/129196/match-report-tigers-v-cats |archive-date=22 April 2020 |date=7 June 2019 |url-status=live}}
File:Gary Ablett in May 2019.6 (cropped).jpg in 2019.|alt=Baldheaded male athlete during an Australian rules football game]]
The Cats' early season success was somewhat marred by a string of on-field incidents by Cats' player Gary Ablett, beginning when Ablett was offered a one-match suspension for striking Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel with a forearm to the head in the Cats' round 7 win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-27/geelong-star-gary-ablett-gets-week-punching-suns-anthony-miles/11153564|title=Geelong star Gary Ablett facing one-week ban for his punch to the jaw of the Suns' Anthony Miles|date=27 May 2019|work=ABC News|access-date=23 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604231054/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-27/geelong-star-gary-ablett-gets-week-punching-suns-anthony-miles/11153564|archive-date=4 June 2019|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}} After successfully appealing the suspension at the AFL Tribunal, Ablett was involved in an almost identical incident the following week with North Melbourne's Sam Wright, but was not penalised. A fortnight later, Ablett was suspended for the first time in his 331-game career when he accepted a one-match suspension for punching the jaw of Gold Coast midfielder Anthony Miles. Heading into their bye in round 13, Geelong were placed first on the league's ladder with an 11–1 win–loss record; notably the Cats had played each team that had qualified for the previous season's final series.
Geelong were defeated by Port Adelaide in their first match following their week off; it was the eighth consecutive year the Cats had lost after a mid-season bye.{{cite news |author1= |title=Port Adelaide upsets Geelong, Brisbane smashes St Kilda, Melbourne outlasts Fremantle |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-22/afl-scorecentre/11234884 |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=ABC News |agency=Australian Associated Press |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805192937/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-22/afl-scorecentre/11234884 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |url-status=live}} This loss began a pattern where Geelong failed to record successive wins for the remainder of the home-and-away season, winning just five of ten matches.{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Cursed Cats? Five barriers Geelong must overcome to win the flag |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-01/cursed-cats-five-barriers-geelong-must-overcome-to-win-the-flag |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920131813/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-01/cursed-cats-five-barriers-geelong-must-overcome-to-win-the-flag |archive-date=20 September 2019 |date=1 September 2019 |url-status=live}} All but one of the Cats' wins was at GMHBA Stadium; their sole away victory was against Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground in round 19, with Tom Hawkins scoring five goals in his 250th game.{{Cite news|last=Warren|first=Adrian|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/cats-hawkins-kicks-five-in-250th-afl-game-c-370121|title=Cats' Hawkins kicks five in 250th AFL game|date=28 July 2019|work=7news.com.au|access-date=23 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423115112/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/cats-hawkins-kicks-five-in-250th-afl-game-c-370121|archive-date=23 April 2020|publisher=Seven West Media}} Despite this inconsistent form, the Cats's still finished the regular season with a 16–6 win–loss record and placed first on the league's ladder, qualifying for the 2019 finals series and earning Geelong their first minor premiership since the 2008 season.
