This year the Cats spent the majority of the year firmly attached to the second spot on the ladder, after starting off the season in a strong position with seven consecutive wins.

As the season progressed the Cats quickly proved to be one of the toughest sides to beat in the competition.

All year the Cats only dropped four games from their list of 18 wins and during this time the Cats welcomed three new debutants, Mark Blicavs, Jackson Thurlow and George Burbury along with two new players, Jared Rivers from the Melbourne Football Club and young Josh Caddy from the Gold Coast Suns.

Mark Blicavs, who only played four games with the VFL in 2012, debuted in the opening blockbuster against the Hawks on April 1st and since then the former steeplechaser hasn’t looked back. From the Cats first thrilling seven-point win in round one Blicavs has become one of the Cats leading men in the middle, missing only three games for the season.

In round seven the Cats introduced 19-year-old Jackson Thurlow from Tasmania into the senior side, where he made eight disposals and kicked one goal against the Bombers. Shortly after, Geelong presented George Burbury with his first AFL game in round nine. Burbury enjoyed his first taste of senior football in South Australia where he collected nine disposals, five tackles and one goal. Once again the Cats came away with another powerful win after taking Port Adelaide to the ground by 48 points.  

From round five against the Bulldogs the Cats welcomed back Cam Guthrie to the Cats backline, which is where he remained for the year.

Once the season came to an end the 21-year-old, who had only played 20 games at the beginning of the year, no longer looked like the new kid on the block. Every week Guthrie executed his role with great discipline and tenacity, which enabled him to push through each and every challenge that fell his way. Guthrie really highlighted his improvement in round 22 against the reigning premiers when he delivered 20 disposals at 100% efficiency. The Cats quickly became aware of how crucial he was to the team, which was reiterated the following week against the Lions when he was sidelined with muscle soreness. It didn’t take long for Guthrie's absence to be recognized by spectators and felt by players.  

Collectively, the young Cats had an exciting year on the big stage, including Steven Motlop, who received a 2013 All-Australian nomination, Allen Christensen, who broke a career best with 36 disposals in round 14, and Mitch Duncan, who increased his total number of possessions this season by 126 touches.

Interestingly, this year’s list included a large pack of exciting young players aged 22 and under.

17 players were 22 and under: *2013 Debutants
Mark Blicavs*
Mitch Brown
George Burbury*
Josh Caddy
Allen Christensen
Mitch Duncan
Cam Guthrie
George Horlin-Smith
Taylor Hunt
Steven Motlop
Jordan Murdoch
Jordan Schroder
Billie Smedts
Jesse Stringer
Jackson Thurlow*
Nathan Vardy
Josh Walker

Six players were aged between 24 - 27:
Tom Hawkins
Joel Selwood
Dawson Simpson
Harry Taylor
Travis Varcoe
Trent West

And 12 players were aged between 28 - 32
Jimmy Bartel
Paul Chapman
Joel Corey
Corey Enright
Josh Hunt
Steve Johnson
James Kelly
Tom Lonergan
Andrew Mackie
James Podsiadly
Jared Rivers
Mathew Stokes

After seeing the way the young Cats performed this year, you can’t help but think that Geelong’s success will continue to be upheld. However, it’s the solid platform provided by the senior players of leadership, guidance and skill, which inspires the younger players to grow and develop into courageous footballers. Its players like Joel Selwood, Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel, James Podsiadly, Joel Corey, Andrew Mackie, Steven Johnson, Josh Hunt, Harry Taylor, Mathew Stokes, Paul Chapman and the list goes on, who continue to lead the club towards a brighter future.

So look out 2014… the Cats will rise again.