The Geelong Cats have signed their replacement player for the upcoming 2026 AFLW season, with classy utility Annie Lee added to the Cats' list ahead of Round 1. 

It is a full-circle moment for the talented recruit, who started her journey at VFLW level with Geelong before spending three years in the AFLW, now set to feature in the blue and white Hoops at the highest level in 2026. 

Playing predominantly as a defender, Lee was a product out of the Geelong Falcons between 2019 and 2021, also featuring for Vic Country in the AFLW Under 18s Championship before earning her opportunity with the Cats' VFLW team.

Lee played two games for Geelong in the 2021 VFLW season and impressed, which ultimately led to her being selected by Carlton with pick No. 10 in the 2021 AFLW draft. 

Across three seasons with the Blues, Lee played 14 AFLW games and impressed in defence, while also showing the ability to swing forward at times and have a presence inside 50. 

After making two appearances at the elite level in 2023, the talented defender was then traded at the end of the season, involved in a five-club trade that saw her land at Collingwood in 2024. 

She would go on to spend two more years with the Magpies and featured in eight games, before being delisted at the end of 2025. 

It paved the way for Lee to return to where her career began, with the VFLW Cats in 2026 and she continued to put her best foot forward, playing a variety of roles as the team has required. 

The standout performance came in Round 8 where Lee collected 30 disposals against North Melbourne, but she also dominated in last week's big victory over Collingwood, before being added to Geelong's AFLW list this week. 

Geelong AFLW recruiting manager Ben Waller spoke on Lee's journey, when the announcement was made to the wider playing group on Monday. 

“Annie has followed the path of Claudia Gunjaca, Piper Dunlop and Amy McDonald, who have progressed through our VFLW program and onto our AFLW list," Waller said. 

"We really respect the work that is done in the program, all the coaches and the staff. 

"Most of all, it is a credit to Annie and the work that she has done. 

"We look forward to seeing her help us in 2026."

Lee has been signed as a replacement player for Georgie Rankin ahead of the 2026 AFLW season, after Rankin was added to the Club's inactive list for the season.