The Geelong Football Cub are pleased to announce that effectively immediately, Simon Lloyd will take on a new position at the Cats, as General Manager - Commercial Projects. This new position will create an opportunity for Simon to leverage his expertise and strength from football and transfer those skills and experience to commercial elements of our Club, in particular diversification. His initial key focusses will be on profitable opportunities around allied health strategies, as well as the management of talent pathways in the Geelong region.
Geelong Cats CEO Steve Hocking said, “Simon’s passion and dedication for our football programs is felt immensely across the business. His guidance and calm stewardship of our playing department through a Premiership, off the back of a difficult covid period is an example of his aptitude to steer through the stormy seas and keep us all connected in the calm, and also the chaos.
“We thank Simon for all he has brought to this Club so far and are elated to see him embrace a new dawn with Geelong, whilst continuing as a key member of the Executive Team. We are excited by what Simon’s football mind and skillset can bring to the Club’s continued growth mindset.”
On his new role, Lloyd said, “I’ve loved every minute of my time at Geelong and leading the football programs. It has been professionally rewarding within football to date and I’m proud of my contribution. Geelong has afforded me many opportunities and I’m grateful for that same dedication now. I am thrilled to take on this new role and challenge, to grow broader capabilities within the commercial space”.
With Simon’s transition, the Geelong Football Club is delighted to announce that Andrew Mackie will step into the position as General Manager – Football and will be elevated to the Club’s Executive team.
An impressive 280 games for the Cats in his playing career, Andrew has also been a successful recruit as Head of List Management since taking on this off-field role at the Cattery, after joining the Cats recruiting team in 2017.
“I’m excited for this new opportunity to expand beyond list management and more broadly help to shape the football department’s ongoing growth and success,” Mackie said.
“There are already strong foundations that have been set on and off the field, and I’m looking forward to working closely with staff and players across men’s and women’s as we collectively drive our programs forward.”
Brett Johnson’s leadership of our AFLW, football pathways and player development programs has been outstanding and as such, Brett will work closely with Andrew in a newly created role of Assistant General Manager – Football. Johnson has been at the Cats since 2018 and has overseen the AFLW program since September 2020.
Brett Johnson says of his new appointment, “The growth of our AFLW program in particular has been a real passion of mine, and I’m eager to now extend that same passion to more players and people. I’m excited and looking forward to working closely with Andrew in this newly created role.”
Hocking said Andrew and Brett were the perfect fit for the roles given their experience.
“These are really great appointments for the Club with the elevation of Andrew and Brett. They both hold great personal values and have done exceptional things in their existing roles. The duo combined will be a formidable pair to lead our football programs into the future, alongside an already impressive football department and people,” Hocking said.
“We look forward to seeing Simon, Andrew & Brett all continue to deliver success with their same Kardinia Spirit.”
Andrew and Brett’s portfolio will oversee football operations across AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW programs, list management, medical, performance and player welfare and development.
