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Geelong Cats Face Off-Field Scrutiny and List Transformation Following Grand Final Defeat Analysis by Our Sports Correspondent, Melbourne The Geelong Cats have entered a complex and scrutinised off-season, grappling with the cultural fallout of a post-season player celebration just days after suffering a comprehensive defeat in the 2025 AFL Grand Final. The club has since moved to drastically review its list management strategy, signalling an intent to aggressively challenge for the Premiership in the immediate future despite questions about the age profile of its remaining star cohort. The initial shock of the 47-point Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Lions on the last Saturday in September quickly gave way to internal reflection and external controversy. The defeat marked an anti-climax for a team that had navigated a gruelling season to finish among the league's best, but ultimately failed to fire on the largest stage. The immediate focus has now shifted from the field to the difficult decisions surrounding player movement and behaviour. Cultural Review and Public Apology The most pressing matter off-field centred on the club’s annual "Mad Monday" gathering. Several players, including high-profile midfielder Bailey Smith, attracted significant public backlash following social media posts and costumes deemed inappropriate, including those that appeared to mock third-party payment (TPP) speculation involving club sponsors and veteran media personalities. Responding swiftly to the public outcry and reportedly to a request from the AFL hierarchy, the Geelong Football Club issued a public apology and announced a fundamental change to its post-season approach. “Geelong Football Club sincerely apologises for the offence caused following our end of season gathering on Monday,” a club statement read, stressing the distance between the players' actions and the organisation’s values.
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“Certain costumes and associated social media posts were inappropriate and a significant error of judgment, and do not reflect our Team of All commitment. The club has decided future post season events will not continue in this current form, and we will take this moment to further educate our people on expectations and club and community standards. ” This incident came amid a period of cultural scrutiny for the club, which had earlier dealt with apologies from coach Chris Scott and Smith for separate behavioural incidents involving media and training staff. Speaking earlier in the season, before the latest controversy, veteran player Mark Blicavs defended the broader environment. “I can only talk with the experience I’ve had. I love this place and I think we do a great job,” Blicavs stated. “We have a few ‘different cats’ in the team. That’s the beauty of the playing list. ” Aggressive List Strategy and the Search for Firepower Amid the cultural reckoning, Geelong’s list management team has wasted no time in executing an aggressive strategy aimed at maintaining their competitive window.
The opening of the free agency period saw the immediate signing of James Worpel, a restricted free agent from the Hawthorn Hawks. The acquisition of the hard-running midfielder is viewed as a key step in bolstering the Cats’ engine room with established, prime-age talent, a necessary counter to the inevitable retirements in the coming years. The club has also commenced the difficult process of list contraction, confirming the retirement of dual premiership player Mitch Duncan and the delisting of untried rookies, including Xavier Ivisic and Patrick Retschko. “It is always a difficult time of year farewelling players, and both Xavier and Pat were great teammates and contributors to our program,” Cats footy boss Andrew Mackie said, thanking the outgoing personnel for their dedication. However, the major focus remains on the high-stakes pursuit of Carlton star Charlie Curnow, a dual Coleman Medallist. Despite Curnow being under contract, reports suggest a determined attempt by Geelong to orchestrate a trade for the key forward, who is reportedly seeking a new environment. Securing Curnow would create an imposing forward line alongside incumbent Coleman winner Jeremy Cameron, who himself had an outstanding 2025 season. This pursuit underscores the club's determination to maximise the twilight years of their premiership core, which still relies heavily on stalwarts like Patrick Dangerfield (35), Tom Stewart (32), and Mark Blicavs (34). The Financial Tightrope These ambitious list moves are set against a backdrop of previous financial scrutiny.
Earlier in 2025, the club was subject to an AFL audit regarding third-party player payment (TPP) lodgements, with reports indicating the club was expecting a fine for administrative discrepancies. While the AFL stated it did not believe there was any deliberate attempt to circumvent the salary cap, the situation adds a layer of complexity to their current high-profile trade pursuits. The club must now successfully navigate the trade period—securing Curnow without debilitating their draft capital—while also managing the internal ramifications of the off-field controversies. The emergence of young Best and Fairest winner Max Holmes, who won the Carji Greeves Medal for a second straight year, offers a positive narrative of successful youth integration, but the challenge remains daunting. The club’s hierarchy, led by CEO Steve Hocking and Coach Chris Scott, faces the immediate task of restoring public trust and demonstrating that the ambition for on-field success is matched by a culture of integrity and accountability. For the Geelong Cats, the off-season has begun not with rest, but with immediate, high-stakes decisions that will define their future success. The latest news on Geelong’s ambitious list management strategy, particularly concerning in-contract targets, can be further explored in this recent update: AFL Trade Update: Curnow wants Geelong, Petracca and Simpkin explore trades!.
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