Tom Lonergan is confident the Cats have the defensive depth to cover Harry Taylor's move to the forward line.

The 32-year-old and Lachie Henderson are likely to fill the posts as key defenders, with support from a range of mid-sized players including Andrew Mackie, Jackson Thurlow and Tom Stewart.

“Lach will spend a bit of time as a key this year and Tom Stewart is quite versatile and can play as a third tall," Lonergan told the Geelong Advertiser.

"But between Lach and I we’ll take those bigger players and that’s fine. That’s something I’ve been doing my whole career.

“They’re all different shapes and sizes, and you’ve sort of got to prepare differently against the different players you come up against every week.

“But I do enjoy the challenge and have always enjoyed playing on the best player from the opposition side.

"This year it will be a bit different with the dynamics not having Harry there, but it’s still a role I see myself playing and I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”