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Full Noise by SN
The data behind Geelong's stuttered start to 2026
Jaiden Sciberras • May 7th, 2026 5:08 pm
Geelong’s start to the season hasn’t been smooth sailing, and Champion Data may have located the numbers behind their slight demise.
Sitting in sixth place with five wins from eight, the Cats certainly remain within the conversation for a deep September run – after all, Geelong is never truly out of contention.
However, with big losses to Gold Coast and Port Adelaide, Geelong hasn’t quite nailed down their premiership tilt, and much of that spawns from their struggles ahead of the ball.
As Champion Data’s Corey Mobilio identified, one of the Cats’ primary strengths from last year’s second place finish has dipped drastically over the first eight weeks of the season.
“Putting this one on a bit of a watch,” Mobilio told SEN Breakfast.
“If you look at Geelong’s forward 50 last year, they scored from 50 per cent of entries; best forward 50 in the competition, most efficient side we’ve seen in 10 years. This year, they have dropped to 11th.
“They are just not completely screwed down in all facets at the moment, and they know they’ve got work to do.
“Obviously looking forward to Saturday night, they come up against the best defensive 50 in the competition in Collingwood. I think we’re going to find out more about Geelong in the immediate six-to-seven weeks.
“It stars with Collingwood, Brisbane, Sydney, Carlton they should win, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, and to add on a seventh game, they play Fremantle.
“I think it is partially due to their half forwards – they really haven’t got going this year. Gryan Miers has been injured, Shaun Mannagh had that really slow three-week stretch.
“Brad Close in and out of the team, Patrick Dangerfield is still building, and Ollie Dempsey hasn’t been a top 20 rated player in six of his eight games this year.
“Work to do in that regard, but I think in six or seven weeks’ time, we are going to find out a lot about Geelong.”
The Cats face the Pies at the MCG in a blockbuster Saturday night clash.
