One of the best stories in the 2024 season for Geelong came in round 16, when young defender Lawson Humphries made his AFL debut against Essendon at the MCG.

Selected with pick 63 in the 2023 National draft, Humphries moved from the Swan Districts in Western Australia to Geelong and spent the first portion of the 2024 playing in the VFL.

Immediately the young defender made a strong impression, averaging 22 disposals and five marks per game across 11 VFL appearances.

The highlight from his stint with the VFL Cats came in the round 11 clash with Sydney, where Humphries produced a number of match-winning moments in the final quarter.

An impressive start to the season not only caught the eye of fans, but the Geelong coaching staff as well resulting in Humphries AFL debut in round 16 against Essendon.

Over 30 of Humphries’ family and friends packed into the MCG to see his debut, with the clash also the traditional Country Round between Geelong and Essendon.

The Cats were wearing a special guernsey featuring the logos of each players junior club, which meant not only did Lawson pull on the Hoops, but also had the Wickham Wolves crest as a reminder of his journey.

Humphries certainly did not look out of place on the big stage, collecting 15 disposals and five intercept possessions in greasy conditions at the ‘G.

The match was hotly contested in the opening half with both teams going goal for goal, Geelong trailing by five points at the main break.

But the Cats gained ascendancy in the third quarter, booting nine of the last ten goals in the game to run away with an important 45 point victory.

Tyson Stengle booted a game high three goals, Jack Bowes and Ollie Dempsey were both sensational while Tom Stewart received the three Brownlow votes in his first game as a midfielder.