We've seen this story before, so we shouldn't be surprised, but Geelong is gearing up for another genuine tilt at premiership success.
The work up until Round 11 has them sitting fifth on the AFL ladder, with seven wins, including victories against Adelaide in Adelaide, Hawthorn and Collingwood.
The Cats' first half of the season has seen them play all but one current top eight side (Gold Coast), and come out looking rosy as we enter the mid-season byes.
But with a favourable set of fixturing to come, Chris Scott's men look primed to claim a fifth premiership in 18 years.
The next month sees clashes against West Coast (away), Gold Coast (GMHBA Stadium), Essendon and Brisbane (GMHBA Stadium) before the club's mid-season break in Round 16.
After that, Geelong take on Richmond twice, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and St Kilda at home as well as two trips to Sydney to face the Swans and Giants, while another clash with Essendon at GMHBA Stadium is nestled among those.
Following the club's mid-season bye, they take on, as it currently stands, one top-eight side (Giants) in the run home.
Of the remaining 2025 matches, six of those will be played at Kardinia Park, which, despite losses to GWS, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Fremantle in the past two years, the Cats still hold a strong record. And three of those will be interstate.
A top-four berth is well and truly on the cards, but what must be noted is how will they be playing when it matters most.
Brisbane last year proved that being the most in-form team in the competition when September rolls around is far more significant than ladder position, while Hawthorn, who finished sixth, demonstrated that.
Geelong's stirring run to its 2022 flag was not all sunshine and rainbows, as the club slumped to 5-4 at Round 9 after a loss to the Saints. And as they say, the rest is history, with Scott's men going on a 16-game win streak.
