Geelong have selected four players at tonight's AFL National Draft.
With its first selection the Cats selected South Australian forward Jay Polkinghorne with pick 44.
After placing bids Ty Gallop (Brisbane Academy) and Ben Camporeale (Carlton Father Son), the Cats drafted Polkinghorne out of Norwood in the SANFL.
Polkinghorne is renowned for his overhead marking ability and attributes that make him strong in the contest.
With his accuracy in front of goal setting him apart from other forwards in this year's draft crop, throughout five SANFL Reserves appearances and six in the Under 18's, Polkinghorne was never held goalless
Polkinghorne impressed for Norwood’s reserves side in 2024, booting two goals and collecting 17 disposals on Grand Final day on his way to becoming a premiership player.
With its second selection of the Telstra AFL Draft, the Cats drafted South Australian forward/ruck Jacob Molier with pick 52.
Drafted out of Sturt in the SANFL, Molier impressed throughout his draft year with his versatility and mobility, despite standing at over 200cm tall.
Molier also impressed at the South Australian draft combine, ranking fifth nationwide in the 20-metre sprint and performing strongly in the agility test despite his height.
Throughout 2024, Molier averaged over 10 disposals and four marks per game, while also having an influence around clearances.
With its third selection, the Cats selected Lennox Hofmann with pick 66.
An impressive defender out of the Sandringham Dragons, Hofmann's ability to read the play and intercept mark are a couple of his standout traits.
With pace to burn, Hofmann has the potential to become a damaging rebounder off half back at AFL level.
Hoffman was tied to St Kilda through their Next Generation Academy, with the Saints deciding not to match the bid.
With the Club's final selection, Geelong drafted Keighton Matofai-Forbes with pick 69.
A prospect out of the Western Jets, Matofai-Forbes is a powerful player with great foot skills. Boasting a booming left foot, Matofai-Forbes also has leadership qualities, named captain of the Jets in 2024.
Across seven games for the Western Jets in 2024, Matofai-Forbes kicked 11 goals and averaged close to 12 disposals per game in the Coates Talent League.
Geelong Reruiting Manager Stephen Wells was delighted to draft a great mix of players.
“As each of our selections came, it presented us with a great opportunity to draft four different types of players that we thought would be a great fit for our football club,” Wells said.
“In the end we were able to pick four players who we think deserve an opportunity at AFL level, and we will get to work with right away to develop them and integrate them into our football program.”
The Cats hold three picks in tomorrow's Rookie Draft.
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