Just 45 days remain until Geelong commence their 2026 campaign, with a blockbuster Opening Round clash on the Gold Coast looming large. 

The Cats will be looking to start their year on a positive note, aiming to compete at the pointy end of the competition once again this season after falling at the final hurdle in 2025. 

Despite the disappointment of how the year finished, Geelong's General Manager of Football, Andrew Mackie has been pleased by the response from the playing group during a gruelling pre-season. 

Mackie said that he is optimistic about the club's outlook heading into the new campaign, as they search for ways to continue their progression following a strong season last year. 

"It has been really positive," Mackie told Cats Media. 

"Clearly coming off the back of the last game last year, you always look for the signs that are going to hold us in good stead progressing into 2026.

"The appetite to work and tinker, this time of year you are always looking at things about how you can keep evolving both as an individual and as a team. We are in that exploration phase, as well as just executing some really important physical markers that we want to get after.

"It has been a real positive, the group has come back with a great attitude and they are willing to get to work. Excited about what it might mean, without anything being guaranteed."

Geelong continue to put themselves in the Premiership window after a strong 2025 campaign, reaching Finals for the 17th time in the last 19 seasons, making it to their 14th Preliminary Final and seventh Grand Final across that span. 

With a number of fresh faces and new recruits joining the club during the off-season, it has given the Cats a spark as they look to remain in contention once again. 

Mackie noted that the environment around the club is very positive as the new season draws closer, with a real desire to improve and grow. 

"We are so lucky to have the people that we do in our footy club, and in particular the footy department," Mackie said. 

"Players and staff keep driving, we couldn't ask for a better group to come to work with every day. It is a really committed playing group, they want to get better every day.

"Like I said, coming off a year like last year where a lot went right but ultimately didn't quite get it done on the last day where we would have loved to, the switch from that into what we need to be doing has been really positive.

"The environment that we do get, it is not lost on us what we are and how lucky we are."