The 2015 Geelong Football Club season was the club's 116th season of senior competition in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club also fielded its reserves team in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for the 16th season. It was the club's first season since 2006 to not make the top 8.

Club personnel Joel Selwood was appointed the club's captain for a fourth successive season, with Harry Taylor retaining the role of vice-captain. Additionally, Andrew Mackie and Tom Hawkins remain in the player leadership group from the prior season, with Corey Enright the sole promotion to the group. Mitch Duncan, Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes were not included in the group from the previous season – partly due to the club deciding to reduce the number of player leadership positions.

Chris Scott continues as the club's senior coach for his fifth season, after signing a two-year contract extension in August 2014 extending his tenure until the end of 2017. Following the departure of football manager Neil Balme to the vacant Collingwood football director position, his assistant Steve Hocking was promoted to football manager in November 2014.

The coaching department underwent a restructure prior to the season, with Matthew Knights promoted to assistant coach after three seasons as the club's VFL coach. Knights will coach the midfield group alongside existing assistant coach Nigel Lappin, and joins the assistant coaching team of Dale Amos (backline), James Rahilly (forwards) and Blake Caracella (in his new portfolio of attack and defence strategy). Paul Hood assumes an expanded role, replacing Knights as VFL coach as well continuing in his position as the club's academy co-ordinator. The club's academy coaching panel, overseen by Hood, consists of existing development coach Max Rooke, as well as new additions Shane O'Bree (moving from the assistant coaching panel) and former Geelong player Matthew Scarlett (in a part-time role).

Playing list Despite no player retirements at the conclusion of the 2014 AFL season, Geelong made a number of changes to its playing list, delisting Mitch Brown, George Burbury, Joel Hamling, Taylor Hunt, Jordan Schroder, Jackson Sheringham and Jesse Stringer. Additionally, Nick Bourke was removed from the club's rookie list.

Geelong were involved in four incoming and outgoing trades during the annual trade period, the first of which resulted in Allen Christensen being traded to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for pick 21 in the upcoming National Draft. The club also traded dual premiership player Travis Varcoe to Collingwood as part of a three-club trade that netted Mitch Clark from Melbourne, and gained Rhys Stanley and pick 60 in the Draft in a separate deal with St Kilda in exchange for pick 21. The final trade resulted in Geelong swapping draft picks 14 and 35 to Adelaide for picks 10 and 47—attaining the club's first top-10 draft selection since the 2006 AFL draft. Additionally, the club recruited former Melbourne player Sam Blease as a delisted free agent.

A total of four players were drafted by Geelong in the 2014 National Draft: Nakia Cockatoo (pick 10), Cory Gregson, (48), Dean Gore (55) and Jordan Cunico (59). Following the elevation of Mark Blicavs to the senior list, Geelong also drafted Tom Read (pick 14) and Cameron Delaney (32) in the 2015 Rookie Draft, as well as Padraig Lucey (49)—a participant in the reality television series The Recruit. Geelong did not participate in the corresponding Pre-season Draft.

As part of its list management strategy, Geelong elected to list its six eligible players as veterans, meaning the club is able to pay a fixed amount per veteran outside the salary cap. The six players—who must have completed 10 seasons with the club to qualify—were Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Steve Johnson, James Kelly, Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie.

After spending time away from the club to consider his future, Brad Hartman decided to leave the club in May 2015 due to his struggles in meeting the professional standards required of an AFL player. Hartman had only played five senior games for Geelong – all during the 2014 season. In the same month, rookie-listed player James Toohey also decided to retire from senior-level football, citing a desire to return to full-time university studies.

Due to the long-term injury of Lincoln McCarthy, rookie-listed Michael Luxford was upgraded to the senior list on 27 May 2015 and immediately selected as an emergency for Geelong's round nine match against West Coast. Luxford made his AFL debut the following round against Essendon, when he was included as a late change replacing an injured Rhys Stanley.

Ruckman Hamish McIntosh announced his retirement in July 2015, due to a recurrence of an ankle injury that had hampered his three seasons at the club. After playing 107 games for North Melbourne, McIntosh ultimately played 19 games for Geelong—all during the 2014 season. This was followed by two more retirements due to injury, Jared Rivers (who required surgery on a torn meniscus in the knee) and Sam Blease (due to a delayed concussion sustained in a VFL match during the season).

