Geelong is set to forgive and forget for its poor performance in the 2025 grand final, according to utility Gryan Miers.
The Cats went down in the decider by 47 points to Brisbane, after they were dismantled in the second half.
However, Miers said that Chris Scott and his coaching group are unlikely to take stock of that particular performance, which has been the modus operandi at Kardinia Park.
That is in stark contrast to Sydney 12 months earlier.
Dean Cox, who took over from John Longmire after the 10-goal belting from Brisbane, put the Swans through a brutal assessment.
Pushing the start of pre-season back by one day, the Bloods underwent a seven-hour review, dissecting all the critical moments of the last Saturday in September.
However, Miers would be "surprised" if Geelong went down a similar path.
"We haven't ever in the past reviewed a grand final or a prelim loss that I've had in my time. It's kind of ‘new year, new us' kind of mentality," he said.
"You bring in new faces that will change the way we play. I've always said that I don't play the same way each week, let alone each year.
"So, I'm not too fussed. There's individual moments that you'd want to take back, and I think you internally review those over the last nine weeks.
"But now that we're on to next year, I don't think it really matters what next week will look like."
One of those new faces will be Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel, who crossed to the arch rivals as a free agent in October.
Worpel and Miers will reunite for the first time since their draft year, when the pair won the Talent League premiership at the Geelong Falcons in 2017.
The former Hawk is expected to fill an inside-midfield role, helping ease the burden on Bailey Smith, Tom Atkins, Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield.
But Miers believes he'll add much more than that.
"It's been great in the last week or so being with him," Miers said on Monday.
"We had dinner when I first got back to Australia, and it's just kind of that feeling, when you see an old mate again, where nothing's changed, even though you've been apart from each other.
"I think the way he's going to bring leadership, and (bridge) that barrier between our 30-year-olds and young boys that we kind of need, (and) that little bit more support in that area, as an inside mid, that will help take the bruises, but also lead the boys.
"I think he ticks all those boxes for us."
As for Miers, his role may continue to look different under Scott.
Taken as a genuine small forward who kicked seven goals in the Falcons' premiership win, the 26-year-old has begun adding on-ball craft to his repertoire, utilising his creativity via hand and foot to break open the game.
However, the acquisition of Worpel may result in fewer midfield opportunities, which Miers is more than capable of adapting to.
"Maybe that will push me back to half forward, maybe push me out to a wing, maybe I'll stay in there, I don't know," he speculated.
"But that's the exciting part; I think I'm adaptable, that I can play in any of those positions and contribute.
"I don't rely on one thing, and my team doesn't rely on one thing.
"So, I'm very pleased with how my careers kind of gone… I'm not stuck in one position or stuck in one role."
Geelong remain one of the favourites for the 2026 premiership, and kick off their season with a clash against Gold Coast in Opening Round at People First Stadium.
