# 2012 Geelong Football Club season

The 2012 Geelong Football Club season was the club's 113th 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 13th season.

## Club personnel

Following the retirement of incumbent premiership captain Cameron Ling in the off-season, Joel Selwood was appointed the club's new captain in January 2012, with Jimmy Bartel assuming the role of vice-captain. Additionally, Joel Corey, Corey Enright, James Kelly and Harry Taylor remain in the player leadership group from the prior season, with Steve Johnson the sole promotion to the group. Selwood's older brother, Troy, captained the club's VFL team for the second successive season; however due to the departure of Matt Firman, his co-captain from the prior season, it was his first time as sole captain.
The departure of assistant coach Brenton Sanderson to the vacant Adelaide senior coach position in September 2011 resulted in a number of coaching changes for the club, the first being the promotion of the club's VFL coach, Dale Amos, as Sanderson's replacement. Subsequently, Amos was replaced by former Essendon coach Matthew Knights, with former Geelong player Max Rooke also joining the coaching staff as a development coach, working with the younger club players. Assistant coach Matthew Egan also departed the club to take up the same position with Essendon. The remainder of the club's coaching panel remained unchanged from 2011, with Blake Caracella, Nigel Lappin and James Rahilly returning as assistant coaches and Paul Hood continuing his role as academy co-ordinator. Furthermore, Brad Ottens, a former Geelong player who retired in the off-season, also returned to the club in a new role as part-time ruck coach.

### Playing list

The introduction of Greater Western Sydney as the league's eighteenth club this season created the possibility that Geelong could again lose an uncontracted player to a new club, as had previously occurred when Gold Coast entered the league the prior season and signed Gary Ablett. Despite this not eventuating, Geelong still lost six players on its list due to retirement, including premiership players Cameron Ling (captain), Darren Milburn, Cameron Mooney, Brad Ottens and Mark Blake, as well as Marcus Drum, who did not play a senior game for the club. Additionally, Geelong delisted two rookie-listed players: Ben Johnson and Jack Weston.
Geelong's participation in the trade week was minimal, with no incoming or outgoing trades finalised. It did however secure Jed Bews, son of former player Andrew, under the father–son rule. In addition to using its last pick (86) on Bews, a further five players were drafted by the club in the 2011 National Draft: Joel Hamling (pick 32), Shane Kersten (34), Jordan Murdoch (48), Lincoln McCarthy (66) and Orren Stephenson (78). With the club choosing not to promote any rookies, it subsequently drafted Cameron Eardley (pick 18) and Jackson Sheringham (36) in the 2012 Rookie Draft, as well as a steeplechase runner, Mark Blicavs (54). Geelong did not participate in the corresponding Pre-season Draft.

#### Playing statistics

    Players are listed in alphabetical order by surname, and statistics are for AFL regular season and finals series matches during the 2012 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 |
Geelong's 2012 playing list :
| Player | # | AFL debut | Games | Goals | Behinds | Kicks | Handballs | Disposals | Marks | Tackles |
| Jimmy Bartel | 3 | 2002 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 230 | 190 | 420 | 101 | 121 |
| Ryan Bathie^ | 47 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Jed Bews | 24 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Mark Blicavs^ | 48 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Mitch Brown | 1 | 2011 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 7 | 23 | 11 | 4 |
| George Burbury^ | 43 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Shannon Byrnes | 17 | 2004 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 10 | 12 |
| Paul Chapman | 35 | 2000 | 21 | 36 | 15 | 292 | 136 | 428 | 107 | 94 |
| Allen Christensen | 28 | 2011 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 166 | 163 | 329 | 47 | 63 |
| Joel Corey † | 11 | 2000 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 189 | 239 | 428 | 54 | 103 |
| Josh Cowan | 18 | 2011 | | | | | | | | |
| Mitch Duncan | 22 | 2010 | 22 | 20 | 12 | 262 | 138 | 400 | 122 | 68 |
| Cameron Eardley^ | 37 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Corey Enright | 44 | 2001 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 283 | 179 | 462 | 126 | 53 |
| Tom Gillies | 25 | 2009 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 33 | 73 | 26 | 9 |
| Cameron Guthrie | 29 | 2011 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 97 | 197 | 42 | 44 |
| Joel Hamling | 45 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Tom Hawkins | 26 | 2007 | 22 | 62 | 38 | 198 | 80 | 278 | 144 | 25 |
| Simon Hogan | 34 | 2009 | | | | | | | | |
| George Horlin-Smith | 33 | 2012 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 12 | 3 |
| Josh Hunt | 8 | 2001 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 185 | 97 | 282 | 106 | 43 |
| Taylor Hunt | 19 | 2010 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 146 | 170 | 316 | 75 | 70 |
| Steve Johnson | 20 | 2002 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 299 | 166 | 465 | 117 | 94 |
| James Kelly | 9 | 2002 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 257 | 213 | 470 | 59 | 128 |
| Shane Kersten | 39 | — | | | | | | | | |
| Tom Lonergan | 13 | 2005 | 22 | 3 | 2 | 144 | 107 | 251 | 98 | 40 |
| Andrew Mackie | 4 | 2004 | 23 | 12 | 7 | 311 | 120 | 431 | 123 | 60 |
| Lincoln McCarthy | 6 | 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Daniel Menzel | 10 | 2010 | | | | | | | | |
| Steven Motlop | 32 | 2010 | 22 | 26 | 14 | 192 | 104 | 296 | 52 | 52 |
| Jordan Murdoch | 21 | 2012 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 67 | 35 | 102 | 33 | 24 |
| James Podsiadly | 31 | 2010 | 18 | 35 | 13 | 153 | 62 | 215 | 90 | 50 |
| Matthew Scarlett † | 30 | 1998 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 75 | 244 | 89 | 40 |
| Jordan Schroder | 15 | 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| Joel Selwood | 14 | 2007 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 293 | 246 | 539 | 74 | 118 |
| Jackson Sheringham# | 38 | 2012 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 28 | 56 | 13 | 14 |
| Jonathan Simpkin# | 46 | 2012 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 13 | 35 | 8 | 7 |
| Dawson Simpson | 16 | 2010 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| Billie Smedts | 2 | 2012 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 94 | 72 | 166 | 43 | 40 |
| Orren Stephenson | 23 | 2012 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 34 | 68 | 19 | 20 |
| Mathew Stokes | 27 | 2006 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 149 | 161 | 310 | 70 | 63 |
| Jesse Stringer# | 41 | 2012 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 48 | 52 | 100 | 20 | 30 |
| Harry Taylor | 7 | 2008 | 22 | 15 | 5 | 205 | 152 | 357 | 135 | 48 |
| Travis Varcoe | 5 | 2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Nathan Vardy | 36 | 2011 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| Josh Walker# | 42 | 2012 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 37 | 21 | 58 | 16 | 22 |
| Trent West | 12 | 2008 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 103 | 112 | 215 | 59 | 52 |
| David Wojcinski | 40 | 1999 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 22 | 55 | 13 | 14 |

