The Geelong Cats have confirmed three changes to its AFL playing squad following the 2026 season.  

Jed Bews has pulled on the Hoops for the final time with the Club farewelling the 2022 Premiership player, alongside George Stevens and Keighton Matofai-Forbes.  

Joining the Club as a father-son selection with the 86th pick in the 2011 National Draft, Bews debuted in Round 9 of the 2014 season. Bews departs the Club having played 175 games across his 15 seasons, having established himself as one of the Cats’ most reliable players throughout his career, often tasked with playing on the opposition’s most dangerous small forwards.  

Bews featured in two AFL Grand Finals during his time at Geelong, becoming an important member of Geelong’s 2022 premiership team, featuring in 23 games of that season. In recognition of his contribution to the Cats across more than a decade, Bews was awarded Geelong Life Membership in 2024. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Mark Blicavs of the Cats (R) and Jed Bews of the Cats hold he 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 Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)

Across Geelong's 2026 VFL season, Bews helped underpin the Cats' run to the minor premiership and Sunday's VFL Grand Final. Averaging almost 20 disposals per game across 16 appearances, he continued to be a consistent performer in the Cats' backline. 

Geelong Cats Executive General Manager - Football Andrew Mackie thanked Bews for his contribution to the Club. 

“Jed has had a huge impact both on and off the field at Geelong. As a Geelong person, his influence on our football club and the wider Geelong community has been significant,” Mackie said. 

“He has been a great teammate who has played countless selfless roles across his career. We thank Jed for everything he has given to the Club and wish him the best for his next chapter.” 

Stevens joined Geelong with pick 58 in the 2023 AFL National Draft from South Warrnambool. The midfielder made his AFL debut against Richmond in Round 17, 2025 and has played four games across his three seasons.

Stevens has excelled at VFL across his 16 games, averaged 30 disposals and kicked 13 goals with his season recognised as joint winner of the J. J. Liston Trophy as the VFL's best and fairest player, as well as a selection in the VFL Team of the Year.  

Matofai-Forbes has spent the last two seasons in the Cats program after being drafted at the conclusion of 2024. Despite an injury interrupted 2026 campaign, Matofai-Forbes appeared in seven VFL games, including a career-best outing against Frankston where he collected 17 disposals and two goals.