While some premiership aspirants have stumbled around the bye period Geelong has entered rare territory in recent weeks, flexing their muscles to assume the mantle of flag favourites at the midway point of the year.

Unexpected losses to Collingwood and Carlton in May have been forgotten following comprehensive efforts against Greater Western Sydney, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in consecutive weeks. The tide has turned, and turned quickly.

An enormous amount of newspaper columns, radio talkback discussions and TV panel shows have been dedicated to the partnership of prized off-season acquisition Patrick Dangerfield and Captain Joel Selwood.

Dangerfield’s return to the Bellarine Peninsula has been nothing short of phenomenal, but his addition has also benefited Selwood greatly. While he still attracts plenty of attention each and every week, the three-time best and fairest winner is in, if not career-best, near career-best form.

Selwood’s 2016 numbers are as good as he’s ever produced. Across 13 games, the triple premiership star is averaging 27.9 possessions, 13.8 contested possessions, 7.3 clearances, 4.9 tackles and 4.9 inside 50s.

The superstar pair have led Geelong to be one of the highest rated midfield departments in the game. The Cats are ranked No. 1 for inside 50 differential (+12.7), disposal efficiency differential (+3.1%), centre square clearances (+2.8) and time in forward half differential (+10:02), ranked No. 2 for clearances differential (+4.7), scores from clearances differential (+11.9) and No. 3 for disposals differential (+23.2).

Zac Smith, who was lured south from Gold Coast last October,  has formed a damaging one-two combination with former Saint Rhys Stanley while fellow recruit Scott Selwood is yet to make an appearance in the famous hoops as he overcomes an ankle reconstruction.

Star key forward Tom Hawkins returned strongly from a one-week suspension against Western Bulldogs last weekend, booting 4.0 to send a timely reminder of just how damaging he can be. He has 28.20 for the year, leading the Cats attacking arsenal to the third highest points for average in the game (104.1). Geelong has registered a triple figure score on seven occasions thus far in 2016.

Excitement machine Steven Motlop has become even more damaging close to goal this season, kicking 23.7 for the year, to go with an average of 20.2 possessions and 4.8 inside 50s. So much for being out of shape during the pre-season.

Motlop has been overshadowed by the dazzling return of mercurial medium-sized forward Daniel Menzel. The four-time ACL victim has proven his class in recent weeks, putting a wasteful start to the year in front of goal behind him. In the last three weeks, Menzel has booted 11.2, kicking goals from everywhere to flaunt his class.

And when it comes to the Cats’ defence, the old firm have stood tall, just like they have done for the last decade. Andrew Mackie, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright and Harry Taylor may have more premiership medallions than most, but they appear as hungry as ever. Under their watch, Geelong is ranked No. 2 for points against at a stingy 72.4 points per game.

The addition of former Carlton and Brisbane defender Lachie Henderson has been another stroke of genius by Stephen Wells and co. The versatile tall defender has fit in seamlessly at Kardinia Park, quickly becoming a vital component of the Cats back six, along with another new face in Tom Ruggles.

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Star:

No guesses who sits here. Patrick Dangerfield’s start to life in Geelong has him sitting atop most player of the year awards halfway through his first season at the Cattery. He is a short priced Brownlow medal favourite with all bookmakers, on the back of career-high numbers in disposals (31.2), contested ball (16.1), inside 50s (7.7) and metres gained (620.3). Phenomenal figures in any language. Dangerfield’s last fortnight has been enormous. He had a career-high and club record 48 possessions, 13 clearances, 11 inside 50s and 1022.6 metres gained (2nd highest recording ever) two weeks ago against North Melbourne. Last week, he was a tad quieter with just the 37.

Fresh face:

In a team flush with new talent, one entirely fresh face this season is mature-age rookie Tom Ruggles. The Geelong product has made up for lost time this season, quickly becoming a member of the Cats imposing back six. Since debuting in Round 3, the big-bodied backman has played nine of the last 11 games, quickly replacing the injured Jordan Murdoch in a back pocket. The 24-year-old wasn’t taken until the Cats final pick in last year’s Rookie Draft and now looms as a bargain recruit.

Experience this Saturday’s game in the comfort of the Premier Lounge