{"id":396927,"date":"2026-01-07T06:37:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/396927\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T06:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:37:09","slug":"cats-utility-to-begin-pre-season-late-under-special-considerations-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/396927\/","title":{"rendered":"Cats utility to begin pre-season late under special considerations – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Geelong defender Mark O’Connor<\/a> is set to begin his pre-season at the Cattery later than his fellow teammates, with the club allowing the Irishman to begin his preparations for the 2026 season after January 18.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a07 News’\u00a0Mitch Cleary, the Cats have “granted” O’Connor a further two weeks off to allow him to compete for his hometown Gaelic football club, Dingle, as the team prepares to compete in the All-Ireland Club Championship final, seeking their first ever national title.<\/p>\n

The news comes three days after Dingle defeated Ballyboden by two points in the semi-final in what has been touted as one of the greatest GAA club matches ever played.<\/p>\n

O’Connor also helped the County Kerry-based club win their first provincial title in December, but will now aim to help Dingle achieve the ultimate glory.<\/p>\n

The Irish utility was elite in his sporadic tagging duties in 2025 for the Cats, notably clamping up star attacking midfielder Isaac Heeney<\/a> in Round 23. Heeney managed just 15 disposals at the SCG, his lowest tally of the 2025 season, with only eight being effective.<\/p>\n

O’Connor, who is one of just four Irish players to win an AFL<\/a> premiership, will look to bring that same intensity into 2026.<\/p>\n


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