Analysis

With the 2025 AFL Draft now complete, take a look at all of Geelong’s list changes ahead of the 2026 season

With the AFL Draft officially complete, Geelong has finalised their list for the 2026 AFL season with their ins and outs confirmed. 

The Cats added five players over the off-season with James Worpel joining the club as a free agent, along with four other players that were acquired through the draft. 

They will add valuable depth to Geelong’s squad heading into an exciting new campaign, as the Cats look to build on their 2025 season and go one step further. 

Take a look at the playing list for 2026 below. 

LIST CHANGES

IN: James Worpel (Free Agent), Harley Barker, Hunter Holmes (National Draft), Jesse Mellor, Nick Driscoll (Rookie Draft)

OUT: Mitch Duncan (Retired), Patrick Retschko (Traded), Cam Guthrie, Ted Clohesy, Xavier Ivisic (Delisted)

2025 TELSTRA AFL DRAFT RECAP

Pick 24: Harley Barker (WING) – Mount Barker

Pick 33: Hunter Holmes (MID – WING) – Oakleigh Chargers

Rookie Draft: Nick Driscoll (MID – FWD) – Northern Knights

Category B Rookie: Jesse Mellor (MID – FWD) – Geelong Falcons

Geelong’s 2026 AFL List

Number
Player
AFL Games

1
Rhys Stanley
229

2
Jay Polkinghorne
0

3
Bailey Smith
126

4
Tanner Bruhn
66

5
Jeremy Cameron
280

6
Toby Conway
6

7
Shaun Mannagh
35

8
Jake Kolodjashnij
198

9
Max Holmes
102

10
Mitch Knevitt
21

11
Mitch Edwards
0

12
Jack Bowes
143

13
Jhye Clark
26

14
Connor O’Sullivan
26

15
George Stevens
2

16
Sam De Koning
85

17
Lawson Humphries
36

18
Tyson Stengle
109

19
Jack Martin
164

20
Jacob Molier
0

21
Oli Wiltshire
2

22
Hunter Holmes
0

23
Lenny Hofmann
0

24
Jed Bews
175

25
Jesse Mellor
0

26
Harley Barker
0

27
Nick Driscoll
0

28
Ollie Dempsey
58

29
James Worpel
148

30
Tom Atkins
153

31
Keighton Matofai-Forbes
0

32
Gryan Miers
155

33
Shannon Neale
45

34
Oisin Mullin
43

35
Patrick Dangerfield
360

36
Ollie Henry
85

37
Joe Pike
0

38
Jack Henry
164

39
Zach Guthrie
128

41
Cillian Burke
0

42
Mark O’Connor
147

44
Tom Stewart
191

45
Brad Close
127

46
Mark Blicavs
295