Fringe Geelong defenders Jed Bews and Oisin Mullin vying for more opportunity in 2025

The week before Lawson Humphries’ AFL debut, he was in the VFL with two other members of Geelong’s preliminary final side. Will they all feature in their season-opener?

Three members of Geelong’s preliminary final defence were alongside one another in the VFL against Port Melbourne in late June.

That trio of Jed Bews, Oisin Mullin and Lawson Humphries all had unique paths to get there.

Premiership stopper Jed Bews, a mainstay in previous seasons, was stuck on the outer for most of 2024 and didn’t break into Geelong’s AFL line-up until round 20.

Bews played in round 21, was omitted in round 22 and then held his spot in the side from round 24 to play key roles on dangerous small forwards Willie Rioli and Charlie Cameron in the finals series.

Jed Bews played his part during the finals. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Emerging Irish speedster Oisin Mullin found himself on the fringe of selection in his second season.

Mullin broke in for rounds two and three and didn’t get another opportunity until round nine, when he was injected as the sub and played an important tagging job on a red-hot Jason Horne-Francis.

The former Gaelic sensation featured in the next five consecutive matches before being dropped again, recalled for round 22 and 23, but was then omitted for round 24.

Mullin had the luck of the Irish from there, earning a ninth-hour reprieve for vice-captain Tom Stewart against Port Adelaide. When the five-time All-Australian returned for the preliminary final, Mullin held his spot as veteran Zach Tuohy made way.

Oisin Mullin held his spot against the Lions. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Then there’s Humphries, who was called-up for an AFL debut after that defeat to Port Melbourne and never looked back, playing 11 senior games and growing every time he took the field.

All three offer something different: Humphries an elite user on both sides, Bews an experienced lockdown defender and Mullin raw and athletic.

Humphries looks to be a lock after a strong pre-season, but the pre-season games will likely determine the selection fate of Mullin and Bews.

While the latter two may find themselves competing for spots, Bews believes there is room for all three of them in the Cats defence.

“Last year I remember chatting with (Oisin) and Lawson. One week we were playing at Port Melbourne, all three of us, and fast forward (two months) and all three of us are playing in the final,” Bews said at Geelong’s community camp at Moriac Primary School.

“I definitely think there’s space for all of us, but I think it’s going to take a whole squad this year, 35 plus.

“So each person will get their rest and get their time to go in and prove themselves. It’s exciting for not only the 22, but the fringe guys as well.”

Cat Oisin Mullin at Moriac Primary School as part of Geelong's community camp. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mullin has only been playing Aussie rules for just two years, while Bews – a talented dual sport athlete himself as a national junior pole vaulter – is about to begin season 14.

But both are eyeing more senior opportunities in 2025 – Mullin managing 12 appearances in 2024 and Bews just the five – his lowest tally since 2014.

“Just hoping to keep building on the experiences of last year. Obviously getting some game time in the latter end of the season in the finals experience, hoping that’ll stand me in the season coming forward and hopefully progress on and get more gametime this year again,” Mullin said.

“(My goals are) probably similar to ‘Osh’, I know I am a little bit older but just to get some more game time. Push myself for selection against Brissie for round zero and just try and then play some consistent footy this year would be great,” Bews added.

How Geelong’s defence shapes up this season will be intriguing with Sam De Koning thrown into the ruck last year and honing his craft in that spot this pre-season.

Add the encouraging signs from 2023 first-round pick Connor O’Sullivan and the Cats certainly aren’t going to be short of options.

Originally published as Fringe Geelong defenders Jed Bews and Oisin Mullin vying for more opportunity in 2025