Geelong Football Club

The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed the Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The club competes in the Australian Football League (AFL), the sport's premier competition.

Geelong Football Club
Names
Full nameGeelong Football Club Limited[1]
Nickname(s)Cats
Former nickname(s)Pivotonians, Seagulls
2021 season
After finals4th
Home-and-away season3rd
Leading goalkickerTom Hawkins (54 goals)
Club details
Founded1859 (1859)
Colours  White   Navy Blue
CompetitionAFL: Senior men
AFLW: Senior women (national level)
VFL: Reserves men
VFLW: Senior women (state level)
PresidentCraig Drummond
CEOSteve Hocking
CoachAFL: Chris Scott
AFLW: Daniel Lowther
VFL: Shane O'Bree
VFLW: Andrew Bruce
Captain(s)AFL: Joel Selwood
AFLW: Meg McDonald
VFL: Aaron Black
VFLW: Michelle Fedele
PremiershipsVFL/AFL (9)
VFA (7)
Reserves/VFL (16)
Ground(s)Kardinia Park[lower-alpha 1] (capacity: 36,000)
 Melbourne Cricket Ground[lower-alpha 2] (capacity: 100,024)
Former ground(s)Corio Oval (1878-1940)
Training ground(s)Deakin University's Elite Sport Precinct & GMHBA Stadium
Uniforms
Home
Away
Other information
Official websitewww.geelongcats.com.au

The club formed in 1859, making it the second oldest club in the AFL after Melbourne and one of the oldest football clubs in the world.[2] In the 1860s, Geelong participated in a series of Challenge Cup competitions, and was a foundation member of both the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1877 and the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897, now the national AFL.[3] The club won a then-record seven VFA premierships and a further six VFL premierships by 1963, after which it experienced a 44-year waiting period until it won its next premiership—a grand final-record 119-point victory in the 2007 AFL Grand Final.[4][5][6] Geelong won a further two premierships in 2009 and 2011.

Geelong play most of their home games at Kardinia Park (known for sponsorship reasons as GMHBA Stadium) and play the remainder at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Geelong's traditional guernsey colours are navy blue and white hoops. The club's nickname was first used in 1923 after a run of losses prompted a local cartoonist to suggest that the club needed a black cat to bring it good luck. Geelong also field teams in other competitions; a reserves men's team in the Victorian Football League (VFL), a senior women's team in the AFL Women's (AFLW) and a reserves women's team in the VFL Women's (VFLW) competitions. The club's official team song and anthem is "We Are Geelong".

History
Main article: History of the Geelong Football Club

The history of the Geelong Football Club, began in 1859 in the city of Geelong, Australia, is significant as the club is the second oldest AFL club, is believed to be the fourth oldest football club in Australia and one of the oldest in the world and one of the most successful.[2] Initially playing under its own rules, some of which, notably, were permanently introduced into Australian Football. It adopted the Laws of Australian Football in the early 1860s after a series of compromises with the Melbourne Football Club.

Geelong went on to play for most of its existence in the premier competitions, the first competition, the Caledonian Society Cup, a foundation club of both the Victorian Football Association (VFA) in 1877 and the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897.[7], VFL and continues in the elite Australian Football League (AFL). The Cats have been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with three in the AFL era (since 1990) to be the joint third most successful club over that period. They have also won nine McClelland Trophies, the most of any AFL/VFL club.[2][8]

Many of the club's official records before 1920 have disappeared.[9]

Club identity and culture

Guernseys
Club attire in 1895 (Jim McShane pictured)

Geelong's traditional navy blue and white hooped guernsey has been worn since the club's inception in the mid-1800s. The design is said to represent the white seagulls and blue water of Corio Bay.[10]

The team has worn various away guernseys since 1998, all featuring the club's logo and traditional colours.[11]

Moniker

Geelong has been nicknamed the 'Cats' since 1923. A run of losses prompted a local cartoonist to suggest that the club needed a black cat to bring it good luck.

