Geelong will enter the 2024 home-and-away season with more than half of its list out-of-contract.
Most new deals will take care of themselves, but the spotlight will shine brightest on talented youngster Max Holmes until his future is determined.
The Cats’ first pick in the 2020 National Draft, the 21-year-old has played 51 games since debuting on Easter Monday the following year.
Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie is prepared for the questions to come.
“For the most part, players, I stay away from trying to answer the individual,” he said. “(It is) more about what we’re trying to be as an environment.
“Every day, when they walk into these four walls, what are we trying to create that, hopefully, make these decisions for players easier.
“If they’re playing every week and playing well – hopefully, that is the case with Max, that he gets a good run at it.
“His body is in great shape, and he’s able to be the best version of himself; that’s all I really care about.
“The rest of the contract stuff, there’s ongoing dialogue there. I feel really at ease with where that’s at.”
CATS: ONLY THREE TO MISS PRACTICE MATCH
Captain Patrick Dangerfield and fellow veterans Tom Hawkins, Rhys Stanley, Zach Tuohy and Mitch Duncan are also without deals for 2025
As are Jack Henry, Tyson Stengle, Zach Guthrie, Brandan Parfitt and 2022 first-round pick Jhye Clark.
“It’s much talked about that we have a large cohort of players that are out of contract,” Mackie said.
“For the most part, there’s a bit to do with the age demographic.
“Jack Henry’s just wanted to come out and play and train after the last couple of years where he’s had a few niggles.
“He’s such an important player to us … I feel really confident (with) where that’s at and the communication there.
“Stengle, likewise. (He) comes in for a chat all the time about it.
“But, to the guys’ credit, they just want to play footy, and, I think, what you do see is a great bunch of competitors that are willing to back themselves in.”
X: @krockfootball