## Season summary
### Pre-season matches

Geelong's 2012 NAB Cup fixture (Week 1 – Lightning matches) :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores | Scores | Scores | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Ref |
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Ref |
| 1 | Friday, 24 February (7:45 pm) | Sydney | 0.2.1 (13) | 0.4.5 (29) | Won by 16 points | Etihad Stadium | 17,583 | 13th | |
| 1 | Friday, 24 February (8:50 pm) | St Kilda | 1.3.9 (36) | 1.0.6 (15) | Lost by 21 points | Etihad Stadium | 18,880 | 13th | |
Geelong's 2012 NAB Cup fixture (Weeks 2, 3 & 4 – Full-length matches) :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores | Scores | Scores | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Ref |
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position | Ref |
| 2 | Friday, 2 March (7:40 pm) | Gold Coast | 1.8.12 (69) | 1.16.13 (118) | Won by 49 points | Metricon Stadium | 5,381 | 5th | |
| 3 | Saturday, 10 March (3:10 pm) | Richmond | 0.6.13 (49) | 1.14.15 (108) | Lost by 59 points | Simonds Stadium | 9,393 | 10th | |
| 4 | Saturday, 17 March (3:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 11.18 (84) | 11.9 (75) | Won by 9 points | Simonds Stadium | 3,800 (approx.) | — | |

### Regular season

Geelong's 2012 AFL season fixture :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Attendance | Ladder position |
| Ref |||
| 1 | Saturday, 31 March (4:40 pm) | Fremantle | 16.9 (105) | 15.11 (101) | Lost by 4 points | Patersons Stadium | 34,601 | 11th |
| 2 | Monday, 9 April (3:10 pm) | Hawthorn | 14.8 (92) | 13.12 (90) | Won by 2 points | MCG | 69,231 | 10th |
| 3 | Sunday, 15 April (4:40 pm) | North Melbourne | 20.11 (131) | 16.18 (114) | Lost by 17 points | Etihad Stadium | 29,630 | 11th |
| 4 | Sunday, 22 April (1:10 pm) | Richmond | 11.9 (75) | 9.11 (65) | Won by 10 points | Simonds Stadium | Unconfirmed | 10th |
| 5 | Saturday, 28 April (7:40 pm) | Brisbane Lions | 4.17 (41) | 12.7 (79) | Won by 38 points | The Gabba | 15,528 | 8th |
| 6 | Saturday, 5 May (1:45 pm) | Melbourne | 17.17 (119) | 11.10 (76) | Won by 43 points | Simonds Stadium | 18,010 | 6th |
| 7 | Saturday, 12 May (12:45 pm) | Adelaide | 19.8 (122) | 10.12 (72) | Lost by 50 points | AAMI Stadium | 35,535 | 10th |
| 8 | Friday, 18 May (7:50 pm) | Collingwood | 14.12 (96) | 11.18 (84) | Lost by 12 points | MCG | 75,650 | 10th |
| 9 | Friday, 25 May (7:50 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 11.9 (75) | 14.11 (95) | Won by 20 points | Etihad Stadium | 29,118 | 9th |
| 10 | Saturday, 2 June (1:45 pm) | Greater Western Sydney | 19.12 (126) | 9.7 (61) | Won by 65 points | Simonds Stadium | 17,243 | 8th |
| 11 | Friday, 8 June (7:50 pm) | Carlton | 11.19 (85) | 14.13 (97) | Won by 12 points | Etihad Stadium | 47,632 | 7th |
| 12 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | 7th |
| 13 | Friday, 22 June (7:50 pm) | Sydney | 12.8 (80) | 11.8 (74) | Lost by 6 points | SCG | 27,400 | 7th |
| 14 | Sunday, 1 July (1:10 pm) | Port Adelaide | 14.15 (99) | 8.13 (61) | Won by 38 points | Simonds Stadium | 13,736 | 7th |
| 15 | Sunday, 8 July (3:15 pm) | Gold Coast | 13.18 (96) | 15.20 (110) | Won by 14 points | Metricon Stadium | 15,824 | 7th |
| 16 | Saturday, 14 July (7:40 pm) | Collingwood | 10.19 (79) | 17.8 (110) | Lost by 31 points | MCG | 61,717 | 7th |
| 17 | Friday, 20 July (7:50 pm) | Essendon | 20.14 (134) | 10.7 (67) | Won by 67 points | Etihad Stadium | 50,066 | 7th |
| 18 | Saturday, 28 July (1:45 pm) | Adelaide | 15.12 (102) | 11.9 (75) | Won by 27 points | Simonds Stadium | 18,377 | 6th |
| 19 | Friday, 3 August (7:50 pm) | Hawthorn | 17.14 (116) | 18.10 (118) | Won by 2 points | MCG | 65,287 | 6th |
| 20 | Friday, 10 August (6:40 pm) | West Coast | 16.6 (102) | 15.7 (97) | Lost by 5 points | Patersons Stadium | 37,812 | 7th |
| 21 | Friday, 17 August (7:50 pm) | St Kilda | 18.15 (123) | 11.15 (81) | Won by 42 points | Etihad Stadium | 38,169 | 7th |
| 22 | Sunday, 26 August (1:10 pm) | Western Bulldogs | 16.11 (107) | 11.7 (73) | Won by 34 points | Simonds Stadium | 18,047 | 6th |
| 23 | Saturday, 1 September (1:45 pm) | Sydney | 17.10 (112) | 11.12 (78) | Won by 34 points | Simonds Stadium | 20,045 | 6th |

