Geelong Cats forward/ruck Kate Darby has announced she will retire from the AFLW at the end of the 2025 NAB AFLW season.

Darby will hang up the boots following 58 games at the elite level to date, with 56 of those wearing the Hoops and, impressively, 46 of those following the birth of her daughter, Ella.

Darby’s career began with Carlton in the inaugural AFLW season. She played two games with the Blues in 2017, before joining the Cats’ VFLW program later that same year.

Darby was among a host of players from the Cats’ VFLW program who earned a spot on the Club’s inaugural AFLW list, and made her Geelong debut in the Cats’ first ever AFLW game in 2019.

She played 10 games across her first two seasons at the Cats before sitting out the 2021 season when pregnant with her daughter.

After having her first child in 2021, Darby returned as a train-on partner in the 2022 pre-season, and rejoined the squad as a replacement player when teammate Renee Garing later announced she was pregnant, before earning a spot back on the primary list the following season.

A strong-marking forward, Darby also provided a valuable back-up option in the ruck, and in 2024 took on rucking duties in a near full-time capacity to help the Cats fill a need, showing again her selflessness to help the team.

In 2024, Darby and former teammate Renee Garing became Geelong’s first-ever women’s players to receive Life Membership at the Club.

Darby’s impact has also been profound off the field, not just for her teammates and Club, but for the wider community.

Darby has been an inspirational leader in the community space, both through Geelong Cats Community programs and external initiatives such as Peace of Mind Foundation, as well as being involved in grassroots football.

A four-time winner of the Geelong Cats’ AFLW Carter Family Community Champion Award, Darby has also been recognised externally, winning the 2023 Tom Hafey Variety Heart of Football Award. On Wednesday, she was also announced as a finalist in the 2025 Jim Stynes AFLW Community Leadership Award.

Darby has also balanced her own football commitments with a burgeoning coaching career, involved in AFL Barwon clubs Surf Coast Suns, Armstrong Creek, Torquay Tigers and Bell Park Dragons (All-Abilities), as well as with the Geelong Falcons.

She was part of the coaching staff for the Team Docherty in the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match played at the MCG as a curtain-raiser on Grand Final day, and was this year awarded the prestigious AFL Coaches’ Association Women’s Pathway Coaching Scholarship.

“I’ve enjoyed my time in the AFLW, getting to experience it from the very beginning and seeing it continue to grow and grow, with exciting new talent coming through all the time,” Darby said.

“After playing football as a kid, I never dreamed I’d be able to play at the elite level, but am grateful I got my opportunity with Carlton when the AFLW first started. To be able to then build a career at Geelong, with all the people I’ve met along the way – players, coaches, staff and fans – has been an incredible journey, and one I’ve really enjoyed.

“It’s also been so special these past four years to be able to share that journey with my daughter, Ella, who has spent so much time at the Club, coming to games, training and being involved with so much of my footy story.

“I want to thank to the Club for the way it has supported me as a person and a footballer, and also thank my teammates, coaches and the staff at the Club for making it such an incredible part of my life.”

Geelong Cats Senior Coach Dan Lowther paid tribute to Darby’s career.

“Kate has been an excellent player and brilliant mentor to have involved in our AFLW program,” Lowther said.

“Her determination, courage and selflessness on and off the field has set an excellent example for her teammates, and we know what a significant role she has played in the community as a representative of the Club, and also in her coaching pursuits.

“Kate has had such a positive impact on everyone who’s been fortunate enough to cross paths with her in our Club, and we’re all the better for having had her in the Hoops

“On behalf of the Club, I want to wish Kate, Daniel and Ella all the very best as they embark on their next chapter.”

Geelong takes on Melbourne this Saturday at GMHBA Stadium, with first bounce at 7.15pm.

Be there to farewell Kate Darby, Meghan McDonald and Shelley Scott in the Cats’ last home game.