In the lead up to the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, take a look back at who Geelong selected last year in the 2023 National Draft.
The Cats selected some exciting young talent, including three players who made an immediate impact and received an AFL debut in their first season.
Take a look at the full list below, ahead of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft on the 20th and 21st of November.
2023 Draft - Round One
Pick 11 - Connor O'Sullivan
Geelong headed into the 2023 draft with just their second top 10 pick in nearly a decade, the selection eventually landing at number 11 on the night.
The Cats used the pick to recruit talented young defender, Connor O'Sullivan from the Murray Bushrangers who boasted a strong resume in his junior career.
O'Sullivan showed great signs of development in his 18 VFL appearances during his first season at Geelong, also earning an AFL debut in Round Five against North Melbourne.
2023 Draft - Round Two
Pick 32 - Mitchell Edwards
Geelong's second pick of the night saw them bolster their ruck stocks, selecting athletic big man Mitchell Edwards from the Peel Thunder (WAFL).
Edwards was restricted by injuries during his first season, but showed plenty of exciting traits in his VFL appearances across 2024.
Finished the year with three VFL matches, averaging eight disposals and eight hit-outs per game.
Pick 36 - Shaun Mannagh
One selection that certainly paid off immediately was Shaun Mannagh, who was drafted by the Cats from the Werribee Tigers with Pick 36 last year.
The classy small forward made his AFL debut in the opening round of the 2024 season, playing each of the last 10 games for Geelong up until the Preliminary Final and managing 12 games for the year.
Mannagh averaged over 16 disposals and four tackles per game, while also booting 15 goals to firmly cement himself in the starting line-up.
2023 Draft - Round Four
Pick 58 - George Stevens
Geelong's next selection came in the fourth round, drafting tough inside midfielder George Stevens from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
One of the VFL Cats most consistent contributors on 2024, Stevens averaged 21 disposals and four clearances per game across 19 appearances this season.
Stevens development across 2024 was clear to see, setting up an exciting future heading into 2025.
2023 Draft - Round Five
Pick 61 - Oliver Wiltshire
The Cats turned to a local product in round five, drafting Oliver Wiltshire from Barwon Heads with Pick 61.
Wiltshire played the opening four games of the VFL season, before suffering an injury that held him out until late in the season.
Returning for the final three games of the year, Wiltshire showed his potential in the Semi Final collecting 19 disposals and five tackles.
Pick 63 - Lawson Humphries
The old saying 'saving the best till last' could not have been more applicable, with Geelong selecting Lawson Humphries with pick 63 in the 2023 Draft.
Humphries dominated at VFL level in the first half of the 2024 season, earning his AFL debut in Round 16 against Essendon.
From there it was no looking back for Humphries, playing the next 11 consecutive games and averaging 17 disposals per game, receiving a Rising Star Nomination in the Round 18 win over Collingwood.
