Geelong’s recruitment strategy has been spoken about numerous times over the off-season.
The Cats went agonisingly close to winning the premiership last year only to fall short at the final hurdle when losing the Grand Final to Richmond by 31 points having led at half-time.
Following the defeat, the club immediately focused on the trade period and subsequently lured Jeremy Cameron, Isaac Smith and Shaun Higgins to the Cattery.
While 27-year-old Cameron is seen as a player in his prime, both Smith and Higgins arrive at the club well into their 30s, making it a large portion of the list who are in the twilight of their careers.
Garry Lyon believes the age profile of Chris Scott’s squad provides some sort of concern relating to the length of time they can continue to challenge at the top.
“They are going to have 10 players 30-plus when this season starts and then during the year (Gary) Rohan and (Mitch) Duncan will make it 12,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“They’ve gone and recruited older. I know age is just a number…
“They’ve been close. They keep putting themselves in a position but haven’t got there.
“How much longer can they maintain the ability to contend right at the pointy end before it drops away?
“All these star players are getting older. I’m not betting against them, but how long can they keep this going?”
Tim Watson suggests the Cats’ pursuit of a flag is desperate before the discussion turned to Patrick Dangerfield.
“They are desperately tracking a premiership and in part I think they feel they went and got Dangerfield for that purpose,” Watson said.
“They went and got one of the greatest players who’s played the game who’s still in his prime…”
To which Lyon replied: “Hmmm, he’s carrying groin injuries, he’s travelling over to Adelaide a couple of times in the last month to get treatment.
“His best is still probably better than 95% of the competition but I don’t think he’s got his very, very best in front of him.
“How much has Isaac Smith got left in him?
“Shaun Higgins reckons he’s got more footy in him, but are they the right type of players, how are they going to blend in? I think it’s a great story to track.”
The Cats meet Essendon in their one AAMI Community Series match on March 6 before taking on Adelaide in Round 1 of the season proper at the Adelaide Oval on March 20.
How much longer can Geelong maintain their ability to contend?#AFL pic.twitter.com/K3Nltabszc
— Garry and Tim (@SENBreakfast) February 4, 2021