Geelong welcomed four fresh faces to their list during the 2025 AFL Draft period. As they navigate their way through their first year in the AFL system, Geelong’s Rookie Journal series will help you get to know the new Cats and the stories that led to them becoming AFL footballers.   

Hunter Holmes was the first player to sit down with Cats Media this year, discussing his journey from Prahran to the blue and white Hoops. 

My first experience with football probably went back to Auskick. I have played footy my whole life.

Dad was a pretty big footy fan, so he got all of us kids into Auskick pretty early. I fell in love with the game pretty early as well. 

I joined Prahran Junior Football Club in Under-8s, all my mates were running around and it was a bit of fun back then.

It has been a huge part of my life for my whole life, I just love the competition and playing with my mates, it has made me who I am today. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Hunter Holmes of the Cats in action during the 2026 AFL match simulation between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Geelong Cats at the Kennedy Community Centre on February 16, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

I always loved my footy when I was playing it, it was maybe when Max got drafted that I saw that as an opportunity for myself.

Seeing what he did, I thought that I would try to follow him and it ended up happening, so I am obviously pretty happy with that. 

I knew a couple of the younger boys at Geelong, I had trained with them a bit over Christmas over the years. I obviously met them after games too, which was pretty cool.

It makes it a bit easier when you have a couple familiar faces when you join the club, but it is still a pretty overwhelming experience. There are a lot of people within the club, but it has been great to meet them all. 

2026 Pre-Season Training - Wednesday February 11 | Hunter Holmes

My whole family has been huge, and a junior coach of mine, Wayne Oswald was a really big figure for me.

He coached me throughout my junior career, just refining my skills and making me the player that I am today.

I am not sure if I could have got here without him.

I actually didn't talk to Geelong too much throughout my top-age year, I was hearing a bit from Max and I think he was nagging the recruiters a little bit.

But it wasn't until the combine that I actually spoke to them officially, and they showed a bit of interest there but obviously you never know what is going to happen.

They kept their cards close to their chest, so it was good that it happened in the end. 

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker and Hunter Holmes of the Cats are seen during the Geelong Cats 2026 Official Team Photo Day at GMHBA Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Morton/AFL Photos)

I couldn't be happier, the dream was just to get drafted and to go to Geelong with Max, it obviously makes it that much better.

It is something that I strived towards for years, so it is pretty overwhelming but a pretty great moment. 

There was a lot of emotion walking through the door for the first time.

You are going for it all year, it is what you are striving for but then you get drafted and it all just happens. Everyone says it's surreal, but it really is.

It happens really quickly, you get drafted on the Friday and then you are in at the club on the Monday. It is a big change of lifestyle, from living at home and moving over, it wasn't too far for me luckily.

You watch the players on TV, and then you want to play with them.

I would say Bailey Smith and Gryan Miers, those have been two players that I think are pretty cool to play with.

Then coaches as well, Nathan Buckley coached me back in the day but it is good to reunite with him here at Geelong.