Geelong VFL coach Mark Corrigan on Cats’ mid-season chances and how Geelong AFL players have fared in 2025
A delisted Magpie has put himself in contention for the mid-season draft, and his VFL coach is full of praise. And he is also bullish on the brother of a Swans star.
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Geelong VFL coach Mark Corrigan says the stars are aligning for delisted Magpie Nathan Kreuger ahead of this month’s mid-season draft as he feels fellow mature-age hopeful Charlie McCartin is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Kreuger was cut from Collingwood after an injury-ravaged three-year stint at the club, but has starred at both ends for Geelong VFL this season and relished continuity that alluded him at AFL level.
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The 26-year-old told this masthead last month that his body is feeling as good as it ever has, shaving 50 seconds off his 2km time trial time after completing a training regime with his fiancee, middle-distance runner Tess Kirsop-Cole during the pre-season.
Kreuger earnt a spot in the VFL side that defeated the SANFL at Gather Round after he reeled in 14 intercept marks and 26 intercept possessions in two and a half games.
The 196 centimetre swingman has since been shifted forward where he has finished with hauls of 3.2 and 2.4 against Box Hill and Carlton in his past two games.
Corrigan also put forward Kobe George, Marcus Herbert and Tobyn Murray as other Cats VFL players that AFL clubs should consider, saying McCartin is ready physically but is still learning the ropes of VFL footy.
Kreuger spent six seasons in the system with Geelong and Collingwood that were cruelled by shoulder and soft tissue injuries, and Corrigan says he is deserving of an AFL lifeline.
Nathan Kreuger with pinpoint accuracy!
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) April 20, 2025
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“Off an AFL list, but put simply where it sits for ‘Kreugs’, he’s probably put the biggest body of footy together that he’s had in six or seven years,” Corrigan said.
“He’s been enormous for us, we’ve used him at both ends, clearly he can play at both ends – has done at AFL level – and so you’re getting someone right now who physically is probably in the best shape of their career.
“And from our end we’d love to have two of him to be honest – one forward one back – but he’s going really well, so wait and see really.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete, he’s got speed and power, but then obviously now he’s endurance. So for him, he’s just been able to put an amazing body of work together and he’s got a really good foundation now that he probably hasn’t had previously.
“In an AFL program there’s a little bit more pressure and anxiety and stress potentially, and he’s been able to sort of free himself up a little bit playing AFL footy without that sort of stress of being an AFL listed player.
“I think it’s all just sort of aligning for him at the moment, he seems really happy in his football and in life, so that tends to transfer onto the field at times.”
How about this mark from @LorneFNC Charlie McCartin on the weekend. He took an amazing 19 marks for the match. @Cdfnllive@sydneyswans@ctryfootyscorespic.twitter.com/sAN38XJgtF
— Max Blake (@maxblake9and44) August 25, 2024
McCartin, the 26-year-old middle brother of Sydney star Tom and 2014 No.1 pick Paddy, burst onto the draft radar in his first full season of football since 2017 for Lorne last year.
Recruiters ventured down the Great Ocean Road to watch him play in the Colac and District league under former Carlton stopper Ed Curnow.
The 194cm key defender joined Geelong VFL in the pre-season and showcased his impressive reading of the play and footskills in the Cats’ loss to Box Hill last month, finishing with 25 disposals, 14 intercepts and 11 marks – six of those intercept marks.
Corrigan said McCartin has the traits and size to be on an AFL list and added that his significant upside is “scary”, given his desire to learn and rapid progression since joining the program.
“(He’s) had a long time out of playing footy, and so if you look at him physically, you have no issues with him potentially playing or being on an AFL list,” Corrigan said.
“For him, it is more just bringing himself up to speed with VFL football and some system and other bits and pieces that go with it.
“He has been amazing for our group, his care for the group, also just his want to improve and learn and open himself up to constantly trying to better himself.
“So just for ‘Chuck’, it’s just more exposure in a VFL program just to be able to, for him, to keep sort of understanding the game and his role within it.
“His ability to influence the game from what he’s understood and what he has learnt to date, but he’s got so much in his growth in the game, which is scary.
