The Geelong Cats have confirmed their VFL and VFLW Lists ahead of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons, with exciting high-end talent joining both programs.
Former Richmond rookie Kaelan Bradtke has signed with Geelong’s VFL side, along with Portland winger Jamieson Ballantyne, who spent the past two seasons with the Footscray VFL program.
Osca Riccardi, who was on Geelong’s AFL list in 2023 as a rookie, will continue his journey in the Hoops, having committed to the Club’s VFL program.
Darcy Edmends, who represented Northern Knights and Vic Metro as a junior, also makes his way to Geelong after playing every game for GWS Giants in his debut VFL season last year.
Geelong has also secured the signature of exciting ruck Ajang Kuol mun from Anakie in the Geelong and District Football League. Kuol mun, who stands at 206cm, impressed in what was just his first season of Australian Rules football last year after making the switch from soccer.
The Cats have re-signed a further 22 players from their 2023 list. Veteran Daniel Capiron is among those set to wear the Hoops again this season, while 2023 recruit Brayden Ham has been fit and firing this pre-season as he looks to get back to his damaging best after an injury-marred first campaign with Geelong.
Mace Cousins will look to build on his debut season at Geelong, which saw him take home the Little Vic Award, which is presented to Geelong’s best first-year player in its VFL program, while fellow defender Bailey van de Heuvel is looking to build on an impressive 2023 season.
A couple of familiar faces for Cats fans have signed on for the VFLW season, with former AFLW defender Denby Taylor set to make her return to football in the state league.
Taylor last played for the Cats at AFLW level in 2021 before taking a break from football, and is now set to wear the Hoops again when she runs out with the Club’s VFLW side in 2024.
Ruck Sammy Gooden, who was on the Cats’ AFLW list in seasons 7 and 8, is set to make her return to the football field after first a knee injury, and then pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Billie delayed her start in the Hoops.
The Cats have re-signed 15 players from their 2023 squad on their primary list, while they have also named a contingent of train-on players.
Among the re-signings are 2023 Geelong leading goalkicker Liv Cicolini, while former AFLW player Poppy Schaap is back for her second season in Cats colours.
Geelong’s 2024 VFL and VFLW campaigns will kick off with a double-header fixture at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 23 March. The full 2024 Geelong Cats VFL and VFLW fixtures are available on the Geelong Cats website.
Geelong Cats 2024 VFL List
New: Jamieson Ballantyne, Ethan Borys, Kaelan Bradtke, Darcy Edmends, Nicholas Hooker, Paddy Hughes, Ajang Kuol mun, Nicholas Minchin, Tobyn Murray, Tom Peirce, Joe Pike, Oscar Pollock, Muoteer Reech, Hamish Sinnott, Todd White.
Returning: Kye Annand, Lewis Antonac, Lachlan Bond, Daniel Capiron, Kade Chalcraft, Will Christie, Mace Cousins, Ryan Eyers, Liam Fiore, Hunter Gottschling, Brayden Ham, Marcus Herbert, Euriah Hollard, Ryley Hutchins, Tanner Lewis, Matty Lloyd, Tanner Lovell, Hamish Lucas, Tyler Norton, Osca Riccardi, Darby Schilder, Will Sheahan, Bailey van de Heuvel.
Geelong Cats 2024 VFLW List
New: Bridget Aughton, Bridie Collings, Zoe Cowan, Jamilla Cranny, Ruby Dale, Piper Dunlop, Sammy Gooden, Kelsea Gray, Lily Jordan, Zoe Larkins, Sophie Mahar, Kate Martin, Caitlin Reid, Jo Sunderland, Denby Taylor.
Returning: Hannah Chalkley (nee Burchell), Liv Cicolini, Cheryl De Groot, Sophie Dinneen, Abby Favell, Ella Firth, Mia Fuller, Annie Haigh, Ava McKeegan, Jane McMeel, Breanna Pratt, Laura Ryan, Poppy Schaap, Liv Stewart, Molly Walton.
Train-on: Lulu Al-Huneidi, Lillee Barandersen, Bree Beckley, Gabby Deller, Emma Gilligan, Michaela Leris, Cecilia Lowrey, Mackenzie McGrath, Jessie Pham, Maddy Sexton, Alex Trezise, Daisy Wilson.
