He has been knocking on the door all season and his persistence has finally paid off, with George Stevens set to make his AFL debut on Saturday afternoon against Richmond at GMHBA Stadium. 

Cats coach, Chris Scott confirmed the news during his press conference on Friday, noting that Stevens will replace Tyson Stengle in the line-up for Geelong's Round 17 clash. 

A humble character from South Warrnambool, Stevens joined the Cats in the 2023 AFL draft as a highly touted, big bodied midfielder and spent his first season at the club developing in Geelong's VFL program. 

But in 2025 the tough on-baller elevated his game to greater heights, averaging over 26 disposals and seven clearances per game while showing plenty of composure and great decision making with ball in hand. 

A strong run of form has seen the youngster collect 25 disposals or more on seven different occasions this year, often putting himself in the AFL selection frame before earning his crack at the top level this weekend against the Tigers. 

Earlier in the season, Stevens sat down with Cats Media and talked through his first two years a the club, noting some of the key figures that have helped him to develop throughout his journey. 

"It has been amazing here so far, we have got such a great group of boys," Stevens detailed. 

"Everyone used to talk about how old we are, but we have been able to gel really quickly.

"I think that has been the most important thing for us second year players now, I am really close with the group of boys that I was drafted with. We have created a really good, competitive connection while we are at the Club and we strive to get better with each other and work hard towards that.

"Then hopefully that lifts the motivation of the older guys too that are still trying to get the most out of themselves. I have absolutely loved my time so far, there are so many amazing people here, some coaches that I now consider friends and they are unbelievable in giving their knowledge out to the players."

Family has been at the centre of Stevens' entire footballing journey, from watching his Dad play to following in the footsteps of his older brother, dominating throughout his junior career for the South Warrnambool Roosters. 

There were plenty of accolades along the way including premierships, best and fairest awards and representative team selections, but what stood out above everything else was Stevens' incredible attitude and demeanour, able to persevere through any and all adversity. 

His character and personality quickly saw Stevens become a leader when he arrived at Geelong, often willing to put in extra hours on the training track with the Cats young players and even with the club's academy stars. 

Stevens touched on the significance of an AFL debut earlier this year, but in trademark fashion his focus was on not on what the milestone would mean to him, but rather the people around him. 

"It would be absolutely amazing, I think when you first get to the club, that is the first dream that you have is making an AFL debut," Stevens told Cats Media. 

"As I spoke about previously with my connections to family, my local club and friends, that would be the most amazing thing. At the end of the day it is another game of footy, but what it will mean to the people that supported me along the way.

"It will be pretty special to be able to run and out and know that they are watching, to have them all in the stands and then to be able to celebrate with them.

"It would be a really nice little reward and something that I have dreamed of my whole life."

Stevens will make his AFL debut this Saturday when Geelong takes on Richmond at GMHBA Stadium from 4.15pm AEST.