The ever-presents in the top echelon of the AFL ladder, Geelong have once again quietened doubters this season to flex their muscles as one of the sides to beat in 2022.
Despite a shaky start to the season, the Cats have won their last eight on the bounce and have claimed the top spot heading into the final five rounds of the season.
Regardless of their much-talked-about list age, Chris Scott's side has implemented faster ball movement in 2022 and looks set for another top-four finish.
The Cats look set to be players once again this off-season, with plenty of stars being linked to GMHBA Stadium in recent weeks as they chase ready-made talent to extend their premiership window.
While not featuring on this list, the Cats have also been linked to stars such as Angus Brayshaw, Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper as potential recruits.
However, in no particular order, here are five players that Geelong could chase at the season's end.
TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE
2. Tom De Koning
A bit of a cheeky option here, but could we see the link-up between the De Koning brothers at the Cattery?
Even with Rhys Stanley's encouraging form in the past couple of months and the depth of Jon Ceglar and Toby Conway waiting in the wings, Geelong would be pretty keen to snap up a ready-made, young ruckman for the future.
While the chances of the brothers coming together would be more of a chance of happening in the Blues' favour, the winning culture and chance to become a part of the Cats' ruck department could entice Tom to look into a switch.
It would be remarkably hard to get the Blues to budge on such a move, especially this off-season, but the Cats could test the waters.
Since number one ruck Marc Pittonet went down with a knee injury for Carlton, De Koning has handled the increased rucking responsibility exceptionally well this season.
He's quick, agile and a great mark of the football and is the prototype ruckman that AFL sides look out for in today's footballing world.
At just 23, De Koning has at least a decade more of his career to go and will no doubt become one of the most damaging ruckmen in the comp, whether that is with his ruck work or his ability to play as an extra midfielder.
As mentioned, he'd cost a lot and would be an unlikely mover anytime soon but the Cats might continue their search for a ruckman so they'd be silly not to ask the question.
