Twenty-two players have re-committed to Geelong ahead of AFLW Season Seven.

Among those set to go around again are two-time Cats AFLW Best & Fairest Amy McDonald, 2021 All-Australian squad member Maddy McMahon, young guns Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison, Becky Webster and Darcy Moloney. The re-commitments include all members of the Cats’ 2021 leadership group and the top 10 vote-getters from the club’s best and fairest.

In further exciting news, new mum Renee Garing has also earned a spot on the primary list.

Garing, 33, has been a valued member of the Cats’ playing group over the past six years, and was an inaugural member of both the Cats’ VFLW and AFLW lists. 

While sitting out last season during her pregnancy, Garing was still actively involved at the club, assisting at training sessions and on match days.

Garing, who is a two-time Carter Family Community Champion at the club, gave birth to her son Parker Jackson Garing in May. While she adjusts to her new role as a parent, the Geelong Cats will continue to support Garing and assist in her pathway back to playing football. 

“We are all delighted for Renee and Tony on the safe arrival of little Parker,” Geelong Cats Head of AFLW and Pathways Brett Johnson said. 

“We’re committed to providing our players support before and post the birth of a child, and flexible pathways to return to play from parental leave. We look forward to welcoming Renee back and working together on whatever path she chooses.

“Amid the expansion we’re proud to have a really strong core of players re-commit to the Cats and the trajectory that this team is on, including all three extraordinary mums on our AFLW playing list, whose dedication inspires us all.”

Fellow mum Kate Darby, who was added to the Cats' primary list last season to cover for Garing, will retain her spot on the primary list.

The Cats farewelled six players during the AFLW trade period, with Sophie Van De Heuvel, Stephanie Williams, Phoebe McWilliams, Jordan Ivey, Olivia Barber and Millie Brown all moving to new clubs.

Denby Taylor, who was on the club’s inactive list in Season 6, retired from football to pursue other passions, while Rene Caris, Madisen Maguire and Carly Remmos were not offered contracts for Season 7.

Geelong welcomed four new faces, with West Coast Eagles midfielder Mikayla Bowen, young Richmond winger Ingrid Houtsma, and Melbourne forward duo Jackie Parry and Shelley Scott all signing on to wear the Hoops.

“The new Cats are set to complement a list that made huge improvements in Season 6 and are looking forward to reapplying themselves when pre-season begins on Monday,” Johnson said.

The 2022 NAB AFLW Draft will take place on Wednesday, 29 June. The Cats hold national picks 33, 42, 56, 67 and 85.

GEELONG CATS’ SEASON 7 LIST

New players:
Mikayla Bowen, Jacqueline Parry, Shelley Scott, Ingrid Houtsma

Returning Players:
Meghan McDonald, Nina Morrison, Julia Crockett-Grills, Georgie Rankin, Maddy Keryk, Chantel Emonson, Amy McDonald, Darcy Moloney, Kate Darby, Renee Garing, Olivia Fuller, Chloe Scheer, Georgia Clarke, Laura Gardiner, Zali Friswell, Rebecca Webster, Rachel Kearns, Maddy McMahon, Claudia Gunjaca, Annabel Johnson, Gabbi Featherston, Georgie Prespakis