After seven incredible years in the Hoops across Geelong’s AFLW and VFLW programs, Renee Garing will retire at the end of the Club’s 2023 AFLW season.
Garing informed her teammates on Tuesday night that this season would be her last, after returning to Geelong’s AFLW primary list in Season 7 after giving birth to her first child, Parker.
After an impressive netball career in both the Geelong Football Netball League and Victorian Netball League, Garing first joined the Cats’ VFLW program in 2017, before joining the Cats AFLW program ahead of its inaugural season in 2019.
A pioneer of Geelong’s AFLW program, Garing made an immediate impact on the playing group with her leadership in its infancy, featuring in every Geelong game across its first three AFLW seasons before being moved to the inactive list ahead of Season 6 when she was pregnant.
Staying involved at the Club by still attending training and taking on a match day role in the coaching department, Garing gave birth to Parker in May 2022 and worked with medical staff both at the Club and externally to return to playing, eventually working her way back to be available for selection in the second half of Season 7.
Garing returned to competitive matches in Geelong’s 2023 VFLW season, finishing third in the Club’s Best and Fairest off the back of just seven games.
Ultimately making her inspirational AFLW return in Round 1, 889 days after her last game at the top level, Garing has played six games to date in 2023, averaging eight disposals and six tackles.
Garing has also made an instrumental influence off the field, winning two Carter Family Community Champion awards for her work in and with the wider Geelong community.
“Despite being a Geelong supporter growing up, I could never have dreamt of playing for the Cats because it wasn’t a possibility at that point in time. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to pull on the Hoops and pave the way for future generations of young girls that can now dream of playing football at the elite level,” Garing said.
“From the very beginning, I have felt right at home at Geelong, from the early days of learning the fundamentals of the game, to being supported throughout my pregnancy journey with Parker, and my return to playing AFLW. Through all aspects of my journey, I couldn’t have asked for a better environment to help me to develop and thrive as an athlete and a mum.
“I would like to thank everyone that has played a role in my football journey, in particular my husband Tony, my son Parker and our parents for their ongoing support and encouragement.”
Geelong Cats Assistant General Manager of Football Brett Johnson paid tribute to Garing’s significant contribution to the Geelong Football Club.
“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a person and player of Renee’s calibre in our program for the past seven years, and there is no doubt she has left an indelible mark on our playing group, staff and fans,” Johnson said.
“When Renee joined us in 2017, she provided an elite level of professionalism and care that has helped shape our culture. She has continued to be a valued member of our program throughout her entire journey.
“It is a true credit to Renee’s diligence and commitment to both her family and the Geelong Football Club that she has been able to return in the manner she has, and her efforts against Richmond on the weekend were another reminder of her impact on our Club and performance on-field.”
Geelong Cats AFLW Senior Coach Dan Lowther praised Garing’s impact on and off the field.
“Renee is the epitome of professionalism and competitiveness, and sets an impeccable standard at the Club, living our team values of consistent, competitive and combative,” Lowther said.
“While Renee is a fierce footballer on the field, she is also one of the most caring people I have ever met off it, and she has played a big role in shaping our group to what it is today.
“While we’ll miss her presence on the field after this season, Renee will always be a Geelong person, and we wish her, Tony and Parker all the very best in their next chapter.”
Garing will play her 30th AFLW game on the weekend and will look to add to her tally if the Cats qualify for the 2023 AFLW Finals Series.
