The 2026 AFL player movement period is in full swing, with the Cats already active as they look to strengthen their list heading into 2027. 

The free agency period commenced last Friday and Geelong wasted no time making moves, signing star forward Toby Greene until at least the end of 2029. 

Always one of the most intriguing weeks in a year, the trade period also kicks off on Monday, with the AFL draft to follow in November. 

Prepare for a hectic player movement period with all the key dates, and take a look back at what the Cats were able to achieve last year. 

KEY DETAILS

• AFL Free Agency Period: Friday October 2 - Friday October 9
  
  
• Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period: Monday October 5 - Wednesday October 14
  
  
• Telstra AFL Draft: Thursday November 19 - Friday November 20
  
  
• Telstra Pre-Season & Rookie Drafts: Monday November 23

Geelong’s Recent Player Moves 

Geelong has been an active participant in the player movement period for a long period of time, continually bolstering their list depth and attracting some big names along the journey. 

In 2025, their lone free agency move saw James Worpel join the Cattery, with the talented midfielder going on to play 11 games in his inaugural season in the Hoops. 

Recent trades have seen Geelong add the likes of Bailey Smith, Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry, all young stars that have helped to set up a bright future at Kardinia Park. 

As previously mentioned, the Cats wasted no time this year as they added Toby Greene on the first day of the free agency period, with plenty of excitement still to come over the next week. 

Geelong's 2025 Draft Haul

National Draft

• Pick 24: Harley Barker
• Pick 33: Hunter Holmes

Academy Selection

• Jesse Mellor

Rookie Draft

• Pick 13: George Stevens
• Pick 23: Keighton Matofai-Forbes
• Pick 28: Nick Driscoll

While Geelong did not have a large amount of selections in the 2025 draft, what they got was high-quality and has provided great signs for the future. 

With their first pick in the national draft, the Cats selected talented midfielder Harley Barker and despite missing the year, he has laid the foundations to attack 2027 in what will be an intriguing campaign for Cats fans to keep an eye on. 

The Cats then selected Hunter Holmes, who was firmly among Geelong's best at VFL level in 2026, averaging 21 disposals per game and displaying plenty of exciting attributes throughout the year. 

Jesse Mellor proved to be a strong selection as he kicked 43 goals for the year and led the Cats' VFL goal kicking, while Nick Driscoll also impressed during his first season in the Hoops.