GEELONG is a more damaging team after Harry Taylor's near-permanent and much-criticised shift to the forward line, statistics show.
The Cats forwards are creating better separation for their teammates,they are capitalising on their chances in front of goal and the team is delivering the ball more precisely and with improved method inside 50 in 2017.
Geelong is handballing the footy more through the arcs and doing a better job of using its 'outnumber' at the contest (most sides don't play with a conventional setup – some choose to have more players around the ball and others, like the Cats, frequently opt to play a spare man behind the footy).
Its midfield-forward connection also has been vastly improved.
In 2016, star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield had the most inside 50s of any player ever recorded (194).
This season, he appears to have a more considered approach with his ball use rather than just pumping the ball forward all the time, as evidenced by his equal-28th standing in the AFL for inside 50s this season.
The changes in game style, and in structure, have been subtle but come as a result of an extensive review into last year's devastating 37-point preliminary final loss to Sydney.
The dismal loss was the Cats' poorest performance in a season where the team did a lot right in finishing second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season.
On that disappointing Friday night at the MCG, the Cats had 32 more inside 50s than the Swans (72-40) but failed to make their opportunities count.
Time and again Geelong's midfielders bombed the ball inside 50 and hoped their forwards would be able to pluck a grab among a sea of Swans, like someone attempting to claim the major prize using a claw machine at the local cinemas.
What Geelong's coaching staff was able to gather from the loss to the Swans was interrelated: the team needed to deliver the ball inside 50 more effectively, it needed to bring in a tall target to reduce the reliance on Tom Hawkins and it needed to capitalise on its chances.
Harry Taylor's move to the forward line has created plenty of debate, but stats show the much-analysed move has made the unbeaten Cats a more efficient offensive unit.
While the All Australian defender is yet to kick a goal this season, teams have to honour the aerial threat Taylor poses, allowing Hawkins and Daniel Menzel to thrive.
Hawkins (12) and Menzel (10) are ranked third and equal-fourth in the AFL for goals after the first three rounds of the season.
Taylor's new role has allowed the Cats' forwards to compete more often in isolated one-on-one contests, with Geelong doing a good job of preventing opposition teams from using their spare man to impact in aerial contests.
"Harry's one who hasn't reaped the benefits on the scoreboard, but his positioning is definitely helping 'Hawk' and myself out," Menzel told AFL.com.au.
According to Champion Data, the adjustments the Cats have made have seen them go from seventh to first this season in the AFL for offensive efficiency (how many points a team would score per 50 minutes of time in their forward half of the ground) – 11 points better than any other side this season.
"It's as much about the entries and where we're kicking the ball as it is about the players in there," Menzel said.
The Cats have had less inside 50s than last season (third to 16th) and have spent less time in their forward half (first to 16th).
However, the Cats' accuracy in front of goal – underlined in its 29-point win over Melbourne last weekend – has improved markedly.
Geelong has gone from 12th (50 per cent) in 2016 to first (64.7 per cent) in that important category this season.
Menzel, who did not play in the preliminary final loss to Sydney due to a groin strain, has increased his accuracy from 53.2 per cent in 2016 to 76.9 per cent in 2017.
"Having not played in so long it was a little technique issue that I had (in his set-shot kicking), and it became amplified in games and it was something I spoke to the coaches a lot about," Menzel said.
"When I have those shots at goal now, I know I'm going to kick it and I've really honed in on my technique and I know exactly what I'm going to do every single kick for goal."
Menzel believes the forward line can still function more effectively, particularly as he and his teammates get more used to each other's playing styles.
Hawkins had off-season knee surgery; Menzel, who has played just 23 games in six seasons after four straight knee reconstructions, was hampered by a lingering groin injury, and small forward Lincoln McCarthy – who is central to the Cats' pressure – was also restricted by a foot complaint.
It meant Taylor did not have the chance to spend much time training with Menzel, Hawkins and McCarthy in the forward line during the pre-season.
Menzel said it was important the forwards continued to take a collaborative approach to ensure they made the most of their scoring opportunities.
"We know that we all need to play our part, and some guys will kick the goals and others will just play their role on the day," Menzel said.
Stats supplied by Champion Data
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