Geelong's longest-serving member of their coaching staff, Nigel Lappin, is one of three new life members announced at the annual general meeting (AGM) as a new president was revealed.
Following an illustrious playing career at Brisbane, Lappin joined the Cats ahead of the 2009 campaign and tasted immediate success.
As the years went on, his influence didn't wane, playing a pivotal role as a midfield coach during the premiership-winning years before moving into a developmental role in 2013.
Lappin then returned to the coaching box from 2015 onwards and was named the head of development at Geelong at the start of 2024.
As head of development at GMHBA Stadium, Lappin oversaw a department that included VFL coach Mark Corrigan and development coach Aaron Black.
Lappin was joined by recruiting spotter Peter Casey and former employee Rob Threlfall as life members of the club.
Casey has been helping identify talent at the Cats since 1992, while Threlfall has held various executive-level roles (2000-2014) and was a director of the Geelong Cats Foundation (2014-2023).
Among these appointments was Geelong's new president, Grant McCabe, taking over from Craig Drummond, who has stepped down after 13 years.
"I'm honoured and excited to take on the role of President and to continue to serve the Club with the same commitment as Craig, and that in previous leaders such as Colin Carter and Frank Costa OAM," McCabe said.
"We thank Craig for his outstanding service during his tenure and the strong position he has presided over, with consecutive years of record membership, strong financial results, the completion of the Joel Selwood Stand, the delivery of our new AFLW purpose-built locker room and the 2022 Premiership."
Along with the official appointment of McCabe, current Director Lyndsay Sharp becomes Vice President of the Geelong Football Club.