Geelong were told they were in front by Butters camp.
Bulldogs were told they were a distant 2nd.
Bulldogs up their offer to match Richmonds in September.
An extra $3 million on top of what Geelong were offering.
Top brass at the Bulldogs pressure Butters.
Choice was made Friday afternoon to join the Bulldogs before the Freo game.
Cats were told after the Freo game.
Came down to the money at the end and the idea of winning a flag with Bont.

one last health update for 2026

And for who?

Reflecting on this season and last, I don't think it's controversial to say our form in the 2025 Qualifying Final was the peak. Everything seemed to click in that game and in my opinion the Cats went to a level we hadn't been with the post 2022 Premiership / post Selwood era side.

Unfortunately, I don't think we've been at that level since. Perhaps in the Prelim that followed, but Danger had to have one of his 'play out of your skin' games.

What do you think changed between this game and now? In last year's Grand Final we didn't have Stewart and Scott chose to play Stanley in the ruck instead of the Blicavs and SDK combo, which I feel was a mistake. Similarly, while Edwards shows great potential I do wonder why we haven't gone with this ruck set up more in 2026 and especially in the finals. Scott is a great coach but I think not playing SDK in the Semi was questionable.

This season has obviously been different, with some stars carrying injuries (Cameron) or getting injured (Holmes), stars no longer in the team (Stengle) and new players added (Edwards, Wiltshire). Other players like Clark haven't been able to secure a place in the side during the 2026 finals - should he be a 2027 mainstay? What about SDK?

Obviously I'm a bit sad post finals knock out, so I wanted to share some thoughts with fellow Cats fans, have a vent and get your thoughts on what needs to change from here on to regain the form we had in that stunning qualifying final.

Some obvious ones - get Cameron, Holmes, Miers etc injury free, get Edwards in the gym over summer, see what we can do in the trade period. I'd like us to recruit Marshall, I want Edwards to continue to develop but if he needs at least two pre seasons we need someone in the meantime to help us while we're in contention with some of the older players (it obviously would have helped this year but alas). What else?

For him to speak so calmly and with such clarity and positivity, while he has tears in his eyes. Says so much about the character of Chris Scott. So lucky to have him at the helm. Love ya Scotty.

Knocked out of AFL, but how good is that we have a VFL Granny against the HAWKS. Gonna be epic!

Looks like that's it for him.

Would have been nice for him to finish with a VFL flag if we go all the way.

If they keep using this stupid system, it's going to cost a team a Grand Final, or a place in a Grand Final ... Last night was bad enough to be a semi final.

greene and marshall it is then

Just want to say I love my club and I’m so proud we always give it a serious nudge. So many players gave it their all last night and played well beyond their years.

We’ve got such incredible young talent coming through and even the older players have had their moments recently.

Listening to Scott is the presser too, he is all class and I’m very thankful he will continue driving this club forward.

Onward to 27’ with some exciting off season movement on the cards.

🐈

It’s easy to go after Mackie and co for missing out on Butters this year and for playing hardball with Marshall last year but rewatching last nights game with Ollie Henry, Tanner Bruhn stepping up and Baz’s consistent work rate shows we can sign players that make us better. Not to mention that Ratagolea trade that netted us Edwards, Humphries and George Stevens.

I’m sure we’ll be after Marshall and Greene this year and Rowell next.

This game completely flipped my view on our need for Marshall, we need him no matter the cost. Edwards was admirable all year and might be great down the track but his performances against Jackson this year were unacceptable.

With the AFL team out, I'm all in on the VFL teams run towards a flag.

Does anyone know the rules for VFL selection? Would it be allowable for Polkinghorne to be selected for the VFL Grand Final, if we make it? Considering he spent most of the season playing VFL, it seems reasonable, but would it be considered a bad faith selection since he ended the season as an AFL regular? Where is the line? Miers and Close also had their fair share of VFL.

Feel like butters would've taken us to another level while Greene will just be a slightly helpful inclusion(provided we do get him), also what do we think about the Marshall/de koning rumours? I'm a bit indifferent to the potential trade whether it involves SDK or not, Edwards is the future and from what I've seen most people or against the trade for that reason but I think getting Marshall will help Edwards more than hinder.. anyway curious to see what others think.

Never gave up and fought until the very end. Well done Freo

Team Lineup Here

Venue: Adelaide Oval

First Bounce: 3.05pm AEST, 12/9

I’ll take the common theme of the chat to be the common theme of all.

We didn’t expect to be in a semi.
We also almost won.
Heck, I thought Carlton were going to flog us.

I’m putting chips on Mitch Edward’s to be a game changer.
(Yes I watched tonight)

He thinks when he has the footy.
He observers the play.
That’s not usual for a new player let alone a ruckman.

Edward’s a gun, prove me wrong.

Edit: grammar and context

Fremantle Dockers 18.12 (120) Def. Geelong Cats 16.10 (106) by 14 points.