#### Ladder

2012 AFL ladder :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | D | PF | PA | PP | Pts | |
| 1 | Hawthorn | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2679 | 1733 | 154.6 | 68 | Finals series |
| 2 | Adelaide | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 2428 | 1833 | 132.5 | 68 | Finals series |
| 3 | Sydney (P) | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2290 | 1629 | 140.6 | 64 | Finals series |
| 4 | Collingwood | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2123 | 1823 | 116.5 | 64 | Finals series |
| 5 | West Coast | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2244 | 1807 | 124.2 | 60 | Finals series |
| 6 | Geelong | 22 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2209 | 1886 | 117.1 | 60 | Finals series |
| 7 | Fremantle | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 1956 | 1691 | 115.7 | 56 | Finals series |
| 8 | North Melbourne | 22 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2359 | 2097 | 112.5 | 56 | Finals series |
| 9 | St Kilda | 22 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2347 | 1903 | 123.3 | 48 | |
| 10 | Carlton | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2079 | 1925 | 108.0 | 44 | |
| 11 | Essendon | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 2091 | 2090 | 100.0 | 44 | |
| 12 | Richmond | 22 | 10 | 11 | 1 | 2169 | 1943 | 111.6 | 42 | |
| 13 | Brisbane Lions | 22 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 1904 | 2092 | 91.0 | 40 | |
| 14 | Port Adelaide | 22 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 1691 | 2144 | 78.9 | 22 | |
| 15 | Western Bulldogs | 22 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 1542 | 2301 | 67.0 | 20 | |
| 16 | Melbourne | 22 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1580 | 2341 | 67.5 | 16 | |
| 17 | Gold Coast | 22 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1509 | 2481 | 60.8 | 12 | |
| 18 | Greater Western Sydney | 22 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 1270 | 2751 | 46.2 | 8 | |

### Finals series

Geelong's 2012 AFL finals series matches :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores | Scores | Scores | Venue | Ref |
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Ref |
| Second elimination final | Saturday, 8 September (7:45 pm) | Fremantle | 11.14 (80) | 14.12 (96) | Lost by 16 points | MCG | |
| Geelong were eliminated from the 2012 AFL finals series ||||||||

