Shannon Neale was just starting to ponder the pointy end of Geelong’s latest bid for glory when anxiety hit.

The key forward was a part of the Cats team that enjoyed a scintillating 2025 campaign, then suffered a demoralising defeat to the Brisbane Lions on grand final day.

Neale, 24, and his teammates are seeking redemption this year - and midway through this season, it all became very real.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

“I sort of battled with a little bit of inner anxiety around thinking about ‘what does it look like if we get back there’ and going through the (grand final) parade back through my head,” Neale said.

“I created a bit of anxiety and a bit of tense shoulders throughout that process ... It came on for no specific reason - more so around when we had our bye (in June), thinking about what the back half of the season might look like.

“You picture it all and what it looks like. I don’t think any team sees them losing. You always expect to win.”

Key forward Shannon Neale can’t wait to tackle another finals campaign with the Cats. Credit: AAP

For Neale, the lead-up to last year’s grand final and the game itself was all a “blur” - apart from the brutal final moments.

“Towards the end, I was sort of stuck on the bench for a bit,” he said.

“I sort of saw the game slipping away and was a bit helpless.”

Midway through this year, Neale’s mind started rushing forward, forecasting where the Cats might finish and how the finals might look.

“That’s sort of when it builds up a little bit,” the key forward said.

“I was like, ‘oh, geez, I don’t know how I’m going to deal with those emotions if we get there again’.”

Fortunately for Neale, he is surrounded by older heads at Geelong who have experienced the anxiety that comes with expectation.

“They said ‘you sort of dive into that anxiety a bit’ - which I have,” he said.

“And it fuels you more and excites you. Rather than taking a step back, you take a step forward. So the hunger is certainly there.”

Neale feels like he is stronger for having tackled those feelings and opened up.

“Being able to obviously speak about it and dive into the experience that has been there before has always really helped me,” he said.

“I definitely learnt that if those feelings of nervousness and anxiety come through, to talk about those.

“Because obviously you’ve got a wealth of experience in there. There’s no doubt that someone else has been through that.

“It’s sort of flipped the script for me and how I’m feeling. So I’m super grateful for those guys.”

Neale, who has kicked a career-high 47 goals this year, is determined to reach another decider, then win it.

Geelong have to go the long way, starting with an elimination final at the MCG against Carlton - who they haven’t beaten since 2024.

“I’m more excited to get one back on them. It’s probably about time that we get one,” Neale said.

“They’ve got the better of us, obviously in ripping form ... You want the best team at their best, and you want to beat them.

“Obviously they’re the red-hot team at the moment, so to be able to get one on them would be good.”