Song: "We Are Geelong"

"We Are Geelong" is the song sung after a game won by the Geelong Football Club. It is sung to the tune of "Toreador" from Carmen. The lyrics were written by former premiership player John Watts. Only the first verse is used at matches and by the team after a victory. The song currently used by the club was recorded by the Fable Singers in April 1972.[12]

We are Geelong, the greatest team of all
We are Geelong; we’re always on the ball
We play the game as it should be played
At home or far away
Our banners fly high, from dawn to dark
Down at Kardinia Park
So! Stand up and fight, remember our tradition
Stand up and fight, it's always our ambition
Throughout the game to fight with all our might
Because we’re the mighty blue and white
And when the ball is bounced, to the final bell
Stand up and fight like hell

Stadium and training facilities

Geelong's administrative headquarters is its home stadium, GMHBA Stadium or also known as Kardinia Park. The club trains here during the season, however it also trains at its alternate training venue, Deakin University's Elite Sport Precinct. The latter features an MCG-sized oval and is used often by the club in the pre-season, when Kardinia Park is being used for other events.[13]

Rivalries

Hawthorn
Further information: Kennett curse

The rivalry between Hawthorn and Geelong is defined by two Grand Finals: those of 1989 and 2008. In the 1989 Grand Final, Geelong played the man, resulting in major injuries for several Hawks players, Mark Yeates knocking out Dermott Brereton at the opening bounce; Hawthorn controlled the game, leading by approximately 40 points for most of the match; in the last quarter, Geelong almost managed to come from behind to win, but fell short by six points. In 2008 Grand Final, Geelong was the heavily backed favourite and had lost only one match for the season, but Hawthorn upset Geelong by 26 points; Geelong won its next eleven matches against Hawthorn over the following five years, under a curse, which was dubbed the "Kennett curse" which was attributed to disrespectful comments made by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett following the 2008 Grand Final. It was later revealed that after the 2008 grand final, Paul Chapman initiated a pact between other Geelong players to never lose to Hawthorn again. The curse was broken in a preliminary final in 2013, after Paul Chapman played his final match for Geelong the previous week. Hawthorn went on to win the next three premierships. In 2016 Geelong again defeated Hawthorn in the qualifying final. In 20 matches between the two sides between 2008 and 2017, 12 were decided by less than 10 points, with Geelong victorious in 11 of those 12 close games.[14]

Collingwood

In 1925, Geelong won their first flag over Collingwood. In 1930, Collingwood defeated Geelong in the grand final making it four flags in-a-row for the Pies. Geelong would later deny Collingwood three successive premierships in 1937, winning a famous grand final by 32 points.

The two sides played against each other in 6 finals between 1951 and 1955, including the 1952 Grand Final when Geelong easily beat Collingwood by 46 points. In 1953, Collingwood ended Geelong's record 23-game winning streak in the home and away season, and later defeated them by 12 points in the grand final, denying the Cats a third successive premiership.

Since 2007, the clubs have again both been at the top of the ladder and have met regularly in finals. Geelong won a memorable preliminary final by five points on their way to their first flag in 44 years. In 2008, Collingwood inflicted Geelong's only home-and-away loss, by a massive 86 points, but the teams did not meet in the finals. They would meet in preliminary finals in 2009 and 2010, each winning one en route to a premiership. They finally met again in a Grand Final in 2011, which Geelong won by 38 points; Geelong inflicted Collingwood's only three losses for the 2011 season.[15]

Corporate

Sponsorship
YearKit ManufacturerMajor SponsorShorts SponsorBack Sponsor
1977-92-Ford--
1993-Ford-
1994-96-Ford
1997-98Adidas
1999-2002Fila
2003-06Slazenger
2007nib
2008-16ISC
2017-Cotton OnGMHBA

Supporter base
Geelong's supporters came out in force in the 2009 Grand Final against St Kilda
Well-known supporter Troy West, nicknamed "Catman"
Geelong players prepare to break a banner, which is created by its supporters, before a match against Greater Western Sydney in June 2013.
Table of club membership, with home attendance figures (since 1984)
Season Members Average home
attendance[16]		 Ref
1984 7,70920,577
1985 7,71819,463
1986 6,98515,319
1987 6,98120,462
1988 9,66720,790
1989 7,76029,296
1990 15,08724,711
1991 11,35623,525
1992 13,53527,698
1993 15,50026,920
1994 14,31226,461
1995 15,92225,317
1996 17,34625,161
1997 18,85828,324
1998 19,97128,371
1999 21,03224,840
2000 25,59527,729
2001 25,42027,093
2002 23,75627,040
2003 24,01725,971
2004 25,02125,747
2005 30,82127,783
2006 32,29027,428
2007 30,16931,547[17]
2008 36,85029,474[18]
2009 37,16030,069[19]
2010 40,32639,129[20]
2011 39,34335,401[21]
2012 40,20031,508
2013 42,88436,650
2014 43,80333,915[22]
2015 44,31229,582[23]
2016 50,57130,497[24]
2017 54,85435,111[25]
2018 63,81834,207[26]
2019 65,06333,405[27]
2020 60,0664,569[28]
2021 70,29314,262[29]

