Chris Scott’s side will set a new club record if it makes the top eight this season, having done so every campaign since 2007 when it won the premiership.

Its current streak — eight — was matched by the Geelong sides of 1962-69. Another finals series will add to their club folklore.

Kelly, speaking at the Cats’ community camp at Derrinallum Recreation Reserve yesterday, said the playing group had enjoyed a solid summer.

“As a group everyone has had continuity in their training, trained real well as a group,” he said. “Individuals have improved off the back of that.

“It’s hard to compare (to 12 months ago). Every pre-season is hard and every pre-season is different.

“You can’t say we’re fitter than we were last year because you can’t really measure it.”

The 250-gamer expected Geelong to field a similar line-up and play a similar brand of football to last season, with notable exceptions. The addition of Mitch Clark to partner Tom Hawkins up forward gives the Cats an extra key target, which could stretch opposition defences.

Recruit Rhys Stanley, Nathan Vardy, Dawson Simpson, Hamish McIntosh, Mark Blicavs and Irish rookie Padraig Lucey also provide tall options.

“I think we’ll get more of the same from Tom. He’s been training really well,” Kelly said. 

“If we can get him and Mitch Clark on the track, the two of them will work in tandem together.

“It’ll take some time. They won’t gel straight away, but Tom and Mitch are looking really good.”

Kelly did not buy into the concept of premiership windows, but acknowledged good sides had “maturity and a game style that’ll stand up in finals”.

He predicted more one-on-one defence around the ground, as opposed to the rolling zones which have transformed the game in recent years.

“We’ll wait and see (what changes this season). Everyone copies whoever won the premiership, but Hawthorn are pretty hard to copy,” he said.

As for what went wrong during the Cats’ straight-sets finals exit last season, he said many of the answers would remain in-house.

“I think the main thing is everyone is disappointed and looking to make amends,” he said.

Kelly was among eight Geelong players at Derrinallum for the community camp event yesterday.

Premiership players Tom Lonergan and Matthew Stokes also featured, along with Blicavs, Nakia Cockatoo, Billie Smedts, Jed Bews and Zac Bates.

The group attended a community lunch and ran a clinic and question-and-answer session for primary school pupils from Lismore and Derrinallum.