Geelong has been fortunate to have some true pioneers within the four walls of the club, those that have had the remarkable ability to shape and transform the AFLW program into a competitive and blossoming culture.
One of the incredible features of the modern team is the vibrant youth, a plethora of budding young stars that are ready to carry the Cats into the next generation.
But the importance of a strong leadership structure and healthy mentoring can not be understated, and Geelong certainly took all the necessary steps to make sure they made the right decision when it came to figuring out who would be at the helm in the new season.
With the backing of the playing group and the coaching panel, Geelong opted for co-captains in 2026 and turned to two inaugural members of their AFLW team, with Nina Morrison and Becky Webster set to lead the club into the upcoming campaign.
It is a fitting reward for the Cats' first and third ever draft picks. Morrison was selected with the first pick in the 2018 AFLW draft, while Webster was taken shortly after with the seventh pick.
The duo have gone on to be superstars in their own right. Webster is the club's AFLW games record holder with 73 appearances in the Hoops to date, while Morrison is building a sensational resume that includes a selection in the All-Australian squad, along with a best and fairest award.
Unaware of the honour that was to be bestowed on them, Morrison said it was a special moment to share alongside Webster when the announcement was made in Geelong's team meeting.
"I am just super excited. Neither of us had been told beforehand, so it was a pretty special announcement to be read out in front of the group," Morrison told Cats Media.
"As you said, to share it alongside Becky, we have shared so much of the journey together. She is someone that I have really respected and loved as a person, but as a leader as well since we were in Under 18s.
It feels pretty cool to be here now, eight or so years later and to be able to have the opportunity to lead the group together is pretty special."
Webster mirrored that sentiment, adding that it has been an incredible journey to this point.
"It feels unreal," Webster said.
"I sent a message to Nina early in the week when we found out, it feels like yesterday that we were just kids walking through the corridors here and how time goes really quick. To watch the group progress into what it is now, it is pretty special.
"Sometimes you feel like a bit of a veteran walking around here at the old age of 25, but it is super exciting.
"As Nina said, I am just really honoured to be able to be recognised by the group and I can't wait for the season ahead, that is for sure."
The duo take the reins from inspirational leader, Meg McDonald who captained Geelong's AFLW team from 2021 to 2025, before calling time on her career at the end of last year.
Webster said that she was able to learn from McDonald's leadership ability, but is looking forward to bringing her own style to help shape the Cats' playing group moving forward.
"Meg was an amazing leader for the group and something that we definitely won't be able to replicate," Webster admitted.
"I think it is really cool that we are able to shape the group and how we want to lead in our own identity, which is really cool. But definitely, her inspiration and her ability to connect with others, but still portray what we are trying to do to the wider group was really special.
"I definitely have a really loving relationship with Meg and I think she is someone that, not only as a leader, but she is a really great friend. We will definitely have her in our back pockets throughout the year, but she is a great mentor for sure."
The start of the 2026 AFLW season is closing in fast, with less than two months remaining until Morrison and Webster lead their team into battle to commence the new campaign.
Geelong will kick off the year with a blockbuster clash at Marvel Stadium as they prepare to take on the reigning premiers, North Melbourne, with the Cats looking for their first AFLW victory over the Kangaroos.
Morrison said it is certainly something to look forward to, with Geelong also hoping to bring an electric brand of footy in the 2026 season.
"Not sure I can beat that, Round 1 at Marvel Stadium," Morrison said.
"I think in general though, hopefully we will just be playing a really exciting brand of footy. That is something that Cats fans have always enjoyed, so hopefully we can get a few big crowds at GMHBA Stadium.
"We always feel their support pretty loudly, so looking forward to being back at home as well. Hopefully we can play some exciting footy in front of them."
