Hocking on the Cats off-season break

It is really important. I think at times, probably players get criticised for getting away as far as what they do.

But they do need the break, they do need the rest, their bodies and their minds definitely need a break. We are big on the wellbeing aspect of our program here and it is not just players, we have got a lot of staff that have left as well. Our AFLW program will move into that phase now.

It is a great opportunity to spend time together and also with their loved ones, to go and see other parts of the world which is often difficult to do.

They recognise that they are in a really fortunate position to be able to travel extensively like they do, but it won't be too long before we are back into that program kicking in. 

Hocking on the end of the AFLW season

It is disappointing in one sense, that we are finishing when we did.

We missed Finals unfortunately, but I know that the team and all of the players have put in a lot of hard work. They are now in player exits, so they will head off and have their break.

But overall we won five games, we pushed some of the top clubs and couldn't quite get over the line.

I think we broke the membership record for AFLW, so thank you to all the members out there that support our AFLW team. It is a really important part of our program, so excited for that support. 

Hocking on James Worpel and Nathan Buckley

They are really important.

I have touched on this a number of times, I think when you have got to the top of the mountain like we have, playing in another Grand Final and credit to everybody to be able to achieve that this year. Yes, we are disappointed in the end result and all of our members will feel that way. But it was a great effort to get through to a Grand Final.

It is important to get everybody back there, and get everybody challenged, excited and motivated about 2026.

So off the back of that we have obviously brought in James Worpel. We are really excited to have Nathan Buckley here as well, all of that is done to motivate and to change gears in the program.

That is really important to us, how do you found those little ledges that just make a difference and shift the dial. 

Hocking on Meg McDonald, Kate Darby and Shelley Scott

They have been incredible, I just want to call out the three and acknowledge their contribution. Individually they are quite different.

If you take someone like Meg, Meg's leadership qualities have been just exceptional and a real support for the broader team. A real pro Meg, so we will miss her.

Kate brings a different skillset. Kate is just so community conscious and the way that she not only played the game, but also how she contributed to the community locally was really, really impressive.

Then someone like Shelley, Shelley has a farm down at Colac. I think the cows will enjoy having Shelley around a lot more often, and just an incredible worker. It has been really impressive that she has been able to combine what is not a scheduled program, running a farm and also having an AFLW career. A real credit to Shelley and we thank her for being part of it.

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