Analysis

As the 2025 AFL Draft continues to draw closer, take a look back at what the Cats have done with their selections in the past two drafts

For a long period of time, Geelong has been regarded as one of the best clubs when it comes to identifying talent in the draft. 

Over the past two decades, there has been plenty of evidence to support that claim, particularly with the Cats’ recruiting team and their ability to turn late picks into star players. 

But you need only to look back over the past two years to recognise Geelong’s knack of finding great players, with the 2023 draft haul already turning into a super one for the club. 

Take a look back at Geelong’s draft selections from the past two years, in preparation for the 2025 AFL draft on November 19 and 20.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Shaun Mannagh of the Cats kicks a goal during the AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

2023 National Draft

Pick Number
Player Selected

11
Connor O’Sullivan

32
Mitch Edwards

36
Shaun Mannagh

58
George Stevens

61
Oli Wiltshire

63
Lawson Humphries

Rookie Draft
Emerson Jeka

It is the draft haul that has not quite got the recognition it deserves externally, but Geelong secured some key pieces for the club’s future in 2023. 

A rare top-10 draft pick (which ended up sliding to number 11) was not wasted by the Cats recruiting team, selecting young defender Connor O’Sullivan.

In just his second season with the club, O’Sullivan played 25 of a possible 26 games at the top level, earning a Rising Star nomination in his third game and playing a big role in helping Geelong secure a Grand Final berth. 

The Cats also drafted Shaun Mannagh with pick 36, who has played 35 AFL games and is quickly becoming one of the competition’s best small forwards, with the ability to play through the midfield. Mannagh has kicked 46 goals and averages over 17 disposals per game, proving to be a real weapon for Geelong over the past two years. 

Much later in the draft, with the second last pick of the night, Geelong selected Lawson Humphries which is proving to be one of the best value picks in the competition’s history.

Humphries has played 36 games at the top level, cementing his spot in the Cats’ starting defence and playing a big role in 2025, one of Geelong’s best players on Grand Final day. 

The Cats also have high hopes for Mitch Edwards, a talented young ruckman who played consistent VFL footy at the backend of the season, while Oli Wiltshire and George Stevens both earned an AFL debut in 2025.

2024 National Draft

Pick Number
Player Selected

44
Jay Polkinghorne

52
Jacob Molier

66
Lenny Hofmann

69
Keighton Matofai-Forbes

Rookie Draft
Xavier Ivisic

Rookie Draft
Patrick Retschko

Rookie Draft
Joe Pike

International
Cillian Burke

While we are still yet to see the full potential of this draft class, a number of players showed plenty of positive signs throughout their first year with the club. 

The first pick was Jay Polkinghorne, who was a constant threat inside 50 and led Geelong’s VFL goal-kicking leaderboard in 2025. Polkinghorne finished the year with 31 goals from 17 games, remarkably only being held goalless on one occasion. 

Jacob Molier also gave Cats fans plenty to be excited about, kicking four goals against GWS in just his second game back from injury. Lenny Hofmann will be one to watch off half back after playing five VFL matches in his first season, while Joe Pike will provide depth in the ruck. 

Another Irish recruit with an abundance of natural talent, Cillian Burke looked increasingly comfortable with the oval-shaped ball as the season rolled on.