A former first round AFL draft pick, an ex-US college basketball player, a police officer, a marine mechanic and the nephew of a Geelong great are just some of the stories behind the individuals that make up the 2010 VFL Cats squad.

The 21 member list was named this week after a solid four month pre-season training program that saw 60 players from across Victoria stake their claim for selection.

The 2010 list features a number of familiar faces including 2007 VFL premiership player Matthew Firman, reliable defender Jack Hollmer, classy half forward Jonathan Simpkin and 2009 best first year VFL player Ben Raidme. Along with Kane Smith (8 games), Mitchell Cuthill (5 games), Ben Kennedy (4 games) and Sam Hughes (1 game) they represent the nine members of the squad who have already worn the blue and white hoops.

Strong built midfielder Bryn Weadon is another member of the squad who is already familiar with the surrounds of Skilled Stadium. After an injury interrupted 2009 season on the club’s rookie list, Weadon is aiming to win back his spot on the AFL list and keep his dream alive.

Former Sydney Swan Daniel O’Keefe joins Weadon as the only other recruit to come out of the AFL system. O’Keefe, who was taken in the first round of the 2006 national draft is one of nine former Geelong Falcons on the list. After a modified pre-season, O’Keefe got through his first practice match of the year last week against North Ballarat and looks to set make a big impact in his first season in the VFL.

Probably the most interesting selection in the 2010 squad is that of 206cm man mountain David Naylor who last played Aussie Rules when he was just 13 years old. David has recently returned from United States after playing basketball with Nova Southeastern University over the past few years.

While the majority of the list has been recruited from the leagues in the Geelong region, a couple of recruits have come on board from the strong Hampden League - tall forward Ben Dobson (Koroit) and utility Sam Boyd (Warrnambool). Other additions to the squad include the Jackson Bright (Geelong Falcons), James Rock (Geelong Falcons), Daniel Jull (Drysdale), Anthony Biemans (South Barwon), Daniel Kee (South Barwon), Tommy Maas (South Barwon), Martin Curtis (Thomson) and Daniel Gibbs (Queenscliff).

The elevation of VFL captain James Podsiadly and Ben Johnson to the AFL Rookie List headline the list of 13 departures from last season’s squad. While ‘Pods’ and Johnson will still be in line to be part of the VFL Cats in 2010, other 2009 regulars Jackson Sheringham (university commitments), Jarrod Westwood (work commitments) and Casey Tutungi (overseas) were all unable to be considered for selection.

Paul Corrigan (South Barwon), Paul Carson (St Joseph’s), Scott Beattie (Kyabram), Sam Stavenuiter (South Barwon), Chris Moreland (Newtown), Jason Tom (Geelong Amateurs), Kristian Bucovaz (Bell Park) and Simon Potter (Greenvale) have all returned to local football.

The Cats play their last practice match of the year this Saturday at Victoria Park commencing at 10.30am.