“We see plenty in his football in terms of what he does really well – his marking ability and his running power. But at the same time, it’s a very different game playing at Lorne than playing at Geelong VFL.”
Corrigan would love to see 22-year-old Marcus Herbert on an AFL list, with the midfielder or halfback one of the Cats’ best VFL performers this season.
“I say this because I’m biased and I see a lot of them daily or weekly under my nose, but I have absolute confidence in guys like Marcus Herbert in terms of the way he’s playing his football at the moment,” Corrigan said.
“Played more back last year, putting him on ball this year and he’s just been ultra-consistent, he’s a mature body but still not that old really when you think how old he is.
“He’s physical, he’s aggressive in the content, and he’s got power and speed.”
George, a 187cm defender, impressed during the Young Guns mid-season draft showcase after he showed promising signs as Geelong VFL’s 23rd man, with his draft year at the Falcons hampered by injury.
Small forward Tobyn Murray was in the frame for the 2024 mid-season draft before an injury on the eve of the intake and Corrigan feels he has grown in the past 12 months.
“Kobe George’s first three games as our 23rd I thought he just looked like absolutely comfortable at the level, makes some really good decisions, he just doesn’t get flustered, he just ends up being a really calm head.
“Murray, who had a really hot start last year and then had a few injury concerns, has been ultra-consistent but really dynamic in the way he’s playing. He seems to have taken his game to another level.”
The mid-season draft will be held on Wednesday May 28.
AFL CATS IN THE VFL - MARK CORRIGAN ON…
#1 Rhys Stanley
Ruckman 200cm, 34 years old. Hamstring injury (1-2 weeks)
2025 VFL Ave: 31 hitouts (7.5 to advantage), 13 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 5.5 score involvements, 1 goal, 96 SuperCoach points (two games)
“We’ve got a young ruck (Joe Pike) who was playing a little bit forward and a bit of ruck, and he was just a great mentor to him. He was a real leader for us in the VFL program and at the same time, was able to just play himself in a really good form and be ready when the opportunity arose.”
#2 Jay Polkinghorne
Forward, 190cm, 18
2025 VFL Ave: 7.6 disposals, 3.8 marks (1.6 contested), 2.0 goals, 61 SuperCoach points (5 games)
“He’s a real competitor. We know what assets he has in terms of his ability to fly and mark aerially, but then he’s a really team-orientated person ahead of the ball. what we love about him is he finds a way to get the scoreboard, but he’s also just ready to compete every week, so he’s doing a lot right.”
#11 Mitch Edwards
Ruck, 206cm, 19 — Out with management (TBC)
2025 VFL Ave: DNP (injury)
“He’s very agile, can do it in the air and at ground level too, he is quite unique in that space. At his size, he’s not afraid to keep putting himself in the contest, but then he’s not afraid of work off the ball as well and in transition. It’s exciting, he’s just getting his body right and ready to play football and hopefully put some games and put some body of work together.”
#13 Jhye Clark
Midfielder, 181cm, 20
2025 VFL Ave: 29 disposals, 17.5 uncontested possesions, 10. inside 50s 7.0 score involvements, 6.0 clearances, 111 SuperCoach points (2 games)
“He’s had a few injuries Clarky, so to say he is a pure third year player is probably a little bit unfair in terms of what he’s missed. He knows what he does really well and so when he comes back in at VFL level, he just narrows his focus. We see his natural ability to win the ball and hunt the ball and be a real strong pressure player, and now we’re seeing a really strong player to read cues and position and transition on the outside.”
#14 Connor O’Sullivan
Defender, 198cm, 19
2025 VFL Ave: DNP (18 games last season)
“He’s a great athlete, but he’s had another year putting on a little bit of size and becoming a little stronger and having a body that’s more conducive to playing AFL footy now. He doesn’t shy away from the contest and from being challenged and that is where your real growth comes from. He just keeps growing and keeps learning and he’s going really well, which is exciting.”