## Teams

Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 1 to 4) :
| Geelong's Round 1 team | Geelong's Round 2 team | Geelong's Round 3 team | Geelong's Round 4 team |
| B: | Smedts | Lonergan | Scarlett | Enright | Lonergan | Guthrie | Enright | Lonergan | Guthrie | Enright | Lonergan | Guthrie |
| HB: | Mackie | Taylor | Enright | Mackie | Taylor | T. Hunt | T. Hunt | Taylor | Mackie | Mackie | Taylor | Gillies |
| C: | T. Hunt | Chapman | Kelly | Corey | Selwood | Motlop | Motlop | Selwood | Corey | T. Hunt | Corey | Christensen |
| HF: | Stokes | Hawkins | Johnson | Stokes | Hawkins | Christensen | Christensen | Hawkins | Chapman | Chapman | Hawkins | Duncan |
| F: | West | Podsiadly | Motlop | Chapman | Podsiadly | Johnson | Johnson | Podsiadly | West | Johnson | Podsiadly | Stokes |
| Foll: | Stephenson | Selwood | Bartel | West | Bartel | Kelly | Stephenson | Bartel | Kelly | West | Bartel | Selwood |
| Int: | Corey | Duncan | Guthrie | Byrnes | Duncan | Smedts | Byrnes | Duncan | Gillies | Horlin-Smith | J. Hunt | Motlop |
| Sub: | Christensen | Christensen | Christensen | Brown 4th' | Brown 4th' | Brown 4th' | Horlin-Smith 3rd' | Horlin-Smith 3rd' | Horlin-Smith 3rd' | Stringer 4th' | Stringer 4th' | Stringer 4th' |
| Emg: | Brown | Byrnes | Gillies | Byrnes | Hogan | Horlin-Smith | Brown | Hogan | Schroder | Byrnes | Schroder | Stephenson |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott |
| In: | N/A | N/A | N/A | Brown, Byrnes (late change) | Brown, Byrnes (late change) | Brown, Byrnes (late change) | Gillies, Horlin-Smith, Stephenson | Gillies, Horlin-Smith, Stephenson | Gillies, Horlin-Smith, Stephenson | J. Hunt, Stokes, Stringer | J. Hunt, Stokes, Stringer | J. Hunt, Stokes, Stringer |
| Out: | N/A | N/A | N/A | Scarlett, Stephenson (late change) | Scarlett, Stephenson (late change) | Scarlett, Stephenson (late change) | Brown, Smedts, Stokes | Brown, Smedts, Stokes | Brown, Smedts, Stokes | Byrnes, Kelly, Stephenson | Byrnes, Kelly, Stephenson | Byrnes, Kelly, Stephenson |
Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 5 to 8) :
| Geelong's Round 5 team | Geelong's Round 6 team | Geelong's Round 7 team | Geelong's Round 8 team |
| B: | Guthrie | Lonergan | Enright | J. Hunt | Taylor | Scarlett | J. Hunt | Taylor | Gillies | Guthrie | Lonergan | J. Hunt |
| HB: | Taylor | Scarlett | Mackie | Enright | Gillies | Mackie | Enright | Lonergan | Mackie | Enright | Taylor | Mackie |
| C: | Christensen | Corey | T. Hunt | Corey | Christensen | Kelly | Corey | Christensen | Kelly | Kelly | Selwood | Bartel |
| HF: | Motlop | Hawkins | Chapman | Motlop | Podsiadly | Duncan | Motlop | Podsiadly | Duncan | Johnson | Podsiadly | Motlop |
| F: | Stokes | Podsiadly | Johnson | Johnson | Hawkins | Brown | Johnson | Hawkins | Guthrie | Chapman | Hawkins | Stokes |
| Foll: | West | Bartel | Selwood | West | Bartel | Chapman | West | Selwood | Chapman | West | Corey | T. Hunt |
| Int: | Duncan | J. Hunt | Stringer | Byrnes | Smedts | Stringer | T. Hunt | Stringer | Smedts | Duncan | Smedts | Stephenson |
| Sub: | Smedts 3rd' | Smedts 3rd' | Smedts 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Byrnes 3rd' | Byrnes 3rd' | Byrnes 3rd' | Stringer 3rd' | Stringer 3rd' | Stringer 3rd' |
| Emg: | Gillies | Horlin-Smith | Stephenson | Byrnes | Gillies | Horlin-Smith | Byrnes | Gillies | Horlin-Smith | Byrnes | Horlin-Smith | Smedts |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott |
| In: | Scarlett, Smedts | Scarlett, Smedts | Scarlett, Smedts | Brown, Kelly, Byrnes, Gillies (late changes) | Brown, Kelly, Byrnes, Gillies (late changes) | Brown, Kelly, Byrnes, Gillies (late changes) | T. Hunt, Lonergan, Selwood | T. Hunt, Lonergan, Selwood | T. Hunt, Lonergan, Selwood | Bartel, Scarlett, Stokes, Stephenson | Bartel, Scarlett, Stokes, Stephenson | Bartel, Scarlett, Stokes, Stephenson |
| Out: | Gillies, Horlin-Smith | Gillies, Horlin-Smith | Gillies, Horlin-Smith | T. Hunt, Stokes, Lonergan, Selwood (late changes) | T. Hunt, Stokes, Lonergan, Selwood (late changes) | T. Hunt, Stokes, Lonergan, Selwood (late changes) | Brown, Bartel, Scarlett (late changes) | Brown, Bartel, Scarlett (late changes) | Brown, Bartel, Scarlett (late changes) | Byrnes, Christensen, Gillies | Byrnes, Christensen, Gillies | Byrnes, Christensen, Gillies |
Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 9 to 12) :
| Geelong's Round 9 team | Geelong's Round 10 team | Geelong's Round 11 team | Geelong's Round 12 team |
