Time and time again, Geelong have proven their doubters wrong. 

Even at times where momentum is seemingly against the Cats and the critics are out in full force, the club and its leaders always come up with an answer to get things back on track. 

Nobody understands that notion like Zach Tuohy, the premiership Cat who has been part of a number of ebbs and flows during his career in the blue and white Hoops. 

On the first episode of Geelong's podcast 'To the Final Bell' for 2026, Tuohy provided comforting insight for Cats fans as the club prepares for another big game this weekend. 

"If there is a supporter base in the league that should be more prepared to not panic, it should be the Cats supporter base," Tuohy said. 

36:09

To The Final Bell | WHO IS THE NEW HOST?

To The Final Bell returns for season 2026 Lingy is back and joined by a new co-host for the season! We review Geelong's Opening Round performance against the Suns, look ahead to bouncing back against the Dockers and answer your first fan questions for the year!

"We have been pretty good for a long time, this isn't even close to the worst period or game we have had over the last five or six years.

"In 2024, we started really well and then we went on a stretch where we didn't win for six or seven weeks. It actually culminated in that Gold Coast game up in Darwin, when we really got done and that was as bad as it got.

"At that point, if the coaches weren't prepared to throw everything out, then they never will and they didn't on that occasion.

"We steadied the ship and went on to come within two minutes of making a Grand Final.

Just relax, it is the first game of the season, there was some personnel out. It wasn't a good performance but honestly, surely the proof is in the pudding with the Cats by now that there is no need to panic.

- Zach Tuohy

Geelong will face another strong challenge this week as they return home for their first game at GMHBA Stadium, set to take on Fremantle into another early season test. 

The Dockers have been widely tipped to be a contender at the pointy end of the competition in 2026, following a strong rise over previous seasons and an impressive list featuring plenty of star players. 

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 22: Zach Tuohy of the Cats and Mitchell Hinge of the Crows during the 2024 AFL Round 2 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

It comes off the Opening Round where Geelong faced a Gold Coast team stacked with talent, with Tuohy noting that there will be plenty of learnings from the clash while seeing a number of positives for the Cats to build on. 

"I just think they are stacked, I think they are primed and I could see them going all the way, but it is hard to call this early," Tuohy said. 

"It is not panic stations for me and you could see really clearly what the Cats were trying to do, I don't know if that was a sign of things to come. Watching the game, especially early I was quite content with what I was seeing from the Cats in terms of endeavour and style.

"It has never looked more obvious that they were missing Dangerfield and Jez up forward, because it is one thing to play quick and bomb it forward, but you need the timber there to compete.

"I was quite content with the style, I know the club and the coaches well enough to know it will get highly refined over the next few weeks.

"Gold Coast are going to be a problem, and they are going to do that not just to a few teams, but they will do it to most teams."