GEELONG has appointed Michael Poulton to its football department as elite performance and development manager after enticing him from the AFL's Football Operations Department.

Poulton will work alongside new director of football Simon Lloyd, after the club restructured the key roles following Steve Hocking's decision to join the AFL as football operations manager.

The wide-ranging role is expected to cover all aspects of the football department and will see him liaise closely with Lloyd and senior coach Chris Scott.

Hocking is expected to finish up at the Cats at the end of this week and begin with the AFL on October 16 after a short break.

Poulton has held the title of competition and stakeholder manager at the AFL and has been closely involved in coach development, including developing and facilitating the level-four course that plays a fundamental role in preparing coaches for senior jobs.

He also has previous experience in professional development at the AFL Coaches Association and athletics.

The Cats were bundled out of the finals on Friday night when they lost to Adelaide in the preliminary final, but have moved quickly into the off-season with former star Gary Ablett requesting a trade from Gold Coast back to the club where he played two premierships.