| B: | Scarlett | Lonergan | J. Hunt | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Scarlett | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Scarlett | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| HB: | Mackie | Taylor | Enright | Mackie | Taylor | T. Hunt | Wojcinski | Taylor | Enright | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| C: | Johnson | Selwood | Bartel | Chapman | Johnson | Stringer | Chapman | Selwood | T. Hunt | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| HF: | Guthrie | Podsiadly | Motlop | Kelly | West | Stokes | Duncan | Hawkins | Stokes | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| F: | Stephenson | Hawkins | Stokes | Gillies | Podsiadly | Guthrie | Johnson | West | Motlop | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Foll: | West | Corey | T. Hunt | Stephenson | Selwood | Bartel | Stephenson | Corey | Bartel | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Int: | Chapman | Duncan | Stringer | Duncan | Schroder | Smedts | Guthrie | Kelly | Mackie | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Sub: | Simpkin 4th' | McCarthy 4th' | Stringer 3rd' | | | | | | | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Emg: | Byrnes | Horlin-Smith | Smedts | Gillies | Smedts | Stringer | Gillies | Smedts | Stringer | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | | | | | | | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| In: | Scarlett, Simpkin | Kelly, McCarthy, Schroder, Gillies, Smedts (late changes) | Corey, Enright, Hawkins, Motlop, Wojciniski | | | | | | | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| Out: | Kelly, Smedts | Hawkins, Simpkin Corey, Enright, Motlop (late changes) | Gillies, McCarthy, Schroder, Smedts, Podsiadly (late change) | | | | | | | Bye | Bye | Bye |
Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 13 to 16) :
| Geelong's Round 13 team | Geelong's Round 14 team | Geelong's Round 15 team | Geelong's Round 16 team |
| B: | Lonergan | Scarlett | Enright | Enright | Scarlett | Murdoch | Enright | Scarlett | Murdoch | Corey | Lonergan | Scarlett |
| HB: | Mackie | Taylor | J. Hunt | Corey | Taylor | Horlin-Smith | J. Hunt | Lonergan | T. Hunt | Enright | J. Hunt | Taylor |
| C: | T. Hunt | Kelly | Wojcinski | Motlop | Kelly | Christensen | Motlop | Kelly | Christensen | Mackie | Kelly | T. Hunt |
| HF: | Motlop | Podsiadly | Stokes | Mackie | Podsiadly | Murdoch | Mackie | Chapman | Stokes | Motlop | Hawkins | Smedts |
| F: | Johnson | Hawkins | Chapman | Johnson | Hawkins | Duncan | Corey | Hawkins | Brown | Chapman | Walker | Christensen |
| Foll: | Simpson | Selwood | Bartel | West | Selwood | Bartel | West | Selwood | Bartel | West | Selwood | Johnson |
| Int: | Corey | Duncan | West | Guthrie | T. Hunt | Smedts | Simpson | Smedts | Wojcinski | Duncan | Guthrie | Stokes |
| Sub: | Christensen 3rd' | Christensen 3rd' | Christensen 3rd' | Stokes 4th' | Stokes 4th' | Stokes 4th' | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Sheringham 3rd' | Sheringham 3rd' | Sheringham 3rd' |
| Emg: | Guthrie | Horlin-Smith | McCarthy | Byrnes | Simpson | Wojcinski | Brown | Guthrie | Wojcinski | Murdoch | Schroder | Simpson |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott |
| In: | Christensen, Podsiadly, Simpson | Christensen, Podsiadly, Simpson | Christensen, Podsiadly, Simpson | Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Murdoch, Smedts | Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Murdoch, Smedts | Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Murdoch, Smedts | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Brown, Wojcinski (late changes) | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Brown, Wojcinski (late changes) | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Brown, Wojcinski (late changes) | Duncan, Johnson, Sheringham, Taylor, Walker | Duncan, Johnson, Sheringham, Taylor, Walker | Duncan, Johnson, Sheringham, Taylor, Walker |
| Out: | Guthrie, Stephenson, Stringer | Guthrie, Stephenson, Stringer | Guthrie, Stephenson, Stringer | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Wojcinski | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Wojcinski | Chapman, J. Hunt, Simpson, Wojcinski | Duncan, Podsiadly, Horlin-Smith, Johnson, Taylor (late changes) | Duncan, Podsiadly, Horlin-Smith, Johnson, Taylor (late changes) | Duncan, Podsiadly, Horlin-Smith, Johnson, Taylor (late changes) | Bartel, Brown, Murdoch, Simpson, Wojcinski | Bartel, Brown, Murdoch, Simpson, Wojcinski | Bartel, Brown, Murdoch, Simpson, Wojcinski |
Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 17 to 20) :
| Geelong's Round 17 team | Geelong's Round 18 team | Geelong's Round 19 team | Geelong's Round 20 team |
| B: | Corey | Lonergan | Scarlett | Corey | Lonergan | Enright | Lonergan | Scarlett | J. Hunt | Guthrie | Lonergan | Scarlett |
| HB: | Enright | J. Hunt | Taylor | Kelly | J. Hunt | Taylor | Mackie | Taylor | Enright | T. Hunt | Taylor | Enright |
| C: | Mackie | T. Hunt | Stokes | Mackie | T. Hunt | Stokes | T. Hunt | Selwood | Sheringham | Motlop | Johnson | Mackie |
| HF: | Motlop | Hawkins | Smedts | Bartel | Hawkins | Motlop | Smedts | Podsiadly | Christensen | Sheringham | Podsiadly | Bartel |
| F: | Chapman | Walker | Duncan | Chapman | Walker | Guthrie | Stokes | Hawkins | Chapman | Walker | Hawkins | Stokes |
| Foll: | West | Selwood | Johnson | West | Selwood | Johnson | Stephenson | Kelly | Johnson | Stephenson | Selwood | Duncan |
| Int: | Kelly | Murdoch | Sheringham | Christensen | Duncan | Smedts | Bartel | Duncan | Walker | Christensen | Murdoch | Simpkin |
| Sub: | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Guthrie 3rd' | Sheringham 1st' | Sheringham 1st' | Sheringham 1st' | Motlop 3rd' | Motlop 3rd' | Motlop 3rd' | Wojcinski 1st' | Wojcinski 1st' | Wojcinski 1st' |
| Emg: | Brown | Horlin-Smith | Schroder | Brown | Murdoch | Podsiadly | Brown | Guthrie | Murdoch | Brown | Schroder | Wojcinski |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott |
| In: | Murdoch | Murdoch | Murdoch | Bartel, Christensen | Bartel, Christensen | Bartel, Christensen | Podsiadly, Scarlett, Stephenson | Podsiadly, Scarlett, Stephenson | Podsiadly, Scarlett, Stephenson | Guthrie, Murdoch, Simpkin, Wojcinski (late change) | Guthrie, Murdoch, Simpkin, Wojcinski (late change) | Guthrie, Murdoch, Simpkin, Wojcinski (late change) |
| Out: | Christensen | Christensen | Christensen | Murdoch, Scarlett | Murdoch, Scarlett | Murdoch, Scarlett | Corey, Guthrie, West | Corey, Guthrie, West | Corey, Guthrie, West | J. Hunt, Kelly, Smedts, Chapman (late change) | J. Hunt, Kelly, Smedts, Chapman (late change) | J. Hunt, Kelly, Smedts, Chapman (late change) |
Geelong's 2012 teams (Rounds 21 to 23; Elimination final) :
| Geelong's Round 21 team | Geelong's Round 22 team | Geelong's Round 23 team | Geelong's Elimination final team |
| B: | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Scarlett | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Murdoch | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Scarlett | J. Hunt | Lonergan | Scarlett |
| HB: | Enright | Taylor | Mackie | Enright | Taylor | Mackie | Enright | Taylor | T. Hunt | Enright | Taylor | Mackie |
| C: | Corey | T. Hunt | Duncan | Duncan | Corey | Guthrie | Bartel | Selwood | Duncan | T. Hunt | Selwood | Christensen |
| HF: | Chapman | Podsiadly | Motlop | Chapman | Podsiadly | Motlop | Mackie | Christensen | Stokes | Bartel | Podsiadly | Stokes |
| F: | Bartel | Hawkins | Stokes | Bartel | Hawkins | Stokes | Chapman | Hawkins | Podsiadly | Chapman | Hawkins | Vardy |
| Foll: | West | Selwood | Kelly | West | Johnson | Kelly | Vardy | Johnson | Corey | West | Kelly | Corey |
| Int: | Johnson | Murdoch | Walker | Christensen | Walker | Varcoe | Kelly | Murdoch | West | Duncan | Motlop | Murdoch |
| Sub: | Simpkin 4th' | Simpkin 4th' | Simpkin 4th' | Smedts 2nd' | Smedts 2nd' | Smedts 2nd' | Motlop 4th' | Motlop 4th' | Motlop 4th' | Simpkin 3rd' | Simpkin 3rd' | Simpkin 3rd' |
| Emg: | Guthrie | Sheringham | Wojcinski | Guthrie | Simpkin | Smedts | Guthrie | Walker | Wojcinski | Guthrie | Walker | Wojcinski |
| Coach: | Chris Scott | Chris Scott | Chris Scott |
| In: | Chapman, Corey, J. Hunt, Kelly, West | Chapman, Corey, J. Hunt, Kelly, West | Chapman, Corey, J. Hunt, Kelly, West | Christensen, Varcoe, Guthrie, Smedts (late changes) | Christensen, Varcoe, Guthrie, Smedts (late changes) | Christensen, Varcoe, Guthrie, Smedts (late changes) | T. Hunt, Scarlett, Selwood, Vardy | T. Hunt, Scarlett, Selwood, Vardy | T. Hunt, Scarlett, Selwood, Vardy | Simpkin | Simpkin | Simpkin |
| Out: | Christensen, Guthrie, Sheringham, Stephenson, Wojcinski | Christensen, Guthrie, Sheringham, Stephenson, Wojcinski | Christensen, Guthrie, Sheringham, Stephenson, Wojcinski | Selwood, Simpkin, T. Hunt, Scarlett (late changes) | Selwood, Simpkin, T. Hunt, Scarlett (late changes) | Selwood, Simpkin, T. Hunt, Scarlett (late changes) | Guthrie, Smedts, Varcoe, Walker | Guthrie, Smedts, Varcoe, Walker | Guthrie, Smedts, Varcoe, Walker | Johnson | Johnson | Johnson |