Players and staff
Further information: List of Geelong Football Club players, Geelong Football Club draft and trade history, List of Geelong Football Club coaches, and List of Geelong Football Club captains
Chris Scott is the club's current head coach.

Current playing list and coaches
Geelong Football Club
Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • (B) Category B rookie
  • italics - Inactive player list
  • Long-term injury
  • (ret.) Retired

Updated: 28 April 2022
Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff

Officials
  • President: Craig Drummond
  • Vice President: Bob Gartland
  • Chief Executive Officer: Steve Hocking
  • General Manager – Football: Simon Lloyd

Club records
Further information: List of Geelong Football Club seasons

Premierships and awards
See also: List of Geelong Football Club individual awards and records
Premierships
Competition Level Wins Years Won
Australian Football LeagueSeniors91925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011
Reserves (1919–1999)131923, 1924, 1930, 1937, 1938, 1948, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982
Under 19s (1946–1991)11962
Victorian Football LeagueSeniors (1877–1896)71878, 1879, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886
Reserves (2000–present)32002, 2007, 2012
Other titles and honours
McClelland TrophySeniors101952, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1980, 1981, 1992, 2007, 2009, 2019
Challenge CupSeniors11863–64
VFL Night SeriesSeniors11961
AFL pre-season competitionSeniors22006, 2009
Finishing positions
Australian Football LeagueMinor premiership141897, 1901, 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1980, 1992, 2007, 2008, 2019
Grand Finalist91930, 1953, 1967, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2020
Wooden spoons51908, 1915, 1944, 1957, 1958

Win–loss record
Awarded to the "best and fairest" player during the AFL's home-and-away season, the Brownlow Medal, football's most prestigious award, is named after Geelong player and administrator Charles "Chas" Brownlow.
Geelong footballer Edward "Carji" Greeves, winner of the inaugural Brownlow Medal in 1924, and namesake of the Carji Greeves Medal, awarded to Geelong's best and fairest player of the season
Statistics are correct to end of 2021 season[30]
Geelong's win–loss record against other VFL/AFL clubs
Club T W L D Win%
Adelaide 472621055.3
Brisbane Bears 15104170.0
Brisbane Lions 382216057.9
Carlton 222102118246.4
Collingwood 237102134143.3
Essendon 220100115546.6
Fitzroy 18310379156.6
Fremantle 412813068.3
Gold Coast 13112084.6
Greater Western Sydney 1384165.4
Hawthorn 1689275155.1
Melbourne 22213288259.9
North Melbourne 16710363162.0
Port Adelaide 372412166.2
Richmond 20010691353.8
St Kilda 21813384161.2
Sydney 227125102055.1
University 1486057.1
West Coast 552727150.0
Western Bulldogs 16310457264.4
Totals 2500 1366 1111 23 55.1
Key
W Wins L Losses D Draws T Total
Win% Winning percentage

Match records
Table of club VFL/AFL match records
Club record Round Venue Opponent Details Ref
Highest score Round 7, 1992 Carrara Brisbane Bears Geelong 37.17 (239) v Brisbane Bears 11.9 (75) [31]
Lowest score Round 3, 1899 Corio Oval Fitzroy Geelong 0.8 (8) v Fitzroy 4.8 (32) [32]
Highest losing score Round 6, 1989 Princes Park Hawthorn Geelong 25.13 (163) v Hawthorn 26.15 (171) [33]
Lowest winning score Round 9, 1897 Corio Oval Melbourne Geelong 1.9 (15) v Melbourne 0.10 (10) [34]
Biggest winning margin Round 19, 2011 Kardinia Park Melbourne 186 points Geelong 37.11 (233) v Melbourne 7.5 (47) [35]
Biggest losing margin Round 21, 1986 Princes Park Hawthorn 135 points – Geelong 13.12 (90) v Hawthorn 35.15 (225) [36]
Record attendance (home and away game) Round 9, 2010 Melbourne Cricket Ground Collingwood 91,115
Record attendance (finals match) 1967 VFL Grand Final Melbourne Cricket Ground Richmond 109,396

