100 Metre Sprint: Gary Rohan 

Rohan claimed the title as the AFL’s fastest player, when he recorded a staggering top speed of 37.8km/h against Collingwood in the 2023 season opener.  

By comparison, this is the same speed Usain Bolt averaged over 100 metres when he set the world record at the Berlin 2009 World Championships.  

Basketball: Joe Furphy & Ollie Dempsey 

Two very handy basketballers growing up who chose to pursue a career in football, Dempsey and Furphy could have easily slotted into the starting five of a professional basketball team.  

Joe Furphy’s brother, Johnny Furphy was just recently selected by the Indiana Pacers in the NBA draft, proving that the basketball gene certainly runs in their family, while Dempsey played his junior basketball alongside Boomer Dyson Daniels.  

Long Distance Runner: Zali Friswell 

She has shown her athletic abilities on field, but Zali Friswell was a former a cross country and long distance star prior to starting her AFLW career.  

Friswell topped the charts at the NAB AFLW Combine 2km time trial in 2021, finishing in 7.08min which was unofficially the second best recorded time in AFLW history.  

400 Metre Hurdles: Max Holmes 

Another Cat who legitimately had a chance at being a professional athlete, Holmes was a keen sprinter and the Under 18 National champion in the 400 metre hurdles.  

Holmes is the son of Lee Naylor, a two time Olympian (1996 & 2000) in the 4 x 400 metre relay and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 1998.  

Reports claim that Holmes could run the 100 metre sprint in just over 11 seconds as a junior, with that speed on full display when he took out the 2023 Grand Final sprint.  

Golf: Brad Close, Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron…… Most Cats really 

Whether you think golf belongs at the Olympics or not, there are a number of Cats that would be ready to take the clubs over to Paris if the committee came calling.  

The general consensus from around the Club is that Tom Hawkins might be the best at the club, but Jeremy Cameron has the lowest confirmed handicap currently sitting at two.  

Brad Close is another who is very handy on course holding a handicap of five.  

Heptathlete: Lilly Pearce 

A national level heptathlete and an under 18 state champion, Lilly Pearce was a standout junior athlete before she became an tap ruck.  

The heptathlon includes seven events ranging from short distance sprints to high jump and javelin throw, meaning Pearce might just be the most well rounded athlete on this list.  

High Jump: Jack Henry 

Athletics was a common theme in the Henry household, Jack was no exception placing third in the National Under-18s decathlon with a speciality in high jump and hurdles. 

Older brother Tom represented Australia in the high jump at the Commonwealth Youth Games and Jack could very well have followed suit, but chose to use his high leap to become a brilliant intercept defender.  

Darcy Moloney: Breaking (Dancing) 

The newest sport on the Olympic agenda, AFLW captain Meg McDonald lifted the lid on Darcy Moloney’s outstanding dancing abilities that could have her in line for a Cats Olympic call up.  

Moloney is believed to have spent the best part of a decade dancing before commencing her AFLW career, still finding time to teach the art of dancing while starring for the Cats.  

Shot Put: Tom Hawkins 

This comparison really has no merit, other than the fact Hawkins is big and we think he would throw the shot put a long way.  

Hawk’s power would make him a weapon at a number of Olympic sports like wrestling or boxing, but we might leave him off the figure skating team.  

Boxing: Rachel Kearns  

Another little insight from Meg McDonald taught us that Rachel Kearns is not to be messed with, winning two All-Ireland boxing medals before choosing a career in football.  

Although we are not certain whether she would represent Ireland or Australia, Kearns would certainly be our first preference on the Geelong Cats boxing team. 

Surfing: Sam De Koning 

Insert anyone from the Geelong long hair headband brigade, but Sam De Koning is reportedly the pick of the bunch when it comes to catching waves.  

Steeplechase: Mark Blicavs 

This was probably the most obvious of selections, Mark Blicavs could have genuinely been an Olympian.  

A very handy middle distance runner and steeplechaser, Blicavs attempted to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, but had the 2016 Rio Games firmly in his sights.  

His sister, Sara has also represented the Opals (Australian women’s basketball team).  

Soccer: Jackie Parry  
There are a few players who would have no trouble adapting to the round ball, but Jackie Parry reportedly has real talent in this area.  

The key forward played soccer in Canberra prior to starting her AFLW career, so we can see her on the frontline for the Matildas in Paris.