Warning sent as cats enter 2023 with ‘strongest list’ midfielder has seen

LOOK out AFL. The Cats are primed to be even better in 2023.

That’s if Tom Atkins’ assessment of the Geelong list is anything to go by.

The Cats won the premiership last year after finishing the home and away season on top with a strong record of 18-4.

The way they dismantled Sydney in the grand final suggests that they were by far the best team of last season.

Despite losing inspirational captain Joel Selwood to retirement, Geelong recruited shrewdly in the off-season and according to premiership midfielder Atkins are in a better position now than they were last year.

Atkins, who has been a VFL Cat since 2014 and a senior Geelong player since 2019, said he and teammate Gryan Miers have been discussing just how deep the playing group is on the back of last year’s flag.

“I reckon there’d be maybe five or six guys, maybe a couple more, who are pretty sure of their place in the team,” Atkins said on SEN Breakfast.

“Just with the evenness of the squad. I actually messaged Gryan the other night, our team photo got released and I was going through the faces and the majority of those guys you’d be happy if they played in the AFL team.

“I said to him it might be one of the strongest lists we’ve ever had. It’s definitely the strongest list we’ve had since I’ve been here.

“It’s a good thing for the Cats.”

The Cats were dominant for much of last season, playing a revitalised game plan under Chris Scott.

But can they go to a whole new level in 2023 having recruited the likes of Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry?

“Definitely, that’s the aim,” Atkins replied.

“I heard you saying that we looked unbeatable but we didn’t look too unbeatable in that Qualifying Final against Collingwood, so there’s always room for improvement.

“I think we started to hit our straps at the right time last year, so if anything we can try and continue that this year.

“With the guys that we’ve brought in they’re going to bring their own strengths through. It’s exciting.”

Geelong opened up their pre-season with a thumping 85-point win over Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium last week.

Henry starred up forward with four goals, while fellow Kardinia newcomers Bruhn and Bowes also impressed.

The Cats’ 2023 season proper kicks off against Collingwood at the MCG on 17 March.

The Cats are considered by many as the premiership favourites for the 2023 season.

– BY ANDREW SLEVISON