AFL 2023: Luckless Cat Flynn Kroeger delisted as Mitch Hardie signs new deal

Geelong has delisted its fifth player this off-season, culling a youngster after just three VFL games. Plus, a rookie has signed on.

Flynn Kroeger has been delisted.

Geelong youngster Flynn Kroeger has been delisted after two years at the Cats, with the club finalising its playing list ahead of the AFL Draft.

The luckless midfielder has been cruelled by knee injuries since being taken with pick 48 in the 2021 nationl draft, managing just three VFL games across the last two seasons, including two this year.

Kroeger, 20, was drafted from relative obscurity by the Cats – not among the 120 prospects to be invited to test at the AFL Draft combine – playing five games for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League in his draft year.

The speedy 185cm midfielder becomes the fifth Cat to be culled this off-season, with Sam Menegola, Sam Simpson, Cooper Whyte and Osca Riccardi also informed that they will not be offered contracts.

Four-time premiership player Isaac Smith and Jonathon Ceglar announced their retirements, while Esava Ratugolea joined Port Adelaide during the trade period.

As reported by this publication this week, midfielder Mitch Hardie has signed a one-year deal with the club after being picked up in the mid-season rookie from the SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens in May.

Mitch Hardie has officially signed a one-year deal. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Football boss Andrew Mackie thanked Kroeger for his time at the club and said he is excited to see Hardie’s progression after his first AFL pre-season.

“Flynn is a quality young man and we have enjoyed having him part of our playing squad for the past two seasons and we wish him all the best in his next step,” Mackie said.

“After joining via the mid-season draft and spending just over four months at the club, we look forward to seeing Mitch continue to develop, learn and improve in 2024 with a full pre-season under his belt.

Fellow rookie Oscar Murdoch, a local Geelong product from Newtown & Chillwell, also recently secured a new contract.

It means the Cats have no unsigned players ahead of next Tuesday first list lodgement deadline, also locking in premiership stars Tom Hawkins, Gary Rohan, Rhys Stanley and Zach Tuohy on one-year deals.

Geelong has added just one player over the off-season so far in 203cm basketball convert Joe Furphy, signing the former Northern Knights prospect as a Category B rookie.

The club can add up to seven players to their list through the drafts and other off-season mechanisms.

Mackie said after the trade period that the Cats will be active players in the draft and will consider adding players to their list via delisted free agency and the pre-season supplemental period.

The Cats currently hold picks 8, 25, 76, 87 and 94 and are open to trading their prized top-10 pick.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Luckless Cat Flynn Kroeger delisted as Mitch Hardie signs new deal