The Geelong Cats have pulled off another recruiting coup ahead of its inaugural AFLW campaign, adding premiership star Aasta O’Connor from the Western Bulldogs.

“We are excited to add Aasta to our playing list, and we see her bringing on and off field leadership to our group. She has a history of success and brings a professional outlook to everything she does,” Geelong Cats AFLW coach Paul Hood said. 

“Aasta is a very accomplished player and was a key in the Bulldogs premiership win this year. Having such a talented player as Aasta commit to the club excites us as we look to become a respected team within the AFLW competition.”

O’Connor is looking forward to the challenge of shaping the new Cats squad as it embarks on its first steps into the national competition.

“I have been incredibly impressed by the vision and plans that the club has for the team,” O’Connor said.

“The Cats have a long-term plan to ensure the club enjoys success, and to be part of that from the start is something that is very exciting.”

O’Connor helped the Bulldogs to the 2018 AFLW premiership, playing every game for the Dogs this past season. Playing mainly as a ruck, O’Connor has enjoyed a decorated career, winning four premierships with Darebin Falcons in the VFL and four with Logan Cobras in the QFL.

Currently working as the AFL’s women’s academy manager, O’Connor has strong relationships with new cats’ defender Mel Hickey and assistant coach Natalie Wood through their days of playing with Darebin.

She joins Mel Hickey, Rocky Cranston, Erin Hoare, Anna Teague, Bec Goring, Danielle Orr, Jordan Ivey, Renee Garing, Kate Darby and Cassie Blakeway as players already committed to the club’s 2019 AFLW squad.