#15 George Stevens
Midfielder, 189cm, 20
2025 VFL Ave: 27 disposals, 14.8 contested possessions, 8.8 clearances, 5.0 tackles, 100 SuperCoach points (4 games)
“He’s had a huge pre-season, so he’s improved his ability to cover the ground really well. We know he’s really strong inside mid, and he’s got a beautiful kick on him – he’s a really good decision-maker, but he’s also a really smart footballer, and now we’re just seeing the ability for him to play the game at a higher level for longer.”
#20 Jacob Molier
Ruck-forward, 201cm, 18. Out indefinitely — Management
2025 VFL Ave: DNP
“You can see physically, the exciting part is at his size he has got some speed, he moves really well, really one of those natural athletes. So for us it is exciting if we can get him into a position where he can sort of start to bank some back to back sessions and then end up with some footy.”
#21 Oli Wiltshire
Forward, 180cm, 22 — Made AFL debut in Round 7
2025 VFL Ave: 15.7 disposals, 9.3 score involvements, 2.3 goals, 78 SuperCoach points (3 games)
“(Earning senior selection was) such a great reward for Ol. Everyone’s aware of his story, and last year he started to make some great progress, and then unfortunately got shut down (with a groin injury), I think after about round three or four against Brisbane. He certainly hasn’t had just the sort of linear progression, he’s had to strip it back and work really hard and be challenged at different times. Good running power, good aerial player, but then also a smart footballer ahead of the ball.”
#22 Mitch Duncan
Defender, 188cm, 33
2025 VFL Ave: 22.7 disposals, 15.0 uncontested possessions, 15.0 kicks (86.7 per cent efficiency), 8.0 marks, 91 SuperCoach points (3 games)
“Mitch came back with a really strong mindset around what he wants to keep working on. I love the fact that after so many games at AFL level, he’s still looking to improve and get better, but then he’s been an amazing on-field coach, leader, in and among the program. Having someone of his experience and his footy IQ back in and among a lot of young boys in our VFL program, you can’t put a price on that.”
#23 Lenny Hofmann
Defender, 191cm, 18 — Out indefinitely with back injury
2025 VFL Ave: DNP
“He comes as a player that can read the game quite well off halfback, he’s got some physical attributes with his speed. So it’s about being able to build (him and other injured young Cats) for long-term success and hopefully once they’re back out there, they’re out there to stay.”
#25 Xavier Ivisic
Midfielder-forward, 180cm, 18 — Returned in last VFL game from ankle injury
2025 VFL Ave: 10 disposals (80 per cent efficiency), five tackles, 52 SuperCoach points (1 game)
“He’s another immaculate preparer, and so he doesn’t leave too much to chance in the way he prepares for the game. He’s someone who is also really team orientated and brings players into the game, love seeing seen that as a first-year player and playing his first game of VFL footy – his ability to know where his teammates were and bring them into the game was really exciting.”
#27 Patrick Retschko
Midfielder-forward, 186cm, 19
2025 VFL Ave: 20.0 disposals, 4.0 score involvements, 4.6 marks, 87 SuperCoach points (5 games)
“Super athlete, runs incredibly well, and just someone who strives to get better every week. He’s had a really strong start to his VFL campaign. We’re seeing someone who’s got great ball use and being able to at times hit the scoreboard for us, but then ultimately playing a wing role with really sort of sound, understanding what we’re trying to do.”
#31 Keighton Matofai-Forbes
Forward, 189cm, 19 — Returned in last VFL game after being managed
2025 VFL Ave: 13 disposals, 1 goal, 70 SuperCoach points (1 game)
“I thought he had some really important moments for (on debut), which is great to see. He played a little bit back and a little forward and was able to influence the game at both ends. He’s someone who’s a great competitor and he’s got some really nice attributes. He’s a beautiful kick, but he’s also got some ability to influence the game and win some crucial moments.”
#38 Joe Pike
Ruck, 203cm, 19
2025 VFL Ave: 18.4 hitouts (6.6 to advantage), 9.2 disposals, 4.0 tackles, 83 SuperCoach points (5 games)
“Over the last few weeks he has had (Ned) Reeves and (Marc) Pittonet, so there are some pretty steep learning curves but I feel like he has absolutely held his own. He is just getting that ruck craft exposure every week and so he’s much more well-rounded in the rucks department from a craft perspective, and even now the last few weeks we’ve started to see his real aerial game come out, which is really pleasing.”