## Awards and records
### Milestones

* Round 1 – Billie Smedts (AFL debut), Orren Stephenson (AFL debut)
* Round 3 – George Horlin-Smith (AFL debut)
* Round 4 – Jesse Stringer (AFL debut)
* Round 8 – James Kelly (200 games), James Podsiadly (50 games)
* Round 9 – Jonathan Simpkin (AFL debut)
* Round 10 – Harry Taylor (100 games), Lincoln McCarthy (AFL debut), Jordan Schroder (AFL debut)
* Round 11 – David Wojcinski (200 games)
* Round 14 – Jordan Murdoch (AFL debut)
* Round 16 – Jackson Sheringham (AFL debut), Josh Walker (AFL debut)
* Round 18 – Joel Corey (250 games)
* Round 23 – Tom Hawkins (100 games), Mitch Duncan (50 games)

### AFL awards

* Member of the 2012 All-Australian team (full-forward) – Tom Hawkins
* AFLPA Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player – Joel Selwood (tied with West Coast's Beau Waters)

### Other

* Tom Hawkins – 2012 AFL Mark of the Year (Round 2 nomination)
* Steven Motlop – 2012 AFL Goal of the Year (Round 3 nomination)
* James Podsiadly – 2012 AFL Mark of the Year (Round 3 nomination)
* Steven Motlop – 2012 AFL Rising Star (Round 6 nomination)
* Matthew Scarlett – 2012 AFL Mark of the Year (Round 13 nomination)
* Tom Hawkins – 2012 AFL Mark of the Year (Round 15 nomination)

## Match Review Panel and Tribunal cases

Summary of club charges :
| Total charges | 15 |
| Total guilty charges | 14 |
| Total matches suspended | 10 |
| Total fines | $3,150 |

### Pre-season competition – Week 1

* Josh Hunt was charged with a level two engaging in rough conduct offence against Luke Parker (Sydney). By entering an early plea, Hunt consequentially accepted a two-match suspension and 43.52 points towards his future record; the severity of the sanction a result of his existing bad judiciary record.

### Pre-season competition – Week 4

* Joel Selwood was fined $900 for his involvement in wrestling with Liam Picken (Western Bulldogs), in which he accepted with an early plea.

### Round 1

* James Kelly received a reprimand and 93.75 demerit points as a result of a level two striking charge against Tendai Mzungu (Fremantle), in which he pleaded guilty.
* Matthew Scarlett also accepted a sanction for a striking offence, in this case a level four charge against Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle). His poor judiciary record resulted in a three-match suspension with an additional 33.52 carry-over points towards his future record.

### Round 4

* Steve Johnson was charged with two separate incidents in the one match, the first being a level-one rough conduct offence against Chris Newman, as well as a level-one tripping offence against Daniel Jackson (both of Richmond). Johnson accepted a reprimand and 78 points towards his future record for the tripping offence, but successfully contested the rough conduct charge at the tribunal, resulting in no action taken. As the two cases would have been merged to create an overall penalty, an early plea for both offences would have resulted in a combined points accumulation of 199.88 which is a one match suspension, and leaving Johnson with 99.88 carry-over points for a period of a year.
* Trent West was charged with a level-one engaging in rough conduct offence against Ty Vickery (Richmond); by entering an early plea, West accepted a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.

### Round 7

* Joel Corey was charged with "making an obscene gesture" and subsequently accepted a $900 fine with an early plea.

### Round 11

* Josh Hunt accepted a $1,350 fine for a misconduct offence in which he stood on opponent Eddie Betts (Carlton)

### Round 15

* Jimmy Bartel was charged with a level-four striking offence against Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast) in which he received a two-match suspension and 43.75 points towards his future record following his submission of an early guilty plea.

### Round 17

* Matthew Scarlett was suspended for the second time this season following a level two striking offence against Cory Dell'Olio (Essendon). To avoid a possible two-match sanction, Scarlett entered an early guilty plea accepting a one-match suspension and 65.77 points towards his future record.

### Round 20

* Joel Selwood was charged with a level-one misconduct offence against his brother Adam Selwood (West Coast) for making "unnecessary or unreasonable contact with an injured player". Selwood entered an early plea and consequentially accepted a reprimand and 84 points towards his future record. This was despite club coach Chris Scott publicly stating that the guilty plea "doesn't mean we agree with the decision", but rather that the club was not prepared to take the risk that Selwood would be suspended for the following round's match. Selwood also remained eligible for the 2012 Brownlow Medal by entering an early guilty plea.

### Round 23

* Paul Chapman received a reprimand and 60 points towards his future record by entering an early guilty plea for a level-one striking offence against Ben McGlynn (Sydney).
* Steve Johnson was charged with engaging in rough conduct (a level one offence) against Dan Hannebery (Sydney) which attracted a one-match sanction and 180.38 carry-over points with an early plea. Due to his previous charge this season, rather than risking a two-match suspension by taking the case to the tribunal, Johnson and the club accepted the early plea offer.
In response to the charges on Chapman and Johnson, club football manager Neil Balme publicly criticised the Match Review Panel stating "we [the club] certainly aren't happy with it" and that despite the club's acceptance of the sanctions, they would have preferred to challenge Johnson's charge in terms of justice, but couldn't justify the risk. Balme claimed that Chapman's incident was "accidental at worst" and that Hannebery, due to a lack of awareness, had caused Johnson's offence himself.

### Elimination final

* James Kelly was charged with a level one bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence against Tendai Mzungu (Fremantle) and was offered a one-match sanction and 64.06 carry-over points by the Match Review Panel, which he accepted with an early plea. As a result, he will miss the opening round of the 2013 AFL season.

## VFL season

Former Essendon coach Matthew Knights replaced Dale Amos as coach of the club's VFL team.

### Squad

The 2012 VFL squad was named on 13 March 2012 and consists of 21 players, nine of whom were retained from the prior season. Senior and rookie-listed players for Geelong's AFL team are also eligible for selection in VFL matches. Additionally, potential father–son draftee Jordon Bourke (son of Damian) was granted special permission by the AFL to play two games for Geelong's VFL team in rounds 18 and 19.