Reserves team
See also: List of Geelong Football Club reserves team seasons

The Geelong reserves team began competing in the VFL Reserves competition with the league's other reserves teams from 1919. From 1919 to 1991 the VFL/AFL operated a reserves competition, and from 1992 to 1999 a de facto AFL reserves competition was run by the Victorian State Football League. The Geelong Football Club fielded a reserves team in both of these competitions, allowing players who were not selected for the senior team to play for Geelong in the lower grade. During that time, the Geelong reserves team won thirteen premierships (1923, 1924, 1930, 1937, 1938, 1948, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982), the most of any club.

Since the demise of the AFL reserves competition, the Geelong reserves team has competed in the new Victorian Football League, having won three premierships in that time. Unlike all other Victorian AFL clubs, Geelong has never operated in a reserves affiliation with an existing VFL club, having instead operated its stand-alone reserves team continuously. The team is composed of both reserves players from the club's primary and rookie AFL lists, and a separately maintained list of players eligible only for VFL matches. Home games are played at GMHBA Stadium, with some played as curtain-raisers to senior AFL matches.

  • Premierships (3): 2002, 2007, 2012
  • Runners-ups (2): 2006, 2013
  • Minor premierships (2): 2002, 2013
  • Wooden spoons (1): 2005

AFL Women's team

In 2017, following the inaugural AFL Women's (AFLW) season, Geelong was among eight clubs that applied for licenses to enter the competition from 2019 onwards.[37] In September 2017, the club was announced as one of two clubs, along with North Melbourne, to receive a license to join the competition in 2019.[38] The club has also had a team in the second-tier VFL Women's league since 2017.

Geelong Football Club (AFL Women's)
Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff
  • 22 Rachel Kearns

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Josh Finch (midfield)
  • Aaron Black (forwards)
  • Jess Foley (defence)
  • Elise Coventry (development)
  • David Morgan (bench)
Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • (i) Inactive player(s)

Updated: 28 April 2022
Source(s): Players; Coaches

AFLW season summaries
League
Season		Club
Season		LadderW–L–DFinalsCoachCaptain(s)Best and fairestLeading goal kicker [39]
2019 2019 6th ^ 3–4–0 Lost Preliminary Final Paul Hood[40] Melissa Hickey[41] Meg McDonald Mia-Rae Clifford (6)
2020 2020 10th ^ 2–4–0 — Olivia Purcell Richelle Cranston (5)
2021 2021 13th 1–8–0 — Meg McDonald[42] Amy McDonald Richelle Cranston (5)
2022 2022 12th 2–8–0 — Daniel Lowther[43] Amy McDonald Phoebe McWilliams (10)

^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences. Figure refers to the club's overall finishing position in the home-and-away season.

VFLW season summaries
League
Season		Club
Season		LadderW–L–DFinalsCoachCaptainBest and fairestLeading goal kickerRef
2017 2017 5 / 14 8–6–0 — Paul Hood Rebecca Goring[44] Lily Mithen Kate Darby (19) [45]
2018 2018 4 / 13 10–3–1 Runners-up Richelle Cranston Kate Darby (17) [46]
2019 2019 6 / 13 8–6–0 Lost Elimination Final Natalie Wood Rotating† Rebecca Webster Madisen Maguire (11) [47]
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 2021 2 / 12 10-4-0 Grand Finalist[lower-alpha 3] Andrew Bruce Michelle Fedele Claudia Gunjaca Olivia Barber (10) [48]
2022 2022 Current season Breanna Beckley

† In 2019, the team captaincy rotated through the following 5 players: Kate Darby, Danielle Higgins, Jordan Ivey, Maddy Keryk, Amy McDonald.[49]

Sources: Club historical data and VFLW stats

See also

Notes
  1. Used for most of the club's home matches in the AFL all home matches in other competitions.
  2. Used for remaining home matches in the AFL.
  3. After qualifying for the 2021 VFLW Grand Final, the match was postponed and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria.

