Geelong officially became the oldest team in VFL/AFL history in Saturday’s Grand Final against Sydney, and that didn’t prove a hindrance as they ran out 81-point winners.
With an average age of 28 years and 173 days, the Cats were almost three years older than their opponents, while also having 13 players with over 150 games of experience under their belts.
Given that most clubs tend to move on players once they’re into their 30s, AFL journalist Damian Barrett believes the example of the premiership Cats is an “endorsement” that clubs shouldn’t be so quick to retire veteran players.
“He (Dangerfield) is one of 10 players at this club now who played yesterday who is over that once considered end-date at 30,” Barrett said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There’s another one there who’s 29 (Jeremy Cameron) on that list, there were two 34-year-olds and one 33-year-old Norm Smith Medal-winning player.
“It just defies what a lot of list managers have been telling clubs what they need to do.
“This was the oldest team assembled in AFL/VFL history and by some years, it is in the 28s as an average, it’s just an extraordinary effort.
“I love it, it’s an endorsement that you don’t need to start retiring players once they hit 30.”
With captain Joel Selwood looking like the only potential retiree, the Cats will hope to defend their title with a similar list demographic in 2023.
"It defies what a lot of list managers have been telling clubs that they need to do."
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 25, 2022
How the Cats rewrote the rule book in winning the flag with the oldest team in VFL/AFL history. #9AFLSFS | Watch on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/5gepr09iuO