AFL news 2023: Geelong delist three players including son of Peter Riccardi

The tough calls keep coming at the Cats with three players informed they won’t be offered contracts, headlined by a Cat who played in their grand final side.

Sam Simpson has been delisted. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong has delisted three players including the son of a club great and a mature-age forward as the Cats look to regenerate their list.

Forward Sam Simpson, 2023 debutant Cooper Whyte and Osca Riccardi, the son of 288-game Cat Peter, have all been culled a week after the club’s disappointing end to 2023.

Simpson, 25, is perhaps the biggest surprise of the trio after kicking seven goals across his first four games this season before two sub-affected games in a sign he still had something to offer the Cats as a depth player.

Ongoing concussion issues plagued Simpson throughout his 25-game career, which included the 2020 grand final loss to Richmond.

Whyte debuted earlier this season in the green vest after being taken with the 64th selection in the 2021 draft, while Riccardi has been dumped after just one year on the Cats list after being picked up as a rookie.

Sam Simpson Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The delistings come after Sam Menegola was informed he would not be offered another contract and the retirements of Isaac Smith and Jon Ceglar.

Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie thanked them for their time at the club and said the club would continue to support them.

“All three players have been great teammates who are well respected and have lived the Geelong values during their time at the club,” Mackie said.

“We thank Sam, Cooper, and Osca for their efforts over their time at Geelong and wish them every success in the future. The club will continue to support them on and off the field.”

Originally published as AFL news 2023: Geelong delist three players including son of Peter Riccardi