Footnotes
References
  1. "Current details for ABN 67 005 150 818". ABN Lookup. Australian Business Register. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  2. Official Website of the Geelong Football Club Archived 26 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine GFC History Archived 2 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 10 June 2007.
  3. Rodgers, Stephen (1983) Every Game Ever Played p. i. Melbourne: Lloyd O'Neil
  4. "AFL Tables". afltables.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  5. "AFL Tables – Season Summary". afltables.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  6. The Bulletin publishes for the last time
  7. Rodgers, Stephen (1983) Every Game Ever Played p. i. Melbourne: Lloyd O'Neil
  8. AFL Tables Finishing Summary 1897–2006.
  9. McClure, Geoff. "UNEARTHING HISTORY: THE LOST BROWNLOW FILES". fullpointsfooty.net. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  10. "Official AFL Website of the Geelong Cats Football Club". gfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  11. "www.footyjumpers.com". footyjumpers.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  12. AFL Tunes to Remember The Melbourne Age, 23 July 2010
  13. "Deakin welcomes Cats as MCG blockbuster looms". Deakin University. 19 May 2016.
  14. "Head to Head Between Geelong and Hawthorn". finalsiren.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  15. "An epic rivalry". collingwoodfc.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  16. "Geelong Attendances". AFL Tables. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  17. Pierik, Jon (13 July 2007). "Club members post record". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. p. 106.
  18. Ralph, Jon (16 July 2008). "Bid to keep new Kanga members". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. p. 77.
  19. Rucci, Michelangelo (24 July 2009). "Fans are quitting SA seats". The Advertiser. Adelaide: News Limited. p. 109.
  20. Warner, Michael (17 July 2010). "Roos lose support". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. p. 39.
  21. Williams, Bruce (31 July 2011). "Magpie army leads charge on AFL membership". Sunday Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. p. 78.
  22. "Record AFL club membership in 2014". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  23. Siracusa, Claire (26 August 2015). "AFL club membership grows, but three clubs dropped off". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  24. Bowen, Nick (25 August 2016). "The membership ladder: Hawks overtake Pies, Dons slide". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  25. Guthrie, Ben (16 August 2017). "AFL club membership heads towards a million". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  26. King, Travis (2 August 2018). "Thanks a million: New membership benchmark". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  27. "AFL CLUB MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS FOR 2019 REVEALED". sen.com.au. Sports Entertainment Network. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  28. "AFL statement on club memberships in 2020". afl.com.au. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  29. Collings, Tom (5 August 2021). "Cats Set All-Time Membership Record". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  30. "Geelong Win–loss records". AFL Tables. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  31. V/AFL record
  32. "AFL Tables – Geelong – Game Records". afltables.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  33. V/AFL record. Geelong took both this record and that for the highest score from Fitzroy.
  34. Only one behind kicked in first quarter; aggregate of scoring shots lowest since 1953 and second lowest since 1905 Grand Final
  35. "AFL Tables – Geelong – Game Records". afltables.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  36. Geelong actually led early in the third quarter before Hawthorn kicked 25.7 (157) to 1.7 (13) for a record score for a half
  37. Schmook, Nathan (29 August 2017). "Decision on AFLW expansion delayed". afl.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  38. Black, Sarah (27 September 2017). "North and Geelong win AFLW expansion race". afl.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  39. "AFL Women's Premiership Season - Every goalkicker". Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  40. "Cats unveil AFLW coach for 2019". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 February 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  41. "Hickey named Geelong's inaugural AFLW captain". geelongcats.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  42. "Meghan McDonald Named Geelong AFLW Captain". geelongcats.com.au. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  43. "Lowther to Lead AFLW Cats". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  44. "Cats announce VFLW leadership group". geelongcats.com.au. Telstra Media. 28 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  45. "Geelong WFC (VFLW) - 2017 Season". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  46. "Geelong WFC (VFLW) - 2018 Season". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  47. "Geelong WFC (VFLW) - 2019 Season". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  48. Giese, Susie (24 September 2021). "Gunjaca Crowned Cats' VFLW Best and Fairest". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  49. "Cats name VFLW leaders". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
Bibliography
  • Michael Lovett, ed. (2010). AFL Record Season Guide. Geoff Slattery Media Group. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
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