AFL 2023: Geelong mid-season draftee Mitch Hardie set to sign on with Cats

With the list lodgement deadline approaching, a decision has been made on Geelong’s mid-season draftee from this year.

Mitch Hardie in action in the SANFL. Picture: Dean Martin

Geelong mid-season draftee Mitch Hardie is set to sign a one-year deal with the AFL club.

The 26-year-old has been left in limbo but will secure a contract for 2024 after a promising finish to the season in the VFL.

Hardie averaged 24.5 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 6.0 clearances and 5.5 tackles in his last two games of the season.

The Cats pulled a surprise in the mid-season rookie draft this year by plucking the ready-made talent out of the SANFL after some big games for Woodville-West Torrens.

The 185cm midfielder represented South Australia’s state side against Western Australia this year and eclipsed 160 ranking points in four of his seven matches at SANFL level before being taken by the Cats.

Mitch Hardie is set to sign a one-year deal with the club. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

His eventual signing will leave injury-riddled youngster Flynn Kroeger as the only unsigned Cat as the first list lodgement deadline on October 31 approaches.

Rookie defender Oscar Murdoch recently signed a contract for 2024, while the Cats locked in ageing premiership stars Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Zach Tuohy and Gary Rohan earlier this month.

List manager Andrew Mackie told this publication last week that the club would explore possibilities through delisted free agency and the pre-season supplemental selection period, as well the draft.

The Cats hold pick eight in the national draft and are open to trading the prized selection.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Geelong mid-season draftee Mitch Hardie set to sign on with Cats