Coach: Shane O’Bree (first year)
Captain: Seven-man rotation - Ben Raidme, Kieren Paliouras, Jake Edwards, Ryan Williams, Alex Hickey, Tom Stewart, Tom Atkins
2015 finish: 11th
2015 best and fairest placings: 1. Tom Ruggles / 2. Jarrad Jansen / 3. Dean Gore
Last premiership: 2012
Alignment: AFL standalone
The Geelong VFL team continued functioning as the ideal training ground for the club’s AFL-listed players in 2015. Despite missing the finals for a second straight year, the Cats defeated finalists Werribee twice and came close to beating Collingwood and eventual premier Williamstown in the first half of the season on the back of their young talent.
Geelong’s VFL model has been the envy of other AFL clubs for years and it again paid dividends last year, with the likes of Jake Kolodjashnij, Nakia Cockatoo and Michael Luxford receiving the perfect preparation for likely extended senior game time in future. Jarrad Jansen and Dean Gore were another two youngsters who flourished – finishing second and third respectively in the best and fairest count – but were subsequently traded as parts of high-profile deals.
Tom Ruggles – the man who won the best and fairest award – moves onto the AFL list after being selected by the Cats in the Rookie Draft, but may still spend time in the VFL. In other departures, one of last year’s co-captains Jackson Hollmer returns to local football as the VFL team’s games record holder, while Nick Dixon has moved to North Port Oval for more opportunity.
A group of locals will join the list for 2016, including 2015 Geelong Falcons best and fairest and second-placed finisher Harrison Kol and Will Sexton, with James Tsitas coming to the club after 29 games over two seasons with North Ballarat. 28-year-old former Carlton forward and 2011 Port Melbourne premiership player Jake Edwards also arrives after four years in the Ballarat Football League.
It’s hard to imagine much changing in terms of game style under new coach Shane O’Bree, who has been at Geelong since 2013. The Cats were one of the most handball-oriented teams in the VFL when in possession last year, consistent with the trademark free-flowing brand of football the AFL team has become known for.
Ins: Kane Leersen, Sam McLachlan (Colac), Jake Edwards (Darley), Alex Hickey (Essendon VFL), Harrison Kol, Will Sexton (Geelong Falcons), Ryan Abbott, Jay Moody (Grovedale), Timm House (Newtown & Chilwell), James Tsitas (North Ballarat), Tom Stewart (South Barwon), Sam Dobson (St Mary’s), Billy Barnes (Torquay)
Outs: Fraser Fort (Centrals), Tom Ruggles (Geelong AFL), Jackson Hollmer (Port Fairy), Nick Dixon (Port Melbourne), Dane McFarlane (Werribee), Stephen Bensted, Daniel Gibbs, Mitch Herbison, Tom Maas, Daniel Measures, Jackson Sheringham, Zak Sherman