The return: Gary Ablett has fired at the Cats, when fit.
Photo: AAP
GEELONG
Record: 8 wins, 5 losses
Grading: B+
Summer Expectation
Gary Ablett's return created a sense of expectation that the Cats would be worth watching if nothing else. Whether he would add the finish to take them from a preliminary final to a premiership remained uncertain but with nine home games and a quality midfield, they were expected to to qualify high.
Immediate impact: Tim Kelly.
Photo: Fairfax Media
The Story So Far
Injuries to key players threatened to derail their season but they have performed well under duress. The new-look backline without Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson (as well as Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie) has been a revelation and the midfield is starting to settle after taking time to find cohesion, despite the ruck remaining a weakness. They stayed with the top three teams for three quarters before losing and were injury-hit against West Coast. Get Dan Menzel, Harry Taylor, Cam Guthrie, Nakia Cockatoo and Lachie Henderson back and they look threatening on paper.
The Surprise
Tim Kelly. The Cats used pick 24 to select the mature-aged West Australian but no one expected him to shine this brightly in his first season. At times he has outperformed the midfield stars Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Ablett, with his balance and crumbing prowess brilliant to watch. He's quickly become the joker in the midfield pack, averaging 21 disposals and 10 contested possessions a game.
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What's Ahead
The Cats face a fierce battle to win the double chance with return games against Sydney, Melbourne and Richmond as well as the Crows in Adelaide. The upside is that they play four games in Geelong, have key players returning from injury and don't leave Victoria after round 17. But the Cats simply must learn to win at the MCG against good opposition to be considered serious contenders.
How is your team faring? Check out the other report cards here.
Peter Ryan joined The Age in 2017 having covered AFL as a senior reporter with AFL Media.
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