AFL 2026 predicted ladder part two: history suggests Geelong may struggle

The Cats remain a flawed team and could find themselves among footy’s lower middle class after last year’s grand final mauling

• Part one: Collingwood on a cliff edge as time waits for no one

Melbourne recently released a membership video that leaned into the cliches and the disappointment – one of the better executed and coherent offerings from the club in recent years. They were eight wins off finals last year. But they beat Brisbane at the Gabba, nearly beat Collingwood twice and ran top-placed Adelaide close. They lost half a dozen games by eight points or less.