Exciting young Cat, Mitch Knevitt has been rewarded for his strong start to the 2023 VFL season, earning a recall to the Geelong AFL team along with a two-year contract extension at the club.
Knevitt returned to the Cats AFL side in their round six clash with Sydney, starting as the tactical sub before earning a spot in the starting 22 against Essendon last Sunday. The versatile tall spent the majority of the game patrolling the wing, collecting 15 disposals in his most promising performance at AFL level.
Knevitt earned his AFL return on the back of some strong early performances with Geelong’s VFL team. Most notably, Knevitt racked up 18 disposals to go with eight marks, four tackles and a goal in the Cats round four victory over Werribee.
Perhaps the most promising aspect of Knevitt’s game is his versatility, with the athletic big man showing plenty of potential in different positions all over the ground.
Spending time across half-forward, on the wing and even contributing in the ruck during his stint with the VFL, Knevitt has proven what an exciting prospect he could be at Geelong for many years to come.
Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling discussed Knevitt’s potential on this week’s episode of the ‘To the Final Bell’, podcast.
“Talking to guys within the club, they don't exactly know what position Mitch Knevitt ends up in.
He shows really positive glimpses in the midfield, he shows great glimpses as a defender, he seems like he makes really good attacking decisions to potentially become a forward," Ling said
"He is tall enough, he is agile enough, he is quick enough and he is fit enough."
The Cats announced during the week that Knevitt would extend his contract for two more years, tying him to the club until the end of 2025.
Knevitt said he was pleased to be staying with Geelong.
“I’m super grateful to have more time to learn and improve at the club. I’ve got such great players to learn from, and a nice young group to push through with as well.”
He also noted that he was happy to be back in Geelong’s AFL team.
“It’s been about understanding my role," he said.
"I’m mainly playing wing, so focusing on doing what I can to help out the team both in attack and in defence. The older boys playing on the wing have been helping me out, it’s been really good.”
The contract announcement came alongside news that Mark Blicavs would also be remaining with Geelong for two more seasons.
Ling believes that Knevitt possesses many of the same attributes as Blicavs, and has the potential to be just as important to the Geelong team for years to come.
"We love a comparison, and Mark Blicavs is not a bad one at all. Ultimately, he won't have the height to play ruck or potentially not key position, but that hybrid type player which in modern day football has become so important, Mitch Knevitt can play that role.
The possibilities sound endless."
