To say that Geelong have made a strong start to the 2026 VFL season would be an understatement and an injustice to Mark Corrigan and his group. 

It is remarkable what the Cats have achieved to this point of the year and as they enjoy a bye week in Round 14, it provides a chance to reflect on just how sensational they have been. 

Through 12 games, Geelong hold an 11-1 record and are currently in the midst of an eight-game win streak, with their lone defeat coming back in Round 4 against Footscray. 

With 11 wins, the Cats incredibly sit a full three games clear on top of the VFL ladder at the conclusion of Round 13, with Box Hill currently in second spot on eight wins. 

The Cats started their campaign with a thumping 85-point victory over Essendon, chalking up 43 scoring shots and a final score of 163 points, which set the tone for the season ahead. 

In all bar two games so far this year, Geelong have exceeded 90 points in a match and have five separate scores of 115 points or more, showing the true firepower they possess on offence. 

They hold a total of 1299 points scored for the year which is slightly over an average of 108 points per game, remarkably 152 more points scored than the next best team in the VFL. 

But while there is certainly a focus on attack, Geelong certainly do not compromise at the other end of the ground as they comfortably rank as the number one defence in the competition. 

The Cats have only conceded a total of 734 points this year, an average of 61 points per game, which again is 145 points less than the next best team and Werribee has played one less game than Geelong. 

Through 12 games, Geelong's biggest score that they have conceded is 84 points, one of only two scores over 80 points that they have given up this season. 

Entering their bye, the Cats had only conceded a grand total of 116 points to their last three opponents combined, holding five different teams to 55 points or less. 

All in all, their dominance at both ends of the ground means that Geelong have a whopping percentage of 177 and, you guessed it, that is nearly 60% clear of the next best VFL team. 

It is a remarkable turnaround for a Cats VFL side that has only featured in Finals on one occasion in the last four years, with the AFL-list depth and VFL-listed players combining perfectly under head coach Mark Corrigan. 

The improvement has been driven by the likes of emerging defender Lenny Hofmann, who is averaging 21.1 disposals and 6.4 marks per game, while also picking off plenty of intercept possessions to help Geelong on the counterattack. 

Mitch Knevitt (26.9 disposals, 5.6 clearances) and Jhye Clark (26 disposals, 6.6 marks) have both been heavy contributors, while the likes of George Stevens, James Worpel and Jack Bowes have been influential in between stints with Geelong's AFL team. 

Jamieson Ballantyne is in the midst of an extraordinary campaign, kicking 23 goals in just 11 games to sit in equal seventh on the VFL's goal kicking leaderboard. His presence inside 50 has been unmatched, hitting the scoreboard in all bar one game this year and kicking two goals or more on seven different occasions. 

He has been closely followed by Jesse Mellor, who has 20 goals to his name through 11 appearances, while Dan Capiron's swing forward has worked to great effect with 18 goals to this point of the season. 

Joe Pike has shown great signs of development in the ruck, featuring in all 12 games while averaging 11.9 disposals and 17.5 hit-outs per game, providing great support for Rhys Stanley through the middle of the ground. 

Cillian Burke is growing with every passing week, while there have been strong contributions from the likes of Mason Williams, Jack Costello and Tom Peirce to help complete a well-rounded line-up. 

With six games remaining in their regular season and a three game buffer on top of the ladder, the sky is the limit for the VFL Cats as they look to mount a challenge for their first premiership since 2012. 

Geelong's VFL team will be back in action next Friday night, as they head around the bay to take on Frankston from 7.35pm AEST at Kinetic Stadium.