Geelong defender Jed Bews on getting his spot back in the side as he remains unsigned

Jed Bews was a regular in Chris Scott’s side for seven seasons, but this year he was stuck in the VFL until round 20. The unsigned defender opens up on his challenging year and his contract.

Geelong defender Jed Bews said being stuck on the outer while out-of-contract has been tough but his full focus is on cementing his spot in the side, believing he still has years of good footy ahead of him.

A senior regular in coach Chris Scott’s side from 2017-23, Bews was a forgotten man for most of the season as he found himself stuck in the VFL.

That was until his call-up for the Cats’ win over North Melbourne in round 20, where he impressed with 13 disposals, four tackles and three intercept marks.

The 30-year-old free agent had almost identical numbers in another promising showing against Adelaide, taking three intercept marks while regularly matched-up on the dangerous Josh Rachele.

Bews had been the victim of Geelong’s new-look defence, with the Cats turning to speedster Max Holmes and then first-year revelation Lawson Humphries, and was forced to find form in the reserves.

Jed Bews tackles Jy Simpkin in his return game. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

The 168-game defender was also sidelined with a foot injury for several weeks when there was an opening in sight during Geelong’s form slump.

He conceded his uncertain future played on his mind more while he was out of the side, but things are easier now that he is back playing at AFL level.

Bews said his agent met with Cats football and list boss Andrew Mackie last week, but his main priority is remaining in the Geelong line-up rather than his contract.

“I’m sure I’ll catch up with them over the next few weeks and work out what is going on, but for the moment I am rapt to be back in the team and just playing some footy so that’s where my head’s at,” Bews said.

“For me the step and the speed I have still got, they are my two crucial things. If I’ve still got them I think I can perform at the high level. I’m confident I’ve still got another couple of years of good footy, hopefully more, but we will see how that stuff goes.

“You definitely think about those things – try not to – but it definitely plays a part. You want to get in for that side of it, but I guess the main thing for me was just wanting to play with my mates.

“That was probably the main thing, just getting back out there and playing good footy. That was the first time I have played in front of the ground with the new stand so all those things is just exciting, having the excitement back playing with the boys.”

Known for his defensive exploits, Bews had been taking kick-ins with Humphries in the VFL and looked to work on the offensive side of his game.

He earnt his spot back after an encouraging run of form at VFL level, where his intercepting in particular stood out, and said he is finding his feet at senior level.

Jed Bews gets a kick away in the VFL. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

“There wasn’t one specific thing where they were like, ‘go and do this’, it was just get that package overall to a better standard. Hopefully it has worked out alright,” Bews said.

“It has been tough at times, I guess I was playing well at twos level which was a positive. If I was going back there and not playing well I would have been really concerned. But I was playing good footy so I just had to wait for that opportunity.

“Got a little bit unlucky through the middle of the year where there probably were some cracks where there might have been a chance, then I hurt my foot. So just had to wait for that opportunity and now that I’ve got that chance, hopefully going alright and hopefully they keep me in for the rest of the year and we do something special.”

YOUNG CATS

Like junior pole vaulter Bews, Humphries also had an untraditional pathway to footy after being taken as a mature-ager after starting his draft year in the WAFL reserves.

But Bews noticed from the start of pre-season that the classy Humphries, who stood up with a crucial goal at the death against Adelaide, had something special about him.

Lawson Humphries celebrates his important goal. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“I think I have been fortunate enough in a way to see him this whole year, so it doesn’t really surprise me too much. I have seen this week in, week out and when he got his chance he is just doing the same thing at AFL level,” Bews said.

“Some of our sessions out at Deakin, I have just got images of him running off the halfback and doing his thing. Probably saw it there, it is always curious to see if they can do it in the game and playing VFL with him you could see that.”

Bews also thoroughly enjoyed watching young key forward Shannon Neale – who he had a few wines with in France over the off-season – seize the moment in the win with a big contested mark and goal in the final quarter.

“I love big Shannon, I was lucky enough to do a bit of travel with him last year so I know him quite well,” Bews said.

“We did a little wine tour through France, so spent a bit of time with him and you just want to see those guys who you have built those connections with go well.”

Originally published as Geelong defender Jed Bews on getting his spot back in the side as he remains unsigned