Gary Rohan has enjoyed a different style of off season in 2023, spending the majority of his break at GMHBA Stadium after joining the Cats’ AFLW program as a Development Coach. 

In a period where most players take the opportunity to rest and recover, Rohan has continued to focus on his football both as a coach and a player, training with the AFLW side each week. 

Entering his 15th AFL season and his fifth at Geelong, the 32 year old will look to bolster the Cats forward line after injuries restricted to him to just 15 games in 2023. 

The speedy forward joined Renee Garing, Rebecca Webster and Georgie Rankin on this week’s episode of Geelong’s AFLW podcast, ‘Yeah the Girls’ to discuss his journey into coaching.  

“I have always had an interest in coaching, and I have kept a close eye on our AFLW team since their first season in 2019,” Rohan said. 

“I talked to Dan quite a bit when he came in as head coach, I was looking for a time when I could come and join and I felt like this is the right time.

"It is a great bunch of girls to be around, I just love the experience. I have started my coaching course as well which has been a nice balance. 

"I have been able to keep my fitness up too, training alongside the AFLW group which has been good.  

"I'm heading into my 15th season now, and my body hates rest so I try to keep going and not completely stop at any point. 

"I try to keep busy over the off season, even if that is just walking around a golf course but also trying to be mindful and give myself a mental break.” 

Rohan was an integral part of the Cats 2022 Premiership success, having a particularly profound impact in their Qualifying final win over Collingwood.

The 32 year old currently sits on 192 games across his AFL career, having played nine seasons at Sydney before joining Geelong via a trade following the 2018 season.