Geelong Cats have confirmed its 2024 AFL playing list after welcoming eight new players to GMHBA Stadium in the off-season.
The Cats selected seven players across the 2023 National and Rookie drafts welcoming to the Club Connor O’Sullivan, Mitch Edwards, Shaun Mannagh, George Stevens, Oli Wiltshire, Lawson Humphries and Emerson Jeka. The Club also welcomed 203cm ruck prospect Joe Furphy in September.
Other list management changes include the elevation of Ollie Dempsey to the primary list for 2024. Dempsey was selected as a rookie in 2021, made his AFL debut in 2022 and played five AFL games in 2023.
The Cats have 38 primary listed players in 2024 and four rookie listed players in Oscar Murdoch, Mitch Hardie, Ted Clohesy and Emerson Jeka. Oisin Mullin and Joe Furphy will be the Club’s Category B Rookies.
After finalising the 2024 AFL playing list, the Cats have today confirmed its jumper numbers for its recruits.
As revealed on the first night of the National Draft, first-round selection Connor O’Sullivan will wear the number 14, most recently worn 355 times by Premiership captain Joel Selwood and previously by 202-gamer David Clarke between 1971 and 1981.
Draftee Shaun Mannagh will start his career in the number 7 which was last worn by 2022 Norm Smith Medallist Isaac Smith, Mitch Edwards will take on number 11, George Stevens will pull on number 15, Lawson Humphries will take on number 17, Oli Wiltshire number 21, Joe Furphy number 37 and Emerson Jeka number 43.
Geelong Cats General Manager – Football Andrew Mackie said that the Club is excited for the 2024 season and welcomes all new recruits to the Club.
“We are pleased to finalise our playing list for 2024 and we are excited to see what this group can do under the guidance of the coaching group,” Mackie said.
“Selecting seven players across the Draft period was a key outcome for us this offseason.
“With a strong mix of players on our list, we are excited to see our experienced players not just continue to impact on-field but also instil their leadership and professionalism off-field to continue the growth and development of our younger players and wider football program.”
With only 107 days until the Cats start their 2024 campaign, next season will see a number of Cats reach significant game milestones. Tom Hawkins is set to play his 350th game with Cameron Guthrie, Jeremey Cameron and Mark Blicavs on track to play their 250th.
The Cats will open their season against St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 16 March at 7:30 pm. The game will coincide with the opening of the new Northern Stand, which was recently named the Joel Selwood Stand and will bring the total capacity to 40,000.
