Geelong’s Lawson Humphries on breakout 2024, ‘easy’ contract extension and Indigenous All-Stars concept

Geelong’s Lawson Humphries rose to become one of the AFL’s brightest young stars late last year. On the eve of his second season, the defender is ready to take another big year in his stride.

Geelong defender Lawson Humphries is getting ready for his second AFL season with Geelong. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Lawson Humphries isn’t one to get ahead of himself.

After a round 16 debut last year launched a meteoric rise for Humphries across 11 games, the 21-year-old now finds himself in a very different position on the eve of a new AFL season and his second in the system.

Now a lock in Geelong’s best 22, a prime-time season-opener against Brisbane on Thursday, despite the game being under threat of a looming cyclone, sounds pretty good to the impressive intercept defender.

“If I look back on my time, this time 12 months ago, I’m probably just getting ready for a VFL praccy match, getting ready to have a good year through there,” Humphries said.

“Definitely a bit different preparation, super excited, that’s what we all want to come in and do, play AFL footy, play in those big games.

“First game of the year, it’s pretty exciting.

“I’m just taking it in my stride, can’t wait to get stuck into it.”

Lawson Humphries has his hands full with the round ball and oval ball during a Geelong training session last week. Picture: Michael Klein

After what the 21-year-old described as a “short and intense” pre-season following the Cats’ late September finals run, and interspersed with an Indigenous All-Stars appearance in Perth last month, Humphries will look to take his game to greater heights.

Averaging 17 disposals, 5.9 marks and 327.6 metres gained last year, he was one of the Cats’ best in their preliminary final defeat to Brisbane.

But asked whether his current trajectory based off just 11 career games has him primed to take his career to lofty heights in the years ahead, Humphries instead preferred to focus on the present.

“I probably try not look at the outcome, I probably learnt that not getting drafted,” he said.

“You’ve got to just look at the process, and not worry about the outcomes, that’s when you probably start playing mind games with yourself.

“ … try training well, getting fitter, just trying to improve every day.”

Lawson Humphries (right) spoils the ball away from Jade Gresham during Geelong’s practice match against Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein

Overlooked by other clubs, including West Coast as part of their Next Generation Academy, during his draft year, it was the Cats’ decision to pluck Humphries out as a mature-age pick in 2023, as well as their support since his arrival, which the humble star credited to his impressive start as an AFL player.

Already signed for 2025, Humphries made a show of faith of his own in December, signing a further one-year extension to take him through to the end of 2026.

Humphries, who acknowledged he was a “raw” talent at 18, said it had been an easy decision to recommit.

“I like to think I’m a pretty loyal person and having a couple years were nowhere was really interested and seeing Geelong was the only team who had any genuine interest, I really respect and am grateful for the support they gave me,” he said.

Lawson Humphries in action for the Indigenous All Stars. Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

‘We want to play anyone’

One of the youngest to play in the Indigenous All-Stars’ win over Fremantle last month, Humphries described the experience as a “confidence boost” heading into his second AFL season.

With the format resurrected after 10 years, Humphries is now keen to see it on the calendar each year, or if not, every two.

“I think a lot of the Indigenous boys took a lot out of it,” he said.

With a potential State of Origin return currently being floated, and the AFL considering including the Indigenous All-Stars in the mix, Humphries said he was firmly behind the concept.

“I’ve always, as a WA boy and pretty passionate WA boy, I’ve always wanted to see State of Origin, so I’d love to see State of Origin return,” he said.

“But I definitely think the Indigenous All-Stars, we want to play anyone, just being able to play together as a group is just really exciting.”

Originally published as Geelong’s Lawson Humphries on breakout 2024, ‘easy’ contract extension and Indigenous All-Stars concept