Zach Guthrie has backed his injury-plagued brother Cam to return to his best next season as Geelong seek to cover the loss of retiring stars Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy.
Hawkins and Tuohy won't be seen again in the hoops after watching from the grandstand as Saturday's 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) preliminary final defeat to Brisbane ended the Cats' season.
Geelong's games record holder and third-highest goalkicker, Hawkins takes with him 359 games' experience, while Tuohy made 288 appearances for the Cats and Carlton - a record for an Irish player.
There is also uncertainty around the playing futures of veteran trio Gary Rohan, Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley, while Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith appears destined to join Geelong through the trade period.
Zach Guthrie said some of the leadership and experience void could be replaced on the field in 2025 if 240-game midfielder Cam can get his body right.
But the 32-year-old has managed just 10 appearances since the 2022 premiership because of serious foot, quadriceps and achilles injuries.
The latter issue kept Cam sidelined from round 10 onwards this season, with one VFL appearance on return this month not enough to earn him selection for the AFL preliminary final.
"He's had a bit of a rough run over the last couple of years with his body, but I'm super confident he can get back to his best," Zach Guthrie said after the heartbreaking 10-point loss to Brisbane.
"The season's finished in a way that's really disappointing, but I'm privileged that I get to go back to pre-season training with him when the time comes, which I'm really looking forward to.
"We'll bring that right mindset and everyone will be hungry again when that time does come, but obviously it's tough to think of that right now because it's disappointing this year."
Guthrie paid tribute to Hawkins and Tuohy, saying the retiring pair will leave huge shoes to fill around the club.
"Lists change every year, so that's just part of it, but I feel so privileged that I've got to spend my whole time at the club with those guys," Guthrie said.
"What sticks out with both those guys is they've been great teammates."
Geelong had seven finals debutants this year, with the likes of Shaun Mannagh, Lawson Humphries, Shannon Neale and Rising Star winner Ollie Dempsey all shining.
Guthrie expects the continued growth of the Cats' younger brigade to continue the ongoing evolution of a team that has played in nine preliminary finals during Chris Scott's 14-year coaching tenure.
"Some of those guys have been huge throughout the whole season," Guthrie said.
"They've come in and played massive roles for us, and it's certainly been reflected in the growth we've had as a team.
"They've done an amazing job and some of the older guys have really steered them in the right direction as well."
