Geelong premiership player Shannon Byrnes will return to GMHBA Stadium as a player development manager. Byrnes has spent the past seven years working in a similar role with Melbourne.

Byrnes played 108 games and kicked 100 goals with the Cats between 2003-2012 and was a member of the 2007 and 2009 AFL premiership teams. Byrnes finished out his AFL career with the Demons, playing 23 games in two seasons, retiring after the 2014 season.

Cam Guthrie, Shannon Byrnes, James Kelly and James Podsiadly.

Post football Byrnes took up the player development manager role with the Demons and was a key part of their rise up the ladder that culminated in a premiership in 2021.

“Shannon enjoyed an excellent playing career with the Cats, and he has been at the forefront of player development at the Demons for the past seven years,” Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said.

“To be able to welcome Shannon back to the club is significant, and an exciting addition for us. Shannon brings expertise in the player development area, is a strong relationship builder and has a deep love of the club.”

Byrnes will take up his post in late November.