Leading up to the finals series, Geelong had won just three of their 12 finals since their premiership win in 2011.{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Cursed Cats? Five barriers Geelong must overcome to win the flag |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/102006/cursed-cats-five-barriers-geelong-must-overcome-to-win-the-flag |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415071835/https://www.afl.com.au/news/102006/cursed-cats-five-barriers-geelong-must-overcome-to-win-the-flag |archive-date=15 April 2020 |date=1 September 2019 |url-status=live}} Geelong continued this poor finals form in their qualifying final against Collingwood, losing by 10 points.{{cite news |last1=McGarry |first1=Andrew |title=Collingwood prove too strong for Geelong, leaving minor premiers at risk of a 'straight sets' exit |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-06/magpies-down-geelong-to-reach-prelim-final/11475170 |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=6 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302231255/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-06/magpies-down-geelong-to-reach-prelim-final/11475170 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |url-status=live}} Geelong defeated West Coast by 20 points in the following week's semi-final, progressing to the third week of the finals series as a result.{{cite news |author1= |title=Geelong makes AFL preliminary final after beating West Coast Eagles by 20 points at MCG |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-13/afl-semi-final-geelong-cats-beat-west-coast-at-mcg/11504680 |access-date=15 April 2020 |work=ABC News |agency=Australian Associated Press |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=13 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925172410/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-13/afl-semi-final-geelong-cats-beat-west-coast-at-mcg/11504680 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |url-status=live}} Geelong were subsequently defeated in a preliminary final against Richmond by 19 points, eliminating them before the 2019 AFL Grand Final.{{cite news |author1= |title=Richmond Tigers into AFL grand final after beating Geelong Cats by 19 points at MCG |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-20/afl-richmond-tigers-defeat-geelong-cats-in-preliminary-final/11527362 |access-date=28 September 2019 |work=ABC News |agency=AAP |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=20 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924042331/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-20/afl-richmond-tigers-defeat-geelong-cats-in-preliminary-final/11527362 |archive-date=24 September 2019 |url-status=live}} It was the first time since the introduction of the final eight system that both of the regular season's top-two teams failed to reach the Grand Final, after second-placed Brisbane lost their semi-final against Greater Western Sydney.{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Finals flops: The red-hot teams who crashed out of September |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/50080/finals-flops-the-redhot-teams-who-crashed-out-of-september |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415074939/https://www.afl.com.au/news/50080/finals-flops-the-redhot-teams-who-crashed-out-of-september |archive-date=15 April 2020 |date=12 September 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Whiting |first1=Michael |title=Great escape: Epic finish puts Giants into prelim against Pies |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/76013/match-report-brisbane-v-greater-western-sydney |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415075521/https://www.afl.com.au/news/76013/match-report-brisbane-v-greater-western-sydney |archive-date=15 April 2020 |date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live}}
= Results =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;"
|+Key ! scope=row|H | Home game |
| scope=row|A
| Away game |
|---|
| scope=row style="background:#ff9; border:1px solid #aaa; width:3em;"|QF |
| scope=row style="background:#FBCEB1; border:1px solid #aaa; width:3em;"|SF |
| scope=row style="background:#CCCCFF; border:1px solid #aaa; width:3em;"|PF |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"|Round
