The spotlight was firmly set on a pair of Geelong assistant coaches this week, but the mastermind behind the development of the Cats' diverse young core that's led the club to another preliminary final should be earning his own external attention.
Melbourne's search for a new senior coach came to a conclusion on Friday, with Geelong's Steven King winning the race to succeed Simon Goodwin.
King edged out colleague James Kelly for the job, with Geelong's development or launching pad for its coaches just as strong as their ability to help players flourish at Kardinia Park.
Irishman Oisin Mullin was a headline act in the club's recent qualifying final win over Brisbane, clamping All-Australian Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage, who was kept to a season-low 14 touches.
Mullin hadn't touched a football before 2022, and is now in line for a 24th game for the year as a key cog in Chris Scott's system and flag tilt.
His fellow countryman and premiership Cat Mark O'Connor has the six most V/AFL games by an Irishman as another stellar category B signing from overseas for Geelong.
Cats utility Mark Blicavs is arguably the best category B rookie recruit in the recruiting avenue's history, closing in on 300 games in the hoops as a two-time best and fairest winner.
Rookie Draft selection and 2024 Rising Star winner Ollie Dempsey has added to the diamonds in the rough that the Cats have discovered under the recruiting guru, but it's the development of these bargain finds that can often be forgotten.
That's why the impact of Geelong's head of development, Nigel Lappin, might be lost on those crediting the Cats externally.
Arriving at the Cattery in 2008, Lappin has helped oversee the club's continued contention for a premiership, having brought his own flag-winning experience as part of the 'Fab Four' in Brisbane's early 2000s three-peat.
So while Scott, Wells, Kelly and King get their deserved plaudits, the "outstanding" work of Lappin is just as vital to the club's cause.
"Nige' is the best," Cats tall Sam De Koning said of the 49-year-old this week.
"Developing young players and instilling that attitude that it takes to be a Geelong Cats player.
"It's pretty outstanding what he does behind the scenes and how he nurtures the young players.
"He's just the epitome of what it means to be a Cats person, and we love having him at the club."
De Koning is a prime example of Geelong's well-regarded development, having been made to wait for his chance after being taken as a first-round pick in 2019.
The premiership defender had one game to his name before the Cats' successful 2022 campaign, which De Koning would play an integral role in to emerge as one of the best key defenders in the competition.
A similar path has been taken by 2023 top draft selection Connor O'Sullivan, who has played 23 games at senior level this year after just one appearance in his maiden season.
O'Sullivan was rock solid in Geelong's win over the Lions, and will be tasked with another key job in their upcoming preliminary final when the Cats' rearguard looks to quell Hawthorn's star-studded attack.
He'll accompany De Koning, Zach Guthrie (another Rookie Draft recruit), Tom Stewart (a mature-aged selection), Jack Henry, Jack Martin (a delisted free agent) and Lawson Humphries (another mature-aged selection) in defence when they host the Hawks on Friday night.
