In the coming week we'll take a look at the Cats  defenders, midfielders, ruckman and forwards. We'll pick the players who'll fall in these lines and look at what 2014 will look like for them.

Mitch Brown
Heading into his sixth season the versatile tall will be looking to make a spot in the backline his own. Played a career high five games in 2013 for a career total of 10. Standout game for 2013 was a 20 possession and three inside 50 performance against the Saints in round 18.
Potential position – half back flank, full back
Other positions – centre half forward, half forward

Andrew Mackie
2013 was Mackie’s finest year to date with career highs in games played, disposals, goal assists and marks as well as selection in the All Australian team. Whilst not able to make a position his own earlier in his career, Mackie is now one of the game’s best dashing half backman who also defends as well as anyone.
Potential position – half back flank
Other positions – wing

Harry Taylor
Not many players revolutionise a position but Taylor was able to do so in 2013 when he made the ‘swingman’ position his own. Despite being the game’s premier centre half back, Taylor was also able to find himself forward where he kicked 15 goals in seven games including bags of five and three. If the Cats could clone one player it just may be the versatile tall.
Potential position – centre-half-back, full back
Other positions – centre-half-forward, full forward

Jake Kolodjashnij
A cross between Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan, Kolodjashnij is the typical modern day tall defender. Whilst he enjoys a run out of defence he is just as much at home playing against big bodied forwards. Will spend a lot of the year learning the craft down back in the VFL but already possess a body prepared for senior football.
Potential position – centre half back, full back
Other position – N/A

Tom Lonergan
Lonergan continued to be a thorn in the side of many of the game’s best key forwards in 2013. Alongside good mate Andrew Mackie, Lonergan played all 25 of the Cats games and kept Franklin, Cloke and Riewoldt to less than two goals in all their encounters. Will again be the Cats rock in the last line of defence.
Potential position – full back
Other position – centre half back, full forward

Jed Bews
After an injury interrupted 2013, Bews will look to register his first senior game in his third season at the Cats. The son of club legend, Andrew, Bews has made good use of the Cats gym over the past two seasons to possess a body made for senior football. Possessing skill, dash and courage, Bews could become a very handy shutdown defender for the Cats.
Potential position – back pocket
Other positions – half back

Jared Rivers
With knee troubles behind him and a full year in the Cats system look for former Demons defender Jared Rivers to make a big impact for the Cats in 2013. With great awareness and strong hands, Rivers is the perfect player to be third man up and take the interception mark. Also important to the Cats structure with most teams having three tall forwards, allowing the Cats to free up Mackie.
Potential position – half back, back pocket
Other position – full back, centre half back

Cameron Guthrie
The big question in 2014 will be is Cameron Guthrie a defender or a midfielder. 2013 saw the 21 year old produce some performances way beyond his years and experience. His poise and skill level is exceptional, hence the Cats ability to make the move of him into the midfield. If he does stay down back he provides shut down ability and dash off half back. An exciting year ahead.
Potential position – half back, back pocket
Other position - midfield

Michael Luxford
The former star junior point guard has made the move from hoops to football and his first year will be all about development. Most football brains say the best position to start at for those new to the game is the backline allowing you to watch the game unfold in front of you. Should Luxford begin in the backline, he’ll fit the running backman role nicely.
Potential position – back pocket
Other position – midfield, forward pocket

Jackson Sheringham
After five impressive games in 2012, 2013 should have been a year for Jackson Sheringham to cement a spot amongst the Cats rising youth brigade. Unfortunately, injuries to his shoulder, knee and hamstring restricted his output in the VFL to just eight games. Now with his rehab behind him and his final year on the Cats rookie list in front of him, the determined 25 year old will stop at nothing for another chance. Sheringham is another who will potentially move between the backline and midfield.
Potential position – back pocket, half back
Other positions – wing, midfield

Jackson Thurlow
Cats fans who witnessed Jackson Thurlow’s debut against Essendon in a top of the table clash in 2013 had every right to feel excited about his future. The Tasmanian did not look out of place in any of his four debut season matches and looks to be a mainstay of the Cats team going forward. With an increase in size over the Cats preseason, Thurlow’s body will be better prepared to play across the Cats half back line or potentially a move into the midfield.
Potential position – half back, back pocket.
Other position – wing, centre

James Toohey
James Toohey, the Cats first pick in the rookie draft this year, comes to the club with an extra season of TAC and life to his name. The 19 year old won the Calder Cannons’ best and fairest after making the move from the forward line to the backline. With a booming left foot and plenty of size he should get the chance to make a key defensive spot in the VFL his own but don’t be surprised to see the Cats try him in a number of positions.
Potential position – full back, centre half back
Other positions – key forward, wing

Nick Bourke
The AFL/AIS academy graduate will be looking to prove that last year’s injury interrupted season was a minor bump in the road. Tall, quick and strong, Bourke will play most of his football off the Cats half back line before his development should see a move into the midfield. Think a quicker Joel Corey.
Potential position – half back, half forward
Other position - midfield

Corey Enright
What else needs to be said about one of the all time great backmen of the AFL. Nothing. Enright will once again go about his business of terrifying the league’s defenders with his ability to stop opposition attacks and set up rebounds. No reason he won’t pick up a sixth All Australian this year.
Potential position – half back, back pocket
Other position – N/A

Joel Hamling
Now moving into his third year, Joel Hamling will be looking to take his development to the next level. Over the preseason he has been working closely with both the Cats backmen and forwards to hone his game. With great size and agility, Hamling should start providing the opposition with more headaches this year.
Potential position – full back, centre half back
Other positions – full forward centre half forward