It was announced prior to Geelong's final match of the season that veteran players Steve Johnson, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes would not be offered new contracts for the 2016 season. The trio all played their farewell match against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium, with Geelong winning by 39 points.

Statistics Players are listed in alphabetical order by surname, and statistics are for AFL regular season and finals series matches during the 2015 AFL season only. ^ Denotes player who is on the club's rookie list.# Denotes nominated rookie where player has been elevated to club's senior list during season, and therefore eligible for senior selection.† Denotes player who is on the club's veteran list Denotes statistical category leader for season + Geelong's 2015 playing list and statistics Player # AFL debut Games Goals Behinds Kicks Handballs Disposals Marks Tackles † 3 2002 11 0 1 127 132 259 69 43 ^ 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 2014 16 1 2 70 85 155 35 50 12 2011 1 0 0 4 3 7 2 0 46 2013 21 4 6 156 226 382 96 126 23 2011 19 16 17 200 188 388 70 106 19 2006 8 14 6 59 28 87 35 16 5 2015 11 3 5 31 47 37 29 19 18 2011 2 1 1 8 10 18 3 1 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ^ 45 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 2010 11 8 3 105 130 235 62 26 † 44 2001 21 0 1 301 183 484 148 60 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 2015 20 13 8 133 114 247 66 63 29 2011 21 13 7 192 261 453 69 110 36 2014 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 2007 19 46 20 145 51 196 93 43 33 2012 7 2 1 29 70 99 15 21 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 † 20 2002 20 30 25 256 156 412 99 47 † 9 2002 17 1 7 185 163 348 80 71 39 2014 11 9 7 47 50 87 37 28 8 2015 9 0 1 58 68 126 34 25 11 2014 20 14 5 151 120 271 63 55 † 13 2005 19 2 1 162 113 275 119 25 ^ 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # 37 2015 2 0 0 3 5 8 1 3 † 4 2004 15 6 0 203 112 315 104 27 6 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 2010 2 4 2 13 12 25 6 2 32 2010 20 26 16 299 142 441 78 68 21 2012 18 8 3 168 113 281 69 53 ^ 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 2003 12 0 0 99 66 165 77 25 14 2007 20 14 8 237 254 491 61 124 16 2010 4 0 0 8 18 26 2 11 2 2012 4 0 0 19 23 42 16 11 1 2010 8 6 2 53 46 99 26 22 27 2006 14 4 2 135 132 267 58 33 7 2008 21 1 3 207 161 368 159 39 40 2013 19 2 0 189 140 329 84 42 ^ 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 2011 3 5 0 19 20 39 13 8 34 2012 16 19 10 88 67 155 61 26

Season summary

Pre-season matches + Geelong's 2015 NAB Challenge fixture Match Date and local time Opponent Scores Venue Attendance Source Home Away Result Sunday, 1 March () 0.10.19 (79) 1.9.8 (71) Tony Ireland Stadium [A] 4,431 Thursday, 12 March () 1.12.6 (87) 0.9.14 (68) Simonds Stadium [H] 8,019 Sunday, 22 March () 2.10.14 (92) 0.17.9 (111) Etihad Stadium [A] 10,631

