The Geelong Football Club stands as a towering institution in Australian rules football. Formed on 18 July 1859, the club holds the status of being the second-oldest team in the Australian Football League (AFL) and one of the oldest formal football organizations anywhere in the world. Based at GMHBA Stadium at Kardinia Park, the Cats have shaped the code from its amateur roots into a modern national powerhouse, capturing ten VFL/AFL premierships alongside seven earlier Victorian Football Association (VFA) flags.
Understanding the trajectory of Geelong requires looking past simple trophy counts. The club's survival through 19th-century regional isolation, its foundational role in establishing official league structures, and its ability to reinvent itself across multiple eras make it a unique case study in sporting longevity. This overview traces how a regional Victorian outfit evolved into a dominant, nationwide sporting brand.
Nineteenth-Century Origins and Foundation Years
Football matches were organized in the Geelong region as early as 1858. Following the creation of the Melbourne Football Club in May 1859, local teacher William "Stitt" Jenkins spearheaded a public meeting on 18 July 1859 to establish an official club for Geelong. Early games featured hand-written rules that differed slightly from Melbourne's code, though the clubs worked together to standardize regulations by 1866.
During the 1860s, Geelong competed in regional challenge matches, notably winning the Caledonian Challenge Cup in 1863 and securing it permanently in 1864. A massive turning point arrived when Australian football pioneer Tom Wills joined Geelong as a player and captain-coach in 1865, pioneering tactical innovations such as early forms of defensive flooding.
When the VFA formed in 1877, Geelong signed on as a foundation member. Moving to Corio Oval in 1878, the team claimed its first VFA premiership that same year. Dominating the competition through the late 19th century, Geelong collected seven VFA flags before becoming a foundation member of the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897.
Entering the VFL and Early Premiership Breakthroughs
Transitioning to the newly formed VFL brought fresh challenges. While Geelong remained competitive, metropolitan clubs held distinct geographical advantages. The club secured its first VFL minor premiership in 1897 but waited until 1925 to claim its breakthrough VFL senior flag, defeating Collingwood in the Grand Final.
This victory catalyzed a successful era. The Cats added further VFL premierships in 1931 and 1937. The 1937 decider against Collingwood remains famous for exceptional kicking and high-flying marks, orchestrated under the leadership of captain-coach Reg Hickey. During this period, club administrator Charles Brownlow left a permanent legacy; after his passing, the league named its highest individual honor—the Brownlow Medal—after him. Geelong player Edward Greeves won the inaugural medal in 1924.
The Golden Post-War Years and the 1963 Triumph
Following disruptions from the Second World War—including capturing an unwanted wooden spoon in 1944—Geelong assembled one of the most fearsome lineups of the 20th century. Coached by Reg Hickey once more, the Cats clinched back-to-back premierships in 1951 and 1952. The 1952 team anchored a legendary 23-game winning streak that stood as a benchmark for decades. Forward George Goninon booted 86 goals in 1951, while teammate Bernie Smith claimed the Brownlow Medal.
After suffering grand final heartbreaks and securing a pair of wooden spoons in the late 1950s, the club recruited Tasmanian ruck genius Graham "Polly" Farmer ahead of the 1962 season. Farmer revolutionized ruckwork with his precise handballing skills. Under coach Bob Davis and captain Fred Wooller, Geelong powered through the 1963 season, defeating Hawthorn by 49 points in the Grand Final. Few realized at the time that this win would precede a grueling 44-year premiership drought.
The Long Drought and 1990s Heartbreak
The decades following 1963 tested the resolve of the Geelong faithful. Despite fielding exceptionally talented teams featuring club legends like John "Sammy" Newman, the Cats stumbled in multiple grand finals.
- 1967 Grand Final: Lost a high-scoring thriller to Richmond by 9 points.
- 1989 Grand Final: Participated in what many analysts call the greatest grand final in history against Hawthorn, staging a fierce final-quarter comeback before falling short by 6 points.
- 1992, 1994, and 1995 Grand Finals: Reached the decider under coach Malcolm Blight during the newly rebranded AFL era, but ran into dominant West Coast Eagles and Carlton sides.
These near-misses forged a reputation for brilliant, attacking football that ultimately couldn't secure the final prize. By the mid-2000s, pressure mounted on the board and coaching staff to break the psychological barrier.
The Modern Dynasties: 2007 to Present
The drought ended in spectacular fashion in 2007. Under coach Mark Thompson and captain Tom Harley, Geelong rebounded from a shaky 2-3 start to win 15 consecutive matches. In the 2007 Grand Final, the Cats humiliated Port Adelaide by a record 119 points. Jimmy Bartel won the Brownlow Medal, and Steve Johnson claimed the Norm Smith Medal.
This victory unlocked a modern golden era characterized by tactical discipline, homegrown talent, and sustained top-four ladder finishes.
- 2009 Premiership: Defeated St Kilda in a tight, defensive classic remembered for late heroics by Paul Chapman.
- 2011 Premiership: Overcame Collingwood by 38 points in senior coach Chris Scott's debut year at the helm.
- 2022 Premiership: Demolished the Sydney Swans by 81 points in a masterclass performance led by veteran captain Joel Selwood.
The club also transitioned its formal identity in 2008, officially adopting "The Geelong Cats" moniker that fans had used informally since 1923.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Geelong Football Club founded?
The club was officially established at a public meeting on 18 July 1859, making it the second-oldest club in the current AFL competition.
How many premierships has Geelong won?
Geelong has won 10 VFL/AFL senior premierships (1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2022) alongside 7 VFA premierships from the 19th century.
Why are they called the Cats?
The nickname originated in 1923 after a poor run of form prompted a local newspaper cartoonist to suggest that a black cat would bring the club good luck. The moniker stuck and became official in 2008.
Where do they play their home matches?
Geelong plays the majority of its home matches at GMHBA Stadium located at Kardinia Park, maintaining regional roots while playing high-profile fixtures at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
