Geelong defender Jack Henry on his strong pre-season, foot injuries and rise of Connor O’Sullivan

Jack Henry battled foot setbacks for two seasons. But after an impressive 2024 campaign, he is primed for an even bigger year in 2025. Plus, he shares an insight into an emerging defender.

Geelong premiership defender Jack Henry says he is as fit as he has been in a long time as he appears to have put his foot issues behind him.

Henry, 26, went under the knife three times in the space of 18 months after a string of foot setbacks which restricted to him to 25 games in the 2022 and 2023 seasons – his most recent blow a Lisfranc ligament tear in round 21 of 2023.

The important key back reached that tally in 2024 alone, playing all 25-games and stepping up in the Geelong defence, ranking first at the club for intercept marks and third for intercepts.

Henry has a full pre-season under his belt – something he hasn’t had the luxury of the past three years – and says those setbacks taught him to make every post a winner.

Jack Henry takes a grab in front of Jack Gunston in their practice match last week. Picture: Michael Klein

“(The injuries) just built resilience probably, just probably learnt not to take things for granted,” Henry said.

Sort of see how easy it can be taken away from you just from reoccurring injuries and whatnot, so it probably helps me definitely enjoy my time when I’m on the field this past season and every game.

“Got through last year which was nice but then being able to have a full pre-season this pre-season and probably as fit as I’ve felt in a long time. So I’m really excited for hopefully what I can bring this year and it is good.

“If it is small modifications to look just after my body given the not as complete pre-seasons in the past, then it is sort of what we’ll do, but I haven’t really missed anything at all. So I just try and get what I need to get done.”

Emerging key defender Connor O’Sullivan has put himself into the frame to join Henry in the Cats defence for their season opener against Brisbane, collecting 17 disposals, 10 marks, six intercepts and kicking goal against Hawthorn last week.

Now a senior figure in the Geelong back six, Henry will look to pass on knowledge to O’Sullivan, who has impressed him since he arrived at the club with pick 11 in the 2023 draft.

Connor O'Sullivan has put his hand up for opening round. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Always been so willing to work and learn – I think that’s one of his best traits,” Henry said.

“He’s only going to get better and better.

“We are good friends, he is a great kid. Calling him a kid sounds strange, but get on really well and just love working together, trying to get the best out of each other.

“I’m starting to get to the point where I do have a small bit of experience and just passing on little things to him like guys like Harry Taylor did to me.”

Henry also praised the competitive streak and standards of boom recruit Bailey Smith, who turned heads in limited gametime in his first match as a Cat last week.

“I’m not huge on

social media myself so haven’t really followed his whole presence on that, but from what I’ve seen in person he is a very driven person, very competitive and just tries to get the best out of his footy.

“You see how he goes, even the match sim here last Monday, he wants to win and he loves competing.

“It is a pretty amazing trait and he really drives those standards along.”

Geelong and Essendon kick off the pre-season community at GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday night.

Originally published as Geelong defender Jack Henry on his strong pre-season, foot injuries and rise of Connor O’Sullivan