Geelong has re-signed a pair of promising youngsters, with both Bradley Close and Oliver Dempsey inking two-year deals to keep them at the club until at least the end of 2025.

Close has played all eight games for the Cats so far this season, averaging 13 disposals and 1.3 goals.

The premiership Cat was drafted to the club in 2019 as a mature aged recruit, going on to make his debut in Round 8, 2020.

โ€œBrad has put in the hard work throughout his career, he is a great all-round player who is crucial to our forward mix and also brings a great defensive mindset to his game,โ€ Geelong's list manager Andrew Mackie said.

โ€œBrad's such a valuable player to our system, he is a great teammate and will only continue to improve further.โ€

Dempsey, meanwhile, was drafted with Pick 15 in the 2021 Rookie Draft, making his debut in Round 6, 2022.
The 20-year-old has managed just one senior appearance so far in 2023, starting as the sub in Geelong's Round 8 win over Adelaide.

โ€œIt was great to see Ollie come into the senior side on the weekend, he has great skills for a player who came to footy late, he has the versatility to play in a number of positions and continues to show great ability,โ€ Mackie said.

โ€œWe are thrilled to have both Brad and Ollie re-commit for two years and look forward to them continuing to evolve and develop as players.โ€