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Date ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Result ! scope="col" colspan="3"|Score ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Opponent ! scope="col" colspan="3"|Score ! scope="col" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|Ground ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Attendance ! scope="col" rowspan="2"|{{Abbr|Ladder|Ladder position}} |
|---|
| scope="col"|{{Abbr|G|Goals}}
! scope="col"|{{Abbr|B|Behinds}} ! scope="col"|{{Abbr|T|Total score}} ! scope="col"|{{Abbr|G|Goals}} ! scope="col"|{{Abbr|B|Behinds}} ! scope="col"|{{Abbr|T|Total score}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|1
| {{Date table sorting|22 March}} | {{Won}} | 10 | 12 ! 72 | {{AFL Col}} | 9 | 11 ! 65 | A | 78,017 | {{Yes|8th}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|2
| {{Date table sorting|30 March}} | {{Won}} | 20 | 6 ! 126 | {{AFL Mel}} | 6 | 10 ! 46 | H | 27,561 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|3
| {{Date table sorting|4 April}} | {{Won}} | 14 | 15 ! 99 | {{AFL Ade}} | 10 | 15 ! 75 | A | 45,631 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|4
| {{Date table sorting|13 April}} | {{No|Lost}} | 11 | 9 ! 75 | {{AFL GWS}} | 11 | 13 ! 79 | H | 28,780 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|5
| {{Date table sorting|22 April}} | {{Won}} | 17 | 11 ! 113 | {{AFL Haw}} | 13 | 12 ! 90 | A | 66,347 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|6
| {{Date table sorting|28 April}} | {{Won}} | 15 | 14 ! 104 | {{AFL|WC}} | 7 | 4 ! 46 | H | 28,085 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|7
| {{Date table sorting|5 May}} | {{Won}} | 13 | 8 ! 86 | {{AFL Ess}} | 7 | 12 ! 54 | H | 63,527 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|8
| {{Date table sorting|12 May}} | {{Won}} | 16 | 8 ! 104 | {{AFL NM}} | 11 | 14 ! 80 | A | 21,156 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|9
| {{Date table sorting|18 May}} | {{Won}} | 21 | 7 ! 133 | {{AFL WB}} | 13 | 11 ! 89 | H | 31,373 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|10
| {{Date table sorting|25 May}} | {{Won}} | 13 | 13 ! 91 | {{AFL GC}} | 9 | 10 ! 64 | A | 13,144 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|11
| {{Date table sorting|1 June}} | {{Won}} | 13 | 7 ! 85 | {{AFL Syd}} | 8 | 15 ! 63 | H | 29,021 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|12
| {{Date table sorting|7 June}} | {{Won}} | 16 | 8 ! 104 | {{AFL Ric}} | 5 | 7 ! 37 | A | 65,214 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|13
| colspan="12"|{{Date table sorting|13 June|format=hide}} Bye | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|14
| {{Date table sorting|22 June}} | {{No|Lost}} | 8 | 8 ! 56 | {{AFL PA}} | 9 | 13 ! 67 | A | 37,726 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|15
| {{Date table sorting|28 June}} | {{Won}} | 14 | 12 ! 96 | {{AFL Ade}} | 10 | 9 ! 69 | H | 28,108 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|16
| {{Date table sorting|6 July}} | {{No|Lost}} | 7 | 13 ! 55 | {{AFL WB}} | 10 | 11 ! 71 | A | 35,641 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|17
| {{Date table sorting|13 July}} | {{Won}} | 12 | 12 ! 84 | {{AFL|StK}} | 8 | 9 ! 57 | H | 24,035 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|18
| {{Date table sorting|21 July}} | {{No|Lost}} | 8 | 13 ! 61 | {{AFL Haw}} | 12 | 13 ! 85 | H | 53,636 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|19
| {{Date table sorting|28 July}} | {{Won}} | 16 | 11 ! 107 | {{AFL Syd}} | 12 | 8 ! 80 | A | 32,911 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|20
| {{Date table sorting|3 August}} | {{No|Lost}} | 9 | 7 ! 61 | {{AFL Fre}} | 14 | 11 ! 95 | A | 36,310 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|21
| {{Date table sorting|10 August}} | {{Won}} | 9 | 15 ! 69 | {{AFL NM}} | 1 | 8 ! 14 | H | 21,664 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|22
| {{Date table sorting|17 August}} | {{No|Lost}} | 10 | 14 ! 74 | {{AFL BL}} | 10 | 15 ! 75 | A | 35,608 | {{Yes|2nd}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|23
| {{Date table sorting|24 August}} | {{Won}} | 19 | 15 ! 129 | {{AFL Car}} | 8 | 13 ! 61 | H | 31,669 | {{Yes|1st}} |
| scope="row" style="background:#ff9; text-align:center;"|{{sort|24|QF}}
| {{Date table sorting|6 September}} | {{No|Lost}} | 7 | 9 ! 51 | {{AFL Col}} | 9 | 7 ! 61 | H | 93,436 | rowspan="3" {{n/a}} |
| scope="row" style="background:#FBCEB1; text-align:center;"|{{sort|25|SF}}
| {{Date table sorting|13 September}} | {{Won}} | 13 | 10 ! 88 | {{AFL|WC}} | 10 | 8 ! 68 | H | 51,813 |
