After a poor start to the season, Geelong would become the first reigning premiers to lose their opening three matches since 1976.[6]
With the debut of Oisín Mullin in just his fourth game of Australian football,[7] Geelong fielded three Irish players against Greater Western Sydney in round 11, becoming the first club in VFL/AFL history to field three in the same team.[8]
After losing to St Kilda in the penultimate round of the season, Geelong were eliminated from finals contention, missing the finals for just the second time in Chris Scott's 13-year tenure.[9] Geelong joining Richmond (2021), Western Bulldogs (2017) and Hawthorn (2009) as premiers in the last 20 years to miss finals the following season.[9] A number of injuries to key players was one of the driving reasons behind the club's slide down the ladder.[10]
Three consecutive losses to end the season saw the club equal its lowest ever finish, ending up in 12th place on the ladder.
Forward Jeremy Cameron would be the club's leading votegetter at the 2023 Brownlow Medal count, polling 13 votes including two best-on-ground matches.[11]
Pre-season
Geelong defeated Hawthorn in a pre-season scratch match at GMHBA Stadium played over eight periods with both senior and reserves players. The final score was Geelong 31.34 (220) versus Hawthorn 18.25 (133).[12][13] Geelong also played an official AFL practice match against Brisbane Lions on 2 March, and were defeated 13.13 (91) versus Geelong's 6.9 (45). Geelong's home-and-away season began on 17 March against Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Coaching staff
Chris Scott continued as the club's men's senior coach for a thirteenth season, having signed a two-year contract extension until the end of the 2024 season.[14] Scott would coach his 300th AFL game in round 15 against Melbourne, with Geelong winning by 15 points.[15][16]
Scott would break Reg Hickey's long-standing record of 304 matches as coach of the club, coaching his 305th match in round 20 against Fremantle.[17][18]
Casey2022 VFL premiers coach Mark Corrigan was appointed as coach of Geelong's VFL team in October 2022, replacing Shane O'Bree who had been promoted to the club's AFL program.[41] Corrigan had previously played with the club from 2011 to 2014 and was a member of the club's 2012 VFL premiership team. Angus Byrne was appointed as captain, with Tom Feely and Daniel Capiron as vice-captains.[42]
Jye Chalcraft would win his second successive Geelong VFL best and fairest award, polling 163 votes after appearing in all 18 matches. Vice-captain Daniel Capiron would finish in second place, with Ted Clohesy rounding out the top three placegetters.[43]
The team would have its best season in the competition, qualifying for the final series for the second consecutive season. In the finals, Geelong would win their first AFLW finals matches, defeating Essendon and reigning premiers Melbourne to progress to a preliminary final against Brisbane. In a controversially umpired match, Brisbane would eliminate Geelong one match short of the 2023 AFL Women's Grand Final, winning by four points.
Despite their high ladder position, Geelong would only have two players shortlisted for the 2023 AFL Women's All-Australian team, with both Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald both surprising omissions from the final squad announcement. Both players would feature in the top 10 in the count for the 2023 AFL Women's best and fairest medal behind eventual winner Monique Conti of Richmond. McDonald finishing in a tie for second place, with Prespakis finishing tied for seventh.
In the club's first official action before the start of the new season, Geelong defeated Collingwood by 13 points in a four-quarter match simulation at Victoria Park on 12 August.[48] The Cats then played Adelaide in their only official practice match, losing a tight contest 7.8 (50) to 8.8 (56) at the Adelaide Oval. Kate Darby kicked two goals in the match, with Irish recruit Aishling Moloney impressing.[49]
Coaching staff
Daniel Lowther continued as head coach of the AFLW program for a third season. Former Geelong VFL Women's coach Andrew Bruce (forwards), Josh Finch (midfield), and 2023 Geelong VFL Women's coach Elise Coventry (defence) were appointed as assistant coaches. Current men's team player Gary Rohan, and former Geelong VFL player Will Sexton, joined the coaching staff as development coaches.[50]
Former Geelong player Elise Coventry was appointed as the club's VFL Women's coach in December 2022, replacing Andrew Bruce.[64] Coventry was joined by assistant coaches Anna Teague, Alf Della Monica and Aiden Yelland.[65]
Chloe Leonard was appointed captain, after serving as vice-captain in 2022. Poppy Schaap, Abby Favell, Sachi DeGiacomi, and former captain Bree Beckley were the rest of the team's leadership group.[66]
After losing to North Melbourne in round 1, Geelong went on a five game winning streak, including turning the tables on North Melbourne in round 6, with a last second goal to Olivia Cicolini to secure a 28–22 win.[67]
Analea McKee and Charlotte Simpson were both selected in an invitational Under-23 All-Stars squad for a match against the AFLW Academy at Marvel Stadium during round 12 of the season.[68]
The team would sit a game clear atop the competition ladder after round 9, but would endure a five-match winless streak to eventually miss the finals, finishing eighth.