There are not many players across the competition in better form than Shannon Neale right now. 

Another five goal haul against GWS last weekend extended a strong stretch of performances for the big Cat, who has now booted 13 goals in the last four weeks and 19 goals since the Round 11 clash with the Western Bulldogs. 

To put his form into perspective, Neale has booted more goals since Round 11 than five of the top eight players on the Coleman Medal leaderboard with only Jeremy Cameron (26 goals), Mitch Georgiades (24 goals) and Jamie Elliott (21 goals) eclipsing the Cats spearhead in that span. 

What makes that statistic even more impressive is that Neale missed nearly a full match during that stretch, after being hobbled and subbed out early in the second quarter of Geelong's clash with Gold Coast. 

Despite the incredible run and another strong outing against the Giants, Neale said there is still plenty of room to improve as the season rolls on. 

"Yeah not bad, I still think there is plenty of room for growth individually," Neale told Cats Media. 

"I am just trying to play my role for the team, I know Jez [Cameron] was a bit sore late in the game so I thought I had to step up and play my role even more.

"I think I am developing nicely, but I still have a long way to go for sure."

Goals Since Round 11

It was not the outcome Geelong wanted in Sydney on the weekend, but Neale was a shining light as he equalled his career-high with five goals against the Giants, clunking a number of impressive contested marks throughout the afternoon. 

After earning a more consistent opportunity at the top level midway through the 2024 season, the big Cat has continued to develop into a reliable target inside Geelong's forward 50, kicking at least one goal in 28 of his last 33 AFL matches. 

Geelong will look to put last week's loss firmly in the rear view mirror as they return home in Round 19, set to take on St Kilda in another important clash on Sunday afternoon. 

Neale said it is an exciting opportunity awaiting the Cats, as they look to build momentum over the final six games of the home and away season. 

"There is plenty to takeaway, they have had the better of us a couple of times now and I think at times we got a little bit desperate," Neale said. 

"Lucky for us we have a few more weeks to go, to get our game style going at the right time of year.

"It stings a bit, but the good thing is that we have got a good group to stick together and go at it again next week. Obviously back at home, we want to make the place a fortress, as it already is.

"So protect home turf, back in front of our fans, it is something to be excited about and something we are very much looking forward to."