Geelong duo Sam Menegola and Tom Atkins have agreed to new contracts with the club, extending their deals until the end of the 2021 season.

“Both Sam and Tom have proven themselves as valuable members of our team, and we are pleased to have reached these new agreements,” Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said.

“They are influential in setting high standards within our playing group and we feel both have continued growth ahead of them.”

Menegola began his AFL career with Hawthorn and Fremantle before joining the Cats at the 2015 national draft. He debuted in 2016 and has now played 65 games and kicked 48 goals. Menegola has played finals with the Cats in each of his four seasons and fills a valuable role as a forward/midfielder.

Atkins also took a long road to become an AFL regular. After strong performances in both the Geelong Football League and the VFL with Geelong, including two best & fairest wins in 2016 and 2018, Atkins was drafted by Geelong as a rookie in 2018 and was a regular in his debut season, playing 23 games, mainly as a pressure forward.