#40 Ted Clohesy
Forward, 184cm, 20
2025 VFL Ave: 25 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 14 tackles, 7 clearances, 146 SuperCoach points (1 game)
“He is the ultimate competitor. His ability to win contests and his ability continue to play the right way we’ve seen from day one since he’s walked in here. Physically you can see him against Carlton VFL, he was sort of dominant inside and around the footy, his contest and his pressure and his ability to win the ball or tip the opposition over was first rate. He certainly plays the game in a similar vein to Tommy Atkins.”
#41 Cillian Burke
Defender, 192cm, 22 — Irish Category B rookie. Out indefinitely (knee)
“Incredibly tough position to move halfway across the world and play a sport you’re probably not all that familiar with. But he’s established amazing connection and relationships with the playing group and while he hasn’t been able to probably play as much footy as what he would have liked, you can certainly see the physical attributes that he possesses – and that’ll be a strength of his when he does get out there.”
MARK CORRIGAN ON MORE VFL PLAYERS...
#55 Jay Rantall (South Warrnambool)
Midfielder, 186cm, 23
2025 VFL Ave: 22.5 disposals, 16.8 uncontested possessions, 6.5 marks, 1.0 goals, 99 SuperCoach points (4 games)
“By his own admission he’ll say this is probably the biggest block of football he’s been able to play in two or three years. Enormous running capacity, which I’m sure we’re all aware of, but he’s also tough and strong so we play him wing and inside mid as well. He’s been a super addition to our squad when the squad’s quite young, to have someone like Jay who just sort of champions the sort of growth and learning mindset, it’s been super.
#56 Mitch Lloyd (Uni Blues)
Defender, 192cm, 19
2025 VFL Ave: 8.7 disposals, 3.7 spoils, 2.3 intercepts, 41 SuperCoach points (3 games)
“Another 23rd player, has been really strong in the last few weeks. Someone who is constantly learning. He’s really competitive, but he’s also got the ability to win the ball back. He’s a great intercept mark, and he’s really calm with the ball.”
#60 Paddy De Grandi (St Joseph’s)
Forward, 193cm, 24
2025 VFL Ave: 8.7 disposals, 5.4 svore involvements, 1.7 goals, 1.7 score assists, 56 SuperCoach points (3 games)
“Someone who’s a little bit older in their journey, but he did not miss a session in our VFL pre-season so just keeps getting better and his commitment to the program was outstanding, and obviously earnt the opportunity to play from the very beginning. Can clearly physically run really well and move, so he’s a hard match-up because he reads the games so quickly.”
#72 Will Sheahan (Leopold)
Defender, 190cm, 22
2025 VFL Ave: 7.5 disposals, 2.3 spoils, 39 SuperCoach points (4 games)
“So he came to us as a forward and I think in his first game against Sydney had two in the first probably five minute. we just thought potentially as that sort of hybrid defender he’d be able to be a real threat for us to defend well and then with ball in hand, and that’s what we’re seeing. I think his scope to continually grow, even as that sort of hybrid defender, is really high.”
#74 Patrick Kelly (South Barwon)
Defender/midfielder, 20, 170cm
2025 VFL Ave: 14.2 disposals, 4.8 intercepts, 4.2 tackles, 70 SuperCoach points (5 games)
“Has been enormous really and a little bit meteoric in his rise. He missed a fair bit of pre-season pre-Christmas because he was back home helping on the farm and then after Christmas we saw a lot more of him. He’s played wing, inside, he played half back for us, and he’s a beautiful ball user, great decision maker, tough in the contest, has speed, has endurance and someone who’s been able to just slot straight into VFL football seamlessly almost. Excited to see where he can continue to take his game.”
Originally published as Geelong VFL coach Mark Corrigan on Cats’ mid-season chances and how Geelong AFL players have fared in 2025
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