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Dan BattenDigital Sports Reporter

Dan Batten is a digital sports reporter specialising in AFL, cricket and SuperCoach.

@danbatten_

Dan Batten

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GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Jeremy Cameron of the Cats celebrates kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between Geelong Cats and Hawthorn Hawks at GMHBA Stadium, on July 06, 2024, in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

First Smith sighting? Cats to face off against rivals in practice match

Geelong is already facing Essendon at Kardinia Park, and now the Cats will face another familiar foe on their home turf in what may be Bailey Smith’s first hit-out as a Cat.

AFL

MELBOURNE . 03/09/2022. AFLW. Round 2. Essendon vs Carlton at North Port Oval. Essendons Paige Scott celebrates a 1st quarter goal . Picture by Michael Klein

How Tigers’ heist handed them draft’s biggest steal

Paige Scott’s future was in the air when they delisted themself from Essendon after a botched trade request. Every club passed them by, until Richmond pounced on the former No.8 pick.

AFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: Top 3 draft picks Ash Centra of the Magpies (C), Havana Harris of the Suns (L) and Molly O'Hehir of the Demons pose during the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFLW Draft recap: See every pick, analysis on historic night

It was the first truly national AFLW Draft and it did not disappoint. Check out every pick and get all the analysis from our experts here.

AFLW

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 16: First round picks (Top Row L-R) Grace Belloni of the Bombers, Lucia Painter of the Eagles, Poppy Scholz of the Blues, Emma McDonald of the Bulldogs, India Rasheed of the Crows, Sara Howley of the Giants, Sophie McKay of the Blues, (Bottom Row L-R) Sierra Grieves of the Tigers, Havana Harris of the Suns, Ash Centra of the Magpies, Molly O'Hehir of the Demons and Zipporah Fish of the Swans pose during the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

How every club’s AFLW draft haul stacks up

The AFLW draft is done and dusted, with future superstars finding new homes across the league. Which clubs are most thrilled with their hauls? Our experts go over every club’s draft.

Collingwood

Luckless ex-Pie returns to former club after delisting

This injury-riddled key forward’s AFL journey began at Geelong, and he will to Kardinia Park in 2025.

Geelong

Stephen Wells special: How quiet scout became AFL’s recruiting king

Stephen Wells began at the Cats 40 years ago, and plenty of success has followed. In a rare interview, Wells open up on his journey and key Cats figures reveal what sets him apart from the rest.

News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Patrick Dangerfield (c) of the Cats leads the team out during the AFL Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 21, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Cats make captaincy call after Danger doubts

Earlier this month, Patrick Dangerfield said he was unsure if he would continue as captain. Now the Cats have locked in their leaders.

InteractiveNews

Stephen Wells' 40 best recruits at Geelong

Smokeys, steals: Master recruiter’s top 40 AFL Draft gems ranked

Geelong recruiting doyen Stephen Wells has an incredible eye for talent that has set the Cats up for premiership success. We have ranked his 40 best picks. See the full list and have your say.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Thomas McGuane of Team Heppell kicks the ball under pressure from Felix Kneipp of Team Sloane during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Heppell and Team Sloane at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Full squads: Father-sons, young guns among top Vic draft talents

The sons of Collingwood and Carlton guns and an academy talent linked to Essendon are among the prospects named in Vic Metro and Vic Country training hubs. See the full squads here.

News

Caitie Tipping in her Geelong guernsey. Picture: Geelong Cats

‘Scouted at work’: Bizarre meeting that sparked volleyballer’s switch

An unlikely meeting at Adidas was the catalyst for Aussie volleyballer Caitie Tipping’s code switch. The in-demand tall opens up on her whirlwind year and why she chose Geelong.

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