Geelong’s Max Holmes reflects on losing grand final, Tanner Bruhn’s pre-season return, and connection to Nathan Buckley
Reigning Carji Greeves medallist Max Holmes has backed a number of players to help the Cats seek grand final redemption in 2026, including one who is “like a new recruit”.
Geelong star Max Holmes says Tanner Bruhn will be “like a new recruit” for the Cats next season, as players prepare to return for pre-season next week.
Bruhn will re-join Geelong’s program when its pre-season kicks off on Monday, after sexual assault charges against the midfielder were dropped earlier this month.
Bruhn didn’t play in 2025, having been stood down by the AFL while fighting allegations of rape in court.
Holmes said while he wouldn’t make ongoing comments on Bruhn’s situation throughout the upcoming season, the two-time Carji Greeves medallist believed his teammate had held himself well this year under the circumstances.
“He handled himself amazingly throughout the year, and could have spat the dummy and whatnot,” Holmes said.
“We all love Tanner and can’t wait to get him back in a full training scenario and get him back to playing next year – he’s a great player and a great mate of all ours.”
Holmes, who headed abroad for a month in the off-season, said he was looking forward to getting stuck into the pre-season from next week, having already banked some of his own sessions.
But the midfielder was frank when he said he hadn’t – and wouldn’t – watch back the Cats’ grand final defeat to premiers Brisbane in preparation for a new season.
“I’m okay personally with that kind of stuff, I can bounce back, it was a bit better than 2022 this time around,” Holmes said, referencing his 2022 grand final omission through injury.
“It’s just footy – and Brisbane were amazing that day. It’s just a bit of motivation this year to try and get there again, and go again.”
The 23-year-old backed the Cats’ young players to help take the group to the next level in 2026.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who have only played their first handful of finals the last couple years, and naturally you’re just going to improve from that spot,” he said.
“Lawson (Humphries), Sully (Connor O; Sullivan), we’ve even got guys like Toby Conway who’s going to sort out his body and be a great player.”
Holmes believed midfield recruit James Worpel, as well as incoming assistant coach Nathan Buckley, would be quality additions to their group.
“James, he’s a really strong player, he’s a best and fairest winner at Hawks, so he’s great quality to have in the team … I’ve ran with him a few times, he’s fit as a fiddle at the moment,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do in the pre-season.”
Holmes revealed he had spoke to Buckley for the first time on Tuesday night, though was familiar with the Collingwood legend due to a past connection.
“He coached my brother 10 years ago at juniors, Hunter played with his oldest (Jett), so I’ve met him a handful of times when I was 12,” Holmes said.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him, he’s obviously an amazing bit of knowledge to have.”
Holmes backs local racing hope
Max Holmes knows a thing or two about running fast – and he’s firmly thrown his support behind the region’s latest local speedster, greyhound Colac Kid.
The Jason Sharp-trained Colac Kid enters this Saturday’s Melbourne Cup heats at Sandown Park as a leading contender to snap up one of eight spots in one of the world’s richest and most prestigious greyhounds races – worth $500,000 to the winner – later this month.
Fresh off winning last month’s group 2 Cranbourne Cup, as well as a group 3 Shootout at Sandown Park last Friday, Colac Kid also has eyes on a slot in the world’s richest greyhound race, The Phoenix – with a $1 million winner’s cheque – on December 13 at The Meadows.
Holmes – a former junior national hurdles champion before getting drafted by the Cats – had a run with the Colac Kid at John Landy Athletics Field on Wednesday, before encouraging the community to get behind the local chance.
“Colac Kid – Colac grown, and he trains around Geelong,” Holmes said.
“Running this weekend at the Melbourne Cup heats, so hopefully goes all right.”
Holmes said he enjoyed having a watch of the races, adding they were typically “very fast” and exciting affairs.
“I’m looking forward to watching it on the weekend,” Holmes said.
“He (Colac Kid) could be a little cult hero of Geelong.
“I’ll be making sure the rest of the boys (Cats players) give him a watch, and get behind him.
“It’d be amazing to see him win.”
Colac Kid has 18 wins from 52 starts – with six wins coming from 12 Sandown assignments – for a total of $190,790 in prizemoney.
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Originally published as Geelong’s Max Holmes reflects on losing grand final, Tanner Bruhn’s pre-season return, and connection to Nathan Buckley
