The 5 Year Plan: Geelong
The numbers for the players are their approximate ages in 5 years time. Of course, trades, injuries, drafts and unexpected retirements will affect what players are still around in 5 years. But this might be the core of the team when season 2011 starts.
FB N Djerkurra 23, M Scarlett 32, C Enright 30
HB A Mackie 27, M Egan 28, J Hunt 29
C T Varcoe 23, J Selwood 23, R Gamble 23
HF P Chapman 29, N Ablett 25, J Corey 29
FF M Stokes 24, T Hawkins 23, C Ling 30
Foll M Blake 25, G Ablett 27, J Bartel 27
bench B Ottens 31, K Tenace 26, J Kelly 27, J Rooke 29
Outlook: Maybe Ottens and King are still around, maybe they are both retired or traded, this could be something Geelong need to address but they do also have Blake and West. Another problem could be the backline when Harley and Scarlett retire. Geelong look to have all the small spots covered, and they won't have to add players in the midfield if young players like Selwood and Varcoe become the stars that many expect them to become. Nathan Ablett's best spot might be as a third tall forward, so the Cats might want to draft some centre half forward prospects or they could play Hawkins further out from goal. Ling was a forward in his TAC Cup days and he might finish his career in a forward pocket for Geelong. Selwood in the middle might not be a big guess, but when 2011 comes along he could also be their captain.
FB N Djerkurra 23, M Scarlett 32, C Enright 30
HB A Mackie 27, M Egan 28, J Hunt 29
C T Varcoe 23, J Selwood 23, R Gamble 23
HF P Chapman 29, N Ablett 25, J Corey 29
FF M Stokes 24, T Hawkins 23, C Ling 30
Foll M Blake 25, G Ablett 27, J Bartel 27
bench B Ottens 31, K Tenace 26, J Kelly 27, J Rooke 29
Outlook: Maybe Ottens and King are still around, maybe they are both retired or traded, this could be something Geelong need to address but they do also have Blake and West. Another problem could be the backline when Harley and Scarlett retire. Geelong look to have all the small spots covered, and they won't have to add players in the midfield if young players like Selwood and Varcoe become the stars that many expect them to become. Nathan Ablett's best spot might be as a third tall forward, so the Cats might want to draft some centre half forward prospects or they could play Hawkins further out from goal. Ling was a forward in his TAC Cup days and he might finish his career in a forward pocket for Geelong. Selwood in the middle might not be a big guess, but when 2011 comes along he could also be their captain.
There is also Todd Grima, Trent West and Matt Spencer who may not make it but have showing something.