Two top-eight finishes in the best and fairest award last year.
A combined 67 goals from 45 games in 2013 and highlights reels the envy of just about every other player in the competition.
It’s stating the bleeding obvious to say that Geelong will miss injured pair Allen Christensen and Steven Motlop when the AFL home and away season begins next month.
Christensen will not return until mid-year after undergoing a back operation while fellow 22-year-old Motlop is highly unlikely to be fit for the start of the campaign, having travelled to London for knee surgery in late January.
“Motlop and Christensen are not replaceable players,” said coach Chris Scott of the dynamic duo, who have developed into key members of the Cats’ midfield and forward set-ups.
“But we’ve got some pretty handy players who will come in and do a very serviceable job.
“It might not be quite as good and people might get sick of me saying that it’s all about the long term, but with those guys we’re just not going to put them at risk to try and steal a few games early in the season.”
George Burbury shaped as a likely replacement at half-forward, only to have his jaw shattered last week in the opening NAB Challenge win over Collingwood.
Scott flagged increased opportunities for youngsters Jordan Schroder, George Horlin-Smith and Jackson Thurlow.
Highly-rated Lincoln McCarthy is also back in the mix after missing all of last year with a serious foot injury, having played a single senior game in his debut season of 2012.
“It does present a challenge, getting injuries to really good players,” Scott told AAP.
“Christensen and Motlop are clearly in our very best team and probably in the top half of our best team and it’s compounded by the fact that they are similar types of players.
“It’s like the case of losing a ruckman hurts, but losing two ruckmen kills you.
“But it will open up an opportunity for some others.
“Sometimes you’ve got to remind yourself that you should be glass half-full about this type of thing.”
Geelong play Adelaide at Simonds Stadium in round one of the home and away season in March 20.