| scope="row" style="background:#CCCCFF; text-align:center;"|{{sort|26|PF}}
| {{Date table sorting|20 September}} | {{No|Lost}}{{refn|group=nb|Geelong were eliminated from the finals series as a result of their preliminary final loss to Richmond.}} | 9 | 12 ! 66 | {{AFL Ric}} | 12 | 13 ! 85 | A | 94,423 |
= Ladder =
{{:2019 AFL season|showteam=GEE}}
Reserves team
The club's reserves team, participating in the VFL, was coached by Shane O'Bree for a fourth season. Aaron Black and James Tsitas were appointed co-captains, replacing Tom Atkins after he was rookie-listed in the senior team.{{cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Angus |title=Black and Tsitas to lead VFL Cats |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-06/black-and-tsitas-to-lead-vfl-cats |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306173056/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-03-06/black-and-tsitas-to-lead-vfl-cats |archive-date=6 March 2019 |date=6 March 2019 |url-status=live}}
The reserves team finished the regular season with a 11–7 win–loss record and placed sixth on the league's ladder, qualifying for the finals series as a result.{{cite web |title=2019 VFL Season Ladder |url=http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?c=1-118-0-518179-0&pool=1&a=LADDER |website=sportstg.com |publisher=Victorian Football League |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929104621/http://websites.sportstg.com/comp_info.cgi?c=1-118-0-518179-0&pool=1&a=LADDER |archive-date=29 September 2019 |url-status=live}} Geelong was subsequently defeated in an elimination final by Port Melbourne.{{cite web |last1=Kvant |first1=Katherine |title=VFL: Port Melbourne prove too strong |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-09-01/vfl-port-melbourne-too-strong- |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=29 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929082258/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-09-01/vfl-port-melbourne-too-strong- |archive-date=29 September 2019 |date=1 September 2019 |url-status=live}}
Awards
File:Patrick Dangerfield 2019.3.jpg won the Carji Greeves Medal for 2019.|alt=Male athlete holds a football during a game]]
Geelong held their player awards night at Crown Palladium on 3 October, with former player Doug Wade presenting the club's best and fairest award, the Carji Greeves Medal.{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Superstar Cat storms home to win third B&F ahead of wantaway teammate |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/76721/superstar-cat-dangerfield-storms-home-to-win-third-bf-ahead-of-wantaway-teammate |website=AFl.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304134637/https://www.afl.com.au/news/76721/superstar-cat-dangerfield-storms-home-to-win-third-bf-ahead-of-wantaway-teammate |archive-date=4 March 2020 |date=3 October 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Collings |first1=Tom |title=Wade to present Carji Greeves Medal |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/234147/wade-to-present-carji-greeves-medal |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317165044/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/234147/wade-to-present-carji-greeves-medal |archive-date=17 March 2020 |date=2 October 2019 |url-status=live}} The award was won by Patrick Dangerfield, who received 268 votes; runner-up Tim Kelly polled 259.5 votes, with Tom Stewart in third place on 151 votes. It was Dangerfield's third Carji Greeves Medal, having previously won the award in 2016 and 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/patrick-dangerfield-wins-geelong-best-and-fairest-for-a-second-straight-season/news-story/69cc019acb6ad7730ec286fc47ab4260 |title=Patrick Dangerfield wins Geelong best and fairest for a second straight season |last=Edmund |first=Sam |date=5 October 2017 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp Australia |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108134206/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/geelong/patrick-dangerfield-wins-geelong-best-and-fairest-for-a-second-straight-season/news-story/69cc019acb6ad7730ec286fc47ab4260 |archive-date=8 November 2017 |url-status=live}} Additionally, Scott Selwood received the Tom Harley Award, for best representing the club's values, and Tom Hawkins was presented with the Community Champion award. Gryan Miers was named the club's Best Young Player.
