SuperCoach 2024: Nine breakout contenders at the Geelong Cats
With an important season coming up for the Cats, there are plenty of young stars that will be leaned on to make rapid improvements for Geelong to contend again. Check out the nine Cats that are primed to break out in 2024.
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Geelong is set to turn to its young core of rising stars in an attempt to rejuvenate its list while still in premiership contention, with a focus on developing its talent without completely bottoming out.
Below is a list of nine of Geelong’s top young talent who are primed to take the next step into stardom at the Cats.
Tanner Bruhn
Age: 21
Role: Inside midfielder
SuperCoach price: $384,400
Heading into his fourth season in the AFL and his second with the Cats, Bruhn is primed for a breakout season. The inside midfielder struggled early in the 2023 campaign to find a consistent role within the team, dropped after the opening three rounds and then brought back into the side as the starting substitute in round 7. But the now-21 year old found his groove after the bye, playing every game after being reinstated in the team. In the off-season ahead of the next campaign, Bruhn has put on some size and has been impressive in match simulation work. While Cam Guthrie’s return to fitness could impact his overall minutes inside the centre square, the former Giant is expected to take on more responsibility in the guts, and should leapfrog players like Brandan Parfitt, Gryan Miers, Tyson Stengle, Jack Bowes and Mitch Duncan for centre square appearances, with that quartet all spending time through the middle in 2023.
Toby Conway
Age: 20
Role: Ruck
SuperCoach price: $180,000
After almost two full seasons impacted by injuries, Conway finally made his debut for the Cats in the final round of 2023. He was impressive, sparking conversation that he should overtake Rhys Stanley in the senior side from as early as round 1, 2024. Nothing Conway has done in the pre-season so far has diminished those expectations either, with the young ruck starring in match simulations, looking fit and having no injury concerns. Geelong has typically played with multiple rucks, with Mark Blicavs used as a pinch-hitting backup in recent times, however it would be surprising if the Cats opt to play Conway, Stanley and Blicavs all in the same side. If Conway continues to impress in January and through the club’s practice matches, Conway could be Geelong’s starting ruck by round 1.
Max Holmes
Age: 21
Role: Midfielder
SuperCoach price: $446,000
It is tough to suggest Holmes has not already broken out, with the young winger averaging 19.1 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 4 inside 50s and 3.1 clearances across 21 games in 2023, however he could absolutely become a bona fide superstar in 2024. At 190cm, Holmes is a tall winger, but his true calling is inside the centre square where he can use his burst of speed and deft kicking touch to become a weapon for Geelong. Out of contract at the end of 2024, Holmes is one of the hottest signatures the Cats are chasing, with a dominant start to his campaign sure to drive up interest in the young gun’s services. Holmes’ size, speed and skill is distinctly similar to that of Giants superstar Josh Kelly, who was dubbed a ‘Rolls Royce’ midfielder ahead of breaking out in his fourth season when he averaged 29.5 disposals, 6.5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 49. clearances per game in 2016. Holmes could easily be on a similar path.
Mitch Knevitt
Age: 20
Role: Winger
SuperCoach price: $306,000
Eight games in his second season, Knevitt earned more exposure last year and impressed at times. The former second-round pick spent the majority of the time on the wing, but at 193cm he added a different look inside the centre square when he got his chance. Knevitt only averaged 11.9 touches and 2.4 tackles per game, but he did spend time as a substitute, with there games impacted by either being subbed on or subbed off. In the five games he played full-time minutes, Knevitt only dropped below 15 touches once. With Isaac Smith retiring at the end of the 2023 campaign, Knevitt could make a wing position his own, and would be a tough match up thanks to his height and endurance capabilities.
Jhye Clark
Age: 19
Role: Midfielder
SuperCoach price: $123,900
Geelong’s highest draft pick since Joel Selwood, and often compared to the retired Cats legend, Clark endured a wretched maiden season at the AFL. He broke through for his debut, coming on as the sub and was impressive, however suffered a foot injury that wiped out the rest of his campaign. However Clark has been fit and firing throughout the pre-season so far, and has put some size on his 181cm frame. It would be a tough ask to break into Geelong’s engine room for the entire season, however the former Geelong Falcons skipper is as good a chance as any to stake his claim and keep his spot. His role would depend on the veteran’s positions in 2024, and whether players like Patrick Dangerfield take a step back on midfield responsibilities.
Ollie Dempsey
Age: 21
Role: Small forward
SuperCoach price: $148,400
If there is any year to break into Geelong’s forward line, it is 2024. The Cats attacking half, and especially their small forward brigade, struggled with inconsistency throughout the 2023 campaign. This was highlighted by Tyson Stengle and Brad Close’s poor seasons, with Gryan Miers the only outstanding option. With Geelong drafting Shaun Mannagh as a mature-aged small forward, the Cats are clearly looking to make improvements by tinkering with their forward line set up. Dempsey played five games in 2023 but only one that was not impacted by substitution, with the small forward collecting 15 touches, eight tackles and one goal. Signed on until the end of 2025, Dempsey could easily earn a place inside the Cats’ forward half by the end of the season.
Shannon Neale
Age: 21
Role: Key forward
SuperCoach price: $201,200
The young key forward has a lot of fans at the Cattery, and it is clear to see why. Just 21 years old but 203cm tall and 101kg, Neale is as solid as they come and has great athleticism for a big man. He struggled with injury in the early stages of 2023, but managed three games to end the campaign and was an adequate replacement for the injured Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. Neale will not leapfrog either key forward in 2024, however is likely to be the first called upon if either miss games, and could even push for a third tall, back up ruck type role. Neale has his hands on a key forward role from 2025 if Hawkins does retire at the end of this season.
Oisin Mullin
Age: 23
Role: Midfielder
SuperCoach price: $153,400
Mullin was a feel-good story in 2023, breaking through for a senior debut just weeks after playing his first-ever game of football. He was impressive for a first-year international recruit, playing mainly in defence with spurts on a wing and through the middle. Mullin is a genuine athlete, well built and has great speed and endurance. The Cats are bullish with his potential and have floated the idea of running him through the middle long-term, and with his hunt for the ball and tackling pressure, Mullin could become a genuine gun in the near-future as he continues to develop at AFL level.
Ted Clohesy
Age: 19
Role: Defence
SuperCoach price: $123,900
Clohesy was another round 24 debutant, coming on as the substitute in the loss to the Western Bulldogs. Despite his limited minutes, the Next Generation Academy player impressed, collecting five disposals in the final quarter. While he was drafted as a tough inside midfielder, Clohesy has spent the majority of the pre-season training in defence, with some work in the midfield. It is a similar path to Tom Atkins’ rise to prominence at Geelong, starting in the VFL as a lockdown defender and eventually earning time through the midfield where he has become an important piece in the side. Clohesy will be facing an uphill battle to earn a role in either the defensive six or through the midfield, but his rapid improvement in his first season at the club has coaches and fans excited about his long-term prospects.
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