The COVID-19 pandemic was disastrous for humanity, and sport was not immune. Just about every possible league and code around the world was postponed as the world grappled with the deadly virus.

Down at Kardinia Park, things were initially looking fairly grim financially. They weren't alone. Almost every club was forced to furlough staff and cut costs significantly. News emerged on Sunday the Cats had managed to slash $5 million in estimated debts created by COVID-19.

Good news for Geelong, right? It doesn't stop there.

There would be a steady sense of optimism as the Cats prepare for their return to the field against Hawthorn and it would be silly to suggest the AFL's post-coronavirus structure doesn't suit them to the tee.

Think about Geelong's list demographic. Gary Ablett Jr, Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Steven, Lachie Henderson, Zach Tuohy, Josh Jenkins and Tom Hawkins make up an extensive over-30s club.

Not to say they're past it. Ablett will keep being Ablett - arguably the greatest of all time - for the foreseeable future and Selwood, Taylor, Dangerfield, Tuohy and Hawkins are still very capable of doing a job and doing it brilliantly.

That's why a shorter season with shorter quarters is better for the Cats. Dangerfield, Tuohy and Steven are still as explosive as ever and can cause serious damage to opposition in a short period of time.

Less time on the park means less fatigue and that means less chances of soft-tissue injuries which so often plague experienced players.

They don't have to match it with the fit, young and exciting lists for 120 minutes. The demands shouldn't be as tough on their bodies.

Cats coach Chris Scott said his side was in better shape than its round one defeat to Greater Western Sydney Giants.

"We're in better shape than we were then," he said.

"We obviously don't lay out our deepest, darkest secrets before every game but now we're 11 or 12 weeks down the track.

"We were clearly underdone going into round one and some of those players who made it to the line but weren't quite at their best will be better for the extra couple of months of training."

The stars don't often align in AFL footy, but in Geelong's case, they may have done just that.

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