Regular season + Geelong's 2015 AFL season fixture Round Date and local time Opponent Home Away Result Venue Attendance Ladderposition Scores () 17.21 (123) 8.13 (61) MCG [A] 73,584 17th () 9.6 (60) 15.14 (104) Simonds Stadium [H] 23,723 18th () 16.9 (105) 13.18 (96) Simonds Stadium [H] 20,813 15th () 9.13 (67) 12.11 (83) Simonds Stadium [H] 23,452 16th () 11.10 (76) 12.13 (85) MCG [A] 45,228 14th () 8.11 (59) 15.10 (100) MCG [A] 52,152 12th () 18.12 (120) 11.11 (77) ANZ Stadium [A] 28,063 13th () 22.8 (140) 9.9 (63) Etihad Stadium [H] 32,032 10th () 16.24 (120) 10.4 (64) Domain Stadium [A] 37,676 12th () 7.11 (53) 19.8 (122) Etihad Stadium [A] 40,632 10th () 11.3 (69) 14.8 (92) Adelaide Oval [A] 47,058 9th () 13.11 (89) 18.5 (113) Simonds Stadium [H] 28,007 10th Bye 10th () Match cancelled Draw Adelaide Oval [A] 10th () 18.12 (120) 11.13 (79) Etihad Stadium [A] 31,270 11th () 10.12 (72) 9.10 (64) Simonds Stadium [H] 25,041 11th () 6.6 (42) 9.15 (69) StarTrack Oval [A] 14,667 10th () 17.11 (113) 8.9 (57) Simonds Stadium [H] 21,914 8th () 14.11 (95) 9.9 (63) Simonds Stadium [H] 27,910 8th () 12.13 (85) 19.7 (121) MCG [H] 55,802 9th () 14.13 (97) 15.7 (97) Draw Etihad Stadium [A] 25,245 9th () 9.8 (62) 17.8 (110) MCG [H] 40,582 11th () 17.17 (119) 11.14 (80) Simonds Stadium [H] 26,128 10th

Ladder

Finals series After finishing tenth on the ladder, Geelong failed to qualify for the 2015 AFL finals series; as a result, it was the first time the club had not played in the finals since the 2006 AFL season.

Honours

Awards The following club awards were presented at the Carji Greeves Medal Night on 8 October: Carji Greeves Medal – Mark Blicavs Best Young Player – Darcy Lang Coach's Award – Steve Johnson Community Champion – Corey Enright Tom Harley Award (Best Clubman) – Andrew Mackie VFL Best and Fairest – Tom Ruggles Other honours: Leading goalkicker – Tom Hawkins (46 goals) Most club votes in the Brownlow Medal – Joel Selwood (13 votes; ineligible)

Milestones Round 1 – Mitch Clark (Geelong debut); Nakia Cockatoo (AFL debut); Cory Gregson (AFL debut) Round 2 – Rhys Stanley (Geelong debut) Round 3 – Chris Scott (100 games coached); Mitch Clark (100 games) Round 4 – Tom Hawkins (150 games) Round 5 – Mark Blicavs (50 games) Round 6 – Tom Lonergan (150 games) Round 7 – Sam Blease (Geelong debut) Round 10 – Jordan Murdoch (50 games); Michael Luxford (AFL debut) Round 12 – Corey Enright (300 games); Jake Kolodjashnij (AFL debut) Round 19 – Joel Selwood (200 games) Round 20 – Steve Johnson (250 games)

Other Round 2 – George Horlin-Smith (2015 AFL Mark of the Year nomination) Round 4 – Mitch Clark (2015 AFL Mark of the Year nomination) Round 6 – Cory Gregson (2015 AFL Rising Star nomination); Jordan Murdoch (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination) Round 9 – Steve Johnson (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination) Round 10 – James Kelly (AFL Life Membership) Round 12 – Joel Selwood (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination) Round 18 – Steve Johnson scored two goals to place him third in Geelong's all-time goalkickers rankings, overtaking former player Billy Brownless' 441 career goals. Round 19 – Jackson Thurlow (2015 AFL Rising Star nomination); Nakia Cockatoo (2015 AFL Mark of the Year nomination) Round 20 – Cameron Guthrie (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination) Round 21 – Darcy Lang (2015 AFL Rising Star nomination) Round 22 – Daniel Menzel (2015 AFL Mark of the Year nomination); Steven Motlop (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination) Round 23 – Steve Johnson (2015 AFL Goal of the Year nomination)

Match Review Panel charges + Match Review Panel (MRP) and AFL Tribunal cases involving Geelong players during the 2015 AFL season Round Player Charge category Victim (club) Verdict Fine (A$) Suspension Source Sanction Rough conduct () $1,000 Tripping () $1,000 Striking () 1 match Careless umpire contact (umpire) $1,000 Careless umpire contact (umpire) $1,500 Rough conduct () 1 match Striking () 1 match Careless umpire contact (umpire) $1,000 Rough conduct () $1,500 Striking () $1,000

VFL season

Squad