Recruit Oisin Mullin to stay home and renege on Geelong contract

Now that Oisin Mullin won’t be coming out to Australia, Geelong could open up a spot on their list for a new prospect. But they need to get the tick of approval first.

Geelong expects to find out within the next fortnight whether it will be able to replace Oisin Mullin on its list this year, after the Irishman reneged on his contract to play for the club.

It became clear on Monday morning that Mullin would not be making the trip to Australia and his home side, Mayo, announced he would be staying on for the next Gaelic Athletic Association season.

Mark Keane will not be returning to Collingwood. Picture: Scott Barbour, AAP

Mullin wasn’t the only Irish player to turn his back on the AFL this week, after Collingwood prospect Mark Keane decided not to return to Australia in 2022.

Reports indicated that the Magpies would not be able to replace Keane on its list and the Cats remain unsure whether they can bring in a player to take Mullin’s spot.

If Geelong was permitted to replace the 21-year-old, it would have to be with another Category-B rookie, which is a player with a background in another sport.

The Cats also have a normal list spot available, which they can fill at any time before the season, or use in the mid-season draft.

The Cats have had success with the Category-B slot in the past, with dual-Carji Greeves medallist Mark Blicavs a masterful signing from athletics.

Current member of the leadership group Mark O’Connor is another tick from the Category-B position after he was signed from the Gaelic game.

Former basketballer Paul Tsapatolis is Geelong’s other current player on the list from another sport.

MULLIN OFFICIALLY TURNS HIS BACK ON THE CATS

Geelong has lost out on Irish recruit Oisin Mullin, who has gone back on his plans to travel to Australia.

As late as Monday morning, the Cats were still hopeful the dashing defender would make the trip from Ireland but his home Gaelic club Mayo announced he was staying put.

Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking told media on Monday morning the club was still planning for Mullin to wear hoops this season, before it became clear that was not going to happen.

Oisín Mullin playing for Mayo. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Mullin signed a contract with Geelong late last year and was added to the list as a category-B rookie.

It is expected the Cats will be able to replace him on their list, but his spot can only be taken up by another category-B player, who will be signed after having a background in another sport.

Geelong has one other vacancy on its standard list.

The 21-year-old said after thinking about the move he decided he wanted to stay with the county team he loved.

“Going to Australia to play professionally was a really interesting opportunity and it was something I wanted to research and consider in detail,” he said.

“It was a big decision for me as playing for Mayo with my friends is a huge honour and something I love doing, so I wanted to take the time to consider all aspects of it.

“I am grateful to everyone who helped me during the process. I especially want to sen my appreciation to everyone at Geelong Football Club. I want to thank them for their understanding and wish them every success for the future.”

Cats list boss Andrew Mackie said Geelong hopes Mullin “can achieve his goals both on and off the field”.

Geelong had attempted to lure the speedster to the AFL a year earlier before he signed with the club.

“Moving to a new country to take up a new game is a significant decision and we respect the fact that Oisin has decided to remain at home,” Mackie said.

A two-time Gaelic young player of the year, Mayo was desperate to hold on to his services.

Club manager James Horan said he was “delighted” Mullin would be staying put.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Oisin since he came into the panel in 2019,” Horan said.

“Oisin is a fantastic guy, a leader and adds to much to the set up. There is a great spirit in the current squad and all the players are delighted to be back up and running.”

CATS STILL HOPEFUL MULLIN WILL MAKE TRIP

12 January, 2022

GEELONG still expects recruit Oisin Mullin to join the club this month despite a report the Irishman is considering staying put.

The young gun from Gaelic side Mayo signed a contract with the Cats last year to join the club as a category-B rookie but is yet to fly out to Australia.

A report in the Irish publication Independent stated there was uncertainty the two-time Gaelic Young Football of the Year would join Geelong in 2022 and Mayo manager James Horan told Irish station Mid West Radio that “Oisin and his family deserve the time to work through” his move.

It’s understood Mullin, 21, has strong ties at home given has a partner in Ireland and attends the National University of Ireland, Gelway.

But the Cats are still planning for the dashing defender to wear hoops this year, with him due to join the club in coming weeks.

Upon announcing Mullin’s signing in November, Cats recruiting boss Stephen Wells said the speedster would be given a deliberate plan to aid his development in the AFL.

Fellow Ireland teammate Mark O’Connor paid a visit to Mullin and his family while in his home country late last year.

“Oisin is a very athletic and talented prospect, and we are thrilled he has chosen to join the Cats as he transitions to AFL,” Wells said.

“Oisin has already established himself as an elite player in the GAA, and it is a big step to make the move to Australia.

“We have a strong plan in place around his development and transition to football.”

Originally published as Recruit Oisin Mullin to stay home and renege on Geelong contract