Dangerfield, Kelly, Hawkins and Stewart were all selected in the honorary 2019 All-Australian team.{{cite web |last1=McGowan |first1=Mark |title=2019 All Australian team: New skipper, nine debutants revealed |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-28/2019-all-australian-team-revealed |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906104510/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-28/2019-all-australian-team-revealed |archive-date=6 September 2019 |date=28 August 2019 |url-status=live}} Teammates Gary Ablett and Mark Blicavs were initially shortlisted but ultimately not selected in the final team.{{cite web |last1=McGowan |first1=Marc |title=Revealed: The All Australian squad for 2019 |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-26/revealed-the-all-australian-squad-for-2019 |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826072717/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-08-26/revealed-the-all-australian-squad-for-2019 |archive-date=26 August 2019 |date=26 August 2019 |url-status=live}} Kelly also received the AFL Coaches Association's Best Young Player award.{{cite web |author1= |title=Kelly wins Best Young Player Award |url=https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-08-28/kelly-named-best-young-player |website=geelongcats.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=19 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019035326/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2019-08-28/kelly-named-best-young-player |archive-date=19 October 2019 |url-status=live}} Geelong had three players, Charlie Constable (round two), Miers (round eight) and Jordan Clark (round fifteen), who were nominated for the season's Rising Star award.{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Brutal pre-season helps 'Chook' nab Rising Star nomination |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-01/brutal-preseason-helps-chook-nab-rising-star-nom |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417172135/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-01/brutal-preseason-helps-chook-nab-rising-star-nom |archive-date=17 April 2019 |date=1 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Life of Gryan: Dreadlocked Cat the latest Rising Star |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-13/life-of-gryan-dreadlocked-cat-the-latest-rising-star |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831151515/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-05-13/life-of-gryan-dreadlocked-cat-the-latest-rising-star |archive-date=31 August 2019 |date=13 May 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Collins |first1=Ben |title=Heir Jordan: No pre-season, no worries for Rising Cat |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-01/heir-jordan-porky-cat-claims-rising-star-nomination |website=AFL.com.au |publisher=Telstra Media |access-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701172729/https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-07-01/heir-jordan-porky-cat-claims-rising-star-nomination |archive-date=1 July 2019 |date=1 July 2019 |url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+ Table of awards received by Geelong players |
| scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Awarded by ! scope="col"| Player ! scope="col"| Result ! class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan=6| All-Australian team
| rowspan=9| Australian Football League | {{sortname|Gary|Ablett|Gary Ablett Jr.}} | {{nom|Shortlisted}} |
| {{sortname|Mark|Blicavs}}
| {{nom|Shortlisted}} |
| {{sortname|Patrick|Dangerfield}}
| {{won|Selected}} |
| {{sortname|Tom|Hawkins|dab=footballer, born 1988}}
| {{won|Selected}} |
| {{sortname|Tim|Kelly|dab=footballer}}
| {{won|Selected}} |
| {{sortname|Tom|Stewart|dab=Australian footballer}}
| {{won|Selected}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=3| AFL Rising Star
| {{sortname|Jordan|Clark|dab=Australian footballer}} | {{nom}} |
| {{sortname|Charlie|Constable}}
| {{nom}} |
| {{sortname|Gryan|Miers}}
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=3| Leigh Matthews Trophy for Most Valuable Player
| rowspan=6| AFL Players Association | {{sortname|Mark|Blicavs}} | {{nom}} |
| {{sortname|Tom|Hawkins|dab=footballer, born 1988}}
| {{nom}} |
| {{sortname|Tim|Kelly|dab=footballer}}
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best Captain
| rowspan=2| {{sortname|Joel|Selwood}} | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best First Year Player
| {{sortname|Jordan|Clark|dab=Australian footballer}} | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best Young Player
| {{sortname|Tim|Kelly|dab=footballer}} | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Carji Greeves Medal
| rowspan=5| Geelong Football Club | {{sortname|Patrick|Dangerfield}} | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Young Player
| {{sortname|Gryan|Miers}} | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Tom Harley Award
| {{sortname|Scott|Selwood}} | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Community Champion
| {{sortname|Tom|Hawkins|dab=footballer, born 1988}} | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| VFL best and fairest
| {{sortname|Sam|Simpson|dab=footballer}} | {{won}} |
See also
Notes
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.geelongcats.com.au/ Official website] of the Geelong Football Club
- [http://www.afl.com.au/ Official website] of the Australian Football League
{{Geelong Football Club}}
{{2019 AFL season}}