Nathan Ablett and Gary Ablett jnr.

Family certainly matters at the Geelong Football Club, with the Cats holding a strong history of related players pulling on the Hoops across several generations. 

While Geelong has certainly thrived with Father-Son combinations, they have also seen a number of brothers blossom alongside one another at the top level. 

The 2025 Draft has seen another set of brothers join each other in Geelong, with Max and Hunter Holmes set to feature for the Cats in 2026.

From the Abletts to the Selwoods, the Guthries to the Hockings, take a look at some of the most famous brothers to play alongside one another for Geelong. 

Gary & Nathan Ablett

Perhaps the most famous surname in the game's history, Gary Ablett Junior and Nathan Ablett both cemented their place in Geelong Football Club history during their time at the club. 

While his AFL career was brief, Nathan Ablett certainly had an impact and particularly in the 2007 season, where he kicked 34 goals from 21 games and helped the Cats to snap their 44-year Premiership drought. 

There is not much that needs to be explained about Gary Junior's career.

357 games, two Premierships, two Brownlow Medals, eight All-Australian teams and a plethora of other awards, the Little Master will forever be regarded as one of the games greatest ever players. 

The pair played together at Geelong between 2005 and 2007, before playing two more matches together on the Gold Coast in 2011. 

02:58

On This Day in '07

Relive the memory of Gary and Nathan Ablett collectively kicking 7 goals between them against the Tigers in 2007.

Cameron & Zach Guthrie

Another pair of brothers that have had a lasting impact at Geelong, Cameron and Zach Guthrie both carved out incredible careers while wearing the blue and white Hoops. 

Cam joined the Cats at the end of 2010, going on to play 240 AFL games across 15 seasons at the club, winning two Carji Greeves Medals and an All-Australian blazer in that span. 

Zach joined his brother at the club in 2017, and while he only managed 20 AFL games across his first four seasons at the club, went on to cement his place in Geelong's defensive unit and has now played 128 games through the end of 2025. 

The top moment for the duo came in 2022, when they both featured on Grand Final day as the Cats stormed to a dominant victory over Sydney, claiming a Premiership together in Geelong's first triumph since 2011.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cameron Guthrie and Zach Guthrie of the Cats pose with the premiership cup after winning the 2022 AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Joel & Scott Selwood

After a successful stint with West Coast, Scott Selwood made the decision to move to Geelong at the end of 2015, joining brother Joel who was in the midst of one of the greatest careers by any Cats player. 

Scott played 34 games for the club across four seasons which included six Finals matches, helping the Cats to reach three Preliminary Finals in his time at GMHBA Stadium. 

Another superstar who does not need an explanation, Joel finished his career with 355 AFL games, four premierships, six All-Australian selections, three Carji Greeves Medals and numerous other awards. 

While Geelong did not reach the pinnacle during their time together at the club, Joel and Scott Selwood featured in some memorable games together, like the Cats Qualifying Final victory over Hawthorn in 2016, the famous Isaac Smith miss after the siren. 

Scott Selwood and Joel Selwood.

Bruce & Ian Nankervis

Switching tack and diving a bit further back into Geelong history, the Nankervis brothers carved out an incredible legacy in the Hoops between the late 1960s and early 1980s. 

Ian Nankervis started his career with the Cats in 1967, going on to play 325 games which was the club record for over 30 years, winning the Carji Greeves Medal three times and earning selection in the Geelong Football Club Team of the Century. Ian was also selected in the 1980 All-Australian team. 

Bruce Nankervis was a phenomenal player for Geelong, featuring in 253 games and winning two Carji Greeves Medals while also captaining the club for two years. Bruce was also named at half-back in the Australian Rules team of the decade.

The pair both called time on their illustrious careers at the end of 1983, playing in Geelong's final game of the season against Hawthorn and bringing to a close an extraordinary chapter in Cats history.

Jack & Ollie Henry

Two brothers that are currently making their mark at Geelong, Jack and Ollie Henry certainly have a bright future ahead in the Hoops. 

The elder of the two, Jack has been with the Cats since 2017 and has 164 games to his name, featuring in the 2022 Premiership and widely regarded as one of the best intercepting defenders in the competition. 

While he did not start his career in the blue and white, Ollie joined his brother at the Cattery in 2023 and has played 60 games across the past three seasons, proving to be a reliable scoring target with 92 goals in those matches. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Jack Henry (left) and brother Oliver Henry of the Cats pose for a photograph during the 2023 AFL Round 12 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on June 3, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Steve & Garry Hocking

One of the most recognisable surnames in Geelong's history, Steve and Garry Hocking were exceptional players and continue to serve the club off the field in the present. 

Garry 'Buddha' Hocking played 274 games for the Cats and was a four time Carji Greeves Medal winner, a four-time All-Australian and part of Geelong's Team of the Century. He featured in four Grand Finals during his time with the club, while also finishing in the top three in the Brownlow Medal on four occasions. 

Steve Hocking played from 1984 to 1994, featuring in 199 games for the Cats which also included two Grand Final appearances alongside his brother. He was also named as the club's Most Determined Player on four occasions. 

Steve Hocking continues to have an impact on the club, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Football Club. 

The Rankin's - Teddy & Tom, Cliff & Bert

It is an incredibly rare occurrence but the Rankin family had not just one, but two sets of brothers to play together in the Hoops. 

It started with Teddy and Tom Rankin. Teddy played 180 VFL games and 88 VFA matches for the Cats between 1891 and 1910, a winner of Geelong's Best and Fairest award. Tom played for the Cats between 1904 and 1906, featuring in 47 games alongside his brother. 

That then paved the way for Teddy's sons, Cliff and Bert Rankin who also represented Geelong in the VFL. 

Cliff played 153 games for the Cats and kicked 399 goals, leading Geelong to the 1925 premiership as a captain-coach and earning selection in Geelong's Team of the Century. Bert was a brilliant player in his own right, playing 132 games and winning Geelong's 1917 Best and Fairest award.

The Rankin family legacy continues through to the present, with Georgie Rankin representing Geelong's AFLW team.