Looking thrU the lists of the 2 recent AFL juggernauts, IMO they are on the precipice of a crevice.

The Cats have been looking stale over the last month, but is it just stale? Or are their bread & butter players getting past their use by date.

The Catters have 5 gun players over 30 Yrs, who'll be all washed up by end of 2016. And 10 Topline players over the age of 28 Yrs.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tp-geelong-cats?year=2014&sby=15

The Hawks have slightly more, 7 gun players over 30 Yrs winging it, & 9 Topline players older than 27Yrs. IMO they're perched on the cliff top.

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tp-hawthorn-hawks?year=2014&sby=15

IMO its the Rising Suns who are on the future threshold.

Edited June 26, 201411 yr by dee-luded

Never write off great sides, but the cats are certainly not on track for a top 4 birth at this stage

Wish we were teetering as much as them

Wish we were teetering as much as them

Geelong has some very good youth coming through and Hawthorn continually produce footballers.

I may agree that both will not be premiership contenders but have a look at who sits in 6-8 place ? I can't see either team becoming worse than those teams.

Geelong has some very good youth coming through and Hawthorn continually produce footballers.

I may agree that both will not be premiership contenders but have a look at who sits in 6-8 place ? I can't see either team becoming worse than those teams.

I think the jury should still be out on the youth coming through 'nut'. There are a few I would rate like Guthrie and Duncan but can they be the next Bartel, Corey, Enright etc? Where are their key position players, if Hwkins goes down they are in big trouble.

Hawthorn will be looking to top up their list with free agents but how long can this strategy work? we don't know yet.

Hawthorn are in good shape. Bet Mundy is on their shopping list with Sewell and Mitchell nearing the end. Chip is highly likely as well. They will big players coming trading time and are cashed up. Rioli, Smith, Gunston, Beust, Roughie form the nucleus of a good side for years to come - unfortunately.

I think the jury should still be out on the youth coming through 'nut'. There are a few I would rate like Guthrie and Duncan but can they be the next Bartel, Corey, Enright etc? Where are their key position players, if Hwkins goes down they are in big trouble.

Hawthorn will be looking to top up their list with free agents but how long can this strategy work? we don't know yet.

I wasn't suggesting that they Geelongs youth will take them to premiership. I am debating the claim from Jackaub that Geelong and Hawthorn are unlikely to make the finals next year.

The only Geelong player that will possibly retire end of the year is Enright - The likes of Bartel and Stevie J are still having a significant impact and I expect them to remain productive at least next year as well. Stokes and Selwood are still relatively young with the likes of Guthrie coming through. If Hawkins goes down they are in trouble although i like the looks of Murdoch coming through ( not a power forward like Hawkins but who is ?)

Hawthorn - the only one to go in my opinion maybe Sewell who has been teetering on and off for a season or two. Mitchell got himself injured but when he plays is still a gun at 32. I see this year and at least next for him.

Both Hawks and Cats may have problems in a 2016 or 2017 but it is hypothetical and is so dependent on crystal balling that their youth wont come through. To suggest that these side wont make the finals next year - I just dont see it. ( Note - I am not necessarily talking about challenging for the flag)

Two years ago the Cats looked very average. Lost to Freo in the first week and eliminated.

Last year they were 2 minutes away from a GF.

Don't write them off. Good cultures don't just disappear. They endure. It's what separates this club from the best.

Both clubs are at the top of most free agents list of potential homes due to their prolonged success and constant ability to appear in finals and blockbuster games.

This will continue to ensure neither club will fall to far from the pointy end of the ladder.

Another raging success from the decision makers at the AFL.

Don't write them off. Good cultures don't just disappear. They endure. It's what separates this club from the best.

Good players do just disappear though. I've never known a club to win flags on amazing culture alone without a fair smattering of A grade players, but there are plenty of clubs who won flags with cultures that stunk (West Coast anyone?). I wonder what the 'culture' was like at the Brisbane Lions juggernaut, or the very strong Essendon sides before it, both of which returned back to the playing field very quickly after their reigns ended?

Culture no doubt plays a role in sustained success and drive, but by far the most important thing is having the best players, and the Cats' "next generation" still have plenty to prove.

Hawthorn are in good shape. Bet Mundy is on their shopping list with Sewell and Mitchell nearing the end. Chip is highly likely as well. They will big players coming trading time and are cashed up. Rioli, Smith, Gunston, Beust, Roughie form the nucleus of a good side for years to come - unfortunately.

If that's their nucleus, I don't think they'll be getting near another flag for a while. A very beatable bunch.