Geelong Cats has confirmed its list for the 2025 rebel VFLW Season and unveiled a new captain, with Mel Staunton to lead the VFLW Cats in 2025.
Staunton will be supported by Abby Favell as vice-captain, with Madi Sexton added to the Leadership Group this season. Last year’s leadership group members Liv Stewart and Poppy Schaap also return for another season.
Staunton, who was a train-on player with Geelong during the Geelong’s 2024 AFLW campaign, said she was looking forward to leading the team in 2025.
“It’s an incredible honour to be able to help lead this group this year. It’s my first year at the Club, but I’m super excited to get started with the girls,” Staunton said.
“We’re a young group, and I’m just super excited to see what the girls have got. It’s fun being out there with your mates, so I’m stoked to get started and get some games under our belt and see where we can go.”
The Cats have named a 32-player primary list, with an additional nine players named as train-on players.
Geelong VFLW Senior Coach Taylah Hassett congratulated the leadership group members on their appointment.
“We’re pleased to have the continuity with last year’s player leaders returning to be part of this year’s group, and welcome the additions of Mel and Madi,” Hassett said.
“Mel, as our captain, brings valuable football experience to our program, having been part of the GWS Giants Academy in New South Wales, before moving to Victoria last year and playing with Carlton in the VFLW.
“The coaches and I are looking forward to seeing Mel, Abby, and our leadership group members driving our playing group in 2025.
“We’ve got a good mix of players on our list, with some familiar faces returning, as well as a host of players looking to make their VFLW debut for Geelong.
“It’s always exciting at this time of year, and we’re looking forward to launching into our practice games ahead of our season-opener next month.”
The Cats have three practice matches in the lead-up to their Round 1 clash against Box Hill Hawks on Saturday 19 April.
They are set to take on Collingwood, Essendon and Western Bulldogs as they ramp-up preparations for the home and away season.
Geelong Cats 2025 VFLW List
| # | Name |
| 18 | Lily Jordan |
| 27 | Ava McKeegan |
| 28 | Madeline Sexton |
| 30 | Melanie Staunton |
| 31 | Seisia White |
| 33 | Stephanie O'Kane |
| 34 | Liv Stewart |
| 35 | Poppy Schaap |
| 36 | Breanna Pratt |
| 37 | Hayley Peck |
| 40 | Sophie Mahar |
| 42 | Abby Favell |
| 47 | Grace Synnott |
| 49 | Molly Walton |
| 50 | Zoe Cowan |
| 51 | Janessa FitzGerald |
| 52 | Johanna Sunderland |
| 53 | Ally Duff |
| 55 | Zoe Larkins |
| 56 | Jemima Woods |
| 57 | Mekah Morrissy |
| 58 | Brooke Bailey |
| 60 | Ruby Dale |
| 63 | Lucy Marescuk |
| 65 | Camryn Tyrrell |
| 66 | Zoe Penno |
| 67 | Olivia Woods |
| 68 | Kelsea Gray |
| 70 | Simone Nalder |
| 74 | Cecilia Lowrey |
| 80 | Elise Cook |
| 81 | Chloe Bryant |
Train-on Players
| Name | |
| Chloe Leen | |
| Daisy Wilson | |
| Ella Firth | |
| Faith Qoon | |
| Filomena Iannuzzi | |
| Katie McAloon | |
| Kiara Woods | |
| Leila Owens | |
| Mackenzie McGrath | |
| Rachel Gastin |
