Geelong has strengthened its crop of contracted players for the 2025 season, extending Jake Kolodjashnij, Jed Bews, Lawson Humphries, and Ted Clohesy.
The new deals reflect the club's conservative approach to list management, signing on no further than 2026.
It also reflects their commitment to maintaining a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent.
Both Kolodjashnij and Bews were key defenders in Geelong's 2022 premiership squad and will continue to fortify the Cats' backline.
Kolodjashnij, a seasoned player with nearly 200 games, will stay with the Cats until the end of 2026.
Renowned for his durability and defensive reliability, Kolodjashnij finished in the AFL's top 25 for spoils in 2024, displaying his consistent knack for disrupting opposition attacks.
The 29-year-old defender is poised to reach his 200th AFL game milestone early in 2025, marking over a decade of contributions to Geelong.
Bews, who returned to the AFL lineup in the latter part of the 2024 season, has signed on until 2025. The reliable backman proved pivotal in the finals campaign, tasked with nullifying some of the most dangerous opposition forwards in the competition, unfortunately to no premiership avail.
Lawson Humphries, a 2023 National Draft pick, has extended his contract until 2026.
The young talent made his AFL debut in Round 16 this season and quickly made a mark, highlighted by his 23-disposal game against Collingwood, where he went at 96% disposal efficiency.
Humphries' performance earned him a Rising Star nomination in Round 18, showcasing impressively mature composure and ball-handling skills that have made him an exciting prospect for Geelong's future.
Meanwhile, Clohesy, a rookie addition, will remain with the Cats through to the end of 2025. Having developed his game in the VFL, where he averaged over 22 disposals and six tackles per match, Clohesy earned his AFL debut late in the 2024 season.
Known for his tenacity and versatility, attributes also fitting of his brother Sam at the Suns, he is expected to further develop as both an inside midfielder and forward, adding depth to Geelong's on-ball rotations.
Geelong's General Manager of Football, Andrew Mackie, expressed satisfaction with the signings.
“We are pleased Jake, Jed, Lawson, and Ted have signed on and will remain at the Cats,” he said.
“Jake continues to be a vital player to our backline structure and has enjoyed another consistent season. Jed is a great club person and was a key part of the team in the backend of the season.
"With their experience and the way they approach their footy, both players play an important role for our emerging group of young players.
“Lawson has been extremely impressive in his short time at the Club. He has quickly established himself at AFL level with his disposal and ability to make good decisions.
"Ted has shown promising signs the last two years as he continues to develop his craft as an inside midfielder and as a forward, and we can't wait to see both Lawson and Ted continue to grow and develop.”