### Results

Geelong's VFL practice matches :
| Week | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores | Scores | Scores | Venue | Ref |
| Week | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Ref |
| 1 | Saturday, 25 February (11:00 am) | Collingwood | 6.14 (50) | 8.7 (55) | Lost by 5 points | Simonds Stadium | |
| 2 | Saturday, 3 March (11:00 am) | Bendigo Bombers | 9.11 (65) | 4.3 (27) | Won by 38 points | Simonds Stadium | |
| 3 | Saturday, 10 March (11:30 am) | Coburg | 15.11 (101) | 4.7 (31) | Won by 60 points | Simonds Stadium | |
| 4 | Sunday, 18 March (11:00 am) | Collingwood | 12.14 (86) | 9.7 (61) | Won by 25 points | Simonds Stadium | |
Geelong's 2012 VFL season fixture :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Ladder position |
| Ref |||
| 1 | — | Bye | — | — | — | — | 11th |
| 2 | Saturday, 31 March (1:00 pm) | Collingwood | 14.11 (95) | 11.17 (83) | Won by 12 points | Simonds Stadium | 5th |
| 3 | Sunday, 8 April (2:00 pm) | Williamstown | 11.12 (78) | 11.19 (85) | Won by 7 points | Spring Creek Reserve, Torquay | 4th |
| 4 | Saturday, 14 April (1:00 pm) | Frankston | 17.11 (113) | 12.9 (81) | Won by 32 points | Simonds Stadium | 2nd |
| 5 | Friday, 20 April (7:40 pm) | Werribee | 17.10 (112) | 10.15 (75) | Lost by 37 points | Avalon Airport Oval | 3rd |
| 6 | Friday, 27 April (6:30 pm) | Bendigo | 8.13 (61) | 23.9 (147) | Won by 86 points | Queen Elizabeth Oval | 2nd |
| 7 | Saturday, 5 May (10:00 am) | Casey | 4.10 (94) | 22.8 (140) | Lost by 46 points | Simonds Stadium | 4th |
| 8 | — | Bye | — | — | — | — | 4th |
| 9 | Sunday, 20 May (2:00 pm) | Sandringham | 16.10 (112) | 15.18 (108) | Lost by 4 points | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | 7th |
| 10 | Saturday, 2 June (10:00 am) | North Ballarat | 13.16 (94) | 18.10 (118) | Lost by 24 points | Simonds Stadium | 7th |
| 11 | Saturday, 9 June (1:00 pm) | Port Melbourne | 16.10 (106) | 13.7 (85) | Won by 21 points | Simonds Stadium | 6th |
| 12 | — | Bye | — | — | — | — | 7th |
| 13 | Saturday, 23 June (2:00 pm) | Northern Blues | 2.9 (21) | 9.18 (72) | Won by 51 points | Visy Park | 6th |
| 14 | Sunday, 1 July (2:00 pm) | Coburg | 5.5 (35) | 10.21 (81) | Won by 46 points | Reid Oval, Warrnambool | 4th |
| 15 | Saturday, 7 July (1:00 pm) | Box Hill | 21.13 (139) | 13.10 (88) | Won by 51 points | Simonds Stadium | 4th |
| 16 | Saturday, 14 July (1:00 pm) | Collingwood | 7.6 (48) | 11.18 (84) | Won by 36 points | Victoria Park | 4th |
| 17 | — | Bye | — | — | — | — | 4th |
| 18 | Saturday, 28 July (10:00 am) | Bendigo | 18.12 (120) | 7.11 (53) | Won by 67 points | Simonds Stadium | 3rd |
| 19 | Sunday, 5 August (2:00 pm) | North Ballarat | 6.9 (45) | 7.14 (56) | Won by 11 points | Eureka Stadium | 3rd |
| 20 | Sunday, 12 August (2:00 pm) | Casey | 14.11 (95) | 16.13 (109) | Won by 11 points | Eureka Stadium | 2nd |
| 21 | Saturday, 18 August (2:00 pm) | Coburg | 11.13 (79) | 9.12 (66) | Won by 13 points | Simonds Stadium | 2nd |
| 22 | Sunday, 26 August (9:20 am) | Williamstown | 11.7 (73) | 11.11 (77) | Lost by 4 points | Simonds Stadium | 3rd |
Geelong's VFL finals matches :
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Scores | Scores | Scores | Venue | Ref |
| Round | Date and local time | Opponent | Home | Away | Result | Venue | Ref |
| 2nd Qualifying Final | Sunday, 2 September (2:10 pm) | Port Melbourne | 20.12 (132) | 16.14 (110) | Lost by 22 points | North Port Oval | |
| 2nd Semi Final | Sunday, 9 September (2:10 pm) | Box Hill | 11.10 (76) | 9.8 (62) | Won by 14 points | Casey Fields | |
| 2nd Preliminary Final | Sunday, 16 September (2:10 pm) | Werribee | 15.13 (103) | 16.12 (108) | Won by 5 points | North Port Oval | |
| Grand Final | Sunday, 23 September (2:15 pm) | Port Melbourne | 11.9 (75) | 14.24 (108) | Won by 33 points | Etihad Stadium | |
| Geelong were the 2012 VFL premiers. ||||||||