Two former elite basketballers with strong Geelong connections are the latest to sign up for the Cats AFLW line up, with Maddy McMahon and Georgie Rankin confirmed for the 2019 season.

McMahon was an outstanding basketballer, playing in the WNBL with the Australian Institute of Sport, and SEABL and Big V conference with the Geelong Supercats, before turning her hand to football this year. She helped lead the Cats to the VFLW grand final, playing 14 games in her first tilt in the navy and white hoops. 

McMahon was also a local netball star, helping St Joseph’s and Newtown to Geelong netball premierships. McMahon had planned on trying football in 2017, but the birth of her third child delayed her entry to footy for 12 months. 

Rankin has strong family links to the club and the region. She is the great granddaughter of Teddy Rankin, who was recently elevated to club legend status. Her great uncles Cliff, Doug and Bert, also played with the club. Cliff captain/coached Geelong’s first VFL premiership in 1925 and kicked 400 goals in 153 games, while Doug (9 games, 8 goals) and Bert (132 games, 21 goals) played in the same era.    

Rankin represented Queensland at the junior national basketball championships and also played in the Queensland Basketball League with the Gold Coast Rollers, playing 43 games.  She switched to football in 2018 and was the Surfers Paradise Demons leading goal kicker in her debut campaign.

McMahon and Rankin join the Cats 2019 AFLW list as other sport rookies, eligible as they have crossed from another sport in the past year. They join 18 players already committed for the Cats inaugural AFLW season.

Geelong will have 10 selections at the AFLW draft, including picks 1, 2, 7, 14, 20, 24, 35, 47, 57 and 62.