Recently delisted Collingwood tall Nathan Kreuger will return to Geelong for 2025, signing with the Cats' VFL squad following his Magpies exit.

Kreuger was cut from Collingwood at the end of the 2024 season after 13 AFL games in three years, with the 196cm swingman joining the Victorian powerhouse from Geelong at the end of 2021.

The South Australian endured a luckless run with injuries during his time at Olympic Park, playing just 22 VFL games on top of his AFL action as shoulder, hamstring and calf setbacks limited his time on the field.

Kreuger struggled to get a game across his time with Geelong but would make his AFL debut in his last year at Kardinia Park, notching up appearances against North Melbourne and GWS.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Nathan Kreuger of the Cats is tackled by Jack Mahony of the Kangaroos during the 2021 AFL Round 20 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Blundstone Arena on July 31, 2021 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Grant Viney/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The versatile big man is set to pull the blue and white hoops back on next year, with Kreuger joining Geelong's reserves.

โ€œWe have seen it already from Kreuger, he brings incredible leadership with a great voice and great direction,โ€ Cats coach Mark Corrigan said. ย 

โ€œHe brings a great energy, and not to mention he is an incredibly powerful key position player that can play at both ends.ย ย 

โ€œSomeone like Kreuger, at 25 years of age with six or seven years in an AFL program with experience, he will be enormous for our younger boys.โ€

His return to the Cats' VFL side comes after the club's straight sets finals exit, losing to eventual grand finalists Werribee and Southport in successive weeks after finishing fourth.

The Cats have lost best and fairest winner Mitch Hardie after he was cut from the club's AFL list, with the 2024 VFL Team of the Year member since landing at Casey.

Young forward Phoenix Foster has also left the club after not being offered a new deal, with his 19 goals in the VFL this year the second-most for Geelong behind Shaun Mannagh's 23.

Former Richmond-listed tall Kaelan Bradtke is expected to suit up for the Cats again in 2025 and could partner Kreuger in attack alongside Geelong's fringe AFL-listed forwards. Bradtke kicked 18 goals in as many games in his first year with Geelong.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Nathan Kreuger of the Magpies warms up during the 2022 AFL Round 06 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Kreuger played five VFL games for Collingwood in 2024 for a return of six goals, half of which came against Footscray in Round 10.

Details for the start of the 2025 VFL season are yet to be confirmed.